I changed to my winter tires today (sold the summer set) and it looks like I will need something new soon.

Is the Dunlop SP5000 still the best mix of affordability, performance, and bad-weather capability?

 

should have come to me. I would have unloaded the set below in my sig to you for a cheap price

 

I used SP5000s for roughly 60k miles and really liked them. When I purchased them a few years ago, they were top-notch all seasons, and that's what I needed at the time.

However, if you're using separate winter and summer tires, I don't think an all-season is needed.

Regardless, Kumho Ecsta ASX has similar/better ratings from the tirerack as the SP5000. It's also cheaper. They're currently on my gf's Prelude, and I like them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cheezthis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I used SP5000s for roughly 60k miles and really liked them. When I purchased them a few years ago, they were top-notch all seasons, and that's what I needed at the time.

However, if you're using separate winter and summer tires, I don't think an all-season is needed.

Regardless, Kumho Ecsta ASX has similar/better ratings from the tirerack as the SP5000. It's also cheaper. They're currently on my gf's Prelude, and I like them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is excellent advice.

All-season tires are designed to be a compromise for folks who use the same tire all year round. They're not as good in winter snow and cold as winter tires, but they're better than summer tires. Similarly, they're not as good in moderate to warm weather as summer tires, but they're better than winter tires.

If you need to use the same tires all year round, then all season tires are a good choice. If you're going to change tires so that one set is used only during winter, then I would advise getting winter tires.

If you DO decide to use all-season tires, two that seem to have decent performance (for an all-season tire) are the Kumho Ecsta ASX that Jay mentioned, and the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S. The ASX is available in our stock 195/55-15 size ($68/tire at the Tire Rack), but the Pirelli is not.

As for winter tires, there are really two categories of winter tires:

(a) tires that will give the absolute best performance on snow and ice and in extreme cold, but whose ride quality on warmer days is so-so. The Tire Rack calls these "Studless Ice and Snow" tires. These might be a better choice for an area that experiences harsh winters, such as Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis. Tires include Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 ($88), Dunlop Graspic DS-2 ($70), and Michelin X-Ice ($89).

(b) tires that not quite as good as the above on snow and in cold (still winter tires, still very good, but not AS good), but with better ride quality when it's not so cold. The Tire Rack calls these "Performance Winter" tires. These might be a better choices for an area that experiences mild winters, such as D.C. or St. Louis. Tires include Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 ($113), Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 ($106), Dunlop Winter Sport M3 (no price shown on Tire Rack website, may be out of stock), Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 ($108), and Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport ($83).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cheezthis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I used SP5000s for roughly 60k miles and really liked them. When I purchased them a few years ago, they were top-notch all seasons, and that's what I needed at the time.

However, if you're using separate winter and summer tires, I don't think an all-season is needed.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had 2 sets until yesterday. I sold the Azenis/Kosei K-1s to some fellow Honda-Techers. I am in the middle of the process of returning my ITR to stock until I have the money and inclination to mod it properly.

I actually tracked my SP5000s once, and had a lot of fun. Cornering speeds are obviously much lower, but the car oversteers a lot more in a controllable and fun manner.

Ken, thanks for the info. /thread

 

The BF Goodrich Traction T/A V is also a good all season tire in 195/55/15 size. It's a bit more expensive than the Kumho tire (priced at $83 @ Tirerack).

I have used it on the R during the winter/colder months and don't have anything negative to say towards it. An overall good tire

 

Dunlop SP 5000 Asym. Kumho Ecsta ASX

PRICE $119.00 $62.00
ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY Low Stock In Stock
PERFORMANCE
SPEED RATING WR WR
TREADLIFE WARRANTY None 30,000 Miles
HANDLING RATING 8.00 8.00
DRY TRACTION 8.5 8.6
WET TRACTION 8 8.2
SNOW TRACTION 6.9 7.1
RIDE COMFORT 8 8.4
NOISE COMFORT 7.9 8.3
WEAR 7 8.1


TREADWEAR RATING 340 420
TRACTION RATING AA AA
TEMPERATURE RATING A A

...

Hope that helps...actually, I hope that even shows up.

&lt;---who was a proud owner of SP5000s and ASXs

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cheezthis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">PRICE $119.00 $62.00</TD></TR></TABLE>

Those prices are for 205/50-15. The Kumho ASX is available in the stock 195/55-15 size for $68/tire. I recommend getting the stock size. Remember, in the winter, narrower is better - and winter is why you're getting all-season tires.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Those prices are for 205/50-15. The Kumho ASX is available in the stock 195/55-15 size for $68/tire. I recommend getting the stock size. Remember, in the winter, narrower is better - and winter is why you're getting all-season tires.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I would highly recommend the 195/55s (SP5000) if you plan on using the stock wheel. I currently have them in 205/50 and the soft sidewall with the narrow wheel width causes delayed steering responses. It also tends to give a feeling of "floating" on the road. It takes a little getting use to, but eventually you realize you just need to turn the wheel a little before you think you should. I think the 195 would handle better despite having a taller sidewall.