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Mycroft
Life happens
Just put them on, so I can't speak to their wear yet. But they're doing a good job of sticking to the road and I don't have a light foot in my SLK.
Hi Mycroft,
Thanks for the response.
Can you give me a feel for how much do sport tires detract from the driving comfort when compared to standard tires in normal driving conditions?
Thanks.
Larry
The way I figure it, the 21 inch performance tires will last 15,000 miles average. If you are very concerned about high tire replacement costs, think of it this way. How much more would it be to have a "beater car", gas it up, carry the insurance for it AND do the maintenance for it? Replacing the tires for the Model S is cheaper still (1,200- not bad; the tires for my 2002 Mercury Cougar were the in the same ballpark AND that car was a garbage- 8 years and replacing the tires every other year).
When I get Model S, I'm keeping my Toyota for the first year, as a back-up see how I make out with the Model S, if the Model S works for snow, great, if not, I keep the Toyota as a winter car/shopping center car/gardening car (to take the dents and abuse that I would not want to subject the Model S to- Honestly that's all a Toyota or any ICE car is good for- as the whipping boy for the Model S).
When I get Model S, I'm keeping my Toyota for the first year, as a back-up see how I make out with the Model S, if the Model S works for snow, great, if not, I keep the Toyota as a winter car/shopping center car/gardening car (to take the dents and abuse that I would not want to subject the Model S to- Honestly that's all a Toyota or any ICE car is good for- as the whipping boy for the Model S).
Mycroft
Life happens
It's the depth of the sidewall that's the issue, not necessarily "sport" or non-sport. I don't know for sure, but I can't imagine that the ride/comfort would be that different between 19" and 21", but it would be noticeable if you were paying attention to it.
There are two main reasons for going with the 21" wheels:
1. Looks
2. More firm due to the shallower sidewalls. Better for performance with taking corners quickly. Less "squishy".
Reasons for going with the 19"
1. Much larger variety of tires, including all-season and snow tires that simply are not available with the 21"
2. 19" tires are possibly less expensive in other countries.
3. Somewhat more comfortable ride due to the thicker sidewall which adds flexibility to the tire.
ChadS
Last tank of gas: March 2009
4. The smaller tires may improve range a tiny bit; but more to the point, at 19" you can get the aero wheels, which improve range measurably (if still not a huge amount).
kvietor
Model S VIN 168
Just found a set of wheels, 19 inch, which I think would fit. Same style as the 21 inch offered with the sig. Use those with all season tires and keep the styling. Comments?
MERCEDES 19 INCH SILVER WHEELS - TYPE MBZ-590-SLV : Mercedes Benz Wheel | Mercedes Wheels | Headlights Tail Lights Grilles
![MBZ-590-SLV-[1].jpg](https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/attachments/mbz-590-slv-1-jpg.3774/ "MBZ-590-SLV-[1].jpg")
MERCEDES 19 INCH SILVER WHEELS - TYPE MBZ-590-SLV : Mercedes Benz Wheel | Mercedes Wheels | Headlights Tail Lights Grilles
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Hi Mycroft,
Thanks.
To get the superior grip aren't the performance tires softer than the standard tires and doesn't that mean they can have half the life expectancy of the standard tires?
Living in Florida I'm not concerned about all-season or snow tires. :wink:
Larry
Mycroft
Life happens
Yep. Because they're more sticky, they'll lose tread faster than a standard tire. So if you don't plan on throwing your car around curves and you don't mind the looks of the 19" wheels, it's much more economical to select the 19" wheels and buy standard tires. I don't think they make standard tires for the 21" wheels.
You know Larry, you're almost talking me into choosing 19" wheels for my Sig Sport. :-/
You know Larry, you're almost talking me into choosing 19" wheels for my Sig Sport. :-/
Hi Mycroft,
If Tesla offerred the wheels Klaus (kvietor) referenced I would go that route. But I don't want to go to the trouble of buying a set of wheels and selling the ones with the car. I love the look of the turbine wheel so much that I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet at fork over the $3,500 along with higher maintenance costs. :frown:
Larry
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How can you know what wheels will fit? You can guess at the wheel width - but not the hub offset.
Schlermie
P4932 - Delivery: 12/22
The options and pricing page seems to imply the Performance Model S will have different 21" wheels from the 21" wheels on the standard Model S. The image makes the Performance version look like a dark grey color instead of silver. Is the difference just cosmetic or will the Performance 21" wheels also be wider?
tdelta1000
Active Member
The wheels that were originally used on the concept Model S were the Lorinser RS8 wheel which is made for Mercedes Benz vehicles. Tesla just had the wheel slightly modified.
The Lorinser RS8 Wheel
The Factory Model S "21 inch wheel
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strider
Active Member
It is a grey color (which I LOVE - had grey wheels on my Corvette) and (hopefully) they are lighter weight, possibly forged instead of cast to be stronger, etc. I doubt the sizes will be different. Note that nothing I have just typed (except the color comment) is confirmed by Tesla - I'm simply speculating/hoping.
Mycroft
Life happens
KBF
Model X owner (formerly Cdn Signature Model S)
When I asked a Tesla rep about snow tires, he told me that Tesla is not putting out a winter tire package right now, but since they are a standard size, I should easily be able to get a 3rd party winter wheel/tire combo. Once all the specs are out, if it isn't clear yet I'll email again and ask specifically what will be compatible. I'm assuming he's referring to 19" rims...
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