For starters, I'm currently using Bridgestone's excellent RE730. I'm very happy with Bridgestone and am strongly considering going back to them. My question is basically "what would you buy?" I'm considering the following:

-a set of the Falken Azenis for $62/each (keeping in mind they seem to be in little to no stock at most places that sell Falken; I still feel a little weary about the "off-brands")

-another set of RE730s for $94/each (which, like I said, I'm very happy with, and I know I can't go wrong)

-step up to the S-03 Pole Position at $129/each (a bargain in it's own league, but expensive compared to what I'm used to paying. Also, subjective ratings on Tire Rack's rating system way out score the RE730. But, those ARE just that, subjective ratings.]

These are tires that are going to take some serious abuse, with my autocrossing, and my recent discovery of how incredibly fun a track day is. Just looking to hear how some others of you would look at this pesky dilemma to perhaps help me make up my mind.

What a time of year to buy summer treads!

 

Did you feel too much of a 'greasiness' towards the end of the day on those? Or did it stay fairly consistent?

 

Are you running STS next year, or DSP?

 

Still haven't decided...however, for now, I'll just say I'm running STS. I still don't want to skimp, even if I do happen to have separate wheels for DSP autocrossing.

 

Man, those $94 730s with their 300 tread wear didn't even last you a year. $129 S-03s with their 220 tread wear will literally have your money going up in smoke. The 200 tread wear Azenis' won't last you long at all, but they are indeed a super bargain should you be able to get a set. Very tough decision indeed. The Azenis' are an outrageous tire, and probably not as good as either Bridgestone in the wet, not good for a dedicated set of daily driver tires. The 730 would hence be the most "balanced" decision between price and practicality, but oh those S-03s are oh so nice.

 

For street.. Pirelli P700Z at $52 each. Can't beat'em since AVS-Intermediates are no longer available in my size.

 

So are you looking for a street tire or a STS tire? I have a set of azenis and love them for autox but think for a street tire they would wear a little quickly.

 

I'm fairly certain the Pirelli P700Zs would be a step down performance-wise from his current RE 730s. I myself am stuck in the same dilemma, deliberating between RE730s and S-03s. I was considering the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712s, but decided this would be a step down for me having driven on Yokohama AVS Intermediates and Bridgestone RE 71s for the last 8 years. It's frustrating to pull less lateral Gs on a new set of tires than one did with the old.

 

Mike, question is - do you want the most stick (Azenis) or life (730)?

Gary

 

life doesnt matter too much, but good rain perf. doesn't hurt.

 

To further confuse you, this month's Sportscar carries an ad about the Kumho Ecsta MX. They claim it's a dual-purpose street/race tire, which makes me think it's a Street-fighter built to combat the Azenis. The picture of it is blurred, but it would seem to resemble the Bridgestone RE711 judging from the blurred picture (if indeed that is the real tire). Anyhow, more info is supposed to come soon, and the ad claims the tire will debut in the spring. However, Kumho's release dates could be considered VERY suspect, due to the massive delay of both the Ecsta V700 and the S700 slick.

 

How's about snow? Or do you have a winter car? We *do* occasionally get a little bit of the stuff in the winter in this area!

I do not recommend the regular Kumho Ecsta 712s for winter driving. They suck in the snow, at least on my Camaro. Dry and rain, they work fine though.

Karen

 

Well, tires are always a compromise. Beginning last winter, I started the practice of leaving the car at home with any mention of even flurries in the forecast. I, luckily, can commute with mass transportation. I only had to do so, I think it was twice last winter, so it's really no biggie. Of course, we could have another blizzard of '96, in which I'd be taking the bus/subway for a month

 

On a FWD car, they Kumhos are not THAT bad. Okay, they're definitely not GOOD, but about a week after I had mine installed on the Teg, I drove to New York and ended up digging the car out of over a foot of snow to drive home. It was bearable provided you didn't try to imitate Incas Rally-speeds over the snow. They were capable of moving the car, which is more than I could claim for my Nitto 555s.

 

I need new tires for my Talon. It is 99% street, and I don't see any reason for that to change. Tirerack has, in my size and at the same price (+-$5), Kumho 712s, Bridgestone RE71s and 92s, Yokohama AVS-i and AVS-S1, and Sumitomo HRZ.

I drive ~55 miles a day, mainly highway, and often in the rain. We've got kumhos on all our other cars that were bought super cheap on a group buy, but they also have access to race tires for the weekend. The 712s would work fine for me, but if I can get a better tire for no cost except some life i'll go with that. I don't see myself owning this car for more than a year longer anyways.

So...which one would you like? Based on previous posts I think it would be the AVS-i, then Re71. I don't know where the AVS-S1 fits in there, or the HRZ.

Matt

 

I personally am looking at the RE730, P700z, and Kumho ECSTA Supra. My priorities are grip, cost, and treadwear in that order. I plan to autox about twice a month and the tires must be manageable in the rain. The tires will be daily driven, also. What tires would you guys recommend? Is there a tire I have missed?

 

S03 Bridgetone....the best street tire today (im a little biased). Pay the extra $30 a tire and stop being so cheap.

 

hmmm...okay...*looks in wallet*...any other suggestions?


[Modified by kent, clark, 10:23 PM 12/1/2001]

 

Bridgestone S03 was on sale at tirerack in the 195/50r15 size for a very very good price...
way under $100.

Dont know if you are looking for a specific size for class rules, bu tthe 195/50 is a good deal.
Muckman on th eboard here has them and loves them.

 

This raises an interesting point: Which would grip better? (The S03 in 195/50/15 or a 205/50/15 RE730) Wouldn't the RE730 last longer AND grip better?

 

hmmmmm *looks at Max performance tire SO3* - a 220 gripier tire.
hmmmmm *looks at Ultra high performance tire RE730* oh only a 300 treadwear tire.

well lets see here....Max performance?...Best tire by popular demand? cheaper??? Answer - S03...Take a look in you wallet again, pal.

 

*takes look in wallet again* LOL But even with the extra width the RE730 would not corner as well? (15x6.5 wheel)

 

Comparing tread wear rating between manufacturers is completely useless. There's no way you can clearly say a 200 treadwear Falken will wear quicker than a 300 treadwear Bridgestone.

 

i hate to be that guy who adds a new topic to debate, but along these lines....is it worth the extra money to go for plus sized tires (ie. my teg has 195 55 15's, and i was lookin to go 205 50 15) but there's that special on tire rack for the 195's in the SO3. does anyone have ideas about how much i'd notice the wider tire, and is it worth the extra cost?
Thanks

 

But you can compare treadwear within a manufacturer. The S-O3 is rated 220 and the 730 is 300. However, on tirerack.com the wear ratings from customers were 7.6 for the S-O3 (out of 10) and 7.7 for the 730. What gives?