2023 Tire discussion?

[cmm3]

I've just purchased a stock '04 Cobra convertible in Houston, and she's going to need tires.

I've seen many "best tire" threads, but many are years old, and I'm thinking some of the tire make/models are out of production. Is there any interest in creating a new tire discussion thread? If not, feel free to delete this, and point me to the best of the treads for my question.

My Question: What is CURRENTLY the recommended tires for a stock '04 Cobra convertible that is NOT a daily driver, but may occasionally get caught in the rain going to or from a show? Looking at TireRack, Discount Tire, Costco, etc... The choices are staggering. I'm looking for an all-arounder I suppose.

 

[robvas]

Assuming stock car and 275/40-17, there isn't a ton of choice in that size these days.

Michelin Pilot PS2 or Continental Extreme Contact

Budget option of Firestone Firehawk Indy or Nitto NT05

(Assuming you don't want a drag radial or something like a Toyo R888R)

 

[Rambro]

The new Gen 2 nitto 555r’s are supposed to be pretty good if you want a drag radial. I have the gen2 555s non drag radial up front and they’re nice, no complaints.

 

[Cobracletus]

Continental Extreme Contact

Awesome to see this mentioned so early in the thread! I just put these on my daily driver about two months ago.

Got nothing but great things to say about them so far. Except for the price. They weren't cheap by any means.

I wouldn't put them on my cobra because I never drive it in the rain but awesome tire for what OP is looking for.

 

[cmm3]

Interesting. She has Continental Extreme Contact DWS Tuned now, and the traction is terrible. But, they are very worn and probably should have been replaced a while ago, so I'm not going to discount them based on the current experience.

Need more input...

 

[VRYALT3R3D]

This will help:

Tire Selection Guide from Grassroots Motorsports 2021

Found this recent tire buying guide from GRM, figured it was worth sharing here. It covers most of the common tire choices for the track, including the popular 200tw options as well as some other good performers, with some good analysis and even a handy little chart for quick comparisons...

trackmustangsonline.com

 

[robvas]

Interesting. She has Continental Extreme Contact DWS Tuned now, and the traction is terrible. But, they are very worn and probably should have been replaced a while ago, so I'm not going to discount them based on the current experience.

Need more input...

I meant the Sport 02's, not any of the all-season stuff

 

[LS WUT]

Well riddle me this, there are a couple questions I have for you.

Do you ever get on the car, do spirited runs? Aside from the occasional car shows, ever go to the track?

What’s your budget, does that matter?

Does road noise, and comfort mean anything?

 

[cmm3]

I have never gone to the track, but I would like to do a 1/4 mile run, just to say I've done it. Yes, road noise and comfort matter as my wife will be with me at shows and hates a harsh ride.

Why can't someone make a tire that has great wet & dry traction, corners on rails, rides well, and is silent? Oh, and has good tread wear and warranty??? ;-)

 

[cobracide]

I have never gone to the track, but I would like to do a 1/4 mile run, just to say I've done it. Yes, road noise and comfort matter as my wife will be with me at shows and hates a harsh ride.

Why can't someone make a tire that has great wet & dry traction, corners on rails, rides well, and is silent? Oh, and has good tread wear and warranty??? ;-)

Take a look at nitto G2s. A good all around tire. Wish Goodyear still made the GS-D3s, on my last ones. I'm going Nitto 555RII 315s for the back next set.

 

[tporter67]

I went with the michelin pilot sport all season 4 while im still stock power. Its a newer model, oem tire for the c8 vette.

available in stock size

 

[hotcobra03]

Our last set was nitto,
Ordered them from discount tire local pickup, Than use a yellow building tire place in san antiono to mount and balance for us.

Last set we had also changed the rears with sve oem wheel with 315s

Rubber looks nice new.

Still rode ok in the rain

Was worried about side wall with cheap tire. I had another cheap brand that sidewall cause way to much rock and car was crazy to drive

 

[cmm3]

I've always used the stock size tire on my Mustangs, but in this case, what size options do I have when using the stock 17x9 rims, and is there any real advantages or disadvantages?

