Q45Tech, Anyone Else - Quick Tire Answer Needed

[Q451990]

Dennis and anyone else who knows,

Back in the fall Dennis mentioned that the 255/50/16 tire is a great size for the Q if you're running 16" wheels.

TireRack.com has the Michelin Pilot XGT H4 in that size on sale for $102 - which is a great deal! In any case, when I called to order, the guy on the phone said they wouldn't work on the Q because of the width (10.2" vs 8.8" for OEM). Should I be concerned about that? Do you think they'll work on my 97 Q wheels? I think he's full of crap - 1.4" (so .7" on the inside) doesn't sound like they'll rub, but I don't really know the clearances in there that well.

I kind of want to get my order placed today since it's the last day of a promotion to get a free Palm Pilot with the order.

Thanks!

Heath

[maxnix]

My only concern would be that the 7" rim is of insufficient width for them to assume their designed profile.

[Q451990]

Brian,

The specs show that the tires should (worst case) work on 7-9" rim width ranges. I'm not sure which tires I'd be buying because the site shows two tires of the same model and size and the specification page shows both as well but either way, they should work on the Q. I think the ones on sale are the 6.5-10" version, not the 7-9" style.

It would be interesting to know the difference, especially since Michelin's site shows only one Pilot XGT H4 in that size! I checked the car today with the wheel turned all the way to the stop, and there's at least 1" clearance, so I don't expect any rub - especially since the profile is about the same as the 215/60-16 MXV4's that are on there now. On a 16x7 rim the width of the MXV4s in the 215-60/16 that I'm running now should be about 9.2" vs. 9.9" for the Pilot XGT H4s in a 255/50-16" so I'm looking at about .35" extra on the inside.

Heath

[911/Q45]

The offset of your wheels is important on clearance questions. The factory wheel is offset 45mm to the inside, so if the replacement wheels are offset less than that, clearance on the inside will be greater and clearance outside will be less.

[Q451990]

Wheels will be the same as the ones I'm using now... 16" factory off of a 97-00(?)



Heath

[maxnix]

Heath, you should be close, but all right. AZhitman runs 245/50 x 16" on his 1995 with your wheels and no problems. He has never said a word about any clearance. Might be worth it to call him and have him measure clearance at full lock and estimate it at full jounce. GKsea (Paul) has them on his ZXTT rear rims all around (8.5" width).

Todd (Land) in FL is running that size on his 1993(?) with the rear ZXTT rims also.

I can't imagine another 5mm increase on either side (or whatever the measured width is) would make any difference in clearance.

[AZhitman]

Brian is right.

Heath, I have tested the 255's on 7.5" rims. Your rims are the same as mine and they are 7.5" wide. I have approximately .6" clearance at full lock, and my 245's have never contacted any suspension components despite some brutally abusive full-lock maneuvers through undulating pavement.

Buy the tires. I too will be swapping out for these as soon as I can get over to Discount Tire to ge the FULL REFUND as offered on my Yoko's.

[Q451990]

maxnix and AZhitman,

Thanks for the encouragement - or reassurance at this point - I ordered them around 10:00. With all of Dennis' posts on the load rating of tires and how brutal the Q's suspension can be, I think I'll feel better with a little more safety margin.

Hitman - you mentioned that our wheels are 7.5" wide - but the stamp on the back of mine said 16x7" - did they change the width on later years, or did I mis-read the stamp?

Heath

[AZhitman]

AH! I remember now. I was thinking of the n/a Z rims - I was corrected by someone on that recently and it's still stuck in my head. THOSE are 7.5", ours are 7" (and were used from 97 to 01).

My mistake - I'll shut up now. :doh

[Q451990]

I was hoping you were right!

Heath

[Q451990]

Brian is right.Heath, I have tested the 255's on 7.5" rims.

I'm glad to know someone has tried these. When you say you tested them, did you try them and then decide on a different size because you didn't like them, or just tried someone else's rim/tire combo on your Q?

Anyway, my tires arrived today... man those things look wide! I guess it doesn't work to measure them off the rim and uninflated, but they seem like they're about two inches wider than the 215/60-16s. I know that's not right, but it makes me a little nervous. Maybe they'll look better mounted and balanced on my wheels.

Heath

[maxnix]

Mount them up and roll them out. Show us the pictures and tell us how they work.

[Q451990]

It'll be next week at the earliest before I can get to the tire shop. I'll probably test them on Q1 for few miles, then pull them and move Q2's tires over to a set of OZ wheels and run them on Q1. Lot's of tire shuffling...

I assume storing the new tires inflated on the wheels stacked on their side is as good as any? I definately don't want them to flat-spot before I get Q2 into daily service.

Heath

[maxnix]

I don't think they will flat spot by virtue of their own weight.

Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

[AZhitman]

I'm glad to know someone has tried these. When you say you tested them, did you try them and then decide on a different size because you didn't like them, or just tried someone else's rim/tire combo on your Q?

I had the shop mount up 255's on my car - Then it turned out one of the tires had a bad seperation in the sidewall (noticed before I drove too far).

So they had to pull all 4 off, since they didn't have any more 255's. So they gave me the 245's for a steep discount.

My next set will be 255's - Coming very soon!

[fxjackso]

With 7.5" rims I have never had a problem with 255/50-16's even with a full load. TireRack also told me that they would not fit. They made a big ting out of marking thie invoice "Customer advised that tire is not recommended size. " They are, however, more than willing to sell a tire that is too SMALL....

The reason for the 2 kinds of tires is Michelin makes (in Canada) a Pilot XGT H with two ply sidewalls, like the V. The US tire made has single ply. I have run the single ply with no problems. With its 99 weight rating this tire gives a great combination of ride and handling, and can be rotated since it is not directional.

[Q451990]

With 7.5" rims I have never had a problem with 255/50-16's even with a full load... The reason for the 2 kinds of tires is Michelin makes (in Canada) a Pilot XGT H with two ply sidewalls, like the V. The US tire made has single ply.

Thanks for the info! With my 7" rims, the section width should be about .2" less so I should be very safe both load and clearance-wise. It just scared me a little when I saw them sitting on my front porch... they looked really wide!

Looks like I bought the single ply ones, since it says so on the invoice. Just before I read this I sent an email to Tire Rack, so we'll see if they have the same answer.

You're right about the invoice... mine says "Customer requested fitment user assumes responsinility for tire sizing on vehicle. Customer assumes responsibility for use on vehicle" Twice! I guess they have to be big on "CYA" measures these days - nothing like a big lawsuit to ruin your day.

Heath

[AZhitman]

Interesting that those ninnies at tirerack are worried about liability for FITMENT but not for LOAD RATING.

Morons.

Can't wait to see your "Steamroller Q" Heath!