BFG 245/55R18 102T now OEM on new Camaros

[GreekGod]

The Cooper OEM spec rear replacements I installed 14 months ago are worn out at less than 12,000 miles. I figured they would wear like the OEM BFG's, so I always kept them ~38 psi, but they wore out in the center tread like the BFG's tend to do.

Talking to my dealer (Belle Tire), it seems our 245/55R18 102T BFG's are now OEM on 2012 Camaros, and they stock them for $155 each, 2 for $368 out the door. The Coopers are $432 out the door. I need the all season spec for winter driving.

[SC Cheesehead]

The Cooper OEM spec rear replacements I installed 14 months ago are worn out at less than 12,000 miles. I figured they would wear like the OEM BFG's, so I always kept them ~38 psi, but they wore out in the center tread like the BFG's tend to do.

Talking to my dealer (Belle Tire), it seems our 245/55R18 102T BFG's are now OEM on 2012 Camaros, and they stock them for $155 each, 2 for $368 out the door. The Coopers are $432 out the door. I need the all season spec for winter driving.

Same size, but not the same construction as the KDWS tire; much weaker sidewall, IIRC.

I'd be careful about these.

[yjmud]

they are garbage I have two on mine soon it will be time to burn those beatches to the ground
they feel sloppy in the corners

[RubberCtyRauder]

Here is an older post about the BFG Camaro Spec for the 2010 model. If it is the same thing, this old post pretty much says to stay away. I like my Coopers so far over the KDWS.. maybe try the Firestone Firehawks some other members are liking.

Anyway here is the old post
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55895&highlight=camaro

[MOTOWN]

There are only a TON of tires which are far superior to the oems that came on our cars!

[Bluerauder]

Same size, but not the same construction as the KDWS tire; much weaker sidewall, IIRC.

I'd be careful about these.


they are garbage I have two on mine soon it will be time to burn those beatches to the ground
they feel sloppy in the corners


Here is an older post about the BFG Camaro Spec for the 2010 model. If it is the same thing, this old post pretty much says to stay away.

Yep, it has been said here many times. The Camaro BFG is not a performance tire and not a good substitute for our BFG KDWS.

[GreekGod]

Thanks for all the help. Yes, I see now that the Camaro BFG's they quoted me are not KDWS. I assumed they were a re-issue of our OEM tire, because the salesman led me to believe they were.

I wouldn't mind trying Firestone, but it appears Belle & Discount Tire don't sell the Firehawk Wideoval AS, and it is only sold by Firestone dealers?.

Searching online, it is difficult to find an all season application in our rear size. When I was looking 14 months ago, BFG & Cooper were the only ones made that were. Now it looks like the Firestone is added to the list?

====

[ncmm]

All season will work but to be really safe I suggest dedicated snow tires.
Our Marauders are so much fun to drive in the snow with snow tires!

[GreekGod]

The Firehawk Wideoval AS 245/55R18 is 2 for $400 (out the door) from 2 dealers here in GR, MI. Think I'll give them a try, & hope they last more than the 12,000 miles I got out of the Coopers.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I think 38 psi might be a tad much air pressure since your tires wore out in the middle which means the tire is crowning and riding more on the center section of the tire and in theory making the tire wear like it is not as wide.

Were your Coopers the Zeon RS3A? they have a 40,000 mile warranty..I would go back to the store and discuss first.

Just my two cents..Best of luck with your tire purchase

[SC Cheesehead]

I think 38 psi might be a tad much air pressure since your tires wore out in the middle which means the tire is crowning and riding more on the center section of the tire and in theory making the tire wear like it is not as wide.

Were your Coopers the Zeon RS3A? they have a 40,000 mile warranty..I would go back to the store and discuss first.

Just my two cents..Best of luck with your tire purchase

I've heard good stuff about the Coopers, IMO, best OEM-sized replacements out there for the BFGs.

[GreekGod]

I think 38 psi might be a tad much air pressure since your tires wore out in the middle which means the tire is crowning and riding more on the center section of the tire and in theory making the tire wear like it is not as wide.

Were your Coopers the Zeon RS3A? they have a 40,000 mile warranty..I would go back to the store and discuss first.

Just my two cents..Best of luck with your tire purchase

The BFG's wear in the middle at recommended pressure, and supposedly wear even at 38 psi. My experience with the Coopers proved different. Why would the BFG's not "crown" at higher pressure?

To be fair, Belle inflated them at OEM pressure and I over inflated them, so "my bad". I will run the Firestones at OEM pressure.

The Coopers were quiet, smooth riding, & had good grip. They also needed too much weight to balance. Made in USA.

