Quote:
Originally Posted by cv129
Hi VinceThe1,
From a rim protection stand point, I agree with you.
From a performance stand point...I do think that there's a diminishing return. I've always thought tread width should closely match the rim width (measuring inner barrel, not lip to lip).
Measurement #'s from TireRack:
Tread Width - 285/35/19 RE11 has tread width of 10.4", which practically equals the Nismo rear rim width. The measurement is from the tire mounted on a 10" rim, so mounting it on a 10.5" inch would give it a slightly bigger tread width #.
Section Width - this is sidewall to sidewall width, same tire is 11.4". I think Nismo rears is around 11.5" lip to lip. Looking at my rears, the tire sidewall looks to be flat, if not at a ever so slight angle, so I see your point on rim protection.
However, with 325/30/19, tread width of 11.5" was measured on a 11.5" rim. Mounting it to a narrower rim will decrease the actual contact patch. I don't know the exact math, but I want to point out it the tire treads across the width aren't getting evenly pushed to the ground, hence not quite effectively being utilized. As far as ultimate grip goes, 325 probably still beats 285 on the same 10.5" rim, but I think mounting overly wide tires onto relatively narrow/skinny rim width that's out of range shouldn't be used as a blanket conclusion IMHO.
My theory is for street tires. Slicks are something else.
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What you said about not using the whole tread is true and actually very beneficial to me. The 370Z calls for heavy camber in the rear (compared to let's say, a sedan), so his actually helps a lot with camber wear. The 285s that came with my wheels were like new amd in less than 10k (of my driving), the inside was bald while the outside looked nearly new. With the 325s, nearly 2 years and 25k later, I still got plenty of tread on the inside and much less camber wear overall.
As far as traction goes, wider tire doesn't give you extra traction, the compoind of the tire does. A wider tire gives you a wider contact patch, but a shorter one. Also, even if you go get a larger contact patch you still don't get more traction as the weight of the car just gets distributed more evenly over the lager area so each square inch has less pressure on it so less traction, but it's compensated with the extra surface area.
The one true benefit of wider tires is less heat and less stress per square inch = less wear. There are drawbacks too like added weight, easier hydroplaneing, extra cost, and internal wear/skipping on sharp corners (not noticeable for the most part)
I chose the wider tires as for me, they have much more benefits than drawbacks.