Performance Tires/Rims

[gpriest]

The title explains the most about this thread. What are the best performance rims (there is a difference between rims that look good). And tires of course are essential, so which ones are good, and which ones will conquer specific environments.

[gpriest]

For the case of tires, I would choose either Direzza DZ101 or SP Sport 9000 DSST, both made by dunlop. These are great, but not for all season, they are crap in winter. As for rims I would probably go with Schmidt ones.

[thinice]

Wow, auto-reply eh'?

IMHO, putting 'performance' tires on a 4000lb 4dr sedan is kind of moot.

Why put V-rated tires on a car that can barely break 135mph?

I say go in with looks and ride quality (quietness) in mind with your tire purchase. Z-rated, and even re-buying V-rated tires is a pretty moot point.

Now, I ended up getting H-rated tires (130mph) just because that was my 1 out of 2 options in town and were the cheapest options (versus a $150 difference for a set of 4).

[aurorabrain]

thinice said:

Wow, auto-reply eh'?

IMHO, putting 'performance' tires on a 4000lb 4dr sedan is kind of moot.

Why put V-rated tires on a car that can barely break 135mph?

I say go in with looks and ride quality (quietness) in mind with your tire purchase. Z-rated, and even re-buying V-rated tires is a pretty moot point.

Now, I ended up getting H-rated tires (130mph) just because that was my 1 out of 2 options in town and were the cheapest options (versus a $150 difference for a set of 4).

The answer to WHY is because higher speed rated tires have a stiffer sidewall = they handle better.
Also, some of us have faster than stock cars and like to go fast when nobody is around.

[Tortured Soul]

My H-rated Traction T/A's are good enough for my Autobahn! I think I would go with American Racing (pictured) or black Enkei J10 rims...

[gpriest]

Most tires will hand a straight fast. But when getting performance tires, its not about breaking speed records, but having superb handling and grip. I (in the far future) want to get performance tires/rims for late spring, summer, and early fall time. For the winter ill use what I have now.

[gpriest]

Here is a link to the Schmidt rims I was talking about www.german-wheels.com/

Here is one of their race rims that caught my eye www.german-wheels.com/produkte/database/picture.php?select_picture=811&wheeldesignpieces=Racelite_3-tlg&absenden=Selection

[JimW]

I've been quite happy with my 255/50/R17 H-rated BF Goodrich Scorcher T/A's. The factory SSEi wheels are kinda heavy but they seem to perform adaquately for my more "spirited" driving.

[95mushroom]

The best 'performance' rims are going to be modular rims, 2 or 3 piece rims. As far as tracking one down that will fit an Aurora might be a bit tough. I'm not sure if that german wheels place makes a 5x115 with the proper offset. You probably will get more results by searching for a more popular GM car, Cadillac Seville, CTS (though 8.5" is the widest I'd go), Pontiac Grand Prix all use the same wheel specs. I've always known HRE rims for quality, performance rims, www.hrewheels.com. I also wouldn't go larger then a 18" rim. Weight starts to be too much, esp. with the tires.

For max performance tires, go to tirerack.com and search your tire size, (255/50/17, 255/45/18) in Max Performance Summer and Ultra High Performance Summer categories. Extreme Performance Summer tires are just too short in life to be reasonable for an everyday car IMO. 255 is also the widest tire I would run. Real performances tires wouldn't be considered at all for anything more then Spring, Summer and early Fall months. They generally are also superior in the rain, and will increase safety a bit.

[Mr. Javi]

Those HRE's are nice wheels, but they will run you a pretty penny. But if you got then get it.

[gpriest]

What with the swiss symbol on them? Aren't they made in the USA?

[95mushroom]

Not sure, I think that's just they're logo scheme. Here's their history... http://www.hrewheels.com./heritage/

[gpriest]

Maybe it was a swiss imigrant or something. And if not, it would be interesting to know how it cam about. Still those rims look really nice, but probably cost a fortune.

[95mushroom]

You did say the best ...

[gpriest]

^^ True.

[majoraurora]

Are the off sets on Cadillac rims sufficient to clear the front calipers? I know that CTS rims don't fit my Pont GP because they rub the front calipers. Bolt Pattern is correct though.

[aurorabrain]

aurorabrain said:

torturedsoul said:

My H-rated Traction T/A's are good enough for my Autobahn! I think I would go with American Racing (pictured) or black Enkei J10 rims...

A friend of mine recently had me put these rims on a Grand Am. Unless you buy the Chrome ones, these are just polished non clear coated. They would require much time and attention to keep them clean and polished.

[95mushroom]

majoraurora said:

Are the off sets on Cadillac rims sufficient to clear the front calipers? I know that CTS rims don't fit my Pont GP because they rub the front calipers. Bolt Pattern is correct though.

Yes, they should work . The sigma platform (CTS, new STS) wheels are interchangable with the old Seville, which is the same as ours, so it should work.

Edit: as a matter of fact, one of our old member, Kobalt, had CTS rims on his Seville.

[gpriest]

So wait... which cadillac rims/tires will fit onto the aurora? are the classic and 2nd gens different also with fit?

[aurorabrain]

I can't see why they wouldn't fit. The hubs are ALL the same(only diff is ABS connector retainer, plastic or stainless steel), and the brakes are all the same on the '97+'W' body and larger cars (this would include G, C, H, K, E, and U body vehicles). If you have wheels from a car with 10.9" rotors, and try to put them on a car that has 12" rotors there are a few rims that are 16" and rub. Most of them will fit though.