Installed my Azenis on the stock rims about a week ago and have since accumulated 1,000mi on them. I was a touch fearful about the feedback difference but didn't think it would be a major issue for the price. I was wrong.

Bottom line: Azenis = poo on the stock rims.

My previous tires have been S03's in 195/50, Pirelli P Zeros in 195/50, and stock RE010's. Each one of these gives WAAAAY better feed back than the Azenis.

Negative impressions:

1. At higher speeds (70mph) the car does not settle quickly after quick steering inputs. It's a personal test of mine, I jab the steering wheel quickly one way (nothing dramatic) and see how quickly the car returns once the steering is released. The other tires mentioned above return almost instantly, the wheel goes back straight at once and does not fluctuate. The Azenis on the other had continue to settle back for an extended period of time. The bobbles back and forth 3-4 times with the car wiggling noticeably.(passenger said he can even feel it without looking at the wheel).

2. Steering reaction = The car takes much longer to react to input and causes me to want to over steer the car because it lags behind my input.

3. Mid corner feel = The car doesn't provide me any feedback (compared to the others) which severely hurts my confidence factor. I feel like I'm riding on a cloud and the car just seems to float in the corner. I went into one of my usual fun corners and got scared as crap, looked down and realized I was a full 10mph slower than normal , the grip was there, but the car sure wasn't letting me know through the steering wheel.

Positive:

1. They are cheap (although I got my Pirelli's for $200 a set ).
2. Solid state grip seems to be high.
3. I launched of the line and they hooked good.


Final thoughts: For the street 195/50 S03's have been my favorite tire so far. Excellent in every way. The Azenis are decent and have great grip, but IMO steering feedback and confidence in knowing what my car is doing will produce far better auto-x times even if the grip is a little less.

< will be getting 15x7's or going back to 195/50 next time around.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The Azenis are decent and have great grip, but IMO steering feedback and confidence in knowing what my car is doing will produce far better auto-x times even if the grip is a little less.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you are mistaken but, again it is preference. I'd take the grip over the nit picky turn in. You just have to get used to them, and I don't think that 1,000 miles is enough to be so. It really is funny how different the R completely changes with relation to feel when you shod different tires on it.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> &lt; will be getting 15x7's or going back to 195/50 next time around.</TD></TR></TABLE>

7" wide rims at least up front will solve ALL of your steering response and turn in issues AND still provide the grip.

I actually staggered 7" front and stock 6" rears with 205/50 Azenis and the response came back totally and provided absolute grip.

Wonder how you'd feel on wider tires like say 225/45's. I know I really had to get used to them, but the massive grip so far out weighs any steering response issues.

Again, it's preference and some may not prefer these optional sizes. But, to remain competitive they are almost a requirement in several classes and club series.

Good luck,

Anton- who just picked up a matching pair of well worn K1's recently to complete the 7" wide set all around.

 

Thanks for the review. I was thinking about rockin these on the stock rims since thats all I have, but I think Im gonna pass and get something in the stock tire size.

Curious if you tried to increase tire pressure at all? Wouldnt that help take out some of the "sloppy" feel?

 

They need to be around 40psi hot otherwise they feel really sloppy.

And they will slide around a bit if you are really pushing them on track. Just have to get used to it.

 

Azenis on 15x6 =
Azenis on 15x7 =

I just recently got mine mounted on 15x7 wheels and DAMN do they feel good!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They need to be around 40psi hot otherwise they feel really sloppy.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

agreed. i sold my last set of azenis on 6" wheels after 3 weeks. it blows.

azenis on 7" is definitely nicey nice.

 

lol. I hate them on 6in wheels too, although they feel much better as they wear albeit at the expense of more noise.

 

looking forward to trying out these tires on the street one day...

 

damn i was gunna get them too.... well i probably will still i just have to see for myself.. thanks for the info tho

 

So pretty much, you're describing exactly what a few of us told you they would be like...

 

I'm on 195 55 15 dunlop fm901's on a 6.5 inch rim. I've been planing to pick up a set of 205 50 15 azenis.... has anyone tried that azenis size on a 6.5 inch rim? thanks.

