245/55-18 KDW's at Tire Rack!!!

[Marawder]

I contacted Tire Rack about a month ago as there was the long-standing rumour that the stock 245's would be available 'soon'. I put my name on a waiting list and last Thursday I got a call that the tires were in. They arrived yesterday!! Brand-spanking new! $167 each plus shipping and duty to here in Toronto. They're going on today and just in time as the rears were simply ridiculous in wet weather and I couldn't risk it anymore.

I seriously debated the merits of going with the Goodyear F1 GS D3 in 255/55 and when the fronts go away, up them to 245/50's to keep a reasonable stagger, but now I can keep a completely stock appearance with no worries for another couple years (snows for winter extend summer tread life).

Don't know how many of you have already taken advantage of this, or if there are any more still available. According to the Rack, they had a very long waiting list that would probably eat up the whole shipment.

Sorry for the delay in notifying, but it's the first opportunity I've had.

[Badger]

I went with the Goodyears. I was on the list but the three delays in delivery dates pushed me over the threshold. No regrets.

[Vortech347]

Don't waste your money on these tires! They are HORRIBLE at everything!!!!

[freakstatus]

My set is on the way....

[03calitejas]

I thought about getting a matching set of the Goodrich tires to replace the worn out Nitto's I am running in the back (OEM KDWS's on the front) but when I saw Dooms post about the closeout half price '06 Goodyear F1's ($111 each for 255/55/18's at Tire Rack) I couldn't resist....

Does anyone else run KDWS's up front and F1's in back? I know the F1's are "summer" only tires but I am hoping to garage the MM during the long nasty arse winter ahead of me. I need to get a winter beater again .....ughhhhhh

[FordNut]

Wife's car still runs the OEM tires. 36-38 psi in the fronts, 38-40 in the rears.

[DOOM]

Does anyone else run KDWS's up front and F1's in back? I know the F1's are "summer" only tires but I am hoping to garage the MM during the long nasty arse winter ahead of me. I need to get a winter beater again .....ughhhhhh

Bluerauder is running that setup.

[Spectragod]

They are HORRIBLE at everything!!!!

Not true, mine smoke nicely.:burnout:

[Vortech347]

To those of you that have ordered sets...

boy I have a deal for you. Please contribute to the vortech347 happiness fund. By contributing any amount you as a person will feel better, get laid more often, enlarge your *Area* by at least 3 feet, and most importantly you WILL get a raise at work...

If you believe any of this? no? you sure? You just spent 350$ on some of the worst tires on EARTH that will make you feel like ASS afterwords.

[2,4shofast]

Do those of you that have ordered sets...

boy I have a deal for you. Please contribute to the vortech347 happiness fund. By contributing any amount you as a person will feel better, get laid more often, enlarge your *Area* by at least 3 feet, and most importantly you WILL get a raise at work...

If you believe any of this? no? you sure? You just spent 350$ on some of the worst tires on EARTH that will make you feel like ASS afterwords.

Ha ha that is some funny *****:lol:

[Marawder]

Don't waste your money on these tires! They are HORRIBLE at everything!!!!

I guess that all depends on how you drive your MM. For me, I commute 70+ miles a day, in summer heat and spring/fall cool days, dry conditions and torrential downpours. I find the BFG's quiet and smooth running, which is what I need for 95% of my driving. I took the car to Mosport last year and this past June and had no real trouble enjoying a day at the track. For me, they keep the stock look and do what I need them to do quite well.

[Vortech347]

You havn't driven on any other tires yet have you? Even the cheap ones from japan made by 6 year olds in sweat shops are better.

[tomd]

My repair guy just called me to let me know the REAR tires are in! BUT! He added that you must BUY the front and the rears together, SOLD in pairs ONLY! BF Goodrich are such wonderful people. :flamer:

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

? what? I have never heard of that before

[FordNut]

My repair guy just called me to let me know the REAR tires are in! BUT! He added that you must BUY the front and the rears together, SOLD in pairs ONLY! BF Goodrich are such wonderful people. :flamer:

I'd call :bs: on that one. They're trying to unload some of the fronts, which are available in surplus quantities and usually at deeply discounted prices.

[lifespeed]

Don't waste your money on these tires! They are HORRIBLE at everything!!!!

No. They have a wear-out-the-center problem which may reduce their life to maybe 60% - 80% of what a 'better' tire would provide. However, they are also comparatively inexpensive.

And, here is the kicker . . . wait for it . . .

They have excellent cornering performance and turn-in feel, having extremely rigid sidewalls. Few tires can match their performance.

