Choosing a tire (Quick Reference/Guideline)

[RonPorter]

Actually, the "tire weight" issue is also a problem with BFGs (it has been in the past, anyway).

I'm set for summer tires through this year, anyway, so I'm sure next year will bring a new flock of tires, but I'm still a Hankook fan!

For summer, anything over a 200 treadware is a ROCK!!

 

[zak]

Slim pickings in the max performance summer tire catagory for those still running 225-55-16s. I just picked up some Continental ExtremeContact DW in that size (not DWS) to replace some Brigstone S-03s and will report on findings (including an open track day). Looking forward to the reported better ride quality.

 

[luigisho]

I have DW in 17" on the car now. I like them as a street daily driver tire. I'm curious on your impressions with track use.

 

[SHO_OFF]

What do you guys think of the Nitto NT555 Extreme Performance tires?! I ran a set of 225/35/19's on my 2000 Eclipse GT year round and put 50k mile before they were shot. I even ran them at the drag strip and AutoX'ed them! I then tried a set of Cooper Zeon 2XS and they were toast in 8k. The Nitto's in a 235/45/17 are only $122 each. And 225/45/18 are only $148 each.

 

[K-Dawg]

What do you guys think of the Nitto NT555 Extreme Performance tires?! I ran a set of 225/35/19's on my 2000 Eclipse GT year round and put 50k mile before they were shot. I even ran them at the drag strip and AutoX'ed them! I then tried a set of Cooper Zeon 2XS and they were toast in 8k. The Nitto's in a 235/45/17 are only $122 each. And 225/45/18 are only $148 each.

Friends used to have them on their Mustangs ten years ago. Too old for me. Tire technology has come a long way.

 

[SHOspazz92]

What do you guys think of the Nitto NT555 Extreme Performance tires?! I ran a set of 225/35/19's on my 2000 Eclipse GT year round and put 50k mile before they were shot. I even ran them at the drag strip and AutoX'ed them! I then tried a set of Cooper Zeon 2XS and they were toast in 8k. The Nitto's in a 235/45/17 are only $122 each. And 225/45/18 are only $148 each.

The Nitto's 555's are not even a factor anymore. Most people these days only use them as front runners to match their Nitto drag radials.

-Sam

 

[zach44102]

I have a set of 225/50/16 nitto nt555r drag radials.
Would never touch a nt555 summer tire

 

[SHO_OFF]

Good to know guys. Yeah, 7yrs ago I loved them. 50k miles on a 225/35/19 was impressive for me. I do like that they are only $122 vs $169 for the Z11's in a 17" and only $148 vs $213 for 18"... But I know you get what you pay for. It sucks to look at $592 vs $852...

 

[SHOspazz92]

Good to know guys. Yeah, 7yrs ago I loved them. 50k miles on a 225/35/19 was impressive for me. I do like that they are only $122 vs $169 for the Z11's in a 17" and only $148 vs $213 for 18"... But I know you get what you pay for. It sucks to look at $592 vs $852...

Hankook RS3 and Kuhmo Ecsta XS are the cheapest "balls to the wall" summer tire you can get. However you will not get ANYWHERE near 50,000 miles on them.

-Sam

 

[SHO_OFF]

What would/ do you guys/ gals recommend for Road Courses ie High Plains Raceway? Thought about building a track car or taking my almost built DD for a few Weekends...

 

[SHOspazz92]

What would/ do you guys/ gals recommend for Road Courses ie High Plains Raceway? Thought about building a track car or taking my almost built DD for a few Weekends...

Read the "Extreme performance summer" part of my post.

-Sam

 

[SHO_OFF]

I guess I should say as far as "Competition Tires"... I was wondering the difference between the A6 and the R6 Hoosier's. Can't seem to find what the difference is. I'm guessing the A6 is for AutoX and the R6 is for Road Courses?! Was also wondering what people have been having success with/ prefer?

 

[SHOspazz92]

I guess I should say as far as "Competition Tires"... I was wondering the difference between the A6 and the R6 Hoosier's. Can't seem to find what the difference is. I'm guessing the A6 is for AutoX and the R6 is for Road Courses?! Was also wondering what people have been having success with/ prefer?

A6 is the autocross compound and the R6 is the road course compound. I personally run Hankook Z214's (which are nearly as fast) for my own reasons. However I would not suggest a competition tire right off the bat, especially if you are new to driving on a road course. You can be plenty fast on a RS-3, Z-II, RE-11 type tire, plus they are much more forgiving (which is important for someone on a road course who is a Novice).

-Sam

 

[SHOspazz92]

FYI, if you are looking for a good track tire before the convention, the RE-11 is on sale at VERY good prices. The RE-11 is a VERY nice tire and comparable to Star Specs and RS-3 in every way.

235/45/17 - 122 per tire.

225/45/17 - $121 per tire.

Other sizes are on sale as well but these sizes are priced WAY below the others and seem to be popular sizes among SHO owners. KILLER deal!

-Sam

 

[gmail]

I got the handkook ventus rs3... loved those tires.. so sticky if you drove on loose stones you can hear them hitting the wheel wells.. grabbed like crazy and even great in the rain

 

[SHOspazz92]

I got the handkook ventus rs3... loved those tires.. so sticky if you drove on loose stones you can hear them hitting the wheel wells.. grabbed like crazy and even great in the rain

My wife uses them as an Auto-X tire. We have been impressed so far.

-Sam

 

[RonPorter]

I got the handkook ventus rs3... loved those tires.. so sticky if you drove on loose stones you can hear them hitting the wheel wells.. grabbed like crazy and even great in the rain

I had a set of the RS2s, and loved them. I described them as track tires with a DOT tread cut into them. Same with the Azenis 615s I had.

 

[SHOspazz92]

Bump!

 

[SHOspazz92]

Bumping this.

Dunlop will be coming out with their ZII Star Spec this winter (replacing the normal ZII). Hankook has just come out with a Version 2 of their RS-3 which seems to be a new favorite with the Auto-X world.

Lastly, Federal...of all brands, has come out with a tire to compete with the likes of the RS-3 and Star Spec, The 595 RSR. A lot of people have turned to these tires because they are ridiculously cheap and not far off (if not faster on some surfaces) then it's competitors. However, how they hold up with a real heavy car (Like a SHO) is really yet to be seem. But the BRZ, STI and Miata guys seems to like them.

Hankook RS-3 Version 2


Dunlop ZII Star Spec - Not out yet.


Federal 595 RSR.

-Sam

 

[TimboSHO]

Bummer, they got rid of the 235-45-17 on the RS3-2's. I guess when mine wear out I'll have to find a different brand, or try a different size.