Current Tire Thread

[ACHTUNG]

Here's my "what tire" post:

My E30 has a S52 motor which is why I'm looking for more meat on my wheels. Wheels are 15" Ronal LS that are 7.5" wide. This car is strictly a "spirited weekend/auto-x/occasional track day" car. Realistically it's a street car 90% of the time used mostly on dry days but occasionally I'll get caught in the rain. I'm in New England so I will be using it on colder spring and fall days. I've been running Falken Azenis RT-615's and have liked them but they are too small and I wanted more meat since the car now has a S52.

From what I read the ideal tire size for the Ronal's is 225/50/15. Here are my choices that I've found so far:

Toyo Proxes R888
Toyo Proxes RA-1
BFG g-Force Sport
Kumho Ecsta AST
Falken Ziex ZE-912

Which would you choose and why? Have I missed any other options? Would you consider a different size tire (i.e. 225/45/15?)

Thanks

[wannaBMthree]

Can't comment on the new s-drives, but I love my G-Force sports. For $100 at America's tire co, I haven't found a better value. Great Dry traction, sound wet.

[Varinn]

Just picked up a set of 15x7 et28 Racing Dynamic 5-spokes for my eta, they came with a set of 205/50/15 Falken Azeni rt-215 mounted. These tires are fantastic, but the car is a daily driver and they are fucking loud and ride REALLY rough. I'm trying to decide between 205/55/15 and 225/50/15 for a "spirited" daily driving set. Suggestions on which size to choose and a good make and model?

Aiming for a balance between handling and comfort. These Falkens are just TOO aggressive for daily use. I'm looking at these guys here:




Car is sitting on H&R sport springs with billy shocks, I'm hoping to install e90 drop hats and remove the spring pads next weekend for moar low

[u3b3rg33k]

recently switched to 215/45R17 Dunlop Direzza Z1 star specs....OMG

so far with the normal spirited driving i'm accustom to, i havent been able to break them loose. would have to drive like a crazy person to over power them. :)

they are so quiet even when giving them hell, and respond very fast to steering input.

What he said.

I just put mine on (195/60/14), and hit up the roundabouts.

in a word:
:mrgreen:

On a related note,
:mrgreen:

[bmw2002tiiagave]

DDing R888. super sketch in the rain! def helps you learn car control lol.

[bsop]

Yeah I havent looked at the specs on the rims recently, just curious to know if there is a general trend as far as the range of tire sizes one can fit on a rim, in an E30 wheel well. It retrospect it was a dumb inquiry without the stats.

Probably going to get the dunlops this week however.

[e30trooper]

running nexen cp641 on my rears , and the front are mixed . One nexen n2000 and a triangle tr198 , tread wear looks kinda like the cp641's . pretty decent tires on the cheap. Ive read nexen's produce nice smoke :D

[straight6pwr]

recently switched to 215/45R17 Dunlop Direzza Z1 star specs....OMG

so far with the normal spirited driving i'm accustom to, i havent been able to break them loose. would have to drive like a crazy person to over power them. :)

they are so quiet even when giving them hell, and respond very fast to steering input.

[Ian Bowers]

Wheel width and offset are the determining factors for the size of tire you put on, and you didn't mention either.

The Dunlop Star-specs sound like they'd fit your bill, though. Decent price, good in the rain, and damn good in the dry. I'm using them now (205/50 on 16x8 ET20) and I genuinely enjoy them.

[bsop]

Hey guys, so Im also in need of new tires, And I'm looking for some input. I can say I suffer from a certain rubbery ignorance as far as fit goes, so if someone can enlighten me, Id appreciate it.

Currently I have 205/55-15 Kumho Ecstas on the car, my options on tirerack range from $80 per tire, to much higher.

These all seasons were pretty great, snows in the winter, and I definitly notice a difference with the shorter sidewall and my 1.5'' lowered susp.

I only really do spirited back road Adirondack driving- need a good wet/dry tire that will let me have fun and not kill myself if theres a puddle in a corner.

The Dunlops on tire-rack seem to be popular per this thread, how are they when its wet?

Also, with my current size being 205/55-15, would I need a wider rim to get a wider tread? what kind of size flexibility does 1 rim generally have?

[phreshkid]

Seriously? I thought the KDW2s were a little lack-luster compared to my Kumho ecsta XS and my Star-specs. :p

You know, you're probably right but I haven't had the pleasure of driving with tires that are much better than stock garbage. I've driven e30s with the falken 512s and they are pretty good except you'll go through them in give or take 6 months.

[e30slidewayz]

I'm looking for a good 225/35/17 to put on a 17x9. Thinking the Falken 452, heard good and bad. Bad is mostly b/c of bubbling when it's stretched. This setup shouldn't be a hardcore stretch, so I don't think it'll be a problem. Anyone with any experience or suggestions on another good 225/35?

[Ian Bowers]

Seriously? I thought the KDW2s were a little lack-luster compared to my Kumho ecsta XS and my Star-specs. :p

[phreshkid]

Ran the 225-45/16 BF Goodrich KDW2 tires on my car.
These tires are seriously nuts. The amount of traction they have is almost too much.
I say too much because even with an extremely healthy m52, I was having a hard time even chirping the tires after 2nd gear with hard shifts. These tires won't let you lose traction. Don't even do donuts with these tires simply because it just isn't worth it.

If you want a set of really grippy, no playing around type of tire, these will work.

If you want a set of fun, do some slides and burnout once in a while, these tires aren't for you.

I cannot comment on rain performance or road noise because they are brand new tires and have yet to disappoint me.

[diegom6]

I'm debating my self what to buy between Direzza Z1 vs Azenis 615K for my new wheels that are going to be used in M3.

I already have a set of Direzza Z1 in my e30 turbo, but I don't have much feedback on them yet, since I ran the car for a little while until my shifter went to hell but the little I drove her I really liked them!


Opinions? Brand & why?

Thanks