a1rod

After reading a lot of positive reviews on these tires I had a new set of them in 245/50ZR16 size installed on my 1989 Formula 350 WS6 today. I've been running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (which have now been discontinued) and am really impressed with these new BFGs.

The ride is so much better/softer and they grip hard. On my 40 mile trip home with these tires today I made sure to run all my favorite curvy pieces of road. In some of the really tight ones that I always like to slide the rear out on with the throttle the car stuck to the pavement.

I should know if the high ratings for hydroplane resistance are true within the next few days. That's an important thing for me down here in south Florida where we sometimes get "white out" monsoon type rains that make the road really slick and hydroplane-y.

The best tires I've owned previously were the old Firestone Firehawk SZ50 and the Goodyear Eagle GS-D3 that succeeded them as "the best" when the 'Stones were discontinued. So far I'm feeling like these are just as good.

Johnnycanso

I just got a set of these installed on my 91 GTA. Glad to hear that your enjoying them so far and that you able to try them out right away being in Florida. Keep us updated as they break in.
It'll probably be April/May til the salt gets off the roads up here!!

a1rod

Over 1,000 miles on them now with about a week's worth of rain in the mix, a few monsoon strength wash outs included. The Comp-2 tires did very well with no hydroplaning. My wife drove the car one night and said the tires really changed the way the car drives in a major way. I replaced the front sway bar end links/bushings too, so that may have had a little to do with her comments too. Once I have around 5K miles on the tires I'll know better how they hold up, but they do stick very well.

cosmick

What's the actual tread width? How much is touching the road, not up on the sidewalls?

a1rod

I just went out and measured the actual contact patches on all four tires with a tape measure, it's 9.5 inches. I'm getting a lot more grip from these than I had with the Michelin Pilot Sports.

paul_huryk

BFG is well known to make tires that are wider than spec says they should be. Their 245 tire might measure 255 or 260 when you measure it.

Michelin has always been almost "dead on" when it comes to tire specs vs. measured tire width.

a1rod

Yesterday I aired all four tires up to 44 psi to see how they grip at that level, but they became too "bouncy" and the ride was very hard. I had been running them at 35 psi, going back down to 40 psi today to see how that goes.

Rayzor32

iTrader: (1)

I don't understand why people put all season tires on these cars, when dedicated summer tires will always out perform

paul_huryk

Agreed.

But in the case of the 245-50-16, there are so few tire options out there that many just go for all seasons due to convenience.

a1rod

If I only drove it on sunny days in a place where there are curvy roads that I wanted max grip on then yeah, it would have a different set of rims and dedicated summer tires on it. It isn't being used as a road course track car, it's my everyday driver. Summer tires will put you into a spin quick when the road is wet.

Rayzor32

iTrader: (1)

Actually summer tires will completely outperform all season tires in wet conditions. I think you are thinking of drag radials, which are made for dry only conditions. All season tires are a compromise between winter and summer conditions. Here's a good article on tires you should read:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/f...vs-summer.html

a1rod

That's an interesting article, but I picked these tires based on the test results for wet and dry traction. They rated much higher than all the others including the ultra high performance summer tires in every category.

My daily experience is that these are giving me awesome grip. In tight fast turns the front end doesn't wash out and the rear doesn't break loose under hard acceleration unlike other tires I've tried in the past.

I've already driven through several of south Florida's monsoon quality rain storms since I got these tires and haven't had any issues with hydroplaning, even when a lot of cars were pulling off the road or slowing to 20 mph.

Not sure why you seem to have such a dislike for these...if you've had a bad experience with them I would be interested in hearing about it or what tires you think are better. Not many choices for 16" WS6 wheels these days.

RamIt

Wet surfaces yes, standing water and cold conditions no.
My RS-3's and Rivals are downright scary when in the high 30's or there is standing water on the road. They do stick quite well if they are warm in the damp conditions.

cosmick

Thanks!

cosmick

Enough choices online, but most just call around locally, rather than checking tirerack.com and discounttiredirect.com, and others.

Back when the BFG Comp T/A VR4 was offered in this size, it had more than 9" of actual tread width, and it looked beefy, mean, serious, tough. Not that that's the most important factor when deciding, but some like it.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

That's good to hear. I have the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my car now. Good to hear there's an equal performance equivalent still available in our size.

