Does anyone run Avon 275/55VR15 in the rear?

[RodKnock]

Well, the Yoko Avid's are aging out after about 10 years. It was close, in terms of mileage wear out, 2,000 +/- miles or 10 years.

I was getting ready to order a set of Avons and everyone and their brother run the Avon 295/50VR15 in back, but an expert source tells me that the Avon 275/55VR15's will ever-so-slightly handle better. But the 295's are for looks! Personally, I don't care.

Also, there's about 0.6" difference in section width, so won't the smaller size in the rear throw less rocks?

As Evan used to say, my car is going in for a "spa treatment" in the next couple weeks and new tires are on the list.

I took it out last weekend, for the first time in a long time, and of course, I get all the same comments from onlookers. "What is that?" "How much does it cost?" "Is that paint?" and then a UPS driver struck up a 15-minute conversation about his '17 GT350 and then I remembered why I don't take it out too often.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Also, there's about 0.6" difference in section width, so won't the smaller size in the rear throw less rocks?

well some 195s will throw even LESS rocks!

[RodKnock]

Well, I guess that answers my question. Nobody runs 275/55's.

[patrickt]

You know there's almost a full inch difference in the diameter of the Yoko Avids and the Avon tires, both 295 and 275. If you want your car to look the same when it's just sittin' there, you're going to have to have your ride height adjusted. And if you're going to do that, then you'll have to have your corner weights checked as well.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

You know there's almost a full inch difference in the diameter of the Yoko Avids and the Avon tires, both 295 and 275. If you want your car to look the same when it's just sittin' there, you're going to have to have your ride height adjusted. And if you're going to do that, then you'll have to have your corner weights checked as well.

The front tires will be about 0.6" more diameter and the rear will be about 1" less diameter. I'll let the shop sort it out.

I didn't think adjusting the height is a big deal. But thank you for the info.

I was hoping someone would chime and say, "Ya, those 275/55's in the rear have less sidewall flex than the 295/50's and what a handling difference." But I guess everyone here opts for "form over function."

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I was hoping someone would chime and say, "Ya, those 275/55's in the rear have less sidewall flex than the 295/50's and what a handling difference."

Most of us don't even open the secondaries much anymore, much less take the tires anywhere near their limit....

[rodneym]

Well, since you're averaging 3.85 miles per week of what I'd think is very aggressive driving, I'd say definitely get the tires with the stiffer sidewalls.

[427Larry]

Well Rodnock, no, I have never had any experience or does anyone I know with that tire, (but I do many people with the 295/50/15's). But I can tell you I have been running my Avon's for 2 years (yes they are the 295/50/15's) on the street and on the track, and they handle extremely well. I talked to a lot of Cobra experts before I bought and that's what they recommended, but you may know that David Kirkham does not recommend the 295/50/15, he recommends the 275/60/15. I will tell you that on the street, I like to get up early in the morning on the weekend, before everyone gets out, and go out on the country roads (where I live) and drive aggressively enough that I will be doing 4 wheel drifts thru the corners as my wife would say. Not trying to brag here, but these are the best tires I have ever run on the street or track, and I have tried more than few brands over the years. Yes they are on a Kirkham #166, with steel suspension. Also I am like you in the same regard, I love to drive my car, but I don't take it out as often sometimes, do to the same questions you get, what is that, how much does it cost and of course all of the so called Cobra experts telling you how much they know about them or to knocking on the body to tell if it's real, like that would really could tell you, geez !!! Sorry venting a little. Good luck with your decision.

[AC Ventura]

Hi from London UK. I run an Autokraft Mk IV with 7 & 9” with 225/65/15 s on the front and 275/55/15s on the rear. We do this principally to have front and rear tyres with the same diameter. The car currently has the underpowered 225 hp 302 efi, but having done over 5000 miles in the car on wet mountain events, which is similar to having more power in the dry, I think it perfectly balanced. The Avon ZZ is the default tyre for everyone over here, involved in historic competition.
If as will be the case soon, the new FE might be too much, I may have to go for the 295s anyhow.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by AC Ventura

I run an Autokraft Mk IV with 7 & 9” with 265/65/15 s on the front and 225/65/15s on the rear.

Methinks you may have your front and rear sizes reversed. Or perhaps you have the most "interesting" handling MK IV extant!

[RodKnock]

Larry, just puttering around the neighborhood seems to invite all sorts of nonsense from other drivers, like challenges, quick lane to lane changes by drivers who want a closer look, picture taking, or when you stop, there's always someone who wants to tell me a story, like it's my bedtime or something.

Yes, David Kirkham runs around with the smaller 275's on the rear, but he may be the only one. He's a stickler for handling and likes the smaller tire. Looks likely I'll order the 295's next week, unless there's a sudden flood of Cobra owners who just love those 275's.

AC, I'd run the 225's in the front and the 275's in the rear, if that made the car handle better or the geometry caused some sort of cosmic balance. But doesn't look that way.

[AC Ventura]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Methinks you may have your front and rear sizes reversed. Or perhaps you have the most "interesting" handling MK IV extant!

😂 Yep noticed the typo earlier and now corrected! Thanks