DVSG3

Hi friends. Can you give me some expertise? I am looking to purchase some wheels and tires for my 2001 GS300. I commute almost 100 miles round trip a day. My roads are not the greatest even though I am a careful driver.
My question is this...I want 19's, but I am worried about protecting the rim and going through too many tires. Can you guys and gals tell me which tires have decent wear and good rim protection. I have read articles on tire wear, but I have no idea who has better rim protection. I would probably go with 19x8.5 or so all the way around so I could rotate. 245/35/19 tires.
Any suggestions are appreciated. Should I just buy 18's for the cheaper tires and better rim protection? Also I thought I read in the past that "smaller" mesh wheels still look big and spoke wheels with lip need to be larger size or they look small. Anyone know the truth in this? I am interested in Volk GT-C's or the SF-Winning styles. Thanks for your help.

DVSG3

Here's the Winning's

Captain Bone

100 Miles round trip everyday seems to be a lot of miles to be driving around on 19's. I would go with the 18's personally because of the high mileage of your trips.

There is no "tire" persay that gives a better protection for you although some tires are more square and some are more round. From my own personal experience.. The Potenza SO-3's have not let me down yet in the rim protection or performance area, BUT there is a thread on here with people experiencing sidewall difficulties with them.

I used to have mesh wheels and now I have spoke wheels. I can tell you that in my experience you are right in your assumption that the mesh wheels looks larger then the spoke with large lip. Hence, if you choose the first wheel, it may look a big small.

Good luck on your decision.

-Anthony

mdw131

I would think going fat tire, 245/40-19 up front and 275/35-19, would give you more ride comfort and better protection but I could be mistaken...

DVSG3

Can anyone give me personal experience with the "fat" setup? Thanks captain and all others for the help so far.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

with the fat tire setup it's like running on 18s coz' of the higher profile. better ride comfort and also better protection for rims. and i think you can be the only judge on the protection, no one knows how bad your driving condition is. the rims you pick are strong, they can withstand hit to certain extend. and with enough tire pressure it's a plus

mikeloc24

driving 100 miles a day on 19's isn't a good idea if you;re concerned with tire wear. I drive 60 miles a day now and refuse to put my 19's on until I move to shorten my commute. Even when I had 18's and was driving 50 miles a day I was buying new tires every 6-8 months. If you MUST have rims (as your commute isn't going away anytime soon I take it) I'd go with 18's and probably a tire with a 260 treadwear or so. Not the stickiest of tires but they'll last longer than most. Good luck. Oh, by the way, I like the mesh wheels better.

PHML

iTrader: (33)

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S.....245/35/19....treadwear rating is 400...and the tires itself are beefier than the others. I drive 40 miles a day to and from work on my 19s with these tires....love them....quiet too. Just inflate to a bit higher psi to protect your wheels from potholes. I got mines at 43 psi right now....prior to that it was at 48 psi.....max is 51 psi.