Different fronts/rears

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Looking for new fronts. My rears are OEM BFGs KDWS; still have decent amount of tread, so not looking to replace them just yet...probably right before MVX. I can get OEM BFGs KDWS fronts for $460 (includes all labor), or I can get the Cooper RS3As (OEM size) for $350 (includes all labor). Just like everyone else, am trying to save a little $$$.

Just wondering if I will have any issues running different brand tires on fronts vs rears. Would like to know before I pull the trigger on the Coopers.

Thanks for your input...

[Mr. Man]

Different brand fronts than rears might give you a different feel but should give you no mechanical issues as long as you maintain the proper sizes.

[a_d_a_m]

I'm running different brand front/rears with no problems.

[SC Cheesehead]

^^^^^ What they said. ^^^^^

I'm running Nitto 555's in the front and General Grabber UHP's in the back without any issues.

You'll want to maintain a 3% to 6% stagger between the front and rear (front being smaller than the rears by the above range), or you'll have to switch off your T/C whenever you drive the car.

[ctrlraven]

Try to stay in the same tire type grouping. Like don't mix a All-Season Performance tire with a Grand Touring tire. The overall tread pattern will be a whole lot different.

[DOOM]

I'm going to go with NITTOS one of these days!

[fastblackmerc]

OK to mix different mfg on front and rear. You NEVER NEVER want to mix them on each side.

[MOTOWN]

OK to mix different mfg on front and rear. You NEVER NEVER want to mix them on each side.

Hell in my teens i had four different brand name tires, and two patch kits!:rolleyes:

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Thanks for the input. I knew that keeping them close to OEM size was important, just wasn't 100% certain if runnnig different brands on fronts/rears was okay.

The place I called has the Coopers in stock, so will call them back and set up an appt for next Monday (that's when I'll get my next retirement check). I have carfixer's specs in the glovebox...hope they can get it aligned to those specs. If not, then I'll be looking around for a place that can.

Judging by what I've read here and heard at MM gatherings, I've gotten 'above average' life on my BFGs. Had them put on at 59K and will trip 90K tomorrow (sitting at 89984). The rears still look okay, but I've noticed recently that the centers are showing wear...maybe I can get another 5K before replacing them?

I'm leaning towards getting BFGs again for the rears, but will also look at Coopers and Nittos as well. Would like to have all 4 match, but if I can get BFGs or Nittos cheaper I'll go with those.

[SC Cheesehead]

Thanks for the input. I knew that keeping them close to OEM size was important, just wasn't 100% certain if runnnig different brands on fronts/rears was okay.

The place I called has the Coopers in stock, so will call them back and set up an appt for next Monday (that's when I'll get my next retirement check). I have carfixer's specs in the glovebox...hope they can get it aligned to those specs. If not, then I'll be looking around for a place that can.

Judging by what I've read here and heard at MM gatherings, I've gotten 'above average' life on my BFGs. Had them put on at 59K and will trip 90K tomorrow (sitting at 89984). The rears still look okay, but I've noticed recently that the centers are showing wear...maybe I can get another 5K before replacing them?

I'm leaning towards getting BFGs again for the rears, but will also look at Coopers and Nittos as well. Would like to have all 4 match, but if I can get BFGs or Nittos cheaper I'll go with those.

IIRC, Cooper makes direct replacement for OEM sizes (i.e. 235/50 fronts and 245/55 rears), so you can go with matched tires and OEM appearance.

Even if BFGs are cheaper (which I doubt), I'd opt for something else, but that's just my :twocents:

[ctrlraven]

You don't have to stick with stock size. Most go with a 255/55-18 on the rear while sticking with the stock front size. I went with a General 255/45 on the front and a Nitto 265/50 on the rear.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

You don't have to stick with stock size. Most go with a 255/55-18 on the rear while sticking with the stock front size. I went with a General 255/45 on the front and a Nitto 265/50 on the rear.

HMMMmmm....255/55-18 on the rear sounds intriguing.....

[ctrlraven]

HMMMmmm....255/55-18 on the rear sounds intriguing.....
Gives it a nice look and most of the tires I have seen give a nice lip edge around the rim as well so less of a chance to curb the wheel.

You have a lot more options on tires and pricing when looking around at other sizes.

This is when I had a BFG KDW2 255/55-18 on.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/marauder/DSCF2278Medium.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/marauder/PHOT0130Large.jpg

[SC Cheesehead]

HMMMmmm....255/55-18 on the rear sounds intriguing.....


I'm running these on the rear and have had good perfomance out of them.


http://pptac.http.internapcdn.net/pptac/imagesProducts2/16822.JPG

Over 40K out of the first pair, this set prolly won't go so far, but not due to any problems with the tires... :burn: ;) ----> :D

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Over 40K out of the first pair, this set prolly won't go so far, but not due to any problems with the tires... :burn: ;) ----> :D


Yeah....not much of :burn: is probably the reason my current set did better than 'average'...:lol:. Didn't want to be the guy to wrap his MM around a tree/telephone pole just months after buying it!

[Bluerauder]

HMMMmmm....255/55-18 on the rear sounds intriguing.....

Here's a pic with the GoodYear F1 DS-G3 255/55/18 on the rear. OEM BFG 235/50/18 on the front. No problem with TC. The GoodYears handled well ..... just wore out too fast at 15K. :D

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4thAnnualKYMeet030copy-1.jpg

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Got my Cooper RS-3a fronts put on today...will go back in a month or two for the rears when I get the $$$ saved up...no big rush since I should get 3 or 4K more out of them. Was quoted $175 each if I go with the Coopers. Cost $340 total to have the fronts put on today.

Took it to alignment shop near my place. At first, the mechanic was a bit stand-offish when I showed him carfixer's specs. "I'm not going to guarantee they won't wear out on the insides if I set the toe to 0". I told him, 'you should have seen my fronts they just took off. The insides were chewed up so bad, you could see two rows of steel belts".

He said, "okay, I'll see what it's (the toe) set at before I do anything". 20 minutes later, job done. I asked him about the specs and he said, "yeah, the toe was definitely not set up right; getting it to these specs was easy, no problem". $40.

Here are the numbers:

Left: Camber: -.27* Toe: 0.0* Caster: 6.00*
Right: Camber: -.25* Toe: 0.0* Caster: 5.75*

Think I'll have any issues with these numbers? The mechanic said if I notice any wear on the insides, to bring it back and he'll re-align...at no cost.

[breeze]

I love bfgs if they had the size I want I'd get ride of my nittos

[jimlam56]

IIRC, Cooper makes direct replacement for OEM sizes (i.e. 235/50 fronts and 245/55 rears), so you can go with matched tires and OEM appearance.

Even if BFGs are cheaper (which I doubt), I'd opt for something else, but that's just my :twocents:
I'll be looking at Coopers myself soon, any input from those that have had them on for a while? Firstmerc?

[MM2004]

Kyle,

These are on my DTR: (See sig below for specs.)

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Marion_Car_Show_2011_049_copy. jpg


Mike.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Kyle,

These are on my DTR: (See sig below for specs.)

Mike.

You should get a lot of miles out of those if you keep driving on grass all the time!:lol:

Seriously, though...awesome pic. Tires look shaweet, too.

Next time around I'll take more time pickin' and choosin' which ones I want...couldn't really do that this time around due to lack of $$$ and the severity of wear on my fronts. After tomorrow, no school until June 5th, so maybe I can spend more time on my MM...I've neglected her so much lately....