p5 Tire Suggestions

[DemonIAm]

OK, time to get tires on the car. Of course, I want the best performance for the best price. Just wondering what profile, size, brand, you would suggest I look at. The car has Kumho Ecsta 711 (205 50 z16) right now. Should I stick with those, or is there a better option?

Thought I'd be the first (of many to come :shady:) to start this question.

[iLisa]

you want summers, winters or all-seasons?

[kansei]

check here:
http://edgeracing.com/tires/2055016/

Ziex ZE-912 looks great.. has a surprisingly high treadwear rating too.

[iLisa]

Falken Azenis.. they corner WELL. :D

[mzdalvr]

check out Nitto Neo Gen tires. I have run these for a few months now and they are very good in dry and wet. treadwear might be a little on the short side at 280. I got them at www.tires.com (discount tire). @ 215/40/17

[CTt3P5]

check here:
http://edgeracing.com/tires/2055016/

Ziex ZE-912 looks great.. has a surprisingly high treadwear rating too.

I have been reading a lot of good things about the above mentioned tire. I am guessing you are looking for an all-season? I have also heard good things about the Toyo Proxes4 and I have had first hand experience with Toyo Proxes TPT's...loved 'em but haven't been able to find them lower than $92.

I currently have Kumho AST's but the verdict is still out. At first, I was very happy but that is changing as I feel the treadwear is not that good. I have been rotating them, checking air pressure and getting the alignment done every 6mos but they just seem to be wearing faster than I thought. On the positive side they are sticky in the dry, very good when it is wet and decent in light snow.

I have also read that quite a few people like running the 205/45 size and I am seriously thinking of going this route when I need new tires.

I recommend http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/filterTireProducts.do?vid=007052&yr=2002&cs=205&ar=50&rd=16&c=1&sw=false&fclr=&fcsr=&fcpr=&fcs=false&fcb=&pager.offset=0 as they have never done me wrong.

And edgeracing's site lists the Falken Ziex ZE-912 for $103 on sale for $74 + $45 for shipping (to me). So $85 compared to DTD price of $87 shipped. But I do know that you can 'haggle' with DTD...tell 'em you found them somewhere else for cheaper and I am sure they will knock off a few bucks...they did for me last time!

[DemonIAm]

I am looking for an all season tire that can handle the sharp stuff. The car is a kid hauler 75% of the time, after all.

However, I might be getting a good deal from a guy in DC on this set of 18"s, with mostly new tires on them. IDK about the Nankang tires that they come with (I've read many mixed reviews on them) and I'm not too sure about the ride on 18"s. But you can hardly beat a set of rims and new tires for only $250.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=116270

[kansei]

nankang tires are knockoffs of reputable Japanese tires. Like so many garbage chinese cars (no offense to anyone chinese on here, I understand creativity is stifled there and all but blatant knockoffs are just so wrong). buyer beware

edit: actually I was thinking of nexen not nankang. Nankang makes some ok tires but a lot of really garbage ones too.

$88 per tire Falken Ziez ZE-912 in 215/35-18 from edgeracing.com

[DemonIAm]

I'm thinking that if I don't get that rim-tire combo, then the Falkens will be mine (on the stock rims). That is a great price for an 18" tire though!

[kansei]

I'm thinking that if I don't get that rim-tire combo, then the Falkens will be mine (on the stock rims). That is a great price for an 18" tire though!

yeah and they're really good all around tires. I wouldn't recommend them for someone who wants a more dedicated autocross tire but even if you wanted to just dabble in autocrossing they're pretty decent.

[DemonIAm]

Also, how retarded will 18's look on a non-dropped p5? Cause it may take a while to lower the car. (radiator and stuff will need to come first)

[kansei]

they'll look retarded (seriously).

if your car is a kid hauler I really don't recommend 18s in general, or lowering with anything other than racing beat or tein h-tech springs.. especially not both though.

edit: if you got 225/40-18, rolled fenders, had a very specific offset such that those tires would fit, etc.. it might not look that weird fender gap wise, but then the car would look like it had gigantic wheels and tires :P

[iLisa]

I am looking for an all season tire that can handle the sharp stuff. The car is a kid hauler 75% of the time, after all.

However, I might be getting a good deal from a guy in DC on this set of 18"s, with mostly new tires on them. IDK about the Nankang tires that they come with (I've read many mixed reviews on them) and I'm not too sure about the ride on 18"s. But you can hardly beat a set of rims and new tires for only $250.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=116270

guy in DC? **wondering who**

[DemonIAm]

goes by the handle 'ghettowagon' on the 247 forum. have not heard back from him yet, so idk...

[iLisa]

ooh.. I bought my sport exhaust from him.. would you come pick them up?

[DemonIAm]

If he calls me back, but he may already have them sold, so I'm not holding my breath. There is a guy selling some cx-7 rims locally, but I don't think a 18" rim with Goodyear eagle 235 60r18 will fit the car at all.

[CTt3P5]

If he calls me back, but he may already have them sold, so I'm not holding my breath. There is a guy selling some cx-7 rims locally, but I don't think a 18" rim with Goodyear eagle 235 60r18 will fit the car at all.

If the CX-7 wheels are a good deal, you could buy them and the Falkens and then sell the stock tires to offset cost?

I was seriously looking at going with some 18's but then I had a chance to see a 215/35/18 in person....rubber band, literally. And with the beautiful PA/NJ roads I am sure I would bend one in no time.

[KrayzieFox]

Say no to 18's on P5s!!! It doesn't look right, it throws off your speedometer, and annihilates your gas mileage cuz our cars are way too pussy for anything bigger than 17's.

[kansei]

that last part can be fixed :P

the only real issue I have with 18s is that to be at an appropriate ride height with 18s (gap between tire and fender is same as or smaller than the height of the tire sidewall) you have to be far from the 'optimal' ride height which significantly impacts the perceived harshness of everything.

plus we drive economy cars so they're a little big :P

of course everyone in the toronto protege club agrees that '17s are for girls'.. I just agree that they're crazy for having tires that tiny with roads that bad :P

[iLisa]

that last part can be fixed :P

the only real issue I have with 18s is that to be at an appropriate ride height with 18s (gap between tire and fender is same as or smaller than the height of the tire sidewall) you have to be far from the 'optimal' ride height which significantly impacts the perceived harshness of everything.

plus we drive sports wagons so they're a lot of fun :P

of course everyone in the toronto protege club agrees that '17s are for girls'.. I just agree that they're crazy for having tires that tiny with roads that bad :P
*fixd*

and i'm a girl with 17s on the summer rims..

[Z]

seeee....17s are for gurls

[kansei]

seeee....17s are for gurls

I guess the evidence does suggest so.

I have no need to make my car slower and less comfortable for more $$ :P stickin with my 17s

[DemonIAm]

well, I've had zero luck on anything right now, so I guess I'm sticking with the stockers, and maybe paint them in the spring/summer. at least the p5 stockers look pretty good. I really wanted the msp racingharts, but nobody is giving them away right now.

[iLisa]

well, I've had zero luck on anything right now, so I guess I'm sticking with the stockers, and maybe paint them in the spring/summer. at least the p5 stockers look pretty good. I really wanted the msp racingharts, but nobody is giving them away right now.
for how much would you want MY set? :shady:

[DemonIAm]

http://enrico.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/cousin_eddie.jpg

Are you serious, Clark?