It's time for new tires, and I've narrowed it down to three choices. I've narrowed it down to these three based on various reviews and other threads here on HT.

These will be for my basically stock 2001 USDM R. It is my daily driver but sees occasional HPDE and increasing autocross usage. Since I live in Florida and it rains A LOT here, I've ruled out Azenis for now. I would, however, like something with good grip (both wet and dry) and predictable handling. The tires I've selected are all in the ultra high performance category, and will all fit the stock rims. Here are my current thoughts on each:

Kumho Ecsta 712 - These are a very popular choice, but I've seen both very good and very bad reviews on HT. The reviews on Tire Rack are quite positive.

Dunlop SP Sport FM901 - There was quite a buzz on HT about these when they were first released, but not much since. The reviews on Tire Rack are not so good, however. Also, they don't come in 205/50 15, which is the size I was planning to get.

Sumitomo HTR Z - I've heard these mentioned favorable a couple times, but I haven't found a whole lot of information on them anywhere. Good ratings on Tire Rack, though, and they're in the right price and performance range.

So what I would like is feedback from people who have experience with any of these tires. Please only vote for a tire if you've actually used it. Or you could always suggest something else (as long as it isn't Azenis) and confuse me further.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

 

I voted for the Ecsta's simply because the Dunlops don't come in 205/50/15 and
I wouldn't put Sumitomo tires on my car.

 

Azenis! Oh wait, thats not a choice.... The Kumhos are nice, but scream like hell at the limit. So ill vote for those.

Rguy, who drives his azenis in the rain and hasnt had any probs...so far...

 

Sorry to say..... but I will not pick any one of the tires in your list.

My suggestion.....Bridgestone S-03 if you're looking for good grip (both wet and dry)

 

I'm with him. I'll be putting SO3's on my car sometime this week hopefully. The RE010's have much better dry traction than the 712's. The 712's do squeel like pigs and like to slide a lot. SO3's are within your price range.. depending on the size you want.

 

If your tires are sliding, that's driver error not the fault of the tires. Once must learn what the tire can and cannot handle and try to stay in the happy medium.

Besides these are street tires and S03s are far more expensive than 712s.

Street tires are only a wear item and its always nice when wear items can be replaced cheaply.

 

the kumhos are a very nice "bang for the buck"...kinda like nawwws

they seem to suck when they are cold, ie, in freezing temps of winter, and dont bother trying to drive with these in the snow

 

I had the Sumitomo on a previous car that I had and they were really nice, all year around too. very good traction and quiet too (not much if any), also they lasted for a very long time I think it was near 40k miles.

as for the other two,,, I never had them so I can't say

My vote Sumitomo.

 

What about the Yokohama AVS ES100?

 

Bridgestone RE010. Great handling, and great grip wet and dry.

 

I disagree, my ITR did much much better than expected in the white **** when i was running cumhoes

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah We know, we've heard this all before.

Anton who went through 2 sets of stock Re010's before he decided to try the Azenis, and EVERYONE knows that I love the Azenis but, for totally different reasons...

The Stock RE010's 195/55/15's are the correct size for the stock rims no doubt about it. 205's do provide slightly looser feel in the steeringwheel on the stock 6" rims but, the Azenis when they get past that initial slight looseness, turn in tighter and their maximum grip is completely different.

Oh, wait these tires weren't even choices...

I vote for the Khumo 712's.

sorry for drifting OT,


A.

 

Obviously he wants bang for the $$ tires. If so, good choices.

Anyhow, I have owned both 712's and the HTR Z's. IMO, the HTR Z is the superior tire. It is a touch wider, has a better contact patch and has better dry traction. It makes a lot less noise that the 712 too.

Sumitomo makes decent tires for the $$.

 

i always say azenis. Not a bad tire considering the price
i had them for about 3 months, really liked them, did very well in the dry and never had a problem in the rain.


[Modified by Ferrell, 5:45 PM 11/19/2002]

 

Yokohama ES100 are much better than Kumho's IMO. I voted for Kumho's cause the other choices sucked worse.

 

He said he didn't want Azenis. Did you read the thread?

And how many people have actually owned a set of HTR Z's? I had really good success with them.


[Modified by Todd00, 6:58 PM 11/19/2002]

 

The T1-S have performed very well in the rain for me so far...dry performance is also quite good. Not good in comparison to my Azenis...but good nonetheless.

 

Bang for the buck would include grip if HPDE's are a consideration and Kumho's are just not a good tire for grip compared to what is out there. I don't think the Azenis is a bad tire in the rain but can respect the apprehensive ness. That being the case I have driven a couple sets of Yoko ES100's and they are cheap and a LOT better grip with a good tread pattern for water dispersion.

I have owned a set of Dunlop SP8ks which is what many of the SUmitomos are modeled after since Goodyear owns them all.

 

Same here.

 

i think i would ditch all those tires and go with the bfgoodrich g-force TA K/D its biased towards dry weather performance.
u could also get the KDW which is for wet and dry conditions cuz i noticed u said u live in FL. has a y speed rating. quoting grassroots motorsports "we found to have the grip of the azenis but faster by .13.
they also said that they have been driving on it for 9000 on a civic and see no compromise issues and it is quiet. the only issue that they had with it was that it is 149 $ a pop.

 

I currently have kumho 712's on my car, stock size. IMO they are kinda iffy in the rain, but the dry traction is decent. They have a pretty high treadwear rating so expect to get good mileage on them. For the money a good tire, but there are many more choices of better tires out there (although a bit more expensive).

 

What are your opinons on Yokohama Paradas?

 

They're crap.

 

I've had Bridgestone S-03's on my R for almost a year now.. They still kick *** in rain or shine.. Just get em.

 

He is looking for a cheap tire, this doesn't fit the bill.