255/55/18 KDW2s on ASA ST3s. Any thoughts?

[apollo]

So I am looking at getting ready to get my winter shoes off once weather stays above 50F here in moody Chicago. Can't blow too much on the shoes for Maggie, since she goes through 24K miles per year, so it gets expensive.

I am looking at 255/55/18 BFG KDW2s (mainly looking for grippyness with good treadware) to be mounted on ASA ST3s (the lightest rims for this car I found on tirerack) http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/DisplayWheel.jsp?wheelMake=ASA&wheelModel=ST3&wheelFinish=Bright+Silver+Paint

In any way, I would like to get your opinions.

This setup comes out to $1400 out of pocket at my doorstep. It is either this, or getting second set of 18" OEMs and getting same tires. I drive a lot, so bling bling will turn in to crap crap in a pothole ridden I55 during my 60-mile round-trip commutes.

If you got any other suggestions re. rims in the under $250 per piece range, let me know.

[Todd RT]

I am also looking for grippy tires with good treadwear. I'm down to the BFG KDW2's and maybe the Toyo Proxes. I also drive 25K a year. So I'll be curious to see if anyone mentions any other tires that I have missed.

[apollo]

Proxes got a realy crappy review in one of the auto mags I read (I can't recall if it was road and track, autoweek, or one of the others). Proxes got average dry and wet ratings when KDW2s got much better number. Now please note, anything below 50F for KDW2s is a big no no. The warmer the weather, the happier they are.

[allpont]

apollo...take a look at discount tire...they have a great selection of wheels. The MB series has a nice offering and the prices are very good. I too am looking at the same style you are...But I'm comparing all the time. It's a hard choice to make. All I know is if my wife DOESN'T like it...It stays !!!!!

[MAGNUM8R]

I love my BFG KDS G Force!
Now that I have the KW V2 suspension, this thing REALLY corners!
My tires have bout 18 K on them and no visable wear at all.
This photo is pre KW V2 and chromed stock wheels.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/saildoggie/Hpim1394.jpg

[allpont]

Nice...how about road noise ? What size ?

[redinorange]

255/55/18 and less noise than stock for me...

[allpont]

I just installed a Zoomers exhaust...How do you like the Gibson ? Do you have a pic of the grill ? I want to change mine out, but there are so many choices, and seeing them on a blank page unattached from the car doesn't do it justice.

[apollo]

I just installed a Zoomers exhaust...How do you like the Gibson ? Do you have a pic of the grill ? I want to change mine out, but there are so many choices, and seeing them on a blank page unattached from the car doesn't do it justice.

...and this is related to my topic how?

[allpont]

This is why I don't participate in these chats that often. Sorry to take up so much of your precious time....Just admiring your car...BTW I have one too , I really don't need to know THAT much about yours !!!

[MAGNUM8R]

Dude, sorry you got grilled back there he, he!!

I like the T Rex Grill, but it is getting pretty beat up. I've heard you can remove it, block sand it back to a nice polish.
I have only the Gibson Headers, no Cat back yet. I like the headers, still waiting on the cat back. My Magnum R/T was used for prototyping.

[ImaThorp]

Hey Magnum8R how much room is in the rear fender wells for some wider tires than the 255 you have?

I've been looking at tires and thought the 255 were the way to go. but seeing them mounted on your car they really arent that wide.

I'm looking for the staggered look like the vette's and Porche's have with wide tires in back and thinner ones on front. Not the hot rod look of big and little, I was thinking 255 in front and whatever would fit in back.

yes i know i cant rotate them. that's why they're making more tires daily, they wear out! LOL

I have the same setup on my truck. 1 1/2" wider tread in rear than the front.

[Rev.Hammer]

We all have asses, y'all, so we really don need to show thim. Lets be as civil to one another as we can...

[Vaderwagon]

I have a set of Kumhos STX 235/55-16's on our Grand Cherokee and they are great. I may get a set of 225/55-18's for the Magnum when my Contis wear out. They are great in the wet and dry and decent in the snow.

[Scott]

I drive a lot, so bling bling will turn in to crap crap in a pothole ridden I55 during my 60-mile round-trip commutes.

The KDW2s have a bit of road noise. Northern Rider described it as a "hum". Since you have a bit of a commute and it appears that you have the standard exhaust and intake, that noise might be noticeable. I read all the tire posts that I can and don't see mention of the KDW2 noise too often. I think that is because they are often installed on LXs with intake/exhaust mods which may drown out the extra tire whine or some folks don't mind if they do hear it. I have saved a link or two for threads where people found the noise objectionable, and could find them.

I would love to get a ride in an LX with the these BFG's installed. A friend just installed them on his 2000 Firebird. He said it is like the a/c fan is running on the second position. On his car, the BFG's are noisiest at 35-45 mph and less of an issue on the highway. He agrees with the 7 rating for noise at BFG's site, where 1 is loud (4x4 off-road truck tires) and 10 is very quiet.

Maybe KDW2 owners will comment on the tire noise.

I'm looking at the KDW2's also.

Scott

[apollo]

Scott,
I actualy do have modified intake and exhaust (Borla 112s). My Sirius is always on anyway, usualy I turn it off when I go into manual mode to hear the RPMs.
I don't care much about noise, what I care about is good grip and durability.

This weekend cab driver just jumped right in front of me to pick up a passenger (he claims he did not see me). Well, if not for my winter tires, I probably would we talking today about replacing the nose of the car.

So no, tire noise does not bother me.

[moparman53]

I want to know more about the wheels. Exactly what I'm looking for.

[Scott]

I am also looking for grippy tires with good treadwear. I'm down to the BFG KDW2's and maybe the Toyo Proxes. I also drive 25K a year. So I'll be curious to see if anyone mentions any other tires that I have missed.

As you are probably aware, Toyo Proxes owners seem pleased overall with the tires. Since you mentioned that grip is important, are you aware that some owners have reported that Proxes’ traction on wet roads is less than desirable and the tires don’t provide much warning before they let go? Matt Robertson has been more detailed about performance on wet roads than most: A couple of recent examples:
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showpost.php?p=239709&postcount=28
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showpost.php?p=207950&postcount=19

[Scott]

Scott,
I actualy do have modified intake and exhaust (Borla 112s).
Sorry...guess I need to read your entire sig block.


This weekend cab driver just jumped right in front of me to pick up a passenger (he claims he did not see me). Well, if not for my winter tires, I probably would we talking today about replacing the nose of the car.

What are your winter tires?

Also, what is the weight of the rims you are looking at?
Edit: nevermind, I just found the weight of 26 lbs.

Scott

[Scott]

255/55/18 and less noise than stock for me...

The stock conti's can be noisy when worn, especially, when "feathered" -- I know I'm on my second set. (No, I'm not crazy, I got them free with rims purchased.)

Did you replace your conti's when they were worn and noisy, or fresh?

I know that on-set of tire noise from wear can be gradual and it can seem like it was always there. Forgive my impertance, could this be influencing your observation?

Scott