Tread wear vs width

[Doug T]

Hello friends. Can anyone say for sure which has more lateral grip. A 285/35/19 340 tread wear on a 10" rim. Or a 275/35/19 200 tread wear on a 9.5" rim? Thanks.

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[dpAtlanta]

If you could tell the difference, we would be calling you the “Stig”………!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cmxPPL219]

I'd add that it's not just about tire width and the treadwear rating.
Tires from different brands that fall within a specific treadwear rating can perform differently.

An important factor is the tread compound. This will vary widely across tires from different brands, and even within a brand, for a given category.

Further, many tires have more than 1 compound type / composition (i.e., There will be a different compound across the outer circumferential half of a tire that prioritizes dry handling, where the inner half may prioritize wet - and again, whether this is the case depends on the class of tire - some tires within a 200tw may have a mixed compound, others may have just one.

 

[Doug T]

So what's a decent 200 tw summer street tire?

 

[NightmareMoon]

Hello friends. Can anyone say for sure which has more lateral grip. A 285/35/19 340 tread wear on a 10" rim. Or a 275/35/19 200 tread wear on a 9.5" rim? Thanks.

Ok so obviously your 340tw is the MP4S, right?

What specific 200TW tire are you curious about? Typically a 200TW tire will not last as long as a 340tw tire, but treadwear ratings are not scientific. They're literally just whatever the manufacturer wants to call 200TW, so the goal posts are constantly moving.

We can probably help you with your goals, but we'll need to know more about what you want.

Do you just need dry grip? Will the car be driven on wet roads? Through rainstorms? Ever below freezing temps? 200tw are usually summer only tires.

What kind of use? Street, "spirited" backroad runs, or are you getting on a closed course and autocrossing or tracking the car?

How tolerant are you for things like excessive tire noise or rough riding? Some 200tw tires ride like shit, but handle like rainbows.

How many miles and years do you need to get out of the tire to be satisfied?

 

[Grintch]

On average, a sticky compound gives more grip than a wider tire. Especially when we are talking one size difference.

If the 200TW tire is a recent design, it should be much better than a 340TW. Because that whole class of tire is optimized for performance, so much so that some are not recommended for low temperatures and may not be good in the rain.

 

[Dana Pants]

The 200 tw will be faster the PS4S in the dry if they are in similar condition. Maybe not cold, but once there is the right amount of heat, game over for the PS4S. After a certain level of rain, the PS4S will be faster.

also, most 200 tw are wider than ps4 for the same size numbers.

 

[Doug T]

Don't care about rain, cold, mileage etc. Summer street tire. Grip is what I'm after.

 

[Ewheels]

Don't care about rain, cold, mileage etc. Summer street tire. Grip is what I'm after.

Goodyear Supercar 3
Yoko A052
Falken RT660
Hankook RS4
I think that's all the major players in the 200 range

 

[Bikeman315]

Goodyear Supercar 3
Yoko A052
Falken RT660
Hankook RS4
I think that's all the major players in the 200 range

Let's add.......(285/35-19)
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 220
Yokohama Advan Sport 180
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 140
Pirelli P Zero Rosso 220
Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT 600 200

 

[NightmareMoon]

Don't care about rain, cold, mileage etc. Summer street tire. Grip is what I'm after.

Yoko A052 (new in 295/35R19) or Falken RT660 (295,305, or 315 in 19" sizes).

Ford just does the Michelin Sport Cup 2 when they want grip. They're kind of expensive tho and need a bit of heat to work. A052 and RT660 will grip when cool.

RS4 lasts longer, grips less (but still grippy). Also maxes out in 275/35R19 which is kind of short.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the RT660, except for standing water.

 

[Dana Pants]

Let's add.......(285/35-19)
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 220
Yokohama Advan Sport 180
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 140
Pirelli P Zero Rosso 220
Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT 600 200

right or wrong, those tires have not proven themselves at the 2021 solo nationals or at the local autocross circuits to my knowledge and can therefore be ignored for all practical purposes.

 

[Ewheels]

right or wrong, those tires have not proven themselves at the 2021 solo nationals or at the local autocross circuits to my knowledge and can therefore be ignored for all practical purposes.

Exactly. They may be 200tw but no one uses them

 

[Grintch]

Exactly. They may be 200tw but no one uses them

Because most of them are old. It's the equivalent of a SN95 vs a S550.

Also note, most are not 200TW.
In modern tires, 200TW is code for competition ready street tire. Most are as good as the original R compound tires, back when they actually had tread.

 

[Doug T]

Good info thanks. I'm not ready to drop the coin on rims so here we go with finding 275's and 255's.

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