[RubberCtyRauder]

The tire pressure should be on the sticker on the driver door for factory sizes. The tire pressures listed on the tire is the maximum range for whatever application it is used in. BFG KDWS went on mustangs as well, however in other sizes. I prefer 35-36 psi myself. I think 38 psi will make any tire for the Marauder crown in the middle and wear sooner. Not trying to bash you or anything, just giving opinon of what works for me. :beer:

[Rockettman]

The Cooper OEM spec rear replacements I installed 14 months ago are worn out at less than 12,000 miles. I figured they would wear like the OEM BFG's, so I always kept them ~38 psi, but they wore out in the center tread like the BFG's tend to do.

Talking to my dealer (Belle Tire), it seems our 245/55R18 102T BFG's are now OEM on 2012 Camaros, and they stock them for $155 each, 2 for $368 out the door. The Coopers are $432 out the door. I need the all season spec for winter driving.

Do yourself a GREAT favour...do not run all-season performance tires in the winter!! Get a set of snows! If ever you need the safety of a snow tire; you'll thank God you had them!! :beer:

[GreekGod]

Do yourself a GREAT favour...do not run all-season performance tires in the winter!! Get a set of snows! If ever you need the safety of a snow tire; you'll thank God you had them!! :beer:

I've lived in the West Michigan snow-belt for 61 years. My commute is 7 miles on plowed & salted roads, so I don't really need snows.

It has been a few years, and I can't find the discussion about the BFG's needing extra pressure to reduce center wear, but it was determined that the centers wear out early with OEM recommended pressure.

[SC Cheesehead]

I've lived in the West Michigan snow-belt for 61 years. My commute is 7 miles on plowed & salted roads, so I don't really need snows.

It has been a few years, and I can't find the discussion about the BFG's needing extra pressure to reduce center wear, but it was determined that the centers wear out early with OEM recommended pressure.

Yup, I recall that discussion, too.

Higher pressure for reduced center wear seems counter-intuitive, but it helped some (durn things still wore out way too quick...:mad2:).

[Marauderjack]

The tire pressure should be on the sticker on the driver door for factory sizes. The tire pressures listed on the tire is the maximum range for whatever application it is used in. BFG KDWS went on mustangs as well, however in other sizes. I prefer 35-36 psi myself. I think 38 psi will make any tire for the Marauder crown in the middle and wear sooner. Not trying to bash you or anything, just giving opinon of what works for me. :beer:

I (we) went through several sets of the crappy BFG's and oddly enough the least center wear was at high inflation pressure (40 PSI as I recall)!! Seems at the higher pressure you don't get the centrifugal force "center rise" that you do at lower pressure??

Makes no difference now since I will NEVER use ANY BFG's tires again......much better options out there!!:beer:

[Bradley G]

OEM Rear blems are still available through Duff almost half of the money you were quoted.PM me for his contact info
I usually get a couple seasons out of them :burnout:I run them hard :P

[lifespeed]

There are only a TON of tires which are far superior to the oems that came on our cars!

That's funny, I have always really like the BFGs that came on our cars, and have preferred them on my other performance cars as well. BFG performance tires IMO have always had excellent sidewall rigidity and good cornering.

I guess that just proves the old adage, ask three different people, get three different answers.

I suppose it is academic at this point as it appears they don't intend to manufacture them. Off to buy a set of Firestones . . .:alone:

[Zim Hosein]

The tire pressure should be on the sticker on the driver door for factory sizes.

It's also located on the inside of the fuel filler door in case the driver's door sticker is too worn out to read, hope this helps a bit! :beer:

[Bluerauder]

It's also located on the inside of the fuel filler door in case the driver's door sticker is too worn out to read, hope this helps a bit! :beer:

Just remember that the '03 MMs had 32 psi all around on the sticker. In '04, it was changed to 35 psi all around likely due to the complaints on tire wear. I have found that 35 psi fronts and 38 psi rears works best with the OEM BFGs. Some run as high as 40 psi rear.

[SC Cheesehead]

Just remember that the '03 MMs had 32 psi all around on the sticker. In '04, it was changed to 35 psi all around likely due to the complaints on tire wear. I have found that 35 psi fronts and 38 psi rears works best with the OEM BFGs. Some run as high as 40 psi rear.

I'm running those pressures in my aftermarket tires as well, just seem to ride and handle better in that range.

[RF Overlord]

Agree with Charlie and Rex ^^^

I've been running the OEM BFGs on Phoebe at 35F-38R for a while now and wear seems to be pretty even.

[Zim Hosein]

Just remember that the '03 MMs had 32 psi all around on the sticker. In '04, it was changed to 35 psi all around likely due to the complaints on tire wear. I have found that 35 psi fronts and 38 psi rears works best with the OEM BFGs. Some run as high as 40 psi rear.

You learn something new everyday I must say! Thanks Bluerauder! :beer:

[Mr. Man]

Just remember that the '03 MMs had 32 psi all around on the sticker. In '04, it was changed to 35 psi all around likely due to the complaints on tire wear. I have found that 35 psi fronts and 38 psi rears works best with the OEM BFGs. Some run as high as 40 psi rear.
I've tried more pressure, less pressure and it doesn't seem to matter the centers wear out either way.