View attachment 126826Hi all, been doing a lot of scouring over numerous threads in this Tire section for some help. Seemingly I have gotten myself more confused (through varying threads and posts) , so thought I would just ask the question of the experts here on Prime.
So here's the story....my wife and I ventured out on our annual "longer" NSX trip that we do each year. Typically, our NSX is a May to October weekend ice cream cruising car, or the occasional car show. When I bought the car about 6 years ago, it had 17" Enkei GT01 in front and 18" (same) in rear. the tires were the Toyo Proxes T1R. Fronts were like new,215/40/17 and rears were worn, so I immediately bought a new set of rears. (255/35/18)
I put less than 2000 miles a year, so you can do the math over the last 6 years...yes, garage queen and very babied. But, we do take one longer 1200 mile trip or so a year just for fun, and to see if we can still go a week on an NSX worth of luggage.
A couple of weeks ago, about an hour into the trip, I felt a shaking, and immediately recognized a flat tire...and pulled over as quickly as I could. (from 65 mph) huge smell of burning rubber. Got out and saw this:View attachment 126825
Basically it shows the entire tire cut completely around the entire circumference about 1" in from the inner edge where the sidewall meets the tread. And chewed up really bad...obviously the rim cut the tire completely when I slowed down under no air pressure. After closer looking there was a large spike in the tire I ran over. I am hoping the rim is all ok...should be, since there is still the piece of the sidewall still attached all the way around.
So, after limping home on mini spare, and still wanting to take the trip in the NSX rather than another vehicle, I fortunately had a set of OEM wheels with tires that were basically brand new (still packaged in the foam and cardboard) I had never installed these on the car since owning it, but they were included with the car when I bought it. so, changed all 4, and proceeded to have a great trip. Only difference is that they were a 16 /17 configuration on the same Toyo T1R tires.
Now ,back to my predicament. With all the tires off, I could not believe how much the inner edge of the rear tires were worn, compared to the outer edge...is this normal? ...(about 12,000 miles) and even the fronts, although the treads are still very deep, you can see a difference from outer to inner edge a bit. The car handles great, and does not shake or pull one way or another, so is this the normal way rear tires (and fronts too) wear on NSX's?
So, I guess the plan would be to replace the rear tires, as fronts are very good (with the Enkei 17" 215/40/17 T1R's.) . the rears are 18", and I need 255/35/18 on them. turns out that Toyo does not make this size anymore in the T1R. so, what to do??? Suggestions?? Here are my own options, but willing to hear more, as well as comments on my options.
1. Retain use of the fronts, since they are still very good, and try and find a dealer that might have 2 rears in 255 or 265 /35 18" configuration in the T1R's (although my searches thus far have been unsuccessful)
2. Consider going to a different rear tire series altogether and "bare with it" until fronts wear out, which likely would be when the rears also need changing , then change all 4 at once to same series. Is there issues with mismatching tread patterns...if not a huge deal, what would you recommend to go with these fronts I have?
3. Get the matching T1R's in some size that they DO still make in 18"...thinner such as 225 might mean wheel spacers, larger might mean rubbing?? What can I get away with on OEM suspension as far as width maximums...and from there I can do some searching?
4. Replace all 4 right now, and discard the fronts (sell on ebay or prime, etc....) Budget is a bit of a consideration here, but if so, what do you recommend? I drive only in summer, heated indoor storage all winter on jack stands, rarely drive in rain unless totally unforeseen. Never track car, or even drive very aggressive like hard corners or full open starts....will drive say 85 mph on interstates where allowed. comfort and quiet is probably as or more important than all out max performance, but still want a tire that can "keep up" with the capabilities of car. I have seen the tire rack reviews on performance tires...
Toyo Proxes T1 sport, Pirelli , Hankook? are a few I have thought of...other favorites for summer performance tires?
5. Forget using the Enkei plus sized rims altogether and just drive on my OEM rims from here on in....
6. Park the car and just look at it, look awesome ...ok, not an option...unless the dead of winter.
If going to a narrower tire, and using spacers, can that impact the wheel bearings due to extra stress? I read a lot on here of numerous guys who use them for a wider stance...does that potentially create issues on the drive train at all?
And in case anyone needs to know, I don;t know the offset of the Enkei wheels.