 

[cobracide]

Wider, more grip.. nowadays 17" is pretty restricted as far as choices.. i collected some Ntto info.

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Tires​

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Inflated dimensions (in)​

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Manufacturer​

Classification​

Tire​

Treadwear W/Speed-Rated​

UTOG Treadwear​

Traction​

Temperature​

Tire Size​

Tread Depth​

Overall Diameter​

Overall Width​

Approved Rim​

Maximum Load​

PSI​

Weight​

Dry Performance​

Wet Performance​

Quietness​

Ride Comfort​

Dry + Wet Score​

NITTO​

Competition​

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NT555RII​

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100​

A​

A​

P315/35R17 93W LL​

6.3​

25.67​

12.6​

10.5-(11.0)-12.5​

1433​

44​

30.42​

5​

2.5​

2​

3​

7.5​

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NT01​

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100​

AA​

A​

315/35ZR17 102W​

6.3​

25.67​

12.6​

10.5-(11.0)-12.5​

1874​

51​

30.64​

5​

1.5​

1​

1.5​

6.5​

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Max Performance​

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NT05​

140​

200​

AA​

A​

315/35/R17 102W​

7.2​

25.555​

12.4​

10.5-(11.0)-12.5​

1874​

51​

30.75​

5​

3​

2.5​

2.5​

8​

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Summer Ultra High Performance​

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NT555G2​

320​

200​

AA​

A​

315/35/R17 106W​

11​

25.67​

12.6​

10.5-(11.0)-12.5​

2094​

50​

31.6​

4.5​

4.5​

3​

3​

9​

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INVO​

260​

220​

AA​

A​

N/A 315​

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All-Season​

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Motivo​

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560​

A​

A​

315/35/ZR17 106W XL​

10​

25.67​

12.6​

10.5-(11.0)-12.5​

2094​

50​

31.16​

4​

5​

5​

5​

9​

 

[cmm3]

I don't want to mix sizes front & rear - so I can rotate them when necessary. Wouldn't 285/40/R17 be just as good, or better, than stock? 10mm wider and 2mm taller seems like it would improve handling and have similar ride characteristics without screwing up speedometer accuracy. Right?

 

[robvas]

I don't want to mix sizes front & rear - so I can rotate them when necessary. Wouldn't 285/40/R17 be just as good, or better, than stock? 10mm wider and 2mm taller seems like it would improve handling and have similar ride characteristics without screwing up speedometer accuracy. Right?

Probably wouldn't hurt but there's even less to choose from

 

[hotcobra03]

I don't want to mix sizes front & rear - so I can rotate them when necessary. Wouldn't 285/40/R17 be just as good, or better, than stock? 10mm wider and 2mm taller seems like it would improve handling and have similar ride characteristics without screwing up speedometer accuracy. Right?

I did bfg 285 yrs ago. 295 was available also. But as mentioned, 17 is old.

I used to rotate tires as a daily driver. 50k was average life.

I wanted traction. 315 still feels like they spin and ours is bone stock,

Do a search on here .

Love those big meats,

335 look and polished exhaust,,
Cobra inserts on bumper.

Sweet ass

 

[jpk]

I have been through numerous sets of tires on the Cobra and I agree the new Continental summer tires are good. The ride quality is great and they are also sticky. Mickey Thompson Street Comp are still available in sizes for the Terminator. They are really good for grip when the rubber is fresh, but I don't drive much and they didn't age well for me.

 

[prs97]

I put Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 on my car a year or so ago. They seem fine so far but I haven't put many miles on them.

I also have them on the daily driver and I think there's a bad tire in the batch that was causing a vibration in the front. I rotated them to the back and the vibration is much better but not completely gone. Once they get enough miles on them, I'm going to scrap them and try something else.

 

[01yellercobra]

I like the Nitto 555 G2's. They did ok on my car when it was an upper only car. No issues in the rain with them either.

Keep it simple and stick with the stock size. A 285 won't give you any noticeable gain.