205/55/15 Tire compareable to Azenis?
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205/55/15 Tire compareable to Azenis?
I am looking for a 205/55/15 for my Volk TE-37 15x6.5. They are going on my 95 Accord. The stock tire size is 195/60/15. I wanted to get some tires that compare to the Azenis 215/615 as far as performance. Unfortunately they don't make a 55 series Azenis for a 15" wheel. I want to keep them under $100 per tire. The funny thing is when I Google 205/55/15 Azenis i get tons of matches for that size...????
So far I have came up with the following from searching Yokohama ES100, Potenza RE750, Toyo Proxes 4, or Toyo T1-R. Any experience, suggestions or recommendations welcome. Thanks.
Current set up: 195/60/15 on 96 JDM ITR wheels
So far I have came up with the following from searching Yokohama ES100, Potenza RE750, Toyo Proxes 4, or Toyo T1-R. Any experience, suggestions or recommendations welcome. Thanks.
Current set up: 195/60/15 on 96 JDM ITR wheels
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Re: 205/55/15 Tire compareable to Azenis? (IdahoHybridAccord)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IdahoHybridAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wanted to get some tires that compare to the Azenis 215/615 as far as performance.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Then I assume you are looking for super-sticky dry traction and you don't care about wet traction or treadlife.
The Hankook RS2 Z212 would be a great choice, but unfortunately, the only 15" sizes are 195/50-15 and 205/50-15. Hankook's US website is here.
The Azenis RT-215/RT-615 and the Hankook Z212 are very specialized tires, because they're almost as sticky as a track tire (R compound). The next best thing for traction would be a top-of-the-line high-performance tire. The Bridgestone Potenza S-03 comes in 205/55-15 and that is about the stickiest street tire you're going to find in that size. It's not inexpensive ($128) but it will last a lot longer than the Azenis, so when you look at it on a per-mile basis and the fact that you won't have to replace it as often, it actually costs less over time.
There are less expensive tires out there. Some of the best "budget performance" tires come in that size, including the Yokohama ES100 ($78), the Kumho Ecsta SPT ($67), and the Fuzion ZRi ($60). They are very good tires, but not at the performance level of the S-03. That's why they're known for "bang for the buck".
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IdahoHybridAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So far I have came up with the following from searching Yokohama ES100, Potenza RE750, Toyo Proxes 4, or Toyo T1-R.</TD></TR></TABLE>
See above regarding the ES100. I can't find an online price for the T1R in that size; in general, the T1R is in between the S-03 and the "budget performance tires" in both price and performance. I wouldn't recommend the RE750, from a value perspective (its performance is similar to the ES100 for a lot more money; the price is similar to the T1R but the performance is less). I wouldn't recommend the all-season Proxes 4 unless you are planning to use these tires in winter for snow and frigid cold, in which case the all-season Proxes 4 would be a possibility ($72 from onlinetires), along with other all-season tires like the Kumho ECSTA ASX ($66/tire) or the Falken Ziex ZE-512 ($70/tire from Discount Tire).
So it all comes down to how much you're willing to trade off price for performance. In this size, the best performance is the Bridgestone S-03. If you want to go down in price, the Toyo T1R is a possibility. If you want to go down in price even more, then consider the Yoko ES100 or the Kumho SPT. You'll be trading off some performance for each step down in price.
Prices quoted above are from the Tire Rack except where indicated.
Then I assume you are looking for super-sticky dry traction and you don't care about wet traction or treadlife.
The Hankook RS2 Z212 would be a great choice, but unfortunately, the only 15" sizes are 195/50-15 and 205/50-15. Hankook's US website is here.
The Azenis RT-215/RT-615 and the Hankook Z212 are very specialized tires, because they're almost as sticky as a track tire (R compound). The next best thing for traction would be a top-of-the-line high-performance tire. The Bridgestone Potenza S-03 comes in 205/55-15 and that is about the stickiest street tire you're going to find in that size. It's not inexpensive ($128) but it will last a lot longer than the Azenis, so when you look at it on a per-mile basis and the fact that you won't have to replace it as often, it actually costs less over time.
There are less expensive tires out there. Some of the best "budget performance" tires come in that size, including the Yokohama ES100 ($78), the Kumho Ecsta SPT ($67), and the Fuzion ZRi ($60). They are very good tires, but not at the performance level of the S-03. That's why they're known for "bang for the buck".
