Sorry if this seems like it should be in the wheel & tire section (and I do have a postthere as well), but I know I can't be the only one who daily drives the STS car. Some background. I have a daily driver / auto-x / hpde 00 gsr. Yeah, not the best solution, but its what I got. I'm running the Koni/GC combo, and with the 400/400 springs and the RT-615 Azenis I'm currently using, its too stiff for the street (and I'd like to preserve the Azenis for just the track).

So, I'm looking for the softest sidewall tires out there that still have enough grip to be a fun tire. Summer tires are fine, snow traction is worthless in LA, and I don't really care about wet traction either, I drive slow in the rain. I've heard good things about Falken FK-451, but their "rim protector ridge" sounds like it would make a stiff sidewall. Fuzion ZRi maybe?

Anyone want to recommend a tire for my needs?

(Mods, if this really shouldn't be here, please delete it.)

 

I've alwasy liked the es100's for street duty and throw on azenis for auto-x. I'm probably going to try the new kumho spt though as this set is comming to an end. They are supposed to be about the same grip as es100's but a little quieter.

 

I love ES100s for the street as well, although I have no idea how soft the sidewall is... mine feel "medium" I guess.

I've always heard the Toyo T1-S and T1-R have quite soft sidewalls, a little expensive compared to Azenis and ES100 but they are great tires. Part of the reason they are soft is that they are just about the lightest street tires on the market.

 

I think the Kumho MX has a softer sidewall than the ES100. That's been my experience with them, at least.

 

Kuhmo 711, and Falken ziex ze512.

 

I assume your running the typical 205/50/15? I'd reccomend the BFGoodrich Traction T/A, even though they are an all season, they are a damn good one, and will for sure have a softer sidewall and cost less than the ES100. But the ES100 are a great summer tire.

Almost any high-perf or UHP all season is going to have a softer sidewall than the ES100 which are a summer.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Kuhmo 711, and Falken ziex ze512. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I second this, having driven on both. Both are very civil over bumps and have great tread wear too. Ive experienced the 711's in blinding rain and they held up great as far as resisting hydroplaning.

You can go to tirerack.com to see what other people say about tires in comparison to the 711 and other tires of this nature. Thats what I usually do if I have a question about grip, wear, etc.

 

Get yourself some 14" steelies and any generic cheap tire will feel plush. We ended up with the Yokohama Avid H4S, 500 treadwear rating means we've barely worn the mold marks off of them after a couple thousand miles. Let me tell you, 185/60/14 Avid H4S vs. 205/50/15 Azenis 615 = night vs. day. The RT-215s were even worse, though better for their intended use

Peter

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chrisw85 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I assume your running the typical 205/50/15? I'd reccomend the BFGoodrich Traction T/A, even though they are an all season, they are a damn good one, and will for sure have a softer sidewall and cost less than the ES100. But the ES100 are a great summer tire.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm using the Traction T/A for my daily tires and I've been very happy with them. Definitely grippy for an all-season, not too loud, decent wear.

 

Hank00k Z212 tires have very soft sidewalls. I have them in 205/45R16. When they were off the car, the sidewall was easily pliable with my thumb. Drove relatively soft too.

Also should be "competitive" in a street tire class for autocross. Not the absolute best but not far off the top.

 

i like falken zeix 512. cheap in 15" size, good in the rain, much quieter than 215 (dont know if the 615 has road noise) and cushins the ride a bit. just be carefull not to get somehting too soft or you will bounce along on the soft sidewall. but with 400"/lb, you should be ok