245/45ZR18 100W tires on 18x8-40 wheels on F50

[StarPD]

I promised to report on fitment and performance once I had my new wheels and tires installed on my 2005 Q45.

They fit perfectly, no interference at all. I'd like them to be a little further out to the fender line, but that's a personal thing. As it is, it's fine.

Okay, intial ride/handling report:

Ride is only slightly improved, probably due to the 100W load rating on the new 245/45 ZR18 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A "Pole Position" tires and the 36 psi inflation pressure I used initially. Original aftermarket tires on the car when I bought it were new Sumitomo245/35ZR20 -91 HTRZ II.

Hard turn-in, as in turning corners at lower speeds is not quite as quick as the 20" Sumitomos, but higher speed turn-in, as on curves seems to be slightly quicker and more responsive. Stability in turns is slightly better. Tracking is considerably better, and there's a lot less tramlining. Noise is reduced, and noise over potholes and expansion joints is better. My wife likes the ride better, and seems to notice the improvement more than I do. Of course, I'm busy trying to evaluate everything, and am not yet just relaxing and enjoying the ride. Understeer seems to be reduced considerably, thank God.

The tires are not broken in yet, and I'm still playing with inflation pressures. I usually run a few pouunds more pressure than manufacturer's specs, and in the case of these new tires, wanted to try them out @ 36 psi (spec is 33 psi) , then bleed them down early in the next AM. This morning early, I took them down to 34 psi.

So far, I like the tires. Discount Tire tells me that Bridgestone is conservative on their wear ratings, and that despite the 140 wear rating, these tires should give me over 20k miles. Not sure about that, but time will tell. I will of course, report further on these tires, both in overall performance and wear.

BTW, the TSW chrome "Kyalami" wheels look GREAT on this car! Despite being heavier than the better/lighter wheels on the market, for the $350 each price, I think they were a good deal, for me at least. Maybe later after I save some pennies, I'll go to BBS or OZ forged lightweight wheels and PS2 tires, but for now, these will have to do, and I like them.

[Rex]

That's ALL I have to say ... for now .

[maxnix]

That's ALL I have to say ... for now .

Nice wheel. Wonder how much they weigh?

[Rex]

My post was more in referenc to how the "fit" on the car ... I'm familiar with google and what the TSW Kyalami wheels look like .

The 18x8 should be ~22-23 lbs, maybe less.

[elwesso]

man those are nice! I cant wait to hear a longer term review of the RE050s and how the TSWs balance next set of tires (which im sure is the last thing you're thinking about now!)

[szh]

Original aftermarket tires on the car when I bought it were new Sumitomo245/35ZR20 -91 HTRZ II.

Good you changed! That is a scarily low load index for a Q45!

Z

[maxnix]

Good you changed! That is a scarily low load index for a Q45!

Z

Hence some of the turn in complaints! It is amazing that so many don't understand the benefits of increased load capacity. Q45tech has a great post on how it relates to tire profile and slip angles under dynamic loads.

Think the TSW are 24 lb. I remember I was considering them until I found out how heavy they were. But that was probably 18x9 size.

[StarPD]

My post was more in referenc to how the "fit" on the car ... I'm familiar with google and what the TSW Kyalami wheels look like .

The 18x8 should be ~22-23 lbs, maybe less.

Okay Rex, I have pix. I have the car and original as purchased 20" American /racing chrome wheels and close-ups, and also the entire car and close-ups with the new 18" chrome "Kyalamis".

Now how do I post them here so everyone can see the difference?I know there WAS a page that was supposed to be for hosting photos, but when I went to it, it was down. Now I don't remember what folder and thread led me to it, and can't find a link to it anywhere on the NICO home page.

[StarPD]

That's ALL I have to say ... for now .

I'm trying Rex. See my post asking how to post photos here.

Thanks.

[Rex]

The pics have to be "hosted" online somewhere. NICO had a free hosting site, but ran into "software" issues when we switched from VBB to ZeroForums (previous guys didn't like us changing ). NICO currently has a pay (small annual fee) site iServe, or you can use one of the many online for free (pop ups and ads) pages.