 

[QUOTE=1GreyTeg]

"I think you are mistaken but, again it is preference. I'd take the grip over the nit picky turn in. You just have to get used to them, and I don't think that 1,000 miles is enough to be so. "
The turn-in feel is not there, but the grip is. I think a few thousand more miles and you will be used to them. But then it will be time for new tires anyway

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They need to be around 40psi hot otherwise they feel really sloppy.

And they will slide around a bit if you are really pushing them on track. Just have to get used to it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

42 psi, then I bumped them to 48psi because they still felt like crap.

I'm sorry but I'm faster when the car responds to me instantly even with a little less grip. I shouldn't have to "learn to get use to it". The car should do what I say when I say it AND have great grip.

Azenis aren't a nessecity from what I've seen. All of the top guys in STX ran Azenis (few other ITR's and a bunch of WRX's) except me. I've never placed less than 2nd on 195/50 S03's. Maybe the way I drive requires maximum feed back.

 

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

42 psi, then I bumped them to 48psi because they still felt like crap.

I'm sorry but I'm faster when the car responds to me instantly even with a little less grip. I shouldn't have to "learn to get use to it". The car should do what I say when I say it AND have great grip.

Azenis aren't a nessecity from what I've seen. All of the top guys in STX ran Azenis (few other ITR's and a bunch of WRX's) except me. I've never placed less than 2nd on 195/50 S03's. Maybe the way I drive requires maximum feed back.</TD></TR></TABLE>

what you're saying is very true.. 205's are crappy on stock wheels no matter how you go about tire pressure.. 15x7 made much difference stepping from 15x6.. if i had money to spend on wheels, i'd go for 205/50 with 15x7.5 or 15x8

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

what you're saying is very true.. 205's are crappy on stock wheels no matter how you go about tire pressure.. 15x7 made much difference stepping from 15x6.. if i had money to spend on wheels, i'd go for 205/50 with 15x7.5 or 15x8</TD></TR></TABLE>


ITR will fit for 15x8 ? any rub issues? need spacers?

 

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

ITR will fit for 15x8 ? any rub issues? need spacers?</TD></TR></TABLE>

depends. depends. depends. Do a search on username Todd00 in the archives..... I am running 15x7.5's currently with no problems. 15x8's coming soon.....

 

You guys are not making it easy on me. I had finally narrowed it down to Azenis and Kuhmo MX's for my track wheels and now I'm scared neither will live up to what I'm used to with the RE010's.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

what you're saying is very true.. 205's are crappy on stock wheels no matter how you go about tire pressure.. 15x7 made much difference stepping from 15x6.. if i had money to spend on wheels, i'd go for 205/50 with 15x7.5 or 15x8</TD></TR></TABLE>

it would be STUPID to put a 205/50 on a 15x8! if you have a 15x7.5, use a 215/50, and with a 15x8, a 225/45. i think you would have major problems with 205/50 on a 15x8. the sidewalls would be stretched outward too much. do the math and see how wide a 205/50 is compared to an 8" wide wheel.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Train &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it would be STUPID to put a 205/50 on a 15x8!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think it would be fantastic.

Wider rim = flatter contact patch

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I think it would be fantastic.
Wider rim = flatter contact patch</TD></TR></TABLE>

It is. I have 16x8'' wheels on my shelby clone, with 205/50 Azenis and it is perfect. The steering responce feels like a sports car instead of a muscle car.

 

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

it would be STUPID to put a 205/50 on a 15x8! if you have a 15x7.5, use a 215/50, and with a 15x8, a 225/45. i think you would have major problems with 205/50 on a 15x8. the sidewalls would be stretched outward too much. do the math and see how wide a 205/50 is compared to an 8" wide wheel.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

speaking from experience? or just guessing.. with wider wheel, your tire becomes stiffer placing more rubber to the ground.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">with wider wheel, your tire becomes stiffer placing more rubber to the ground.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The tire does not become stiffer.

 

wow.. now i am a little skeptical about getting them.... not only for the possibly poor steering response like some were saying but i also hear you need to be very carful with them in the rain.... I hear they do ok but are very prone to
hydro-planing in the rain.... all these opinions makes it so hard to make a safe choice of tire

 

sidewall? stiffer sidewall feel.