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IdahoHybridAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So far I have came up with the following from searching Yokohama ES100, Potenza RE750, Toyo Proxes 4, or Toyo T1-R.</TD></TR></TABLE>
See above regarding the ES100. I can't find an online price for the T1R in that size; in general, the T1R is in between the S-03 and the "budget performance tires" in both price and performance. I wouldn't recommend the RE750, from a value perspective (its performance is similar to the ES100 for a lot more money; the price is similar to the T1R but the performance is less). I wouldn't recommend the all-season Proxes 4 unless you are planning to use these tires in winter for snow and frigid cold, in which case the all-season Proxes 4 would be a possibility ($72 from onlinetires), along with other all-season tires like the Kumho ECSTA ASX ($66/tire) or the Falken Ziex ZE-512 ($70/tire from Discount Tire).
So it all comes down to how much you're willing to trade off price for performance. In this size, the best performance is the Bridgestone S-03. If you want to go down in price, the Toyo T1R is a possibility. If you want to go down in price even more, then consider the Yoko ES100 or the Kumho SPT. You'll be trading off some performance for each step down in price.
Prices quoted above are from the Tire Rack except where indicated.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Boise, Idaho
Re: 205/55/15 Tire compareable to Azenis? (nsxtasy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
So it all comes down to how much you're willing to trade off price for performance. In this size, the best performance is the Bridgestone S-03. If you want to go down in price, the Toyo T1R is a possibility. If you want to go down in price even more, then consider the Yoko ES100 or the Kumho SPT. You'll be trading off some performance for each step down in price.
Prices quoted above are from the Tire Rack except where indicated.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
So, which of these tires has the stiffest sidewall? Do you think a 195/60/15 would be better handling than a 205/55/15? The 205 is wider but do you think it will give more roll in the sidewall under hard cornering? I know wider isn't always better.
So it all comes down to how much you're willing to trade off price for performance. In this size, the best performance is the Bridgestone S-03. If you want to go down in price, the Toyo T1R is a possibility. If you want to go down in price even more, then consider the Yoko ES100 or the Kumho SPT. You'll be trading off some performance for each step down in price.
Prices quoted above are from the Tire Rack except where indicated.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
So, which of these tires has the stiffest sidewall? Do you think a 195/60/15 would be better handling than a 205/55/15? The 205 is wider but do you think it will give more roll in the sidewall under hard cornering? I know wider isn't always better.
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Re: 205/55/15 Tire compareable to Azenis? (IdahoHybridAccord)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IdahoHybridAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So, which of these tires has the stiffest sidewall?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I really don't understand the obsession with stiff sidewalls. If a tire corners faster, is that because of stiff sidewalls or because of a stickier compound? Who knows? Who cares? The faster you can corner, the higher the performance (and vice versa). Regardless of whether that performance is achieved through stiffer sidewalls or softer compounds.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IdahoHybridAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you think a 195/60/15 would be better handling than a 205/55/15?</TD></TR></TABLE>
It depends on the tire. But the highest performing, best handling tires do not come in 195/60-15. The only tire listed in Tire Rack's top two performance categories for 195/60-15 street tires is the Yokohama ES100 (and the T1R doesn't come in that size, either). A 205/55-15 ES100 might handle ever so slightly better than a 195/60-15 ES100. But neither one will handle as well as a 205/55-15 Bridgestone S-03.
I really don't understand the obsession with stiff sidewalls. If a tire corners faster, is that because of stiff sidewalls or because of a stickier compound? Who knows? Who cares? The faster you can corner, the higher the performance (and vice versa). Regardless of whether that performance is achieved through stiffer sidewalls or softer compounds.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IdahoHybridAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you think a 195/60/15 would be better handling than a 205/55/15?</TD></TR></TABLE>
It depends on the tire. But the highest performing, best handling tires do not come in 195/60-15. The only tire listed in Tire Rack's top two performance categories for 195/60-15 street tires is the Yokohama ES100 (and the T1R doesn't come in that size, either). A 205/55-15 ES100 might handle ever so slightly better than a 195/60-15 ES100. But neither one will handle as well as a 205/55-15 Bridgestone S-03.
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