I Need Traction!

[Fidhle007]

I'm going to try and order some tires this week but I'm undecided as to what to get... I had 215/45/16 Azenis last season and loved them but I still want more rubber! The other option I'm considering would be RS-2s in 225/45 but my question is this: Based on the fact that this is a higher void tread pattern, will the extra 10mm really make any difference or should I just go with what I know? There is a price incentive on the Azenis too...

[z31maniac]

The new Toyo R1R is available in a 225/45/16 isn't it?

[whiltebeitel]

Get Direzza Star Specs. The 225's have marginally better absolute grip and better turn in than the 225 RS-2. Kumho MX's are really good as well 225/50/16 is 116 on tire rack. The Toyo Proxes R1R are really sticky as well. 225/45/16 for those.

Yourealy can't go wrong with any of those. The Azenis has been passed up by stickier tires, and you should buy 'em!

[Fidhle007]

225/50 is a 25" tire, I'm pretty low and that will rub. R1Rs are way out of my current price range (saving for more wheels) so I'm getting more and more limited... :-( Based on those factors where does that leave your opinions?

[z31maniac]

Can't tell ya as I haven't driven on either.

[daniel]

what about the toyo t1r? those are in 225/45 or 225/40, or even 245/35. maybe expensive, though.

[z31maniac]

Not in the same class as Azenis, RS2, R1R......

[Danny]

Star speccccccccccccccs

[renfield90]

Going from Azenis to Hankook RS2s is quite a step backward. It was considered last year's tire back when the Azenis was hot. The Azenis started being last year's tire about two years ago...

I'm not too familiar with 16" sizes available but look into the Bridgestone RE-01R, they are currently on closeout (tirerack.com) and you can find some excellent deals on a very good tire. The RE-11 is out (expensive, but not as much as the R1R), it's the tire that was designed to beat the Direzza Z1 Star Specs. Remains to be seen if it's up to the task. Kumho has the XS available, the pricing on that isn't far off from the Star Specs (which are pretty nicely priced if you ask me). If you save for the R1R, I hope you don't plan to daily drive them too, that tire is way too soft...approaching R-comp levels...

All the tires I've listed are better than the Azenis. With pretty much any other tire, you're going to be taking a step backwards in grip even if you go from a 215mm tire to a 225mm. Also keep in mind that 215mm from one manufacturer does not equal 215mm from another. The variances can be big enough that 215 from one guy may be about as wide as 225 from another.

The 195mm Direzzas (exact measurement) on my Celica are better than the ludicrously wide "205mm" Azenis that used to be there. Wider doesn't mean jack if you switch to an inferior compound. Just my two cents.

[daniel]

Not in the same class as Azenis, RS2, R1R......

well he said he didnt have a lot of money for tires.