By 1999, the Mitsubishi 3000GT represented the last phase of a sophisticated Japanese grand touring performance car, with sharp styling and trim levels that ranged from the Base model to the twin-turbo VR-4. Tire fitment on the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT is closely tied to sub-model, with 225/55R16, 245/45R17, and 245/40R18 radial sizes corresponding to different wheel packages. That makes this a wheel-and-trim-specific fitment decision rather than a one-size-fits-all search. Available tire choices also vary by series and sidewall treatment, including blackwall, redline, and raised white letter options in some sizes. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact sub-model and wheel diameter on the car today.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT
The 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. All three fitments are radial, but they span 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch rims, so confirming the actual wheel setup is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
225/55R16 is a metric radial size in which 225 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT, this size is tied to a 16-inch wheel setup rather than the larger-wheel trims. Available choices center on BFGoodrich blackwall tires in g-Force Sport Comp 2 and g-Force Comp 2 AS series. This size makes the most sense when the car retains its original 16-inch wheel diameter and the goal is to stay with the correct overall fitment family.
245/45R17 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. For the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT, this size belongs to a specific 17-inch sub-model fitment, so it should not be treated as universal across the range. Product choices are broader here, including BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac options, with blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall treatments. It is the right size to evaluate when the car is on 17-inch wheels and the buyer wants a mix of appearance and performance-oriented choices.
245/40R18 is a metric radial size that uses the same nominal 245-millimeter width as the 17-inch version but with a lower 40-series profile on an 18-inch rim. On the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT, this fitment is associated with the largest factory wheel diameter used among the covered sub-models. Choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac tires, with blackwall, redline, and raised white letter variations depending on the series. This is the size to assess when the car has 18-inch wheels and the tire decision involves both visual stance and wheel-specific compatibility.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT because each covered trim uses its own tire size and wheel diameter. Identifying whether the car is a Base, SL, or VR-4 is the key step before comparing tire choices or sidewall styles.
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1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT Base
The 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT Base uses a 225/55R16 radial fitment on a 16-inch wheel package. That keeps tire selection focused on maintaining the correct wheel diameter first, then choosing among the available blackwall performance-oriented options in that size.
The 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL uses a 245/45R17 radial tire, placing it on a distinct 17-inch fitment from the Base and VR-4. This opens the door to a wider spread of brands, series, and sidewall treatments, but only after confirming the car still wears the proper wheel diameter.
The 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 uses a 245/40R18 radial tire on an 18-inch rim. Tire choice here is shaped by the larger wheel diameter, so the priority becomes matching the size correctly and then comparing blackwall, redline, raised white letter, or drag-oriented options within that fitment.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT Tires for Sale
Available 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT tires vary by size, brand, and presentation, with BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac options represented. Depending on sub-model, buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls across g-Force, NT555 G2, Street Pro III, and Drag Radial series.
Common 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT tire questions usually come down to sub-model-specific sizing, wheel diameter, radial tire selection, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a low-use performance car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
The 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT uses three different tire sizes depending on sub-model: 225/55R16, 245/45R17, and 245/40R18. All three are radial fitments, but they are tied to different trims and wheel diameters rather than being interchangeable choices across the full model line.
The practical next step is to confirm whether the car is a Base, SL, or VR-4 and then verify the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle today. A 3000GT that has been modified, re-wheeled, or restored may no longer match its original trim-based setup, so the tire search should start with the exact car in front of you.
What size rim does a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT use?
A 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT can use 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rims, depending on sub-model. The Base uses a 16-inch fitment with 225/55R16 tires, the SL uses a 17-inch fitment with 245/45R17 tires, and the VR-4 uses an 18-inch fitment with 245/40R18 tires.
Wheel diameter is the first fitment detail to verify because each tire size is built around a different rim. Measuring the wheel or reading the existing tire sidewall is a good starting point, especially on cars that may have seen aftermarket wheel swaps, replacement wheels, or trim changes over time.
Why does the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT have more than one tire size?
