I've been looking around for new tires and would like to run the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Unfortunately, they do not make this tire anymore and finding the factory 255/35/19 front and 285/30/19 rear size tires is getting more difficult. On top of that, Michelin has the new Pilot Sport 4s tires out now but they do not make .a 285/30/19 rear. They do make a 265/35/19 front and a 295/30/19 rear in the Pilot Sport 4s. Just some data points and thoughts below.

Pilot Sport 4s Weights (from Michelin site)
265/35/19: 24.47 lbs
295/30/19; 28.17 lbs

Pilot Super Sport Weights (from Michelin site)
255/35/19: 24.36 lbs
285/30/19: 26.26 lbs

In terms of diameter and speed differences:
Stock:
Size | Diameter | Width | Sidewall | Circumference | Revs per mile
255/35/19 | 26" | 10" | 3.5" | 81.7" . | 775
285/30/19 | 25.7" | 11.2" | 3.4" | 80.8" | 784
Diff- | -1.2% | +12% | -2.9% . | -1.2% . | +9

Upsized:
Size | Diameter | Width | Sidewall | Circumference | Revs per mile
265/35/19 | 26.3" | 10.4" | 3.7" | 82.6" . | 767
295/30/19 | 26" | 11.6" | 3.5" | 81.5" | 777
Diff- | -1.1% | +11.5% | -5.4% . | -1.1% . | +10

Stock Front / Upsized Rear:
Size | Diameter | Width | Sidewall | Circumference | Revs per mile
255/35/19 | 26" | 10" | 3.5" | 81.7" . | 775
295/30/19 | 26" | 11.6" | 3.5" | 81.5" | 777
Diff- | 0% | +16% | 0% . | 0% . | +2



The difference in circumference between the stock and upsized tires isn't too far off so I don't think I'd have any issues messing with the computer or wheel speed sensors.
The upsized tires will give me slightly shorter gearing meaning ever so slightly higher cruising rpms.
The upsized front tire is .3" taller than stock which from what I understand could be an issue with the upper ball joint. Looking at it on my car I *think* it might fit though.
The upsized front tire calls for a 9" wide wheel. I currently have an 8.5" front wheel will that be an issue?
The upsized rear tire calls for a 10" wide wheel. I currently have a 10" rear wheel so I'm good there.
The upsized tires are obviously slightly heavier that the stock sized tires but I'd be gaining more grip.

So based on the information presented I *think* that the upsized tires should fit but I wanted to see if anyone has had any luck running that combo in the past. I could run the Stock Front / Upsized Rear combo which would also work but I would be worried about upsetting the balance between the front and rear grip of the car making it want to understeer even more in the corners. Thoughts?

 

I have 255/30/20 and 295/30/20 in my CLS55.
I used to have 295/25/20 but too uncomfortable so decide to change a bit.

 

Do you notice that the car understeers a bit with the 255 front 295 rear set up?

 

Do you notice that the car understeers a bit with the 255 front 295 rear set up?

 

Not really.... same as my E55 just CLS handle a bit better.

 

I just put new rims and tires on my car
20x11 33mm 325/25/20 rear
20x9 20mm 275/30/20 front
For now I went with the cheapest tire I could find (lionhart)

 

With that 275/30 up front, could you post a picture of how much clearance you have between the top of the tire and the bottom of the upper ball joint? Do you get any rubbing on the front or rear fenderwell liners when turning and under compression?

 

Not very good pic but there is about 3/8"? Not much but that moves with the tire so that would never be an issue I don't think. As far as rubbing none under regular driving or hard acceleration but I did hear a little when I took a entrance to high road like a slopped driveway entrance but I took it a little aggressive to test it out and heard a little rubbing nothing I would ever be considered about

 

Just a quick little update I've driven with this setup for a bit now and I drive pretty hard and I have absolutely no rubbing and no issues. The rubbing I mentioned earlier was something else!

 

That's good to know. My next set I may go a tad wider in the front, but the back will be a 12 or 12.5... It's good to know that 325 in the rear don't rub. Let's see what happens on a 12...

 

Make sure you post some pictures and rim specs when you get that 12 or 12.5 rim on that bad boy and I might just steal your hard work and info!! Lol

 

Do you get any rubbing issues when going up a slope driveway or speed bumps?

 

So you get a slight rubbing when going up a slope driveway? Also, speed bumps too?
My old setup was 245/35/20 and 295/30/20. This setup had a slight rubbing going up a driveway. When i forgot to lift up my car, it almost took out my fender.

 

I thought originally I did but I have no rubbing no issues whatsoever and I don't raise up my car for anything. At 325/25/20 the sidewall will be bigger and more comfortable than 295/25/20

 

In your opinion, do you think a 20x11.5 wheel will have enough clearance and work with a 305/30/20 or perhaps a 315/30/20? Any and all input/advice is greatly appreciated!

Regards

 

Depending on the backspacing yes it would fit fine and you could go with a 325/25/20. My next setup I’ll try and dial in the rear a bit better and run a 20x12 with a 345/25/20

 

Hi and thank you for your input! This particular 20x11.5 wheel is offered in et15 or et30 in the 5x112 bolt pattern. I was thinking that et30 should work but not 100% certain. Thank you!

Regards

 

The et30 would be perfect!!

 

Awesome! Thanks again for all your help FLTHY 55!

Regards

 

They do make a 305/25/20 as well as a 315/25/20 if you don't feel good about the 325/25/20. That's gonna be my next rear size. I'd do it now but my tires are new with less then 5k on them...

 

nkctb7 …. Gotta post some pic's when you mount them....

 

Bringing it back to those of us still running 19" rims I think I'm probably just going to stick with the factory sizing. The upsized tires would be nice if anything to give a little more protection to the rims but I don't think I want the extra weight and rolling resistance (and cost) of the wider tires. It look like the Pilot Super Sports are back in stock so hopefully I'll be able to get new tires in December.

 

I’m going to be downsizing back to 19s only so my car can sit a little lower! Lol I’ll still run 325-345 rear and 275-295 front if I can. I want to run a 19x12 rear and 19x10 front

 

Damn.... Can't wait to see that....

 

Hi everyone! I have the new wheels that are replacing the ADV.1 5.1 Flowspec but having a hard time deciding on the tire brand. It had 295 25 20 Toyo Proxes 4 plus on the rear and 245 30 20 Nitto Neo Gen on the front when I purchased the car. The Toyo's seemed like a very harsh ride and nothing very special in terms of aesthetics. The Nitto's are a better ride quality and have a far nicer tread pattern than the Toyo's. I'm looking to run a 315 or 325 25 20 in the rear and a 255 or 265 30 20 in the front. Would a 30 profile in the rear make much of a difference in ride quality? Anyone have any suggestions on what I should look at? I was thinking Pirelli P Zero Nero GT's or Michelin Pilot Super Sports as there's a lot of deals out there on Ebay. Has anyone run Pirelli's and if so, how is the ride quality compared to the Michelin Pilot Super Sports? I want zero rubbing issues and as comfortable ride as possible with my setup. Thank You!