G-Force Rivals or Nitto NT05s

[SSLance]

Another what tire to buy thread with a little different twist anyway hopefully...


My current street rims and tires are as follows:


Front 17x8 Nitto 555s 300TW 245/45/17 25.67 dia 9.57 width
Rear 17x9.5 Nitto 555s 300TW 275/40/17 25.55 dia 11.02 width


I'd like to step up to a 200TW tire, am looking at the


Nitto NT05
http://www.nittotire.com/Tire/nt05


and the BFG Rival of course.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=g-Force+Rival




Nitto NT05 size choices


Front 17x8 Nitto NT05 200TW 235/40/17 24.45 dia 9.57 width $127.08 ea
Rear 17x9.5 Nitto NT05 200TW 275/40/17 25.59 dia 10.79 width $149.23 ea $552.62 total




BFG Rival size choices


Front 17x8 G-Force Rival 200TW 245/40/17 24.7 dia 9.8 width $173.00 ea
Rear 17x9.5 G-Force Rival 200TW 255/40/17 25.00 dia 10.2 width $211.00 ea $768.00 total





I currently run A6s on some track rims when autocrossing and these tires the rest of the time including any track days as well as street driving. Would also run these if I entered any event that required 200 TW tires min. Car doesn't see a whole lot of street time nor any rain to speak of but the dirtier it gets underneath the more inclined I am getting to driving it more and more on the street.

The front Nitto 555s are corded, need replaced now, back 555s aren't quite at the wear indicators...they'd last a while longer if needed.

The width sizes above are the largest currently available that will fit both my rims and the fenders without interference. Diameter isn't a big deal to me, all are close enough to work with. Car weighs 3800 pounds with me in it, 383 with 400 lb ft at 2000 RPM with a T56 and a 9" with 3:50 gear.


So...you BFG Rival proponents... Convince me to spend $216 more and get a half inch narrower tire on the rear.




Go!!!

[72BBSwinger]

Have checked availability on the Rivals? That could be the biggest factor in this. I cant answer your question though. Tire life will probably be the other factor between these 2 and may be the excuse on the price difference.

[SSLance]

I can get the Nittos at wholesale pricing which is probably the biggest difference in my examples above, but I'm not really that worried about the price difference between them.

Going to a narrower tire on the rear is my biggest concern.

[andrewb70]

Have you looked at the Falken 615Ks?

[SSLance]

Not yet but I will now, thanks

[SSLance]

Falken 615K

Front 17x8 200TW 245/45/17 25.6 dia 9.10 width $196.95
Rear 17x9.5 200TW 275/40/17 25.6 dia 10.0 width $239.95 Total $873.80

They have the right sizes but look to run a tad narrower than the Nittos, much pricier though (at least from Summit, where else can one get them?)

edit

onlinetires.com has them at $150 and 182...much closer to the others in price.

[carguy502]

On Discount Tire Direct, they run 200 for the 275/40/17 and 163 for the 245/45/17.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...%2FPerformance

I will have a set on order in a week or two.

Best,
Don

[andrewb70]

I got mine at vulcantire.com

Andrew

[SSLance]

So what is so good about the Falkens over the other choices?

[andrewb70]

So what is so good about the Falkens over the other choices?

I've had very good luck with the Falkens. They grip like crazy and wear pretty well. I have driven on them through rain and have about 10,000 miles on them with a couple of road course events and some auto crosses thrown in. They are about done, but I am holding off on replacing them. Should last me through the summer.

Andrew

[SSLance]

What is the general consensus on mixing tires front to back?

I've decided that the Nitto 555s I have on the back will last me the summer, so for now I just need to replace the fronts. The easy answer is to just get a new set of 555s for the front but I'd really like to step up to a 200 TW tire eventually.

What if any issues will I run into if I put Nitto NT05s or BFG Rivals on the front while keeping my 555s half wore out back?

[SSLance]

So I ordered the 245/40/17 Rivals for the front, Tire Rack said ship date would be June 6th...perfect.

On June 6th they called and said they were still waiting on them from BFG, could be another week to week and a half.