The 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT has more than one tire size because the Base, SL, and VR-4 use different wheel-and-tire packages. Those trim-specific fitments step up from 225/55R16 to 245/45R17 and then to 245/40R18, all in radial construction.
That means tire selection starts with trim and wheel diameter, not just the model name. Two 1999 3000GTs parked side by side can require different tires, so choosing by appearance alone is risky. Matching the tire to the correct rim size and current vehicle setup helps avoid clearance and compatibility problems.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
Start with the correct trim-specific size, because a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT may use 225/55R16, 245/45R17, or 245/40R18. After size, the main variables are brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and the wheel-width specifications attached to the tire you are considering.
A Base model on 16-inch wheels has a narrower choice set than an SL or VR-4, while the 17-inch and 18-inch sizes open up more variety. Think about how the car is used as well, whether that means general road driving, a more aggressive performance look, or a specialty application such as a drag-oriented rear tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size and product line. Blackwall is available across all three 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT fitments, while redline and raised white letter options appear in the 245/45R17 and 245/40R18 sizes through Pro-Trac Street Pro III offerings.
That makes sidewall choice part of the trim-specific buying decision rather than a universal option for every 3000GT. If appearance matters, confirm the car's wheel diameter first and then compare which sidewall treatments are offered in that exact size. A redline or raised white letter can change the car's visual character without changing the primary fitment size.
What brands offer tires for the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
Tires for the 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT are available from BFGoodrich, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, and Pro-Trac, depending on size. The 16-inch fitment centers on BFGoodrich choices, while the 17-inch and 18-inch sizes add broader brand coverage across several radial tire series.
Brand alone should not drive the decision. It helps to compare each option by size, intended use, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility, since the available tires are not all aimed at the same kind of driving or appearance. That is especially important on the SL and VR-4 sizes, where the product mix is more diverse.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
A period-style 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT tire choice starts with preserving the correct sub-model fitment: 225/55R16 for Base, 245/45R17 for SL, or 245/40R18 for VR-4. Staying with the proper wheel diameter and overall size family does more for an authentic presentation than chasing a generic modern substitute.
After that, appearance comes down to the look you want the car to project. Blackwall keeps a clean late-1990s performance feel, while redline or raised white letter options in some larger sizes create a more customized presentation. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque-specific photos, literature, and restoration references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
On a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT, construction does not create a bias-ply-versus-radial decision because the primary fitments are radial. The visual difference comes more from the tire series and sidewall treatment than from switching between construction types, since the available fitments already reflect modern radial sizing.
That means a restoration-oriented owner should pay close attention to profile, wheel diameter, and sidewall presentation. A blackwall can preserve a restrained factory-era look, while redline or raised white letter versions push the car toward a more personalized style. Even subtle changes matter on a late-1990s performance car with large, model-specific wheel packages.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, lowering, brake upgrades, and body alterations can all change the space available for a 225/55R16, 245/45R17, or 245/40R18 tire, even when the size itself matches a known trim-level fitment.
A modified car should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire clearance at full steering lock and suspension travel. Offset changes matter too, particularly on wider 17-inch and 18-inch setups. The safest approach is to treat the tire size as one part of the fitment picture rather than the whole answer.
What should I inspect before driving a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT on new tires?
Before driving a 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the car's trim and wheel diameter, and check inflation, valve stems, and lug hardware. It also helps to make sure the suspension and alignment are in sound condition before putting fresh tires into service.
A careful walkaround should include sidewall clearance, fender clearance, and any signs that the old tires were rubbing or wearing unevenly. On a car that sits for long periods, look for age-related issues elsewhere in the chassis as well. New tires perform best when the rest of the wheel-and-suspension system is ready for road use.
How should tires on a collector 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. That applies whether the car wears 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch radial tires.
Low-use performance cars often age their tires out before they wear them out, so condition matters as much as tread depth. Moving the car periodically can help reduce flat-spotting during storage, and checking air pressure before each drive is a smart habit. Any persistent air loss or vibration deserves attention before longer road use.