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Tire troubles: Will going with a bigger tires cause problems?
My car came with S8 wheels (255/35/20) tires. With the car being so heavy, anytime I roll over a pothole I usually blow the tire. I've even cracked a wheel and had to have it welded. Any suggestions on what sizes I could go with? And what problems I could possibly expect?
If those wheels are 9x20 (original S8 size) go with 275/35x20. That's original size for W12 and those wheels and won't make any problems. They will be much better over potholes, but don't expect miracles.
If those wheels are 9x20 (original S8 size) go with 275/35x20. That's original size for W12 and those wheels and won't make any problems. They will be much better over potholes, but don't expect miracles.
+1; even original correct size for the S8 was 265/35-20.
Lots more tire choices at generally better prices in the 275's, so that is another benefit. The 275 size was also used for late 4.2's with optional 20" wheels.
Agree with everyone here. Even the P275/35R20 are susceptible to side wall bruising so I would not go back with the P255s. Also the P255 will have less load carrying capacity and your speedometer will show you are going faster than true speed.
Lots more tire choices at generally better prices in the 275's, so that is another benefit. The 275 size was also used for late 4.2's with optional 20" wheels.
Originally Posted by mishar
If those wheels are 9x20 (original S8 size) go with 275/35x20. That's original size for W12 and those wheels and won't make any problems. They will be much better over potholes, but don't expect miracles.
Originally Posted by TSHong
Agree with everyone here. Even the P275/35R20 are susceptible to side wall bruising so I would not go back with the P255s. Also the P255 will have less load carrying capacity and your speedometer will show you are going faster than true speed.
Thanks Gentlemen. Any other viable size options I should consider?
The OE S* size is 265/35-20, but its kind of an oddball. Not a lot of tire choices comparatively as 275, and 275's are often less apparently.
As a trivia point from when car was new, I compared the 265's on an S8 side by side with my 275's, on the lot. In fact, as I had surmised, the tread width was really the same and all it was was less sidewall. Word was that on the Yoko's a lot of them came with as new, all the tire co. really did was cut down the sidewall but basically used the same tread set up as the 275. Not uncommon in the tire business apparently to save costs.
Only other size to mention is kind of oddball--255/40-20, specifically in the Porsche approved (N1) fitments. The tire is used on the Panamera (front) IIRC. After I got tired of Pirelli's and TireRack's price games for the 20" snow fitment that crosses over between the Bentley Continental and the A8, I went to the 255/40's for snow. 95% of my winter miles are non-snow/mild climate, so I fall into the lower volume performance oriented snows rather than max traction, or lousy pavement. Meaningfully lower price in that one case (255/40; SottoZero 270's), even though same brand and basically same rubber quantity. Demand curve pricing/skimming without a good cost rationale I can see, so I moved on. In the Porsche fitments, those 255/40's are generous width sized. In a pile with my 275's stacked up and then the 255's from the baseline A8 fitment, or the A6 255's or the Q5 255's, those Porsche fitment ones are hard to tell apart from the 275's. They are a little taller (slightly bigger diameter) than the 275/35's, but still close. I have a price reason to do it, but like the reasons maybe not to use the stock S8 265's, plus your desire for more sidewall, I would most likely do 275/35--especially compared to 255/35's. Look at 255/40 in the N1 (Porsche) fitments though if you want that yet further bit of sidewall add without really giving up width like a std 255 (non-N1) does, or if you see some specific tire or price that is compelling.
I have the 2008 and up 20" OEM double 5 spoke wheel, Continental ExtremeContact DW 275/35ZR-20 tires, with 15mm front (12mm looked too narrow) and 20mm rear spacers.
Before that it was Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport 285/30R-20.
All four wheels needed to be straightened, not sure if the damage happened during my ownership or not, and one welded after hitting a rock at highway speed.
For winter use I have a 19" reproduction double 5 spoke wheel with Bridgestone Blizzak 255/40R-19.
10-28-2014, 06:43 PM
Tire troubles: Will going with a bigger tires cause problems?
