in advance i'd like to thank u for listening to me vent, i'll keep this as short and to the point as possible. (please read before voting)

ok over the past month, my steering has been having huge problems that i keep associating with my aftermarket springs (not having shocks or camber kit). here are my suffering symptoms:

-car pulls to the right (really hard) like if i let go of the wheel it'll go straight to the right

-wheels whobble left and right as i move forward, the faster i go, the faster they whobble until it just feels like a huge vibration when i'm on the highway.

so today on my way home from school i was fed up with this and i stopped by NTB so i could talk to someone about it. i wanted to figure out if it was my tires or if it was more of a suspension problem. after we felt the tires around, i noticed that the wear bars were really prodominant in some areas which is not good (our OEM tires have wear bars that u can feel as a rough bump inside each of the deeper groves). he suggested that getting an alignment at this point would be like pissing in the wind, cause my tires would still be fucked up. so he took me inside and gave me prices for tires they had. he was showing me all the V rated tires that were comparable to my stock michelins, which are meant to last like 30-40k miles (i have 38k). one brand he showed me was a set of Dunlop FM901 (v rated) for $89.99 a tire. i don't want to pay that price for some cheapo tires. and at this point i was thinking to myself, i can get BETTER tires off discounttiredirect.com for less than $70. so i said no thanks, and now i'm home and i'm comparing prices on discounttires and tirerack.com here's my final round up, i need your help. (in no particular order)

[b]Falken Azenis Sport
205/50R-15 85V B
$68.00

Kumho Ecsta Supra 712
205/50R-15 86V B
$69.00

Kumho Ecsta MX
205/50-15
$79

Yokohama AVS ES100
205/50R-15 86V BSW
$81.00

Dunlop SP Sport 8000
Size:205/50-15
$94

Bridgestone
Potenza S-03 Pole Position
205/50-15
$117


please take price and dry road performance into consideration when you vote. another question is, do i want:

195/55-15
205/50-15
215/50-15

i know the difference, but in the end (with your experience) which should i ultimately go with? they have all the above mentioned tires in all sizes, so vote for the tire and tell me which size is best (OEM si wheels)

now after i get my tires, here's my plan:

-mount and balance new tires

-alignment

-camber correction kit

-(then finally) new shocks (KYB AGX)

is there anything i'm forgetting? hopefully this will give me the ride that i'm happy with with none of the frustration i'm having now. your feedback is appreciated. thank u


[Modified by b16a2_racer, 4:18 PM 2/24/2003]

 

balancing, alignment, and camber correction will solve your horible ride.

i'd go with the 205/50-15 kumho 712's or falken azenis'

 

I've ran those Dunlops, and the 712 Kumhos, as well as many other tires.

I'm into handling, and I swear by Azenis. They are the best tires i've ever ridden on. I'm on my 3rd set right now.

Azenis

 

what size and rating, brian?

also, the kumho Ecsta Supra 712 seem to be really popular but the kumho Ecsta MX are supposed to be better? anyone know about those? look at the reviews

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....rtnum=05YR5EMX

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....num=05WR5ES712

they're about the same price, wouldn't u go for the MX?


[Modified by b16a2_racer, 4:49 PM 2/24/2003]

 

Car pulls to the side due to camber and caster.. Which means you need an alignment..

 

i really wish someone would try out the MXs, they look so much like the s03s

 

I've driven on the Dunlop's and Bridgestone's and they are both pretty good. I think the Dunlops are a little better though. I've heard good things about the Falken's but I've never driven on them so I can't say. Considering tires are one of the most important things you need for your car, I would not choose any of these. From my experience Michelin tires are the best and I would fork over the extra cash for those if i were in your position. I feel they have the best traction wet or dry and many times it feels as though they grip better in the rain. Goodyear is also a very good tire to get. I know you don't want to spend a fortune on tires but considering you put about 40k miles on your last set it seems that buying good tires would be a good investment since they will last pretty long. Also, please don't get the Khumo's. They SUCK. I've found that they have **** traction in the dry and in the rain driving is like suicide. Last thing - I would stick with a 205 width assuming you have stock wheels. 215 is too wide in my opinion for stock rims on a lowered car with no camber kit.