I desperately need new tires. And after browsing Tire Rack for hours, I came up with what I think will be a good choice for daily street use and occasional track use. I have stock Track Rays, and the stock tires are pretty shotty, IMO. So I decided on some BFGoodrich g-force T/A KD's I would be getting 245/40/18's for the Front, and 265/40/18's for the Rear. They are around $218 a piece. Pretty good deal.

So, what do you guys think? Am I makin a good choice in tires? Are there any other better alternatives?

-Ryan

 

Michelin PS2s are better but pricier. I'm running the KDW-2s, a lot of guys are now running them. They grip VERY, VERY well, you'll be shocked.

 

KD's are the ULTIMATE Dry Tire while not going to an R-Compound...

Go with them!!!

PS2's are cool if you want an all weather tire... same with KDW's...

But there is nothing like the KD's! Its the closest you can get to an R-Compount...

 

Okay, Jason, what is "R" compound & why is it good?

 

R compound is for Racing/Track days. I.E. Pirelli PZero Corsa, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, and all the other racing tires.

 

The KD's deal you got sounded pretty good. But for around that price range, I would look at the Falken Azenis RT615, there's a tire test on an magazine and it finished the first at the contest. Other competitors included Advan Neova AD07, BFG KD, PS2.

 

I just looked at those, and they look to be pretty good. Weird tread pattern. Anybody else know about these tires?

 

If these are every day tires I would go with the BFG g-Force KDW. You really can't daily drive an R compound tire. I have yet to see anyone complain about the performance of the KDWs just some noise complaints, but I think thats just cause they are 350Z owners.

 

thats the great thing about the TA KD's! They are NOT and R-Compound but it is the best thing you can get next to an R-Compound. They are a great tire!

KDW's are like the stock RE040's when you compare to the KD's

 

Ok, well I think Jason has given me the advice that I needed. Time to order!

 

The thing to remember about the KD's is they are Directional and Asymetrical...

You have a Left Front, Right Front, Left Rear, Right Rear. And those are the only places they can be used...

So you can not rotate them like I describe in this thread...

https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension-diy/137762-how-to-rotate-staggered-directional-tires.html

 

Thats fine, I really didnt plan on rotating them, I would just get another set. Thanks you for all the info.

 

KDW-2s are my first choice in tires.

 

Yeah I wouldn't drive on the KDs as referenced by the missing W they are not for driving in wet conditions like a daily driver sees. That is why I would get the KDW. Now on to something that pisses me off. There is NO SUCH THING AS KDW-2. There is only one KDW. Now if you go to their website you will see that they have a new and an old tread pattern. The tire compositions are identical just the tread pattern has changed. Tire Rack seems to think they need to list them separate instead of denoting which are which.

 

King Tut,

I guess since you are in florida... it rains alot so you want the all weather tire...

In CA, it never rains...

As far as the "KDW" trend... I think people have commonly started calling them "KDW2" because it is the 2nd generation tread pattern...

It really should be "KDW NT" for New Tread like they state on their web site... But its all with the slang of the community... thats how its known in the Z community...

 

Great review... what are they paying you to say all this Jason?

I had planned on getting these with my new rims too... glad to hear the good news.

 

Theres always a chance it could rain in Cali, and we know that not all 350Z owners can handle the rain as evidenced by posts in the 350Z forum. I can say go with the KDW cause I have a set or R rubber on OEM 18"s sitting in my garage. That is what I would really recommend he does if he wants to be safe on the road and own at the track.

 

haha! I wish!

If they want to purchase them from me they can... we usually sell tires locally and when selling hweel and tire packages...

besides that.. just trying to be helpfull

 

I guess so... When it did rain, my Kumho Ecsta MX (dry tire) were just fine in the rain... Then again, I just cruse when on the street... I see alot of 350Z's / G35's and other cars driving crazy in the rain and dry... So I can see why they have problems even with good tires...

 

I thought if you were running 245/40/18 up front you should have 275 on the rear. Isn't that the correct stagger? I'm also in the market for BFG KDW's but they don't make it in a 275/40/18.