[a_d_a_m]

No. They have a wear-out-the-center problem which may reduce their life to maybe 60% - 80% of what a 'better' tire would provide. However, they are also comparatively inexpensive.

And, here is the kicker . . . wait for it . . .

They have excellent cornering performance and turn-in feel, having extremely rigid sidewalls. Few tires can match their performance. That must be why most of the people here celebrated the day they finally kicked the BFG's to the curb...:shake:

And, comparatively inexpensive?

My 285/50/18's were dirt cheap ($250/pair) and have better speed and tread ratings than the BFG's.

[lifespeed]

That must be why most of the people here celebrated the day they finally kicked the BFG's to the curb...:shake:

And, comparatively inexpensive?

My 285/50/18's were dirt cheap ($250/pair) and have better speed and tread ratings than the BFG's.

Numbers, shmumbers. Real world performance is what counts. You will notice nobody complains about the BFG fronts. They work great.

The rears work well also, although I will agree the wear problem is an issue. I suspect the BFG design is only suitable for 50 series or lower.

I guess I'm just a little tired of reading that BFG tires are the anti-Christ. I have used quite a few of them in different sizes on different cars including Crown Vics (always 50 series or shorter) and they are excellent tires. The only problem I have ever seen is the one particular size on the rear of our Marauders.

[a_d_a_m]

Right, I'm not talking about the front tires. I actually have NO problems with the front tires. I doubt I'll stick with them when they wear out, but for now they are fine.

I just don't see the attraction to the 245's for the rear...the lack of availability, premature wear, and price; it just doesn't make sense to me.

[lifespeed]

Right, I'm not talking about the front tires. I actually have NO problems with the front tires. I doubt I'll stick with them when they wear out, but for now they are fine.

I just don't see the attraction to the 245's for the rear...the lack of availability, premature wear, and price; it just doesn't make sense to me.

I'm not so attracted to the BFG rear, either. I don't like the wear. I have Yokohoma ADVAN sport right now; they were $290 each. The sidewalls are not as firm as the BFG. I may try the Goodyear F1, but they are still $200 I believe. So, given the lower price, the BFG may still be an option.

[a_d_a_m]

I have Yokohoma ADVAN sport right now; they were $290 each.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: :eek::eek::eek:

Holy CRAP that's expensive!

[offroadkarter]

Im going with nitto NT 555's for the rear, my stock BFG's (4 years old now) in the rear are slicks in the middle...

[lifespeed]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: :eek::eek::eek:

Holy CRAP that's expensive!

Exactly. Although they are pretty good tires, I can't say they are 80% better than BFG. I'll see how their lifespan goes.

[lifespeed]

Right, I'm not talking about the front tires. I actually have NO problems with the front tires. I doubt I'll stick with them when they wear out, but for now they are fine.

Then why change? I can just about guarantee that anything you replace them with won't have as precise a feel their stiff sidewall provides.

I have run a lot of different tires. That 'g-Force' sidewall BFG brags about isn't just marketing.

[Vortech347]

The fronts on this car push like a snow plow compared to the Toyo's I had on my other car. I won't even auto-x it on the BFG's still on the front.

[a_d_a_m]

Then why change? I can just about guarantee that anything you replace them with won't have as precise a feel their stiff sidewall provides.

Jeez, do you work for BFG or something? Why so insistent on sticking with them?

Ultimately the reason for changing is that I'm none too keen on giving my money to a company who offered a less-than-great tire for the Marauder, at a less-than-great price with virtually NO availability.

There are a BUNCH of readily available OE-sized front tires with awesome service ratings out there for us.

[lifespeed]

The fronts on this car push like a snow plow compared to the Toyo's I had on my other car. I won't even auto-x it on the BFG's still on the front.

Are you comparing to Toyos on another model car?

What other tires have you run on the front of your Marauder for comparison?

[lifespeed]

Jeez, do you work for BFG or something? Why so insistent on sticking with them?

LOL. No, I don't work for BFG. If you noticed, I did not stick with BFG in the rear.

Like I said, I've run alot of different performance tires over the years: Goodyear, Yokohoma, BFG, etc. I've come to the conclusion that BFG is one of the better ones. It is an expensive learning process.

I've just read comment after comment about how BFG in general makes terrible tires. It ain't so. You can make statements with your tire dollars as you see fit.