Once you have them hosted, then you insert the url of the image in the body of your post, like this [ i m g ] h t t p://w w w.urlofyourpic.com/coolpicture.jpg[/ i m g ]

Simply don't put the "spaces" inside of the [] brackets, nor your pic's web address.

[StarPD]

The pics have to be "hosted" online somewhere. NICO had a free hosting site, but ran into "software" issues when we switched from VBB to ZeroForums (previous guys didn't like us changing ). NICO currently has a pay (small annual fee) site iServe, or you can use one of the many online for free (pop ups and ads) pages.

Once you have them hosted, then you insert the url of the image in the body of your post, like this [ i m g ] h t t p://w w w.urlofyourpic.com/coolpicture.jpg[/ i m g ]

Simply don't put the "spaces" inside of the [] brackets, nor your pic's web address.

Thanks Rex.Do you by any chance have any links to free photo hosting sites?

[Falkdesigns]

q45.org offers free, no login required hosting. Thanks to Wes & Jesda!!

[StarPD]

man those are nice! I cant wait to hear a longer term review of the RE050s and how the TSWs balance next set of tires (which im sure is the last thing you're thinking about now!)

Thanks elwesso. I really like them a LOT too.Not sure what you mean about "balance".Are you refering to wheel balancing?

I do plan on posting more feedback on these tires as they accumulate miles.

FWIW, having decades of expierience in driving high-performance cars, and being especially picky about and sensitive to actual real world performance with the many various tires I've tried on cars and sportbikes, I consider myself, rather than an "expert", an RKI ("Reasonably Knowledgable Individual?). I am EXTREMELY picky when to comes to tires and handling, and can feel and sense things that others cannot. I intend to provide my own evaluation of these tires as time goes by.

As is always the case, YMMV.

[StarPD]

That's ALL I have to say ... for now .

Okay Rex, I posted the photos on q45.org.I tried to use the "insert image" function in this post, and tried to copy the photos from the q45 photo page. When I copy the photo and try to paste it between the "[img]" I can't get the "paste" function to work.

What am I doing wrong?

Did I not do something right when I posted the photos on the q45.0rg web site?The photos DO show up there.

Thanks.

[Falkdesigns]

Looks nice man! I can get you some Espelir springs to lower it for you if you're interested.

[StarPD]

AW, that was GREAT!!!!Thanks a million, Falkdesigns.I appreciate that.

But how did you do it?I'd like to be able to do it myself for other photos.

Thanks for the offer on the springs, but I don't think I want to lower it at this time. Maybe later though.

[StarPD]

Guys, I think I figured out my photo problem. I wasn't copying in the url of the page after opening the photo. Instead, I was trying to copy the photo itself.

I guess it gets down to the old saying" RTFM!".

Mea culpa.

[StarPD]

man those are nice! I cant wait to hear a longer term review of the RE050s and how the TSWs balance next set of tires (which im sure is the last thing you're thinking about now!)

Okay, more observations after a 95 mile round trip; 15 miles surface streets and 80 miles freeway after reducing pressures to 34 psi:

Best tracking in straight line of any tire I've used on a Q45, including current F50 and previous G50. Excellent tracking and stability in curves.No noticable tramlining at all. Tire noise on pavement is muted. There is some, but it's not intrusive at all. Tire noise on impacts with expansion joints and small potholes etc is reduced, but noticable. Turn-in is good, better in moderate to increased steering angles, but still good in initial turn-in. Dry traction seems excellent so far, but tires are not yet broken in, and I haven't yet cornered them hard. Stability in turns is very good, but again, hard cornering not yet tried. Ride is good. Not great, but considering the 100W load rating, I expected a little stiffness. It is acceptible for this kind of tire.

I intend on reducing pressures again by one pound down to recommended 33 psi. I'll report further as I accumulate more miles, and do some more typical (for me) hard cornering.

I am still pleased with these tires, and so far, based on my lmited experience with them, recommend them as an excellent buy, especially considering the price of $180 each.