OK...I really like the Toyo T1-S's...but they don't come in the size combination I want! Neither do the Bridgestone S-03's! So what tire is a decent summer only performance tire that comes in both a 255/40/18 and a 285/40/18?? I even checked out the new Kumho Ecsta MXS and it doesn't either!!!! There has to be an option...someone please help! Even if it is a track tire and won't give me exceptionally long life...but is inexpensive I would consider it.

Thanks

 

Tirerack has the SO-3 in the 255/40-18 variety. I did not check the rest.

As for the 285 section-width tire, you probably will never find one in a 40-series. You will find 35-series, however, which should give you the same, or very similar, size sidewall as OEM. Keep in mind, the 35-series means the sidewall height is 35% of the section width (in this case 285). This may keep you closer tothe OEM size.

There are numerous tire calculators in this forum that can help you pick the correct size. The goal is to stay within 3% of theOEM tire diameter.


Hope that helps.

PeteH

 

OK...here is my preliminary search results with tire combinations that may work for me....mind you the 295 may not fit the offsets I am likely going with without fender rolling:

Toyo TS-1: $1376
245/40/18 $298
295/35/18 $390

Bridgstone Potenza S-02: $918
255/40/18 $200
295/35/18 $259

Dunlop SP Sport 9000: $846
245/40/18 $193
285/40/18 $230

Yokohama AVS Sport ZR: $840
245/40/18 $182
295/35/18 $238

Kumo Ecsta MX: $760
245/40/18 $165
295/35/18 $215


Pretty huge gap on pricing, huh? I love the way the Toyo's look....but no way in hell I'm paying that much money for a quickly depreciating asset! If I can be assured the 295's will work (for me to figure out with a wheel guy) I think I'll give the Kumo's or the Yokohama's a shot. They both have decent write ups....any feedback from anyone? Should I be considering another brand you guys think offer sizes I'm looking for at a better value? Mind you the prices above were just those posted on either TireRack, or 1010 Tires.com. Your feedback is appreciated.

 

I've had Kuhmo Ecsta Supra's on our old 3 series bmw in 18s and they were very nice tires, but rode just a little firmer than Michelin Pilot Sports.

As for the Dunlops, I bought a tire/wheel package for my saab in 2000 from tire rack. I had SP9000s and Mille Miglia wheels in 17 and something was out of round. They replaced 2 wheels, but I still got a lot of vibration and returned them. I think it was the tires but can't be sure.

 

Good feedback....others?

 

Yoko AVS Sport would be my first choice. I used them on my Audi A4, at the track on on the street. Excellent grip. They wear out fast and they are noisy. Perfect tire for the weekend track junkie.

I used Dunlop SP Sport FM901 at the track for one weekend. Not very confidence inspiring. I'm sure the 9000 is a little better, but I've never had them. I would not hesitate to use them, or any Dunlop tire, for street-only. I used the old D60 A2 for years, great tire.

Do you mean SO# Pole Position? The SO2 has been discontinued. If you can still find them... GET THEM! Otherwise, the SO3 is a very good tire. I have friends who use them on their A4s and S4s at the track and they like them. These would be my second choice (SO-3, that is).

I'm not a big fan of Kumho tires. But, thousands of autocrossers and SCCA competitors can't be wrong. I know plenty of people who use Kumhos on the track and they swear by them.

Toyos are good tires. I've never used them, but I know people who use the RA-1 on the track and love them. I even know a guy with an S2000 who uses the RA-1 as his street tire and weekend track-event tire, due to the lack of space to haul an extra set of tires to the track in an S2000. The T1-S looks cool! My third choice of tire from your list.

Hope that helps.

PeteH

 

Your feedback is definitely a start for my understanding of what suits me best. To answer your question...TireRack has the Bridgestone Potenza S-02 listed and in stock....I don't know the exact difference...but they also had the Pole Position listed which you mention...but not available....so I must assume that one is discontinued as you suggested. I'd love for someone to introduce me to some tires I may not be considering...but for now the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 gets my vote purely on agressive look/value. Of course since I don't have the luxury of trying each out I'm still looking for more feedback. You suggest the Yoko's wear out quickly and are noisy?? I understand you have to give to get...but I don't want a loud tire (unless pushing it as a warning sign) and want the best value when it comes to tread life. If it helps anyone give feedback/advise my intent for purpose is this:

I would like to get involved in autocross....no way to know at this time how deeply...so I'd like a tire that I'll be happy with on the road and can use on the track. If I want to down the road I'll buy another set of wheels and tires specifically for the track....so my predominant use will be street. Make sense? thanks

 

Driven,

If you plan to AutoX, I would suggest going with a more similar front/rear sizing. The reason is because the Z already understeers by a bit, so putting wider rear tires will exacerbate the problem. Also, you would want to minimize weight as much as possible, and if you plan on staying in the stock class you can't use a wider wheel than the stock ones for your model. A good combination for you might be a 265 rear/255 front.

However, since your desired sizes are so much bigger, it might make sense just to get the spare set of wheel and then get racing compound for the AutoX.

Have fun!

-D'oh!

 

Yup...that's what I'm thinking. Get my feet wet with a setup I like for the road...then depending on how much I get involved..go for the option you suggested...track wheel/tires purely for that purpose. So what tire would be a good all around for my purposes?

 

ah, yes... SO-2... the dry-weather-only version. The grip is tenacious, tread may last about 10k on the back tires, a little more on the front. Don't know about the noise level... probably same as SO-2 Pole Position (the wet/dry version) which is not all that bad.

If you are looking for a less-noisy tire, I'll steer you away from the AVS Sports. The noise is a continual hum while in motion and it tends to be a bit annoying after a while. You can always turn up the radio and drown it out!

I also fought noise with the Dunlop SP Sport FM901. Looks good, great price, but nosiy and not very confidence inspiring at the track.

Some options (not all at tirerack):
Yokohama AVS ES 100
Sumitomo HTR Z and HTR ZII
Falken Ziex
Falken Azenis (noisy, but not quite as bad as AVS Sport)
Hankook Ventus

A little more $$$$, but really good:
Michelin Pilot Sport
BF Goodrich KDW
Pirelli P-Zero Rosso


OK... that ought to give you a little more to work with!


PeteH

 

Thanks,
I will check all out!