Really, Mercury shouldn't have asked, and BFG should not have agreed to the 55 profile in that tire design. That is the problem. You'll notice it is only the Marauder tire that exists in such a tall profile in a performance tire.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

This past week I just had to return a set of BFG traction TA's that I purchased because 2 out of the 4 measured way out of round. A lot of BFG's are made in Romania now, and the 2 bad tires (which I have used in the past) were ovals, when mounted on alloy wheels with less than 0.005 runout on each edge (as close to perfect as I have ever seen). Match mounting couldn't even close to correct how much runout these things had. The 2 bad tires were from the same batch and the 2 ok ones were manufactured on a different date and different batch.

I wouldn't condemn BFG for these 2 very bad new tires but I don't know that BFG "in general" anymore makes super awesome tires either. You'll find good and bad from every manufacturer. Whatever makes you sleep well at night is what's right for you

[cougar9150]

I myself went with the Falken Ziex a sport truck tire and noticed instant improvements over when I had the rear BFG's in the back. In the first year and half I went through 3 sets of stock rears (drive 70 miles a day) due to the middle wear issue. I balanced my tire every other oil change aka 5k to 5k miles and used car fixers alignemnt specs every 3-4 months. I put on the Falkens and the car responded better, gripped better, was quieter, just over all better.

Plus as others have said it is BS the BFG will not (not that they cannot) stay up with demand. Why support someone who will not support me and the car they are the exclusive supplier of the factory tire size. I refuse to wait 3-6 months to get (in my opinion) a tire who's price is expensive for the performance and life time.

The new MM I am getting ready to purchase has the KDW-2s in the rear and I will see how they perform but suspect when they are gone they will be the last BFGs on there.

[2,4shofast]

Are you comparing to Toyos on another model car?

What other tires have you run on the front of your Marauder for comparison?

He is talkin about his 03 Marauder that he sold to get his 04 so the Toyos he is refering to were on a Marauder.

[Vortech347]

Tires I have ran on an MM.

Riken (very VERY VERY stiff sidewall but tires were hard)
BFG's sloppy 5ths
Toyo Proxies S/T (BEST, EPIC!!) However no longer made.
Falkins (Crap on the MM but awesome on my stang)
Mickey Thompson ET Street slicks (just wanted to see if they'd fit and drove it around the block, haha)
Continental, good tires but a bit overpriced.

Anyways remember, unless you're buying a high end sports car or super car, the tires and brakes on your car were built by the lowest bidder.....

[tomd]

Just checked Tire Rack to see if they would stop me from just ordering the rears, it didn't. Maybe at the very end of checking out they'll refuse the order, I don't know, didn't take it that far. Only thing the site did was pop a up window in my face telling me I should order new tires all the way around for safety. The only outlet store to have the rears on back order was Indiana.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Cougar, how many miles have you put on the Falken Ziex? I am putting a set of Falcon Ziex's on my co workers little junky saturn. I had ordered yokohama's for it but they were back ordered a couple days so I told discount tire to substitute the closest price tire, which was the Falken Ziex. I see on the sidewall of the Falken Ziex that they are made in Thailand. Are your size made in Thaliand too? I try to buy tires that are US made but I will try anything on the Marauder, to get rid of the KDWs. What size Falkens are you using?

[lifespeed]

Continental, good tires but a bit overpriced

I've used Continental and liked them, but haven't tried them on the MM.

The Yokohoma rears are doing pretty good. It seemed like in 100 degree heat the back end was a bit sloshy. But at night in 58 degree weather they firmed up good. I suppose that means they could use a bit more sidewall.

I suspect the best answer for these cars would be 235/45/18 in the front and 245/50/18 in the rear. If it were possible to find such a combo.

[Vortech347]

the 245/45's I had up front were the rikens, they were FIRM, like jail bait firm.

I'm a big fan of the 255/45 front 265/50 rear nitto combo. when I get the funds and my tires are low i'm throwing some of them on and heading to the track.

[lifespeed]

the 245/45's I had up front were the rikens, they were FIRM, like jail bait firm.

I'm a big fan of the 255/45 front 265/50 rear nitto combo. when I get the funds and my tires are low i'm throwing some of them on and heading to the track.

I like vertical sidewalls for the "jail bait firm", the sizes you mention are too wide for our wheels.

[cougar9150]

Hey VicsEvilBrother I was still on my first set when I totaled my MM with between 15-18k on them. This was with plenty of extra wear added by my over anxious right foot. I was getting ready to get the same tires again about a month later. I'm not sure where they were Manufactured.

I couldn't find the stock tire at the time and saw a few people had mentioned them on here.

I wanted to run 255/55-18s and the Ziex S/TZ01 were good priced, had a good sporty tread, wasn't just an average truck tire and they had a good wear rating (somewhere near 400). Since it was my daily driver I didn't want something that would wear out in two months. I picked them up at my local garage for about $115-120 each installed.

