Tire opinions?

[SATimko]

Ok, I'm about to pull the trigger and order new tires, and have them on and ready for Carlisle...which means ordering in the next few hours. Here are a few I'm considering.

Yokahama S-Drives
Hankook Ventus R-S2
Kumho Ecsta MX

And I'm willing to entertain any other suggestions.

Any thoughts? The sooner the better...

[liquid_ag]

if you're going to do that class of tire, bite the bullet and get azenis

[SATimko]

Yeah...but...I can't find the Azenis anywhere near by. Everyone has a back order. I wouldn't have them in time.

[liquid_ag]

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?c=1&sw=false&cs=215&pc=18530&rd=17&ar=45
they have an ohio warehouse. order today, and you'll have em in time

[pdhaudio83]

tirerack has an northern indiana warehouse. you'd get them next day.

[SATimko]

Right. I checked the shipping and it said next day.

[kansei]

I know you said forget this thread but.. don't even consider the Ecsta MX. It's a great tire for what it is but hell mine with 8k miles on them were bald. Yes, even a treadwear 200 tire should last longer than that. Oh and that was with zero autocrosses on them. They're an old school tire at this point, I bet the Ecsta SPT which is not marketed as a "max performance summer" tire in terms of tirerack.com classing handles 99% as well as the MX if not better.

I got my Ventus RS-2 Z212 for I think $91 a tire in that size? Since you have two cars and don't necessarily need to drive your car in a monsoon, I'd get the RT-615 instead :) I just got the RS2 because they seem better for a daily driver tire.

Honestly though for a daily driver these tire choices are as bad as saying "Get coilovers" when someone wants just a comfortable suspension upgrade. Something closer to a 300 treadwear in general would be a better choice. I.E. something like the Ecsta SPT that Rob suggested. Sure it's definitely not a tire bred for autocross but it's not bad, and I'm trying to remember --is your region the one that doesn't separate out road/street tire cars into their own class? Here, in road tire class, I'm the only person (literally I checked) not using the RT-615.

I hate buying tires though srsly.. in the end I just said "screw deciding" and just pulled the trigger on the RS2 because they were cheap and I'm a poor college student. Plus they're 90-95% as good as the RT-615 which is regarded as god's gift to mankind.

[SATimko]

Yeah, I do really want the 615's especially with how much the Cleveland 6 Club Auto-X's...and I have 3 sets of wheels for the P5 anyway. But, I was looking at the S-Drives specifically because they have 300 treadwear. We'll see what happens when I get this damn acct straightened out. Until then...keep the ideas coming. I was just pissed off when I found out that the acct is screwed up.

Please delete my "Forget this" thread?

[kansei]

Forgot you have 3 sets of wheels. I would get the Ecsta SPT or similar for your racing harts and autocross on one of your sets of 16s. They're both just 16x6 stockers right?

hmm the RS2 Z212 is available in 205/50-16 but the RT-615 is not. Honestly though autocrossing on ANY tires is very fun, and the SPT is a good tire just not a competitive tire. That being said an almost completely stock P5 in street modified won't be competitive in SM with the best tires in the world lol

[SATimko]

Correct. 02's and 03's. Probably run snows on the 02's.

[PeaJay]

ecsta's ftl.....never had luck with em on my car and we put a version of them on all our mazdas that go through the shop and they go away fast and dont seem to be good at what they do either. i bought alex a set of 615's for autox. they lasted him a season of autox with daily driving and then got me through a whole season of autox and daily driving the following year. always had grip, i was super pleased with them.

[liquid_ag]

which version? there are like 231235654356456 kumho ecsta's

[aMaff]

which version? there are like 231235654356456 kumho ecsta's

LOL exactly. V710's rock! If you've never seen an STi on 18x10.5s running 315 wide V710s... let's just say I needed new shorts when I was riding shotgun and he hit the launch control.

I think the RS2 is the best compromise street / grip tire out of them. Also they are very well priced.

[Z]

wait....are you looking for a auto cross tire or daily driver tire?

or are you gonna use your daily driver as the autocross tire, evne though you have 3 sets?

[aMaff]

Plus they're 90-95% as good as the RT-615 which is regarded as god's gift to mankind.
Not really. Try some RE-01Rs. The Advan Neova has always been a faster tire than the RT-615, they just didn't make them in small-car friendly sizes (ie: 15s/16s). They're mostly into the wide / tall tire market.

Another option that I've heard very good things about here recently is the Dunlop Durezza Z1. It's not been thoroughly tested yet to my knowledge by anyone who's findings I'd trust, but it seems to be a very good tire for a heavier car. I'm not familiar with how they're priced however, or how 'streetable' they are.

[SATimko]

wait....are you looking for a auto cross tire or daily driver tire?

or are you gonna use your daily driver as the autocross tire, evne though you have 3 sets?

Daily driver / auto-x tire. I'm going to have them on the Racing Harts. My goal in the long run is this...

