[jv004]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

How substantial is the rim protector bead or rim guard?

The rim guard on the Pilot SS protrudes a decent amount.

I am looking for a tire with no or slim rubber in this area to reduce the appearance of "tire poke" for lack of a better term.

Thanks

Well Here's some close ups, see if you can see it. Can't really answer since I don't take that into consideration. As long as the poke is not extreme i'm good since most of my cars are lowered.

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by jv004

Well Here's some close ups, see if you can see it. Can't really answer since I don't take that into consideration. As long as the poke is not extreme i'm good since most of my cars are lowered.

Looking at those pictures the rim guard looks to be less than the stock RFT...which is not better for me as I park on the street often and real close to the curb and rub that guard a lot....but, oh well, I will have to increase my precision or continue to have to spot repair my rims.

[daxtor]

Where do you guys get the Firehawk? My local tire stores either don't carry them, or they can't order them because they don't come in the 19" size I need. I don't think that's true as the other shop I contacted does sell them but won't mount them onto my car because they insist I need Y rated tires and the Firehawk is only W rated.

[jv004]

I bought my set on tirerack then had america's tire mount/balance and put back in car. Ironically I went to Firestone store first and even though this are the recommended sizes for stock, they did not want to mount their own brand of tires because they weren't RTFs.
I don't know if that's their policy or just a very anal manager.

[BowzerF30]

RFTs are upsold or represented as a safety feature. There is no pre-req that says you have to actually know about cars to work at a tire shop. He was probably just following the protocol/system.

These are Bridgestone RE003's rebranded. Definitely worth it, I have an Audi with these in 225/40- 18. I would've put them on My F30 but sizes in 20 were limited. I'll be getting a set of 19 or 18 later this year and will definitely buy this tire again.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by BowzerF30

RFTs are upsold or represented as a safety feature. There is no pre-req that says you have to actually know about cars to work at a tire shop. He was probably just following the protocol/system.

These are Bridgestone RE003's rebranded. Definitely worth it, I have an Audi with these in 225/40- 18. I would've put them on My F30 but sizes in 20 were limited. I'll be getting a set of 19 or 18 later this year and will definitely buy this tire again.

Companies have legal Departments that tell them they cannot do certain things like this because it opens up liability issues they do not want to venture into.

[TylerMcCraw]

Got my tires mounted today, they look awesome and run wider than the OEM pirellis. I will update you on how they drive once I get a couple miles on them, so far so good!

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by TylerMcCraw

Just got my tires in the mail. Coming from Michelin PS4S. So far the tread looks awesome. Aggressive design and the sidewalls feel pretty stiff. This tire definitely runs wider than Michelin and Pirelli and Continental tires do. Much cheaper as well.

1) what size did you buy

2) as the PS4S have been out only 13 months, why are you coming from PS4S? Virtually impossible to have worn them out in that time unless they lasted far shorter than expected (or you drive thousands of miles a month).

3) Your signature line lists 12 and 18mm spacers. Are you running them?

[jgoens]

Do you have any rubbing issues with the spacers? I'm considering adding that when I get tires. What brand of spacers did you go with?

[TylerMcCraw]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

1) what size did you buy

2) as the PS4S have been out only 13 months, why are you coming from PS4S? Virtually impossible to have worn them out in that time unless they lasted far shorter than expected (or you drive thousands of miles a month).

3) Your signature line lists 12 and 18mm spacers. Are you running them?

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

1) what size did you buy

2) as the PS4S have been out only 13 months, why are you coming from PS4S? Virtually impossible to have worn them out in that time unless they lasted far shorter than expected (or you drive thousands of miles a month).

3) Your signature line lists 12 and 18mm spacers. Are you running them?

I burn through tires doing autocross and HPDE also I go to app state so I go on the tail of the dragon regularly as well as the blue ridge, I also drive 20k miles a year. I got 225/45/18 and yes I am running the spacers in these pics.

[TylerMcCraw]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Do you have any rubbing issues with the spacers? I'm considering adding that when I get tires. What brand of spacers did you go with?

No rubbing at all! I'm using the Burger Motersports spacers.

[wantafastone]

Originally Posted by TylerMcCraw

I burn through tires doing autocross and HPDE also I go to app state so I go on the tail of the dragon regularly as well as the blue ridge, I also drive 20k miles a year. I got 225/45/18 and yes I am running the spacers in these pics.

Driven on blue ridge many times when i was in east tennessee. Never made it to tail of the dragon but there was a similarly names road near my house in johnson city that was fun with my 335i.

My firehawks are at the shop...waiting for BMW to find me a wheel lock first though, they lost it during the last time they changed my brake pads

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by jv004

Not the best pictures... but here's a few that show the tires a bit. On stock sizes and lowered on HR super sports.

Do you have wheel spacers? And if so, size and brand?

[Kingpin4]

Great write up! Please keep posting on the future wear of the your Firehawks and your drivability comments.

[jv004]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Do you have wheel spacers? And if so, size and brand?

I have the Macht Schnell - Competition Wheel Spacers.
12mm front, 20mm Rear

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by jv004

I have the Macht Schnell - Competition Wheel Spacers.
12mm front, 20mm Rear

Do they rub in the rear?

[jv004]

No rubbing issues

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by jv004

Well Here's some close ups, see if you can see it. Can't really answer since I don't take that into consideration. As long as the poke is not extreme i'm good since most of my cars are lowered.

Excellent! Thanks so much for that. I really appreciate it.

These do look to have a slimmer rim guard than the Michelin Pilot SS.

These are a very good looking tire, and fitment on your wheel looks great. Enjoy!

[rocklobsta1109]

These do seem to run a touch wider than other tires I've had mounted to my 403M's I will have these mounted on some 305 Forged FT101's later today hopefully and will report back on that setup. I'll be running 225/255 OEM size setup on the FT101's until I wear these out and will step up to larger widths at that time.

EDIT: Added photo of shameless showboating of new wheels with the Indy 500's. Wide angle makes front wheel look a little goofy but it does not have positive camber, I promise

[jgoens]

Went by my local Firestone dealer and got a quote for $642 installed with hazard protection. Great deal and beats Tire rack. Looks like I know what I am doing next week.

Tried to see if they would install spacers for me but they declined due to liability issues...bummer, that would have been easy. Looks like I know what job I get to do.

[Rokoz]

Originally Posted by rocklobsta1109

These do seem to run a touch wider than other tires I've had mounted to my 403M's I will have these mounted on some 305 Forged FT101's later today hopefully and will report back on that setup. I'll be running 225/255 OEM size setup on the FT101's until I wear these out and will step up to larger widths at that time.

EDIT: Added photo of shameless showboating of new wheels with the Indy 500's. Wide angle makes front wheel look a little goofy but it does not have positive camber, I promise

You're killing me... first you have the wheels I want then you post them with the tires I want!

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Went by my local Firestone dealer and got a quote for $642 installed with hazard protection. Great deal and beats Tire rack. Looks like I know what I am doing next week.

Tried to see if they would install spacers for me but they declined due to liability issues...bummer, that would have been easy. Looks like I know what job I get to do.

Killer deal! What size tires was that quote for?