Current Tire Thread

[nando]

BFG G-force sports have a $60 rebate now if you buy a set of 4.

R888 do look sexy as hell, but no way would I dd on them.

just thought I'd report in on DDing R888s

I got two seasons on them as daily drivers - including several track days and some autocross. I think I put nearly 20,000 miles on them - I was able to run them as a 3-season from late February through early November for the last 2 years. Even down to the 2nd wear bar, they were fine in the rain, although a little slippery when cold. I only really swapped them because there was snow in the forecast (I have driven on them in snow, and no - they aren't any good).

Color me impressed. I've had many sets of street tires that didn't last half that long. Two of the tires are still good, the other two are a bit too worn on the insides for my comfort - maybe I'll keep them as backups, but it's likely I'll go with 225/45-15s or 225/50-15s instead of the 235/50s. I love the 235s, I can easily pull over 1.1g's sustained, but they're a bit heavy and of course more expensive. I just want to see what they are like in a lighter size with a shorter sidewall, and I'm not sure i'll lose that much mechanical grip anyway.

[u3b3rg33k]

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Sport Star Specs also come in 14". Much better tire than the Azenis with grip in both dry and wet and less likely to overheat (get greasy) when pushed. 195/60/14s are $100 each at Tire Rack but typically there is a rebate deal in the spring.

Are you referring to the Azenis RT-615K, or the Azenis RT-615?
It sounds like the K is a much newer tire.


Keep in mind, the best tire I've ever used on my car are ES100s, so I think those are a great tire (I know how much nando sings their accolades).

[nrubenstein]

just thought I'd report in on DDing R888s

I got two seasons on them as daily drivers - including several track days and some autocross. I think I put nearly 20,000 miles on them - I was able to run them as a 3-season from late February through early November for the last 2 years. Even down to the 2nd wear bar, they were fine in the rain, although a little slippery when cold. I only really swapped them because there was snow in the forecast (I have driven on them in snow, and no - they aren't any good).

Color me impressed. I've had many sets of street tires that didn't last half that long. Two of the tires are still good, the other two are a bit too worn on the insides for my comfort - maybe I'll keep them as backups, but it's likely I'll go with 225/45-15s or 225/50-15s instead of the 235/50s. I love the 235s, I can easily pull over 1.1g's sustained, but they're a bit heavy and of course more expensive. I just want to see what they are like in a lighter size with a shorter sidewall, and I'm not sure i'll lose that much mechanical grip anyway.

Kobi is DDing her iX on R888s (in the warmer weather, of course). RA-1s would be better, but these were irresistibly cheap from a SpecE30 driving friend who bought them new and then couldn't use them.

All in all, the only real negative point is that they hum.

[nrubenstein]

Are you referring to the Azenis RT-615K, or the Azenis RT-615?
It sounds like the K is a much newer tire.


Keep in mind, the best tire I've ever used on my car are ES100s, so I think those are a great tire (I know how much nando sings their accolades).

ES100s are junk. The original Azenis RT-215 was a great, impressive tire in its time. None of the 615 variants are impressive relative to the alternatives. The Dunlop Z* is way better.

[Boris3]

The AVS ES100s are pretty old tech so whatever performance tire you decide will end up feeling great. I bought a set of these in 2002, used them for several years on two different cars (miata and an e30), and then as winter storage tires until they finally stopped holding air. Agree with nrubenstein, the Azeni 215s were a clear step up.

I haven't tried the 615s or the 615ks. From reading assorted reviews and talking to folks the compound on the 615s (old and new) was changed to better deal with the heat issues but the tires would still get greasy. I'd like to see the 20 minute track session results rather than the just the 3 lap test results in the YouTube clip, and also like to see them run in the wet with the heavy Mustang.

The Azenis have had the lock on the 14" street performance tire market due to an absence of competition. Dunlop changed that with the introduction of the 14" star specs in the US last year. Either one will be much better than the ES100s.

[nando]

Are you referring to the Azenis RT-615K, or the Azenis RT-615?
It sounds like the K is a much newer tire.


Keep in mind, the best tire I've ever used on my car are ES100s, so I think those are a great tire (I know how much nando sings their accolades).

even the RT-215s were way better than ES100s - better wet grip, better dry grip, better wear, etc (I had them back to back). Anything you get now is going to be a gigantic improvement, especially considering your old tires have to be hard as nails now.

[Varinn]

Hey buds, I'm in desperate need of some new tires for my car. 91 318is dropped 1.5" f/r on a H&R/Bilstein sport setup. I still have stock 14" wheels and between college and buying my bike I can't afford a major upgrade. I drive spirited, but not incredibly hard as it's street only. I need something with good wet traction as well as dry, cornering stability are my bigger concerns. I'm going to be dropping the car another half inch very soon so I'm considering stepping down to a 195/60-14 instead of the stock 195/65. I dislike sidewall flex strongly, so the less I have of it the better! Sadly this is my budget for tire prices, I cannot justify getting $100 a piece rubber

I've narrowed it down to these two, but need input on them

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+HP

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR+200&partnum=96HR4HTR200&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[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

[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.

[Ian Bowers]

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

[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?

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.