If you are looking for decent performance, reasonable price, and something good looking try these tires out. If you are planning on going to track day and need incredible grip I would look into some of the higher priced tires out there. For me these were great for my mildly modified daily driver Marauder. They could handle most of the abuse I threw at them and keep me safe in any weather Florida threw at me.

[Marawder]

When I called Tire Rack, there was no issue with just buying the rears by themselves, so it shouldn't be a problem.

As I stated originally, I wanted to keep the STOCK LOOK which is one of the reasons I bought the BFG's. The car is a daily driver (74,000km's, roughly 46,000 miles now) and I still have the original fronts and am replacing the rears for the FIRST time. For MY driving (80+% highway), the BFG's did the job I needed.

And as for VORTECH 347's comments, I really don't appreciate being called an A** just because I want to keep my car looking STOCK. You can change your tires to whatever brand you want - that's your choice. I don't call you dumb for doing burnouts, or whatever you do, in your car and going through how many different sets already? That's YOUR choice.

Check my picture and it's on a track. I drove Mosport twice and had a blast running down Mustangs with it. But I won't be doing it any more as it is my DAILY driver and I want it to last another 10 years or more.

As for what tires I've driven on? With the Marauder, just the BFG's in the summer and Gislaved's in the winter. So what's your point? Maybe that you've wasted a ton of money constantly changing your tires? I've got a mortgage and kids to feed, so that's where MY priorities lie. I've 'driven' on Goodyear, Michelin, Nokian, Uniroyal, Firestone, Bridgestone, Falken, Yokohama, Pirelli, Hankook, Toyo, Contintental and more too numerous to count, in different vehicles. So what does that prove? Nothing, really. Each vehicle was designed from the outset with a specific tire/compound. I've changed on some vehicles and noticed differences, some good some bad. Big deal.

Keep your personal slanders to yourself next time. It's not appreciated here.

[freakstatus]

When I called Tire Rack, there was no issue with just buying the rears by themselves, so it shouldn't be a problem.

As I stated originally, I wanted to keep the STOCK LOOK which is one of the reasons I bought the BFG's. The car is a daily driver (74,000km's, roughly 46,000 miles now) and I still have the original fronts and am replacing the rears for the FIRST time. For MY driving (80+% highway), the BFG's did the job I needed.

And as for VORTECH 347's comments, I really don't appreciate being called an A** just because I want to keep my car looking STOCK. You can change your tires to whatever brand you want - that's your choice. I don't call you dumb for doing burnouts, or whatever you do, in your car and going through how many different sets already? That's YOUR choice.

Check my picture and it's on a track. I drove Mosport twice and had a blast running down Mustangs with it. But I won't be doing it any more as it is my DAILY driver and I want it to last another 10 years or more.

As for what tires I've driven on? With the Marauder, just the BFG's in the summer and Gislaved's in the winter. So what's your point? Maybe that you've wasted a ton of money constantly changing your tires? I've got a mortgage and kids to feed, so that's where MY priorities lie. I've 'driven' on Goodyear, Michelin, Nokian, Uniroyal, Firestone, Bridgestone, Falken, Yokohama, Pirelli, Hankook, Toyo, Contintental and more too numerous to count, in different vehicles. So what does that prove? Nothing, really. Each vehicle was designed from the outset with a specific tire/compound. I've changed on some vehicles and noticed differences, some good some bad. Big deal.

Keep your personal slanders to yourself next time. It's not appreciated here.

+1...No need for insults and name calling on this forum, but its usally a maturity level thing in most cases. I received my oem rears last week. Also first time replacing them as well and my fronts are still good. Cheers.;)

[tomd]

The car is a daily driver (74,000km's, roughly 46,000 miles now) and I still have the original fronts and am replacing the rears for the FIRST time. For MY driving (80+% highway), the BFG's did the job I needed.


How the heck did you get 46,000 on your rear tires! And you still have the originals on the front! Are you driving so fast that the Marauder is barely touching the pavement on the highway! :lol: I got a flat on my right front and discovered it was rotting on the inside of the tire and the same thing was happening on the left front that was about 22,000. Mind you I knew the treads were wearing down and I knew it was time for new fronts but was holding out. I replaced the rears about 4 or 5 thousand miles later. I also want to stay with the OEM :beer: tires for the look but BF Goodrich is making that awful hard. I also won't be shocked to find out that BF stops making are rear tires in the next year or two. :alone: :bigcry: