Hey guys, any advice would be appreciated. I did a forum search and while I gained some useful information, I'm also still unclear about certain basic things because some threads contradict others and hard to tell what is fact and what is just being presented as such. Engine/drivetrain stuff I understand for the most part, but wheels/tires continue to baffle me. 07 F430 Cpe. Getting ready to replace stock wheels. Car is primarily for street use, don't want to roll fenders, get spacers, or modify suspension. I think I want to stick w/ 19". Stock Front Wheels 7.5x19", Tires 225/35/19 Stock Rear Wheels 10x19", Tires 285/35/19 Aftermarket Front Wheels 8.5x19" Aftermarket Rear Wheels 10x19" Q1. Is it a problem that I'm widening front wheel to 8.5", but leaving rear wheel at 10"? This going to cause over/understeer? Q2. What tire width should the new front tires be since increasing to 8.5"? 235? 245? Don't need anything crazy, just a little more traction and obviously wider to accomodate the wider wheel. Same question for the rear wheel if it is suggested to go wider than 10". Thanks in advance
225/35R19 tyres are rated to work with rims ranging from 7.5" to 9". So just put a set of MPSS tyres in OE size on it. The only effect putting wider rims without increasing tyre width on the front will have, is a turn-in that feels slightly "sharper" or "faster" as the sidewalls get a bit stiffer on the wider rims. If you on the other hand increase the width of the front tyres while keeping the stock rear width, you will increase oversteer as you get more grip in the front. In other words, stick with OE size if you don't want radical changes in handling characteristics. Another option is to up the width front and rear to 235 and 295 if your ET allows this as 295 tyres fit 10" to 11" wide rims.
Thanks for the clarification. So if I go w/ the above option, there is an overall increase in grip, but no significant change in oversteer/understeer since both front and rear tires widened by same increment?
