I currently have 255/35/20 Champiros on my 2004 XJR and the Ride is certainly Less than luxurious. it has the 20" Sepang rims. Due to our local Road conditions which resemble Post War Berlin, the rims take a beating with these low profile tires. I need something Thicker/taller to give some more cushion between the rim and the Road. I never really get too wild driving around town or go to any tracks, so i really just want to get the Quietest and SMoothest ride possible. Anyone have any reccomendations on Size or Brand?

 

Better to change the wheels to 18", You will never get a good ride with 20".

 

+1 what he said!

 

I just put a new set of four

255/35ZR-20 CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 XL

from Tire Rack on my 2009 Portfolio. Very happy with the ride. Of course these are all-season radials as the summer tires just don't handle the cold in Colorado even if it is dry, and as I don't drive this car in the winter, but need the spring and fall, I decided not to go with dedicated summer tires.

 

I decided to put 255/40 R20 to increase the rubber thickness.
Very happy of the ride

 

I used the GTR sized front and rear tires 285 rear and 255 front. They are approximately an inch taller and with the extra meat...They ride MUCH BETTER..And they are run flats to boot. Im sure a 255/40 all around will help significantly as well regardless of brand. Factory tire in 20" just has no sidewall at all....

 

For those with 255 40 20, please share a pic; I'd like to see what the taller tires do to the wheel arch gap.

Thanks-
Mag

 

Same here! Because I'm about to grab some myself because of post I've seen on that, but I would definitely like to actually see it tho...

 

well my tires which are a bit bigger :O)

 

looks really Good Slowpoke. would the 285s not fit on the front?

 

Very nice.

I have taller on 19 inch Caravellas and like that very much 275 40 19, but was not sure about the effect on a 20.

Thank you
Mag

 

Taller tyre implies larger diameter; is there a demonstrable effect on the speedometer ?

 

Theoretically it should effect speedo reading. According to my GPS however its right n the money...Which means it was likely off from the factory. Honestly that wasn't a worry. I did it for traction and to prevent bent rims. So far both are better.

As for 285 up front...I didn't try but I don't think they would work so well....Plus these buggers cost a pretty penny

 

The pics attached show the difference between 255/35 R20 (left) and 255/40 R20 (right, the current ones).
The difference looks impressive in terms of overall height of the tyre but is not that noticeable on the car's pic (sorry I don't have a side view). Actually it protects effectively against potholes and kerbing.
And regarding speedo indication, as said before and fortunately, it indicates the exact speed as compared with GPS (contrarily to stock tires)!

 

Wow! I didn't know it was that big a difference! That's great!!! I'm in debate on which rims I want, but I definitely know the tire size I'm gong with. Still would like a quiet tire as per the thread...

 

Overall, the height difference is one inch, so that the car is half an inch higher.

My tyres are Michelin Sport AS-3.
They were already on the car when I bought them and I am very satisfied (they are new though) but some others here seem not to share the same opinion (not unusual when you speak tyres...

 

Yeah that's true about anything with multiple choices...

 

More that tire type or brand the size will make a difference. Until I went larger and taller nothing felt awfully nice on my jag

 

Well here i sit at the Firestone Shop to get these tires mounted. I SPENT ALMOST $800 on a set of 255 40 r20 Nitto tires. And guess what? Theyre too damn big. They rub on the ball joints up front and on the back they rub the front of the rear wheel well. Idk where i went wrong. I bought the size yall said would work maybe its the brand.

 

Seems that you have no luck.
On my car, the Michelin AS-3 in 255/40R20 don't rub at all on the ball joints or under the wheel arches.
Maybe it's the actual size/width of the Nitto's. Actually, each brand has its own dimensions that differ sometimes substantially from one another.
Would you have the opportunity to compare with another brand?