Racing Harts - Summer street driving
03 P5 wheels - agressive grippy street tire for auto-x / HPDE
02 P5 wheels - snow tires.

Right now I need tires for both the RH's and the 03's, so I'm going to get the agressive summer street driving now for dual purpose, then next year get the 03's fitted.

[aMaff]

Gotcha. If you want something that is super sticky, easy to drive and will last for an entire, very busy, autox season (esp. if you get them shaved) the RE-01R is where it's at. They're more expensive than the azenis, but they're a better street tire, WAY stickier, way easier to drive (much more forgiving), and will literally last about double what the azenis will.

[kansei]

Gotcha. If you want something that is super sticky, easy to drive and will last for an entire, very busy, autox season (esp. if you get them shaved) the RE-01R is where it's at. They're more expensive than the azenis, but they're a better street tire, WAY stickier, way easier to drive (much more forgiving), and will literally last about double what the azenis will.

Just lasting nearly double what the azenis last alone is reason enough to buy them. It's like $99 vs $165 per tire RT-615 vs RE01R in the size I checked.

[MazdaTom]

Another option that I've heard very good things about here recently is the Dunlop Durezza Z1. It's not been thoroughly tested yet to my knowledge by anyone who's findings I'd trust, but it seems to be a very good tire for a heavier car. I'm not familiar with how they're priced however, or how 'streetable' they are.

Which tires is Nik running on his Parts Bin Special with his FD wheels? I'm pretty sure they are Dunlop Direzzas- not sure if they are the Z1 though.

[Fourthmeal]

I have had excellent luck with Hankook (though the traction is a little less, durability and handling are excellent), Avon, and the usual BFG and Bridgestone. Avon is by far my favorite company, although I think they make boring tread patterns. Hankook's were on my Supras, and did a fantastic job for the money. Its definitely one of the better cheapie brands.

[SpooledupRacing]

Azenies or A032R's

[SpooledupRacing]

A032R's SEX

http://www.thenewspaper.com/auto/images/mods/a032r.jpg

[SATimko]

I have those on my R/C car. No joke.

[MazdaTom]

I have those on my R/C car. No joke.

Me too.

[aMaff]

A032R's SEX

http://www.thenewspaper.com/auto/images/mods/a032r.jpg

Those are R-comps though, which does all sorts of bad things for classing ;)

[SATimko]

Me too.

HPI RS4 Evo?

[SpooledupRacing]

Yes my nitro car has them too..

and who cars.. u dont need speed to be fast.. a good suspension and good driver will make up for speed..

[SpooledupRacing]

HP4 RTR rx7 for me!

[SATimko]

I've got the M3 body on mine.

[MazdaTom]

HPI RS4 something or other. Bought back in 2001. Belt driven AWD. Fun car. Haven't touched it since I started autoxing in 2003. Needs a motor rebuild.

[SATimko]

Sounds like me. I haven't touched mine since I moved to a house with a gravel driveway...so I bought two T-maxx's

[SpooledupRacing]

mine is a shaft driven AWD nitro needs a new motor to strong of nitro, to many tire spins

[Fourthmeal]

HPI RS4 something or other. Bought back in 2001. Belt driven AWD. Fun car. Haven't touched it since I started autoxing in 2003. Needs a motor rebuild.

You "brought it in for the real thing" , I see!

[Z]

if your gonna have a seperate summer tire, and only use the autox tire to drive to and from the track, then go with the Rt615s. the s-drives are a nice tire, but just as a DD. the kooks are inbtwn i think.

[aMaff]

if your gonna have a seperate summer tire, and only use the autox tire to drive to and from the track, then go with the Rt615s. the s-drives are a nice tire, but just as a DD. the kooks are inbtwn i think.

Gotcha. If you want something that is super sticky, easy to drive and will last for an entire, very busy, autox season (esp. if you get them shaved) the RE-01R is where it's at. They're more expensive than the azenis, but they're a better street tire, WAY stickier, way easier to drive (much more forgiving), and will literally last about double what the azenis will.

The azenis are old news :Yawn:

[MazdaTom]

They are old news, but they are still a good tire.

[aMaff]

They are old news, but they are still a good tire.

This is true. Well, kind of. A year ago I would have agreed with you. They were just the best thing out there in a size that worked for small cars. After driving on the RE-01Rs, the falken is a very finnicky tire. It grips decently well, but it has the breakaway of an R-comp.

To bring autox back up, classes like STX and STU that generally use bigger wheels than STS/2 have discarded the RT-615s a few years ago in favor of the Yokos, Bridgestones or Dunlops. When the Bridgestone and now Toyo R1R came out in small car friendly sizes, it's been pretty much game over for falken shod competitors.

If you're getting something specifically for autocross or track use, I say get the right one, not the cheapest one.

