I have 18' G35 wheels that are 8 inches wide with a +30mm offset.

I currently have 245/45 Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position 050A's mounted on them.

Here is what I'm thinking I want to do to get a wider stance. The Bridgestones are rated #1 on tire rack (even beating out PS2's). But they do not have the looks or as many tire sizes.
I have heard nothing but good things regarding BFG KDW2's. They are also $200 less for the set. Plus they have 255/45's available as well.
I'm thinking 255/40/18's would look great. The wheel size is slightly out of Spec for the tire but hey.

What do you think?

 

I got my 245/18 KDW's at Costco (they will only install OEM replacement sizes). Good price and warranty but poor installers at my location. Can't get rid of shimmy (above 90) after 2 visits.

Once warm, they are like glue to the ground. In the snow (2-3 inches), they are as good as other M+S tires. With the windows open, they are a bit noisier between 30-50mph compared to RSA's.

 

I love my BFG KDW-IIs and they should perform awesome in Ariziona...

 

Well it's official--I ordered KDW2's today in size 255/40/18.

I'll give evreyone my opinion on which is the better tire.

I know one thing is true already. The BFG's look awesome. In my opinion the best looking tire out there. I'm really into WIDE meat and agressive tread patterns. BFG's fit the bill in that respect.

The BIG two-point-five will be noise and comfort/handling.

KDW2's versus P.P. 050A's. Should be interesting.

Let's get ready to rumble...

Stay tuned...

 

KDW's are great man.. i have 2 on my rear...

 

double that great on KDW, I have all 4. LOL FastMax

 

Well, I can't believe what I did today...

From the "Tire Rack" folks, to people on the street, from Costco, to friends at work, and tire stores, I kept hearing (no pun intended) KDW's are noisy. So Discount tire company had some 255/40 PS2's lying around for weeks that they desperetly wanted to off-load. These things are $300 each at Tire Rack.

I got them installed for $1150 out the door with lifetime rotation, lifetime balance, and free flat repair. Hella expensive even at a huge discount! But I wanted the best!!!

The KDW's would have costed me $870 so it was a additional $280

These tires are a dream come true. The bridgestones are exceptional, but these are 2 grades up on the food chain.

They are not broken in yet but the handling is awesome! Amazingly, they have even better ride quality than the Bridgestones. I cranked the Konis up to the max and boosted the AGX's to 7. Still smooth as hell. In a strait line the Bridgestones are a little quieter. But on corners the PS2's are way quieter. Steering response is even a little quicker. That's saying a lot considering the Bridgestones are badazz. The rubber is naturally darker.
After washing them they really do not need tire dressing.

And another thing--they are beautiful tires. I really like the 255/40/18 look.
The additional meat on the width combined with a slightly shorter sidewall look awesome. They are also 3 pounds lighter than the Bridgestones. But talk is cheap.

Pictures will be taken on Sat.

 

when I get new tires Im gonna go with BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2, in255/45-18 on the OEM wheels, the 255 compared to the 245 is almost not noticeable and I want more sidewall

 

Do it like you want to do it Bro. That's part of the fun. I figured I wanted to go a little lower and max out the handling. The PS2's along with the Konis will allow me to do this in comfort...yet perform like you guys would not believe.

As far as width being noticable, type of tire, profile, along with even a change from 245 to 255 can be more than you think visually. I will demonstrate this on Saturday.

I might be one of the first to do 255/40-18 in tire size. Certainly Chernmax was one of the first to do 255/45-18 in tire size. In terms of "performance", 255/40 versus 255/45, the 255/40 will walk on a 255/45 setup. Lighter, lower gearing, more responsive, and the ability to go a little lower without rubbing.

The downside? Generally ride quality and gas mileage. Mileage-whatever. Ride quality is outstanding! In my opinion, the ower profile looks more sportier. It's all about what you are after. A taller sidewall will fill the wheelwells better, give your vehicle a bigger load index, and improve ride quality.

If you drove my car you would fully understand that the 40 profile blended with PS2's and great suspension is a lethal combination. Looks great, performs even better.

You guys don't know just how great of a handling car the maxima can be without compromising ride quality with the right Mods.

I have drove many maxima's and nothing comes close.

 

coolmax05
all good advise, Im still researching the tire options and I may just stick with the stock size, Im still unsure if I want to change from the stock size, I will agree with you on how well this car handles, I just put both front and rear Nismo sway bars on and I can't believe how the handling has changed, from driving straight on the highway or entering a turn/on-off ramp

Chern has the 255/45-18 but he has different wheels and I don't know his offset

 

You made a wise choice, awesome tires!!!

 

i went with the falken 452's stock size 245 45

 

Thanks Chernmax. Really means a lot coming from a performance enthusiast like yourself.

I absolutely LOVE the tires. All though they were difficult to balance without vibration. Really never thought I'd appreciate the ride characteristics and these tires ability to go strait no matter what road hazard greets you.
Ridiculously smooth over bumps but yet...THE FREAKIN" HANDLING!!!

I must say out of all the cars I have driven, this white maxima loves to handle sharp turns, road irregularities, and communicates everything no matter how suttle-directly to your brain hand turning senses.

The car has transformed into a fun machine. To anybody that can afford these puppies-go for it!!

Here are some pics. Notice the MEAT!

 

The best part is the tires will actually handle BETTER once broken in and the tire noise will decrease; not that I ever really noticed it with my stereo jammin all the time LOL...


Again, for AZ driving, these tires will ROCK!!!

 

The tires you've picked are great and they are all season but then again you don't have to worry about it in AZ. My brother has them on his maxie (245x40x19 $312 each) but I think they are not as sticky as the BFGs. Great choice nedless to say, might be my next. I love my BFGs but unfortunatelly we do have winters here in NY.

 

Sorry for being confused on the Model specs here, indeed the Pilot Sport (PS2) are performance summer tires. I have confused them with the Pilot Sport2 A/S which are all-season we bought.

Here is the difference:

PS2


PS2 A/S




Either way you can't go wrong with Michelin

 

No problem Bro, that's why I PM'ed you. The tires have been getting even better day by day. These tires have definetly transformed the car.

It somehow manages good ride quality with stiffer sidewalls. Unfortunetly it's not apples to apples because of the 245/45 versus 255/40 but WOW!

I am really, really happy I got these tires.