Tire Recommendation for '84 308

Recommend going wider....225-50-16 front and 245-45-16 rear...works great, no rubbing.

BTW, I used the previous Bridgestone RE730 and they got very noisy (humming) after about 10k miles. I hear the RE750 does this too. Probably safer to go with the SO3's...only a bit more $$$.

Dave

 

I recently purchased Bridgestone S03 Pole Positions for my 308. 225/50/16 on the front and 245/45/16 on the rear. They ride great and look great.

 

About the only negative I noticed was slightly higher steering effort when parking....that's all. No difference while driving.

 

I have no problems with mine. When doing my research, I did read in the archives that 245/45 was as wide as you can go on a 308 without modifications. I also read in the archives about someone whose 245 series tire was rubbing against the rear wheel arch access panel. But, I have not experienced that myself.

 

First I've heard of someone having a clearance problem....I had QV wheels on a 78 308 GTS, worked great...I know a friend who did it on his 328, no problems....I wonder if this person may have used the 245-50 ? That is taller and might pose problems.

 

I've got the tire and wheel combo Dave is talking about on my '78 308. Works great. The only time I had any problems was right after doing a new suspension and I had the front ride height too low. The tire rubbed on the inner fender well. Raised it up a bit and no more problems.

I have Khumo 712's on mine and they seem to do well. I've also heard good things about Toyo's.
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7 and 8 inch rims. 225X50-245X45 looks great, but will give u side wall movement and is as wide as you would want to go. Pending tyre manifacture. Clients have requested 245X50, its not long before they remove them. Speedo error and side wall flex.

 

go with the S03's, excellent tire. I also have an '84 308.

 

I have gone to the larger tire size 225/245 on a 328 and 308. No problems. I didn't like the Toyo T1S tires on my 328. Very mushy turn in and a lot of sidewall flex. I didn't like their looks either. I have the new Fusions on the 308 and they work very well for street. Crisp handling and a good quiet ride.

I don't plan to use the car on the track so tire choice didn't include that consideration.

 

Tire size calculator.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

**not for just a miata**

 

Guess the SEARCH function is not working 100%

Kinesis K27 17x8 front and 17x9 rear

Mich Pilot PS2 (225/45/17 and 255/40/17)

Works fine, no spacers needed etc (note: i am not using stock shocks or springs and using the eccellent ES graphite bushings).

Car has been lowered, so a stock car would have more space from tire to fender.

The Pilot Sport PS2 have wonderful grip wet and dry. They also do not tramline badly and steering is very good. Will NEVER go back to tread designs like the Kumho 712 as they seem to tramline a lot and steering effort increases.
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Donny:

Sorry, I don't have a picture yet. The tires look good, they have a great sidewall design that fits well with the car. Looks more aggresive than before. Mind you, I went from a 14" to a 16" wheel so the look changed much more dramatically then just changing the tires.

The gap in the wheel well looks good as well, very "normal" looking gap.

I know the archive pictures are down, but Spasso on this board posted pictures of his 308 with 225/50 front and 245/45 rears. That is what sold me on the size. Maybe he can re-post the picture here.

 

Steve, glad to see you have the new caps in. How is the ride and handling with the 17" wheels and tires?

 

Thanks for asking my friend. Handling has been stunning! Am still trying to get a FULL handle on things as the car is 'sleeping' now due to winter weather. Basically, the new rims, Mich PS2 tires, and Brembo front brakes make for one heck of an improvement. We must also remember the adjustments that have been made with the new suspension and lowering/corner weighing of the car.

So IN TOTAL the handling is leagues ahead of stock. My Pioneer AVIC-1 in-dash vehicle dynamics system claims i pull about a full G lateral. Steering response is improved over stock and VERY grippy (PS2 tires are amazing STREET tires).

With a nearly full tank of gas i get a touch of understeer while with nearly empty tanks a slight oversteer comes into play. Quite interesting actually and not something i ever experienced with another car to date... but at 40 yrs old i have time for other Fcars

Sadly, it is now VERY obvious the car is SERIOUSLY under powered. The Euro 308GTS QV could do ***so much more*** but is limited by the engine output

Oh well... perhaps a blower or turbo or ???? for 2006. Have decided to leave her basically unscathed in 2005 since 2004 was a VERY $$,$$$ year for the car (all MY doing to improve her, NOT due to any problems).

Perhaps adding a military-grade rocket propulsion system would help power ouput in 2006