[kansei]

We're still in the thread discussing a P5 with an intake and stock suspension that is Street Modified, right?

no tire can help that lol. Therefore, if you can have boatloads of fun on the significantly cheaper RT-615 go for it :)

[SATimko]

We're still in the thread discussing a P5 with an intake and stock suspension that is Street Modified, right?

no tire can help that lol. Therefore, if you can have boatloads of fun on the significantly cheaper RT-615 go for it :)

I'm STS ;)

See?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2142/2472902516_dec3e93c3d.jpg

[kansei]

I'm STS ;)

rob is too ;)

[liquid_ag]

teehee

[aMaff]

We're still in the thread discussing a P5 with an intake and stock suspension that is Street Modified, right?
Huh?

[kansei]

MSP brakes

[SATimko]

Shhhhhh!

[aMaff]

Which I don't understand because the P5 has more brakes than it needs already, but that's just me. Sucks, but that's what happens when you modify your car outside of a ruleset *shrug*


EDIT: it's also what happens when you don't read the rules.

14.12.7
7. Brake rotors may be replaced with any rotor of equal or larger
diameter made from a ferrous or aluminum alloy. Calipers are
unrestricted, but must mount to the original attachment points.
Drum brakes may be replaced with disk brakes of a diameter
equal to or greater than the inside diameter of the standard
drum part. Brake backing plates (dust shields) may be modified
the minimum amount necessary to accommodate allowed alternate
rotors and calipers.


14.12 being STX rules. I was pretty certain there was a big-brake allowance in ST somewhere.

[SATimko]

T'was cheaper for me to upgrade than fix what I already had. Plus...they're biggAr!

[kansei]

Sucks, but that's what happens when you modify your car outside of a ruleset *shrug*

Again, you assume that anyone who autocrosses their car cares. It's not true. Plenty of people that I autocross with in my region are in classes they can't possibly compete where they're classed, but it's still fun, and we still do it. It's not about actually competing successfully for lots of people.

People have fun modding their cars, and it doesn't reduce the fun of autocrossing at all.

If it "sucked" for him, he could have just gotten a new P5 caliper instead.

[aMaff]

Let me know when you get off your soap box. I never made that assumption. I know plenty of folks enjoy modding cars just for the sake of doing so and making them fun cars.. See Also: my P5. I was just saying getting bumped into some ridiculous class it is one of the things that happen when you do. If you just want to come play, come play, I welcome it. It's a great environment to learn better car control, which I'm all for judging by the crap I see on the streets from time to time. The more people who autocross, the safer the streets are in my opinion. And ... it's a ton of fun, so what's not to love!

That being said, you can't really complain about not being competitive at that point.

[SATimko]

True. I'm just starting out so it's not like I can really be competitive right now anyway. I agree with you Maff. I'm using it as a good excuse for a fun and affordable motorsport on a nice (hopefully) day with friends. How much better can you get?

[aMaff]

True. I'm just starting out so it's not like I can really be competitive right now anyway. I agree with you Maff. I'm using it as a good excuse for a fun and affordable motorsport on a nice (hopefully) day with friends. How much better can you get?

That's what keeps me going back :) I think I'm one of the people who realizes that when you step back and take a look, from a high level we're a bunch of retards driving around cones in a parking lot lol. The driving though, for me and I think most people, is a blast, but it's the camaraderie that keeps it fun

[PeaJay]

bunch of retards driving around cones in a parking lot
HAHA, it's like youve seen me autoX....all gusto and no real...go.

[aMaff]

HAHA, it's like youve seen me autoX....all gusto and no real...go.

LOL no, I've seen ME autocross.

No it's not even that. It's that when you step back and look at it from a real basic level, that's all it is. But man it's fun :D

[MazdaTom]

If you step back and look at just about any sport on a really basic level, they are pretty stupid.

Golf- hitting a small white ball with an assortment of clubs with the intention of putting it in a hole. Only to immediately pick the ball up out of the hole as soon as it goes in and start over.
Soccer- using only your feet, advance a ball toward one end of the field and get it between the metal bars.
Hockey- similar to soccer except you can also use a wooden stick to advance a solid rubber disc. But you can throw your body into other people to impede their progress.
Bowling- you roll a ball down a polished wooden lane in an attempt to knock over 10 pins arranged in a triangle.

[kansei]

If you step back and look at just about any sport on a really basic level, they are pretty stupid.

Golf- hitting a small white ball with an assortment of clubs with the intention of putting it in a hole. Only to immediately pick the ball up out of the hole as soon as it goes in and start over.
Soccer- using only your feet, advance a ball toward one end of the field and get it between the metal bars.
Hockey- similar to soccer except you can also use a wooden stick to advance a solid rubber disc. But you can throw your body into other people to impede their progress.
Bowling- you roll a ball down a polished wooden lane in an attempt to knock over 10 pins arranged in a triangle.

hahaha nice. This is why I don't 'get' most sports. At least hiking, cycling, and mountain biking you get to experience nature :)