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I have a 1985 IROC with 13, 000 original miles with original goodyyear vector P245 50VR16 tires. no one (including online chat with goodyear) can tell me what to replace with. Any help greatly appreciated
I have a 1985 IROC with 13, 000 original miles with original goodyyear vector P245 50VR16 tires. no one (including online chat with goodyear) can tell me what to replace with. Any help greatly appreciated
OE tires would have been Goodyear Gatorback VR50s. The Vectors aren't the original tires.
BFG makes a good tire. But really any 245/50R16 is probably going to perform as good as the original Gatorbacks. Look for something with a V or better speed rating, and it'll probably be fine.
Lots and lots and LOTS of us running that BFG tire. Not saying there aren't other options, but that's probably the most common nowadays. There aren't a ton of options left.
The BFG is easily the most popular summer tire for 3rd gens, size aside. Probably 25 street cars on our wheels running them in 275-40-17 alone.
Keep in mind that it is true the 245-50-16 size is dying, but you can run a 225-55-16 on your wheels - a tiny bit more narrow, but you can find every tire made in that size - standard size for dozens of euro sedans from the 90's and 00's.
Originally Posted by Abubaca
Lots and lots and LOTS of us running that BFG tire. Not saying there aren't other options, but that's probably the most common nowadays. There aren't a ton of options left.
You could also consider removing your OEM wheels to preserve them, buy a set of 17 or 18 inch IROC repo wheels and run whatever tire you'd like (lots of 17 & 18 inch tires available)
Keep in mind that it is true the 245-50-16 size is dying, but you can run a 225-55-16 on your wheels - a tiny bit more narrow, but you can find every tire made in that size - standard size for dozens of euro sedans from the 90's and 00's.
Sorry, but this is inaccurate and TERRIBLE advice.
245/50/16 tires are available and relatively cheap. Why even consider a tire which is an inch 'narrower" on each side? Seriously, bad advice.
Sorry, but this is inaccurate and TERRIBLE advice.
245/50/16 tires are available and relatively cheap. Why even consider a tire which is an inch 'narrower" on each side? Seriously, bad advice.
Hold on there......Generally speaking....a 245 tire is 9.6 inches wide - a 225 tire is 8.8 inches wide......less then 1 inch difference overall between the two
But still, I would not advise you to install a 225/55/16 tire on your IROC
245-50-16 tires are in short supply - how many summer tire options are available right now - 2? Maybe another 10 all seasons in the size total.
225 is 20mm or 0.8" narrower than a 245 and in this case, they are the same overall diameter.
If you can't get a tire you want in a certain size, you look for other options, 225-55-16 is a GREAT option, all else considered. I think there are 55 to 60 tire options total in 225-55-16 and maybe 15 in 245-50-16 at this moment.
BTW, an 8" wheel is a bit narrow for a 245 tire, 225 fits better in reality. BMW has been using 8" wide tires with 225 tires for over 15 years now.
Originally Posted by Big&BadGTA
Sorry, but this is inaccurate and TERRIBLE advice.
245/50/16 tires are available and relatively cheap. Why even consider a tire which is an inch 'narrower" on each side? Seriously, bad advice.
You could also consider removing your OEM wheels to preserve them, buy a set of 17 or 18 inch IROC repo wheels and run whatever tire you'd like (lots of 17 & 18 inch tires available)
I like this plan.. Waiting on those 88 and up wheels from Hawks..
245-50-16 tires are in short supply - how many summer tire options are available right now - 2? Maybe another 10 all seasons in the size total.
225 is 20mm or 0.8" narrower than a 245 and in this case, they are the same overall diameter.
If you can't get a tire you want in a certain size, you look for other options, 225-55-16 is a GREAT option, all else considered. I think there are 55 to 60 tire options total in 225-55-16 and maybe 15 in 245-50-16 at this moment.
BTW, an 8" wheel is a bit narrow for a 245 tire, 225 fits better in reality. BMW has been using 8" wide tires with 225 tires for over 15 years now.
Actually, anything from 7.00" - 8.50" wide of a wheel is fine/acceptable for a 245/50/16 tire. For your referenced tire, the 225/55/16, a 6.00" - 8.00" wide wheel is fine. But note, you are on "the far end of the width", so it'll "pull" the sidewall "out" a bit with a narrow 225 tire. Yeah, I know, it's only 0.8" narrower, or nearly an inch. But aside from looking silly, it's not as stable.
Regarding the availability of tires, both Discount Tire and Tire Rack have plenty of them available in the factory 245/50/16 size. They even seem to have some shipping discounts, too.
If you look around there are still 245/50R16 options out there for the same price as 225/55R16. If it was mine I would put the right size tire on it especially if you are performance oriented. although 1" difference may not matter if you just cruise to the local car show.
12-01-2018, 02:25 PM
