FL5 on 245/40/18

[HKSpeed]

Saw this at a car meet. I wonder what is the story. Why go from 265/35/19 Michelin Pilots to 245/40/18 Delinte DS2? This is in Los Angeles county, where nobody needs winter tires.

The blue Si in the background had 255/40/18 Bridgestones (200 treadwear) on CE28N

Also at the meet: 265/35/18 Lexanis (500 treadwear) on TE37L.
When you got no more money left after mods . My guess is these wheels came off a lesser car (WRX or Evo?). If I had a R33 like this, it would strictly be a garage queen/Sunday cruiser. I would get the same tires

Edit: Why the tires on the BCR33 and FL5 caught my attention.

I noticed the cheap tires because I'm all about cheap tires. I have Celimos on my car right now. I bought many sets of Achilles, Nankangs, and Senturys. Cheap tires on a cheap car (like my FL2) is to be expected. Cheap tires on performance cars is funny. A BCNR33 with JDM parts is not just another performance car. This BCNR33 is a premium car with premium parts on premium wheels. It's not cheap speed. It has a premium collector element, which makes cheap tires even funnier.

The FL5 is a juxtaposition of cheap and luxury: its a cheap marque with a luxury price! Don't believe me? Ask non-car people for their opinion on a $47K Civic. Cheap tires on a WRX or Elantra N isn't remarkable because those cars are cheap speed. Cheap tires on a FL5 is funnier than cheap tires on a similarly priced BMW G20.

 

[Cueyo]

I'll bet the smaller tires on the FL5 are because smaller tires are lighter and the extra sidewall is nicer on the road in terms of feel. A lot of FL5s are tracked and driven hard, but you don't need all that tire on a daily drive.

Going from my meaty winter tires back to the pilot sports 4S's makes me miss more sidewall

 

[Spart]

Those are an all-season tire, so they might have track tires or something on the OEM set and run these all-seasons for comfort and daily driving practicality.

As for why they're on a 245 and not a 265 - these cars are very prone to hydroplaning on 265 width tires. Much of hydroplane resistance is down to tread design, but there is also the ratio of tire width to vehicle weight that you're fighting. These cars aren't very heavy for how wide the tires are.

Could also just be that's what fit those wheels and the wheels were more important.

My winter tires are 225/40R18 specifically to fight hydroplaning. Slush can be the end of you or your car if you hydroplane on it unexpectedly. Very happy with my 225 winter setup and 255 spring-summer-fall setup.

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