Looking for suggestions, that are not "just go out and buy 4 brand new Michelin super sports" ... (there is a budget on a car I drive only a few months a year on weekends that must be considered):
thank you...
So here's the story....my wife and I ventured out on our annual "longer" NSX trip that we do each year. Typically, our NSX is a May to October weekend ice cream cruising car, or the occasional car show. When I bought the car about 6 years ago, it had 17" Enkei GT01 in front and 18" (same) in rear. the tires were the Toyo Proxes T1R. Fronts were like new,215/40/17 and rears were worn, so I immediately bought a new set of rears. (255/35/18)
I put less than 2000 miles a year, so you can do the math over the last 6 years...yes, garage queen and very babied. But, we do take one longer 1200 mile trip or so a year just for fun, and to see if we can still go a week on an NSX worth of luggage.
A couple of weeks ago, about an hour into the trip, I felt a shaking, and immediately recognized a flat tire...and pulled over as quickly as I could. (from 65 mph) huge smell of burning rubber. Got out and saw this:View attachment 126825
Basically it shows the entire tire cut completely around the entire circumference about 1" in from the inner edge where the sidewall meets the tread. And chewed up really bad...obviously the rim cut the tire completely when I slowed down under no air pressure. After closer looking there was a large spike in the tire I ran over. I am hoping the rim is all ok...should be, since there is still the piece of the sidewall still attached all the way around.
So, after limping home on mini spare, and still wanting to take the trip in the NSX rather than another vehicle, I fortunately had a set of OEM wheels with tires that were basically brand new (still packaged in the foam and cardboard) I had never installed these on the car since owning it, but they were included with the car when I bought it. so, changed all 4, and proceeded to have a great trip. Only difference is that they were a 16 /17 configuration on the same Toyo T1R tires.
Now ,back to my predicament. With all the tires off, I could not believe how much the inner edge of the rear tires were worn, compared to the outer edge...is this normal? ...(about 12,000 miles) and even the fronts, although the treads are still very deep, you can see a difference from outer to inner edge a bit. The car handles great, and does not shake or pull one way or another, so is this the normal way rear tires (and fronts too) wear on NSX's?
So, I guess the plan would be to replace the rear tires, as fronts are very good (with the Enkei 17" 215/40/17 T1R's.) . the rears are 18", and I need 255/35/18 on them. turns out that Toyo does not make this size anymore in the T1R. so, what to do??? Suggestions?? Here are my own options, but willing to hear more, as well as comments on my options.
1. Retain use of the fronts, since they are still very good, and try and find a dealer that might have 2 rears in 255 or 265 /35 18" configuration in the T1R's (although my searches thus far have been unsuccessful)
2. Consider going to a different rear tire series altogether and "bare with it" until fronts wear out, which likely would be when the rears also need changing , then change all 4 at once to same series. Is there issues with mismatching tread patterns...if not a huge deal, what would you recommend to go with these fronts I have?
3. Get the matching T1R's in some size that they DO still make in 18"...thinner such as 225 might mean wheel spacers, larger might mean rubbing?? What can I get away with on OEM suspension as far as width maximums...and from there I can do some searching?
4. Replace all 4 right now, and discard the fronts (sell on ebay or prime, etc....) Budget is a bit of a consideration here, but if so, what do you recommend? I drive only in summer, heated indoor storage all winter on jack stands, rarely drive in rain unless totally unforeseen. Never track car, or even drive very aggressive like hard corners or full open starts....will drive say 85 mph on interstates where allowed. comfort and quiet is probably as or more important than all out max performance, but still want a tire that can "keep up" with the capabilities of car. I have seen the tire rack reviews on performance tires...
Toyo Proxes T1 sport, Pirelli , Hankook? are a few I have thought of...other favorites for summer performance tires?
5. Forget using the Enkei plus sized rims altogether and just drive on my OEM rims from here on in....
6. Park the car and just look at it, look awesome ...ok, not an option...unless the dead of winter.
If going to a narrower tire, and using spacers, can that impact the wheel bearings due to extra stress? I read a lot on here of numerous guys who use them for a wider stance...does that potentially create issues on the drive train at all?
And in case anyone needs to know, I don;t know the offset of the Enkei wheels.
Looking for suggestions, that are not "just go out and buy 4 brand new Michelin super sports" ... (there is a budget on a car I drive only a few months a year on weekends that must be considered):
thank you...
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