New tires/rock chip protection

[SFSDFGT]

I’ve been meaning to replace my *gasp* original BFG radial T/A tires on my aluminum CSX4000 Series Cobra, and am finally going to get around to it this summer. Despite all of the warnings about why the billboard Goodyear’s are a bad choice, and even after reading every tire thread on the forum, I feel that I still want to give them a try. Worse case scenario, I am willing to replace them immediately if I hate them. I’m OK with that.

My questions are: (1) where is the best place to purchase them, and (2) what is the best way to protect the inner fenders/quarters from rock dents and chips from the inevitable flinging of projectiles from the stickier tires? I’m already planning on doing some paint protection film for the exterior paint, on the anticipated impact zones, but with the aluminum bodywork, I am worried about how to protect the areas within the wheel wells. Foam? Peelable undercoating spray? I would prefer it not be too visible/noticeable, and it would need to be reversible so as not to affect the value of the car.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Jim Vander Wal]

Superformance used a foam padding in the wheels wells. Seemed to work quite well.

Approx. 3/16" thick, medium density and sticky backed. It was black and on those cars unnoticeable as the whole of the body underside was painted black.

Check www.MCMaster.com They often have sample packs of foam/rubber products that should help you decide what might work.

Jim

[FredG]

This stuff works great. There is a thread on here somewhere about using it as rear fender protection from chips. Best part it is removable. I have used it under the front. It would work very well as chip protection anywhere.

https://www.amazon.com/Performix-112.../dp/B0006SU3QW


Here is the thread.

mk3 spats

[ERA 626]

if you ever drive your car over 80mph, DONT DO THE BILLBOARDS. you will waste your money. ask me how I know... I not only wasted my money on them I then had to spend $2k on the avons to get the look. (my wife never looks on this forum) Avons are the best looking and performing 15" tire for a cobra. I had BFGs on my ERA, mickey thompsons, and BILLBOARDS on my CSX now I have AVONS and will never get a different 15" tire. Now going to a 17" is a completely different topic...

[Unique427]

Originally Posted by FredG

This stuff works great. There is a thread on here somewhere about using it as rear fender protection from chips. Best part it is removable. I have used it under the front. It would work very well as chip protection anywhere.

https://www.amazon.com/Performix-112.../dp/B0006SU3QW


Here is the thread.

mk3 spats

The Plastidip solution works good.
Usually redo every other year.

[SFSDFGT]

Thank you all for the good advice. Much appreciated!

[Mongoose930]

I have an aluminum body and have foam in the fender wells. At one time you could purchase a kit from Kirkham. Also, I have used both the Billboards and currently have the Avons. Save yourself some money and go directly to the Avons. Unbelievable difference. I can actually drive my Cobra with one hand on the wheel if I need to. I would have never done that while driving with the BB's. I agree that the BB's look cool, but they are definitely not worth all the tradeoffs. The Avon's also look pretty good in my opinion.

[427Larry]

Here is my CSX4000 Aluminum Car, done with Avons, and Goodyear Eagle Letters, from Tredwear. The best of both worlds. This is my second set I have done, well I should say, my lovely wife has done. The Avons sidewalls are perfect for the letters, and I would not run any other tires, they are great for the street, and track. I have tried a lot of other tires, and these are the best, and the number one recommended tire by, Mike McCluskey, Dave Wagner, David Kirkham, and the list goes on. My car also does have the foam protectant in the wheel wells.

[NROTOXIN]

I too have Avons. I purchased neoprene sponge foam rubber sheets from Amazon. Cut patterns for all fenders and used 3M spray adhesive to install.

[Danr55]

Question: Since billboards are not DOT rated for street use, does that invalidate your insurance like it does mine?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Danr55

Question: Since billboards are not DOT rated for street use, does that invalidate your insurance like it does mine?

So if a tree falls over and flattens your Cobra, and the adjuster spots billboards on the pile of rubble, then you get nothing for all your premiums?

[Randy Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by patrickt

So if a tree falls over and flattens your Cobra, and the adjuster spots billboards on the pile of rubble, then you get nothing for all your premiums?

I'd be a bit more concerned about Liability insurance. If I lose control of my car, crash, and injure someone, then will my insurance cover it?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Randy Rosenberg

I'd be a bit more concerned about Liability insurance. If I lose control of my car, crash, and injure someone, then will my insurance cover it?

Ask it this way. Do you want to be the one that tries to find out?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Randy Rosenberg

I'd be a bit more concerned about Liability insurance. If I lose control of my car, crash, and injure someone, then will my insurance cover it?

Alright, then let's change the scenario to an impaired Cobra owner who blows through a red light without even tapping his brakes and broadsides a school bus. The insurance adjuster then says "hey, I See billboards on that Cobra, OK policy nullified." You really think that makes sense?

[Unique427]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Alright, then let's change the scenario to an impaired Cobra owner who blows through a red light without even tapping his brakes and broadsides a school bus. The insurance adjuster then says "hey, I See billboards on that Cobra, OK policy nullified." You really think that makes sense?

Insurance payout for vehicle damage only would probably happen
without incident or question. A claims adjuster with exception of total
loss would simply ask for up to (3) quotes for repair. In this scenario
unless something was red flagged in the police report, they will pay.

Now, getting into an accident with property damage or injury/death is another
matter as it would likely involve litigation. Expect recorded interviews,
driving and vehicle maintenance records pulled by discovery. If the
plaintiff discovers and can prove those non-DOT tires and your
willful negligence to use them contributed to the cause of damage/injury/death,
judgement awards could exceed your insurance limits of liability.

You roll the dice and live by the decision. Any mental gymnastics played
to justify that decision will be rendered non-relevant in court.

Your best indicator is if there's been some prior precedence
involving non-DOT components.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Unique427

If the
plaintiff discovers and can prove those non-DOT tires and your
willful negligence to use them contributed to the cause of damage/injury/death,
judgement awards could exceed your insurance limits of liability.

Why would my billboards be treated any differently than if I had really bald tires with maybe the steel belts sticking out of them? The plaintiff's damages are what they are. Are you saying the presence of billboards would lead to punitives?

[Unique427]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Why would my billboards be treated any differently than if I had really bald tires with maybe the steel belts sticking out of them? The plaintiff's damages are what they are. Are you saying the presence of billboards would lead to punitives?

It ultimately comes down to what plantiff's attorney successfully
argues to a jury of 12 after his "industry experts" provide opinion.

Balding tires is actually a good comparison though I would think
more difficult for plaintiff to prove it was willful negligence.

As stated, if there's any precedence in previous cases, that would
provide the best indicator on what to expect.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Unique427

It ultimately comes down to what plaintiff's attorney successfully argues to a jury of 12 after his "industry experts" provide opinion.

I don't think most judges would let that instruction even make it to the jury, unless defense counsel was sound asleep at the table. But, that was still a better answer than the others.

[NROTOXIN]

Since this is now solely about a tire and litigation, the term "Your Mileage May Vary" should be the opening and closing argument.