Black94LT1

I'm just looking for some opinions on new tires for by 94. I was planning on a set of NT555s (275 and 315) as I have the NT555R on the rear now and they have perfromed well, but I see the NT05 are available in the same sizes. Other than the treadwear difference, 200 vs. 300, and some wet traction difference is there a strong reason to go one way or the other?

Basically, the car is driven ~2K miles a year, so treadwear is not a huge concern and it is a dry weather car unless caught in the rain on a trip.

Thanks,
Preston

PDQUIK95

I have been running the 275/17 -555s on the front and 315/17-555Rs on the back of my garaged 95 for about 4 years now and am very happy with the ride and wear especially for the money. The car sees about 2800 miles a year in only dry weather and some drag racing use. I run 1/2 degree of negative camber in the front and tread wear has still been good. Haven't heard anything much about the NT05 tread wear.
Rick

shakedown067

If you are used to the 555R's in the back, I'd go with the NT05.

Alan777

The treadwear difference means the nt05 is a softer tire. Softer usually means better traction

Cavi

if you are only running 2k a year, then I have a few other questions, how hard are you pushing it? I am guessing that the 05 will deffinitly be softer and grip better, but, on the flip side, how well is it going to hold up timewise, in other words is it going to get hard from time faster than the 555? Alot of the softer tires, especially the R compounds don't like having too many heat cycles before they get hard and actually perform worse than a originally harder tire.
Call Nitto

IAFF alumni

Same situation for me. ~2k miles/yr and no running in the rain on purpose.
I went with a set of NT05's on mine and love them.
I was actually waffling between the NT05's and the NT01's.
275/40's on the front, and 315/35's on the rear.

Black94LT1

Not hard at all, mainly just some spirited street driving, no track time. Other than that, it sits on the lift in my garage. I would hope to get ~10K miles out of them, or say 6-7 years before they are replaced due to age.

How is the tread holding up, how many miles do you have on them to date?

IAFF alumni

About 100 miles.
I just put em on.

Klondike

Can't say anything about the NT05's, as I know nothing about them. I bought my 555's at the end of August last year and just roated them (275's all around) front to rear with 5000 miles on them. I drive highway and street with a few spirited trips through the local hill country, but not what I'd call extremely agressive. They show no wear that I can see at all so far. They have much better traction than the Pirelli's they replaced, are much quieter and the directional stability is superior; No more hunting and darting. I don't know how long the quiet ride will last before these tires get hard on me, but I already feel like I've got my money's worth from them and they look like theyre just getting started.

shakedown067

Man, I wish I could go 5 years on a set of tires as I go through a set a year (autocross, drive it like it's stolen). So I have no clue on longevity of a tire that sits more than it goes. Personally, I'd still go with the NT05 as it's ever so slightly cheaper.

littlesk8cracker

i went with the nt05's been on for about a year now. car is driven about 30 miles a week, and once a year takes a 2 1/2 hour drive to carlisle. tread still looks brand new. still had the 3 paint lines on the tire for a few months after putting them on

lucky1357

I just ordered the 555s for my 93......I'm thinking they will be fine ....

dunno513

New tires about to go on. 60k on what we believe are the original 89 goodyears. (no other balance marks of any kind) The cracking is unbelievable. funny thing is.. they would still pass inspection were it not for the dry rot.

The short list :

Nitto NT 555
Yokahama S.drive

Considered

Goodyear Eagle- reviews - too bad because these were in the top spot
Goodyear Eagle D3's - can't put my finger on why not...
Michelin PS2 - If the Goodyears are out.. I'm not spending that $.
Michelin A/S Plus - All seasons need not apply..but the resume is keeping them at #3
BFG's - tread pattern.. what were they thinking.

(see the pattern) I'm somewhat limited. 275-40-17 all corners


Did I miss any? I'm about to flip a coin...

kimmer

I had a pair of S drives on the front for a short time and they are nothing special. Nothing good or bad to say about them.

Speedball

After 7 years with my '96 I'm on my second set mainly because I didn't check date codes on the tires have your dealer call to get the freshest and closest similar build dates for all 4...I ripped up a set of Goodyears running at Willow Springs in the heat, but the Nittos are used in our club for the C4s....

Black94LT1

I ended up with the NT05s and love them (1 day of driving). They really stick . Anyway, the main decision point for me was the NT05 is a much newer design and for the mileage I drive it should hold up just fine.

dunno513

Well.. it was decided... 3rd place won. Went with the All Seasons after all. Just couldn't pass over the Michelins even at an additional $300. Plus with Discount Tire Direct still having the $70 rebate for another 4 days, It only made sense. I could have had the Yokahama's for $630 installed after all said and done thru Fords new fangled tire centers... but realized in the end this car is driven by my 70 y/o father and there is a greater chance of him seeing snow than there is of him seeing 1g.

And a big to Discount Tire Direct. So easy best prices and free shipping. Paypal at checkout too. Tire Rack.....