Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires tire recommendation

I need new tires and would like some recommendations. I have been doing some searching and a few good tires keep coming up.

stock KDW's (I liked these)

Falken Azenis RT-615

Goodyear eagle F1

Avon tech M500

Kuhmo ecsta MX

I went from the stock KDW's to kuhmo supra 712's to save money. The kuhmo's were much cheaper, but I have regretted the choice ever since. I live in florida, and need a summer tire that handles well in the dry. I drive the speed limit in rain, so as long as wet traction is average I will be ok. If you have any other recommendations please let me know. My priorities are dry traction, wear, then wet traction. I dont want to spend more than $120 a tire, and am willing to try 215/50/16 or 225/50/16. Thanks for the help!

The KDW2 only comes in 24" OD (205/50, 225/45), but is a great tire. It's a bit expensive, at around $120. The Azenis and the MX are good, but not the best in the rain. The MX is better than the Azenis in standing water.

The Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 is nearly as sticky as the Azenis, with better wet performance and ride. They're $95 each shipped from http://www.discounttiredirect.com.

The Kumho MX wears better than the Hankooks and is about $95 each shipped from http://www.tirerack.com. Decent in the rain, and 225s will grip like mad in the dry.

The Falken Ziex ZE512 is nearly as sticky as the Kumho 712, and only $72 shipped from http://www.discounttiredirect.com. They're well below the MX and Z212 in dry grip, but pretty close in the wet. Treadwear is similar to the MX, from what I've seen.

The KDW2 is between the ZE512 and the MX/Z212 in the dry, and among the best in the wet. But you pay for it.



You really can't go wrong with any of those tires, but I'd bet the 225/50R16 Kumho MX will be the best deal for you. The dry grip is astounding, they wear well, and the price ain't bad. I have very little personal experience with the Hankooks, but from what I hear they will have better wet grip, similar dry grip, and worse tread life than the MX, for the same price. You also have a choice of 45 or 50 profile tires in the 225 width with the Hankook.

No matter what you get, post up and tell us what you think!

EDIT:

Oh yeah, the Goodyears and Avons. The GS-D3 is similar to the KDW2, with better wet grip. They're also quite expensive. I don't feel they're worth the premium unless you are after wet grip as a major priority.

The Avons are similar to the Fuzion ZRi, Kumho SPT, and others. These are the new generation of tires like the 712. They last at least as long, handle better, and stick better than the 712. They have similar grip to the ZE512, in general, most I've driven are a bit better. The ZRi is quite sticky, but has a lousy carcass. The SPT is supossed to be quite good. But, you will sacrifice a healthy dose of dry grip to save money with these tires. I'm around two seconds per lap faster on the autocross course with MXs vs. ZRis. That's not huge, but it's noticeable on the street. The MX is a much nicer tire at the limit as well, and it wears better.

Only the 17" size is on sale at a killer price, though. That doesn't help him any, although it is a steal.

If your first priority is dry traction, then get the Azenis rt-615's. If you want almost as good, though sacrificing some straight line traction, you can get the Hankook Z212's... and save about $15/tire. I didn't like the Kumho MX's, compared to the Azenis rt-215's.

I wouldn't consider that Avon or the KDW's in the same class as the tires I mentioned above. If your first priority is actually dry traction, you'll probably want to avoid these.

Unsure about the Goodyear F1... but it's most likely overpriced for it's performance value.

I'm loving the KDW G-Force Sports, very much like the OEMs in performance IMO. I also went through a set of the horrible Kumho 712's after the OEMs.

I'm really happy with Dayton Daytona ZR 225/50ZR16. It is W speed rated. The set I just replaced still had a little life left but I had an unrepairable flat on one and replaced them all. They lasted 60,000 miles.

Dayton is a Bridgestone brand. Both the old set and the new set have "made in Japan" molded on the sidewall is very small print. Although I don't completely believe the guy in the tire shop, he claims that it is the same tire as a Bridgstone RE750. I suspect that it may be the same carcus but with slightly different tread compound. The Dayton has an A traction rating while the Bridgestone has an AA traction rating.

The tread pattern on the Dayton is a little different from the Bridgestone, but looks to be identical to another Bridgestone brand, Fuzion. I suspect that the Fuzion Zi is close, but not identical in other ways.

Anyway, if you want long life, good wet handling, and good dry handling as well, have a look at Dayton.

The Dayton Daytona ZR is no longer made. The Fuzion ZRi is the same carcass with a slightly different tread pattern (and maybe slightly upgraded rubber). They just made a new brand to sell the tire to the import tuner crowd.

this is a no-brainer

If he had 17s it would be.