Alrighty folks, it's that time again. Seems like I've been on about a 3-year replacement cycle of tires on my 16" Rota C-10's that I keep on my GSR, pretty much aligned with tax refunds. I think I posted in here just about exactly 3 years ago looking for 205/45-16 recommendations, looking for something with good tread life and quiet riding most of all, with looks and performance coming after that. I settled on the Dunlop Direzza DZ101's and have been very happy with them these past 3 years.

Well here I am again, need tires again, and just got my refund. Unfortunately it's not as much as refunds in years past, so I don't know if I want to drop $400+ this time.

I purchased the DZ101's last time through Discount Tire Direct, as I always have for years now since they have free shipping and also the very handy free tire replacement certificate (which I did actually use last year, brand new tire for 13 bucks). Last time the DZ101's were $86 each. Now they're $106 each. I've heard the Ziex 912's are not very good, and I freaking hate Kumho Ecsta all-season tires (have them in 195/55-15 on stock wheels, hate 'em).

I looked at Tire Rack, which has cheaper prices, but shipping is not included (around $60 to my door), and also their road hazard warranty is not as good as DTD's free replacement. Putting in the 205/45-16 size, I really don't care for the choices at DTD that come in cheaper than the DZ101's, except maybe the BFG G-Force Sport Comp 2, but those are back ordered.

DTD also has a $25 off promotion, and I also contacted them about matching Tire Rack's shipped price of $98 per tire on the DZ101's. So I may end up just sticking with that tire again anyway.

Any thoughts?

 

ah well, just went ahead and ordered the DZ101's from DTD over the phone, so that they could price match TR's price, which surprisingly was less even after TR's shipping price of $64.

Funny thing was the guy said tirerack.com is blocked where he is, so he couldn't verify Tire Rack's price I told him.

With the lifetime free replacement certificates (DEFINITELY worth it since I used it last year on the current tires) it was $418 out the door. Last time I ordered them with a $40 rebate in February 2011, it ended up being almost $60 cheaper than today. Damn.

 

I ran the Ecsta Supra years ago on 18 inch wheels and 16 inch wheels (both on a Mitsubishi Eclipse.) I HATED them in the 18. In the 16 I liked them much more, but maybe because that was just such a step up from how awful both the tires were and the ride was.

I was going to try either those, Yokohomas, or the HR2. I'll take a serious look at the Dunlops now as soon as this snow lets up. I'll be rolling on a set of ls webs.

 

What did you think of the DZ101's in the wet? I've never talked to someone that said they liked the tires all around. Most say that the tires are fairly good in the dry for the money, but fall off dramatically in the wet. I got to drive my buddys miata in the wet a few months after I put a new set of DZ101's on it for him and it was not very confidence inspiring. I've driven the car in the dry before and it's very well mannered, but it was a handful in the wet.

 

FYI,

From February 14-17 they are having a $75 and $50 rebate on most tire brands.

That should save you a couple extra bucks. So, wait until Friday.

 

Yeah I saw that yesterday, sucks because I ordered them Monday, and they'll be delivered today. Oh well.

Honestly I only daily drive my GSR, that's it, and I've never had any problems whatsoever with the DZ101's in the rain, just driving normally on public roads.

 

I'm working on finding a set of 215/45/16 to DD. DA Integra's allow for quite a bit of tire.

However, tire sizes are super limited. I'm a fan of a meatier tire look, especially on a track car that gets daily driven some days to keep miles off the new car.

 

What kind of track driving do you do? Unless you're winding it out to top speed I would think the larger diameter of 215/45-16 with the effectively reduced final drive is going to hurt you.

 

The 215/45/16 would be for when the car is tossed on the street.

I would run a sticky tire for the track with a 205/45/16.

 

So why do you want a larger diameter tire size?

 

The correct (meaning stock) diameter is somewhere between a 205/45-16 and a 215/45-16. Both are close enough though.

I would want a slightly larger diameter for increase ground clearance and reduced odometer readings while on the street. But, that's me and the difference is rather insignificant, really.

idriveahonda, if you really want the meatier tire look, just run a 225/45-16. Better selection of available tires than 215/45-16, and only 0.5" larger in diameter than stock.

 

225/40-16 is less than 3/8" smaller than stock. If there's a selection in that size, though.

*edit* wow Discount Tire doesn't even carry anything in 225/45 or 225/40-16. Tire Rack has only a few 225/45-16 tires but they're EXPENSIVE! Only ones I would even consider running on the street are the Dunlop Direzza ZII's. Tire Rack has nothing in 225/40-16.

215/45-16 is even more limited on Tire Rack. I believe it was a stock tire size on some years of the NSX, so they have the Bridgestone Potenza RE010's that are left and right-specific at $246 each. That'll be well over $1,000 shipped for a set if you put them on an Integra. They have Potenza RE040's for $229, but their treadwear is very low. I wouldn't use it on a daily driven car.

 

Discount Tire carries the Azenis RT-615 in 215/45 size, for $140. That's a pretty decent deal I think. $560 shipped for a set, then you'd have to get them mount/balanced somewhere.

 

Yeah, the issue is that the manufacturer's seem to be phasing out 16" sizes for the most part, and especially so for the smaller diameters.

I would have suggested 225/40-16, but nothing comes in that size any more.

215/45-16 also has the Kumho Ecsta XS available.

In the 205/45-16 size, the RE-11 might still be available, runs wider than the size indicates (looks very "square" on my 16x7s), and doesn't wear absurdly fast for the grip offered.

Apparently we're all supposed to either run 15s or 17s now.

 

Tire rack still carries the RE11 in 205/45/16. Too bad discount tire does not they have a really good sale going on right now $100 off a purchase of $400+ in their eBay store. No tax and free shipping I was able to score some tires for the camry for dirt cheap.

 

get 215/45/16 falken azenis there nice I use to run dunlop dz101's 205