I have a set of Rota Circuit 10s on my Type-R, they have Hankook R-S2 225/45/16s on there right now. However, on the way to Raleigh yesterday, I caught a hole in my rear driver's side (It is unable to be plugged), so I'm replacing two of the tires.

I found a VERY good deal on two Hankook K102s, in the same size even. Will the performance of the two different tires be comparible?

In any other circumstances, I'd just dish out the money, and get matching tires. However, I'm low on cash right now, and I have bills to tend to. So that takes priority over the hobby.

Any input is appreciated!


Modified by GO-FIGHT-KILL at 6:02 PM 11/12/2006

 

I found a VERY good deal on two Hankook K102s, in the same size even. Will the performance of the two different tires be comparible?

those two tires are not comparable when it comes to dry handling (grip)...the k102 is more comparable to the falken 512 which suck....i know you are tight on bills and have to do what is good for you...but in comparison they are two different tires all together....the rs2 is a very good dry handling tire and the k102 is more designed for dry and wet like the falken 512 but they don't handle as good on dry pavement as the rs2 but the will do better in the wet than the rs2....

 

Well I never drive my ITR in the rain, so I guess that doesn't really matter... I'll be running these on the rear, so hopefully I won't notice the difference AS much.

Thanks for the input.

 

They are NOT compatible.

It is generally a bad idea to mix two different kinds of tires, even in the same size. You can get away with it when the two kinds are very similar in performance. For example, if you used two of the Kumho Ecsta SPT budget performance summer tire with two of the Yokohama ES100 budget performance summer tire, they would behave similarly in most circumstances.

The problem comes in when you mix two entirely different kinds of tires, and the K102 is very different from the Z212. This is one of those things that sounds like a BAD IDEA because it is a BAD IDEA. Don't do it.

Also, you are using the wrong size tire for your car. An ITR with 16-inch tires should be using 205/45-16 or 215/45-16. 225/45-16 is too big.

If money is an issue, then I suggest getting four Kumho Ecsta SPT tires in 205/45-16. You'll get predictable handling and much better performance than the mish-mash of the Z212 and the K102. The Tire Rack sells the SPT in that size for $64 each, which means you can get a set of four for $216 after rebate. And, in the future, you can buy more of the affordable SPT within your budget.

 

Wow, great information, nsxtacy!

It's greatly appreciated.