Hi,

I'm deciding between 265 and 275mm (both Hankook Rs3) on 18x9.5 ET45 rims. That would be my summer/AutoX/track set of wheels. Suspension setup: RCE Blacks/GTWorx (Bilsteins), WL F/R bars (24/22mm). -2 deg of camber (Front) and -1.5deg (rear), 0 tie all around.

I probably will need to do some rear fender rolling from what I've learned from forums... So, should I go with 265/35-18 or 275/35-18 from a pure performance point of view? I really don't care much for the "flush look" or etc and also don't want to drop my car any lower at this point (it's just ~2mm lower than a stock 08-10 STI). I've been told that 265mm is better and 275 might be a bit too much of a tire for my setup... What do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

What kind of HP are you putting down? Flares or just fenders pulled/rolled?

 

OnemanArmy, I'm running stock sized 245/35-18 (Hankook RS3) on stock BBS (18x8.5). I'm 345whp, 430wtq running E85 if that matters Also stock fenders

 

Huck is running 275/35/18 Dunlop Z2s on the same size wheels on his 2010 STI hatch and they are awesome. Similar suspension setup as well.

I've driven his car a few times at Autox and its a really nice setup.

 

You will need to roll the rears for either. 265 will fit perfect. 275 will fit, maybe, depends on the specific tire dimensions. I'm running 275 ZII's right now on the same spec wheel, with similar camber and drop, and I don't rub. 275 ZI's however would rub up front on full lock.

 

Thanks! I wonder why people think that 275 is too wide for my setup (setting aside fitment issues and etc.)? I've heard from Pirelli technical people that going 10% wider from stock size is good and doesn't hurt suspension geometry in any way... Both 265 and 275 are within those 10% (which is 269mm exactly).

 

Thanks, Huck! What wheel offset do you have so that 275mm Z1s were rubbing the front? From what I remember your car is lower than mine because of the Swift springs?

RS3 are skinnier than Yoko AD08 and noticeably skinnier than SS Z1. I had both on stock BBS rims before. So I guess RS3 should fit the front with no issues?

I didn't know that Z2s are narrower than older Z1s...

Thanks!

 

I have +44 18x9.5 DPTs.

Yeah, Dunlop scaled the tire down fractionally on the new 275. Funny, it must have been a common issue, because the 265s have identical dimensions on both the older and newer model. Only the 275's were trimmed.

You can peep actual tire dimensions on tirerack.com if you want to be sure. But as long as the tire is smaller than a 275 ZII you should fit.

 

Thanks! Did you have to roll the whole rear fender lip or just part of it? I hope no fender pulling?

 

Just checked tirerack.

For Section Width: RS3 - 10.9", Z2 - 10.8"

and

Thread Width: RS3 - 10.2", Z2 - 10.4"

I believe max section width is measured at the tire lip, not thread so I'm probably OK?

 

I use to run 265/35/18s only because its the rear tire size for a lot of Porsche 911s (996/997s) and you can get as many half used ones of them as you can carry away for free from pretty much any porsche dealership. They pay to have them disposed so they're usually pretty happy let you haul them out, I didnt pay for a set of tires for the last 4 years I had my old STI, tee-hee!

 

Check your pm box!

 

Hmmm, good to know, thanks!