BFG G-Force KDW hard to get??

[lone73]

I just ordered BFG tires for my '96. The 255-45-17's were on back order supposedly. While I was mulling other brands the guy at Discount tire called me and told me he found them thru a Michellin supplier. Hope he know what he's talking about. I went ahead and ordered them. We'll see I guess

The Discount tire salesperson tried to talk me into 275-40-17 for the fronts initially, since they are readily available. I didn't want to make the rut following prob's on this 125K car any worse than they are now. So I suggested going down to a 245-45 size. He said it was do-able, though I couldn't decide whether to go up or down. I didn't want tires that looked noticeably undersized on the front. The Tire Rack site shows .7" difference in tread width between the two.

Got a couple of Q's for those that 've tried other sizes...

1. Anyone tried either 275-40-17's on the front of a C4?
2. Tried 245-45-17's ?
3. Anyone heard of 255-45's beng a hard to get item for C4's

thanks
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[Hrtbeat1]

My '90 came with 17 X 9.5 all around with 275/40-17's. The ride is good but with older tires it did seem to search the road.


If you have 9.5 inch fronts 245 is right on the lower side. I think they put 245's on 8.5 inch fronts.

At any give time supply of a specific tire can run thin. I had that with my 275/40-17 SZ 50's, I must have gotten the last of the batch 'cos they don't make them anymore.

[c4cruiser]

The 255/45 is the correct size for the 96 with 8.5" front wheels. A 275 tire on this wheel is too wide and will not look right and may even lead to handling problems and excessive wear. The Z51 option and GS coupes came with 9.5" fronts and that's where the 275 front tire was standard.

The Discount Tire guy should have known better than to offer a tire wider than what is acceptable on a smaller rim. The Tire Rack website shows the KD as low stock and the KDW on backorder. Which BFG tire did you order??

GM did go to a narrower front tire to help with "wander" due to ruts in the road and wide front tires. You might want to talk to a reputable alignment shop about a wheel alignment that can solve issues like that.

[tnovot]

Originally Posted by lone73

I just ordered BFG tires for my '96. The 255-45-17's were on back order supposedly. While I was mulling other brands the guy at Discount tire called me and told me he found them thru a Michellin supplier. Hope he know what he's talking about. I went ahead and ordered them. We'll see I guess

I don't exactly understand it completely but there is some kind of connection between BFG and Michelin. This is especially true for those tires with a DOT code "BE" made in Tuscaloosa, AL and those with DOT code "BF" made in Woodburn, IN.
More info at http://www.unionlabel.org/dobuy/tires.asp

[lone73]

The Discount Tire guy called me back and whined that he had accidently priced the BFG fronts too low, I was getting them below their cost. I let him off the hook and decided to go with the Nitto 555's. He wanted another $50 for the BFG fronts, I didn't want to spend more on it.

Anyone got an opinion on the Ntto 555's ?
thanks