Notices
Wheels & Tires 350Z Rollers and Rubbers

Good Choice??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-22-2005, 04:02 PM
  #1  
Enzo Driver
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
 
Enzo Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Good Choice??

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
Old 08-22-2005, 04:13 PM
  #2  
rocketdog
Registered User
 
rocketdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

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.
Old 08-22-2005, 07:34 PM
  #3  
Jason@Performance
Sponsor
Performance Nissan
iTrader: (11)
 
Jason@Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Posts: 8,783
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

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...
Old 08-22-2005, 07:45 PM
  #4  
The Brickyard Rat
350Z-holic
iTrader: (1)
 
The Brickyard Rat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sacramento, Ca.
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Okay, Jason, what is "R" compound & why is it good?
Old 08-22-2005, 08:24 PM
  #5  
Enzo Driver
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
 
Enzo Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

R compound is for Racing/Track days. I.E. Pirelli PZero Corsa, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, and all the other racing tires.
Old 08-22-2005, 08:34 PM
  #6  
homiusang
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
homiusang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

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.
Old 08-22-2005, 08:47 PM
  #7  
Enzo Driver
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
 
Enzo Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I just looked at those, and they look to be pretty good. Weird tread pattern. Anybody else know about these tires?
Old 08-23-2005, 05:06 AM
  #8  
King Tut
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
King Tut's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

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.
Old 08-23-2005, 06:05 AM
  #9  
Jason@Performance
Sponsor
Performance Nissan
iTrader: (11)
 
Jason@Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Posts: 8,783
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

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
Old 08-23-2005, 07:34 AM
  #10  
Enzo Driver
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
 
Enzo Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ok, well I think Jason has given me the advice that I needed. Time to order!
Old 08-23-2005, 07:39 AM
  #11  
Jason@Performance
Sponsor
Performance Nissan
iTrader: (11)
 
Jason@Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Posts: 8,783
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

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
Old 08-23-2005, 07:47 AM
  #12  
Enzo Driver
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
 
Enzo Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thats fine, I really didnt plan on rotating them, I would just get another set. Thanks you for all the info.
Old 08-23-2005, 07:59 AM
  #13  
taurran
Registered User
iTrader: (18)
 
taurran's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: .
Posts: 9,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

KDW-2s are my first choice in tires.
Old 08-23-2005, 08:18 AM
  #14  
King Tut
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
King Tut's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

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.
Old 08-23-2005, 12:24 PM
  #15  
Jason@Performance
Sponsor
Performance Nissan
iTrader: (11)
 
Jason@Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Posts: 8,783
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

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...
Old 08-23-2005, 12:37 PM
  #16  
Wired 24/7
Dr. Wired
iTrader: (2)
 
Wired 24/7's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 17,582
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

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.
Old 08-23-2005, 01:07 PM
  #17  
King Tut
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
King Tut's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

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.
Old 08-23-2005, 02:48 PM
  #18  
Jason@Performance
Sponsor
Performance Nissan
iTrader: (11)
 
Jason@Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Posts: 8,783
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Wired 24/7
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.

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
Old 08-23-2005, 02:50 PM
  #19  
Jason@Performance
Sponsor
Performance Nissan
iTrader: (11)
 
Jason@Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Posts: 8,783
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by King Tut
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.
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...
Old 08-23-2005, 03:55 PM
  #20  
MikeW
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
MikeW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Georgia
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

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.


Quick Reply: Good Choice??



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:36 PM.