Wheel Rim Question ?

[Chics LI]

I want to replace my rear tires 295/50/16 BFG. Ordered 255/50/ZR/16 BFG Comp 2s from Tire Rack. Went to Mavis Tires (local shop, Bethpage L.I.) to get them mounted and balanced and they refused, stating my wheels were 10" wide and Tire Rack spec sheet for this tire stated rim width 7-9". (We are talking 1"too wide). They said this is a liability issue due to the fact that my rims are too wide and for ex. if I hit a pothole, etc., the bead could "pop loose off the rim". I will call Luke at Tire Rack for confirmation, hope I am not SOL.
Anyone here have any advice or opinions on possible safety issues.
Tom S.

[leroy17]

That size will be a stretch on a 10 inch rim and I don't know why you would be going from a 295 to a 255.

To be honest, and please don't take offense, but I think that size tire on that size rim on the rear of a cobra will look crap as well.

That sort of stretch is best left for the drifter wanna-be's out there.

[Chics LI]

The reason for the tire size change is that there is nothing else available, this was largest size I could find.

[FWB]

MT makes a 295-50-16, for 8 to 10 inch rim, here's a copy and paste

part #-3794R--- P295/50R16---28X11.50R16---8.0-10.0 rim---

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mtt-3794r

[Chics LI]

Leroy........I think the 255/50ZR-16 tire would look alright. The tread width is 10". I believe my BFG 295/50-16 tread width is 12". Don't know what you meant by the drifting comment. I just want decent tires on my car, going with 225/55ZR-16 on front
Tom S.

[leroy17]

Hey Chics,

For what its worth, and this is just my opinion I do not like the stretched look of tires on a cobra. I did a 10 sec search and the link below has a pic of a 255 on a 10 inch rim (about the 5th or 6th post down). Note that this is a quick pic and I not referring to the exact size however you get the idea.

help with wheel sizes and offsets please - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

The drifting comment was referring to the drifting cars which run crazy tire stretch. But these guys go way overboard. Again I just do not think that they belong on a cobra.

The MT in the above link would be the money. These will fill those cobra guards and give you some traction.

Link again.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mtt-3794r

[DanEC]

I posted a response to the OP's same question on the FFR forum so nothing new here for him. Here is a picture of 255-60/15 on 9-1/2 rims and 215-70/15 on 7-1/2 rims. The installer had absolutely no quams about mounting them and I think they looks fine since this is a street roadster replica and I needed the clearance for 2-1/2 in exhaust pipes.

[Chics LI]

Guys, thanks for your responses. I will check with wheel manufacturer.
Tom S.

[Dwight]

I ran 255-50/16 on 9 1/2" rims on my Cobra for 37,000 miles with no problems, well just one problem, I tried to burn them off the rims. I started with Michelin then the next two sets were BFG G-Force. All great tires.

Dwight

[Danr55]

check out Cooper Tires, Hancook Tires and Goodrich. They all make a 295-50-15 tire.

[Chics LI]

My wheels are 16"dia. Team III 8"wide front and 10" wide rear.
Tom S.

[phattyhales]

If you want a middle ground get some 275s. That is what we put on the Kirkhams. 255s on the back of a Cobra is just too narrow unless it is a small block car with little HP.
295s are 11.5 in btw. 275s are 10.8. The 255s will certainly look funny on a 10 in wheel. They look better on an 8 or 9 in wheel.

[Dwight]

with 16" rims the best tire is the BFG G-Force 255-50/16 on the rear and 235-60/16 front.
They are great tires. I drove 310 miles in the rain on the interstate with them. You can stop on a dime in the rain.

Dwight