JDZ28

I am considering the BFG's also. I had checked a while back with a local dealership and they quoted me right at $1,000 out the door for the Michelins. Discount Tire has the BFG's for around $650. Sad part is, I still have the original Gatorbacks on my car now, with only 23,000 miles on them. While they dont LOOK dry rotted or bad, they ARE 30 years old and just make me a little nervous now. I really do try to not spin them too much. They were always great in summer/dry but worthless in rain or, unfortunately on occasion, snow.

mmadden55

Buy some tires son before you kill yourself.

JDZ28

No problem there mmadden. I havent driven it more than 100 miles in the last 5 years ( I know, it's a shame). Planning to do so more though, now that I'm retired, and can make some car shows, etc. Was torn between Nitto 555's and the BFG's. Gonna order the BFG's from Tire Rack.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I have GForce sport comps on mine. 245-50-16. Same one JohnnyCanso posted up. Great tire, no complaints.

skinny z

Why the A/S version and not the straight forward Comp-2?
They make a 255 size in the non-A/S style too.

Camaro86IrocZ

iTrader: (1)

I like your style.. I have a rear set of tires I put on new in 1999 or so, Maybe 6000 miles on em and they still look new, nubs and all.. I have no worries cruising around on em. I put a set of the BFG's on the front in 2011.. wow almost already time to switch those out..

turd_gen

Just chiming in on this because the thread is still current.

I've got BFG Sport Comp 2's on my daily (Subaru Impreza) and they're an incredible tire for the money. Incredible grip, very good wear and better in the rain than almost any all season. Up here in Ontario, all season tires are kind of pointless because you need snow tires for 4-6 months out of the year anyway.

I put about 20,000 km on my Sport Comp's over the summer and I'd say they'll be good for at least another 40,000 km, which is extremely impressive for a tire this sticky. And I drove through one of the worst rain storms I've seen last summer, only hydroplaned in one spot where there was about 6" of standing water.

For the price I don't think there's anything that can touch these tires, plus there's a promotion on right now for a $50 mail in rebate. For 245/50R16 I think they're $472 a set on TireRack. I've found them for as cheap as $720 in Ontario, which is a steal in my opinion.

My only complaint is that they're quite loud, especially in colder temperatures, but my Subaru is probably worse for road noise that my T/A, but I'll find out when I get a set for it within the next few weeks.

JDZ28

Ordered 4 new shoes Monday evening, and they were already delivered this afternoon. You nailed the price T-G. Putting them on tomorrow. Anyone need a set of "Aged" Gatorbacks ? :-D
245/50ZR-16 BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 = $472.80.

sahlomonic

iTrader: (1)

Glad to see this post. I just moved from those Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (on stock 16x8 wheels) to the BFG G-Force on my 4th gen 17x9 wheels I put on yesterday. Haven't had a chance to drive it yet, but I have never liked the Pilots. Could not grip for squat and felt like the back end was always sliding out under moderate throttle from turns. Really hoping the BFGs will yield a much better ride and grip quality, aside from the wider footprint alone.

skinny z

I'll ask again. Is there a tread-wear rating difference between the two? I can see the need for the A/S (All Season) in place where you might be driving around when the weather is cold (like here) or perhaps snow (?!) but otherwise why not go straight for the summer tire? The Comp-2.

turd_gen

I can't imagine the all season version being much better than the summer, mine have 25,000km on them and I think they'll be good for 50,000 more.

The all season is probably quieter and better in cold temperatures though. My summer's get LOUD near freezing and they have a lot less grip too.

skinny z

I would agree with you. The Comp-2 would arguably have better grip in good warm weather conditions and sacrifice some in the cold.
I'll have to check on the tread-wear side of things. You have to give up something to get something but I like your mileage results. I rack up a LOT of miles and could use a performance tire that doesn't burn up in 40k.

turd_gen

There are reviews on Tire Rack with people saying they got 50k+ miles out of them. There are a lot of all seasons that wear out quicker than that!

Plus there's a $50 rebate on them until the end of the month!

skinny z

I'm working on it!

a1rod

Hey JDZ28, people who have Corvettes, Z28s or other cars that came with 16" Gatorbacks and show their cars look for those tires. I sold a set that looked new, but were worthless for driving on to a guy with an '80's Vette.

In regards to the BFG tires on my Formula 350, I still think they're great after rolling up several thousand miles on them. I never really liked the Michelin Pilot Sports I had on the car before.

paul_huryk

Tire Rack charges shipping - which can add up.

Discount Tire Direct does not charge shipping and in many cases will be cheaper for the same tires to your door.

Johnnycanso

I've got about 2000Kms on mine & they are a helluva tire. Great grip & handling....i'm more than happy with them and i don't find road noise to be an issue at all with my GTA!