Some background. I have a daily driver / auto-x / hpde 00 gsr. Yeah, not the best solution, but its what I got. I'm running the Koni/GC combo, and with the 400/400 springs and the RT-615 Azenis I'm currently using, its too stiff for the street (and I'd like to preserve the Azenis for just the track).

So, I'm looking for the softest sidewall tires out there that still have enough grip to be a fun tire. Summer tires are fine, snow traction is worthless in LA, and I don't really care about wet traction either, I drive slow in the rain. I've heard good things about Falken FK-451, but their "rim protector ridge" sounds like it would make a stiff sidewall. Fuzion ZRi maybe?

Anyone want to recommend a tire for my needs?

 

A few comments.

The Azenis RT-615 is a stiff-sidewall tire. It's almost like an R compound tire in that regard.

I assume you are using it in the 205/50-15 size. That size has sidewalls that are about 5 percent shorter than the stock 195/55-15 size on your car, so that could also be a contributing factor. I would suggest sticking with the stock 195/55-15 size for this reason.

Since you're going to preserve the Azenis for the track, you don't need the all-out performance for street use, but you probably want something that still performs decently enough to be enjoyable. I would suggest getting the Yokohama AVS ES100* ($61/tire at the Tire Rack for 195/55-15) or the Kumho Ecsta SPT ($67/tire) or the Avon Tech M500 ($69/tire). All of these are very good tires that offer great "bang for the buck" - good dry traction and handling, excellent wet traction and handling, very good treadlife. You could even use them for the occasional autocross or HPDE event, although they won't perform as well as the Azenis, of course. If you are willing to pay somewhat more for better performance, then I would also suggest considering the Toyo T1-R ($83/tire at onlinetires.com).

*NOTE - Discount Tire offers free shipping and currently has a $50 rebate on the Yokohamas through October 29; their price including shipping and the rebate is $214, which is MUCH better than the Tire Rack.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kio &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">booo. kumo estas suck big monkey nuts. i had the 711's and they were the crappiest tire ive ever purchased. i currently have the hankook ventus HRII H405 and im very very happy with them. (195/50/15's) they handle excellent in the rain, and seem to grip the pavement during summer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Every tire manufacturer makes a variety of tires. Some are super grippy. Some last a long time. Some are inexpensive. Some do well all year round, including winter conditions. It's up to you to decide what characteristics of tires are important to you, and to get tires that match your personal priorities best.

Furthermore, most tire manufacturers use some of the same names on a variety of their tires. There are many different kinds of Kumho tires with the Ecsta name on them (just like many Bridgestone tires are called Potenza, many BFGoodrich tires are called g-force, etc). The same name is used on tires that vary from high-performance tires, to inexpensive tires, to tires for sport utility vehicles.

The Kumho (not kumo) Ecsta (not esta) 711 is an inexpensive, low-performance tire for people who care more about the low price than the lack of performance. It's no surprise that you (or anyone who cares about performance) would not be happy with them. The Kumho Ecsta SPT is a moderately-priced high-performance tire that offers great bang for the buck. (The Kumho Ecsta MX offers even more performance for a somewhat higher price, and Kumho makes other, even grippier tires for the racetrack.) Comparing the Kumho Ecsta 711 and the Kumho Ecsta SPT is like comparing a Chevrolet Aveo with a Chevrolet Corvette. Different tires (or cars) for different folks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kio &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">maybe i should just delete what i wrote?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Since you didn't answer his question, and you only posted irrelevant information, yes, that would be a good idea.

 

word.... trust me listen too nsxtasy he knows his ****. btw I have the 711 and they arent that bad... but I am not keeping for very long because I probably will pick up a set of yoko es100. But like nsxtasy said its probably due to the lower profile of the tire... and usually when a tire company make a tire that can protect the rim that is a good thing to have.

Dave

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kio &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">booo. kumo estas suck big monkey nuts. i had the 711's and they were the crappiest tire ive ever purchased. i currently have the hankook ventus HRII H405 and im very very happy with them. (195/50/15's) they handle excellent in the rain, and seem to grip the pavement during summer.

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

Both of those tires are the dead bottom cheap tire from each company. You know nothing about the high end tires. Nsxtasy knows his ****

 

yokohama ES100 is on mine. it was much better than stock on, ya, ugly tread.lol

iam really happy i picked es100. in the rain, my car handle like in dry weather.

from me es100 gets 4 out of 5

 

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

The Azenis RT-615 is a stiff-sidewall tire. It's almost like an R compound tire in that regard.

I assume you are using it in the 205/50-15 size. That size has sidewalls that are about 5 percent shorter than the stock 195/55-15 size on your car, so that could also be a contributing factor. I would suggest sticking with the stock 195/55-15 size for this reason.

Since you're going to preserve the Azenis for the track, you don't need the all-out performance for street use, but you probably want something that still performs decently enough to be enjoyable. I would suggest getting the Yokohama AVS ES100* ($61/tire at the Tire Rack for 195/55-15) or the Kumho Ecsta SPT ($67/tire) or the Avon Tech M500 ($69/tire). All of these are very good tires that offer great "bang for the buck" - good dry traction and handling, excellent wet traction and handling, very good treadlife. You could even use them for the occasional autocross or HPDE event, although they won't perform as well as the Azenis, of course. If you are willing to pay somewhat more for better performance, then I would also suggest considering the Toyo T1-R ($83/tire at onlinetires.com).

*NOTE - Discount Tire offers free shipping and currently has a $50 rebate on the Yokohamas through October 29; their price including shipping and the rebate is $214, which is MUCH better than the Tire Rack.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow, informational post. Thank you very much. Sounds like a set of AVS ES100s are in my future. Now to force the practical side of me to get the 195/55-15s instead of the 205/45-16s the "stunna" in me is considering... (I need new wheels either way.)