exactly the size I'm using, and the whole point of the thread is to understand the performance options for 18". The 350z has odd size and there is not much choice actually. What you posted is about all that there is. I wonder what people who go with R compound use, because there is nothing!

If you get the KD before I made up my mind, let me know how they compare to the S-03.

another interesting tire could be the Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance. 682$ for a set of 18" 245-275 at discounttiredirect.... not sure how it compares though

 

Nitto NT-555 are $660 at onlinetire.com

and for the record... I never was saying the Toyos aren't good tires. They definitely are. I just think, based on my experience and what I've seen posted/reviewed for the various tire discussed, that the GS-3Ds and S-03s are a bit better. To me that justifies the price.

A good measuring stick is to read the tire "survey results" on TireRack.com. It shows several ratings and how many "miles" of tires are being reviewed. You can even pull up a comparison screen to view all at one time. You can find the one for Summer Performance tires here

 

interesting, in the proper 19" sizes they are relatively more expensive compared to hte SO3 and others

 

yeah... I haven't quite figured that out... I'm sure it has a lot to do with production facilities/runs and economies of scale.

Seems some tire companies don't have large increases going from 18" to 19" tire sizes and others do. I bet a comparison of the same brands I did earlier, except for 19" sizes, would yield different price spreads.

Anyone else have opinions on the 18" decision? I'd love to try the BFGoodrich T/A KDs... they have awesome dry pavement ratings, but not sure I want to gamble having to use them for 20K+ miles if they don't meet my needs 24/7.

BTW... anyone know where I can find tire weight specs? None of the tire retailer sites seem to list this data.

 

I've had best luck going directly to the tire OEM websites for tire weight, though not all OEMs list it.
e.g. - www.goodyeartires.com

 

Toyo have weights on it's website.

 

short thread hijack...

Damn, Vlad! Nice avatar... who is that?

 

Let's say close friend Her name is Lena. She's real and really beautiful. That's probably most innocent picture of her I have...

 

Dammmm... she's smokin' hot, Vlad! any pics of her with your Z? or non-avatar size pics with or with out the Z? No offense... I'm sure you car is really sweet, but I just want to see some better pics of her!

 

ummm...I think you've been misled on the S-03's wet performance. They are probably the BEST of all 4 tires in the wet by far. The S-03 was originally designed as a race tire for events in the rain.

From my 1.5 years of experience with them...they have phenomanal wet and dry performance and are very good on the track too.

 

This brings me back to my original question. Anyone have any experience with the BFG KDW tires? They are supposed to be great in the rain. People keep talking about the KD tires, but those are not designed for rain. I'm just wondering how the S-03 and KDW compare in the dry and wet.

 

bump..I would LOVE to hear an answer to jreiter's q.

Also, does anyone know if the KDW2's are lighter than the S-03's or T1-s's?

 

i'd say go with PS2 if you'r going to track your car. PS2 should be the most stiky street tire thats avalible in the N. America market.or you can get AD07 or Re01 from japan, i'm sure those will satisfy your need.
if not, go with SO3.although SO3 is not really a performance tire, its rated as a Grand Turning tire in Japan.so its grip ok in the dry, but fabulus in the wet.

 

Yeah... I'm also interested.. I have Toyo's for my 19's and I AM NOT SATISFIED with them.. The sidewall is too soft and flexes in hard cornering, and it has horrible wet performance, (even worse than stock RE040 IMO), and road noise is getting worse and worse! (It's getting near to my feathered stock front) I only had this tire for 3 month/2000 miles. I'm considering something else for my next tires and would like to know what's the best choice.

And Toyo's in 19' were one of the least expensive in the group according to onlinetires.com and tirerack.com. I paid $900 shipped for all 4 from onlinetires.com but all others from tirerack were over $1000.

 

For what its worth, here is my comprehensive review on GS D3's.

http://www.**********.com/forums/inde...=0&#entry30138

If I was to track my vehicle regularly, I would opt for the stiffer sidewalled Bridgestone SO3's, if available in my sizes. For street driving, though, GS D3's rock.

 

Just went from S03's to T1S last week.

Observations:

- 9lb total reduced rotational mass (where it helps most) at the rear wheels. Noticeable increase in acceleration!

- QUIET ride compared to the worn S03's. S03's start quiet but get very loud as they wear. One passenger said my car sounded like a plane at low speeds. Can't comment yet on the audible qualities of the T1S when they start to wear, we'll see. Based on what seanrulz said, might be the same.

- Comfortable! Positive side to the sidewalls being softer is that the Z (on Tein springs) is now less jarring and much more comfortable over small imperfections on the road. Takes bumps and edges very nicely.

- Handling characteristics. Took a few curved onramps at the same speeds I usually enter them when the roads are empty and dry (about 7 or 8/10ths the limits of the suspension) and the new T1S tires gripped about as well as the S03's but there is now a significant increase in bodyroll. Sidewalls are much softer, not as confidence inspiring as the S03's were.

 

so for a Touring with stock 18's, going with Toyo T1s, what sizes should i go for? i cant seem to find them in the stock 225/45R18 and 245/45R18

 

anyone have any experience on the T1-s versus ecsta mx?

I have T1-s' now, and they are wearing quite fast, although I put them through 2 track days. I so far like them a lot, but I had Falken Azenis st-115 before, pretty soft tires.

Anyone had a chance to compare sidewall stiffness of the T1-s and Ecsta MX? The MX seems to have more contact patch always then the T1-s.

From what I read, isn't the T1-s a really old design?

Also, does anyone have exp with the dunlop direzza dz101? seems like such a low priced tire, but its supposedely max perf summer. tread design looks decent.

-phil

 

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The toyos have bar far the best tread wear rating. The build quality? how can you measure that. I have never heard of a sidewall collapsing, or any other problems, from this tire. My father-in-law had a nail puncture the tire on his H2, so that really means nothing. I have had the eagles and the so3's. The eagle are way too much money, and I'm not sure they are any better, and the so3's are equal, if not inferior, to the toyos. The toyos are the best tires I have ever had and for the money, it's a no brainer.