Tire decisions, need recommendations please

[MPTech]

These were delivered Friday (and on the car within 10 minutes! ;))
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/MPTech/P5060001.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/MPTech/P5060002.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/MPTech/P5060004.jpg

so now I'm itching to buy the tires (I know, it will be many months before I really need them, but the heart wants what the heart wants).

I was pretty much set on running Kumho Ecsta XS, 315/35 zr17 & 245/45.
I read they are great (almost R6) grip on dry pavement, but a little scary on wet.

Just to see what else was available, I found the Sumitomo HTR Z's, same size (and about $200 cheaper). The reviews said they were ok, but I didn't know how they compared. (grip & ride??)
Price helps, but it's not my primary goal with buying tires. I'm looking for something that grips and rides well.

I plan 99% street cruising, I might track / auto-cross, but that's not what I'm buying them for.

Suggestions / Comments / Recommendations appreciated, especially first-hand knowledge.

Also, do we get any discounts / deals with Tire Rack?

[Someday I Suppose]

the Kumho seem to be a favorite as far as bang for the buck, it is what I went with.

As noted, the Sumitomo's are less expensive, but most of the reviews have said they are very hard and don't have nearly the traction as the Kumho. On the higher end, the Goodyear Eagle are supposedly superior to both, but are the most expensive of the three as well.

-Scott

[Bill_VA]

Speaking from a guy who just made the switch from Sumitomos to Kuhmos, I'd recommend the Ecstas for sure. However, if you've never driven a car like this before, I would be inclined to advise you to "learn" on the tires with less grip. You'll learn how to gather the car back up when I tries to come around a bite you a bit easier.

I just did a write up of my tire upgrade here (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?1733-Tire-Upgrade-Sumitomos-to-Kuhmos).

[LewPoberezny]

I bought 4 of these. Best price at the time was an ebay seller. have not had the car on the road.I thought they looked cool and got good reviews.

http://www.vredestein.com/Banden_Bandtypes.asp?UsersessionID=83139765&BandgroepID=1&BandtypeID=3

http://www.vredestein.com/file_banden/2006/banners/Ultrac%20Sessanta/design.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/225-45-17-Vredestein-Ultrac-Sessanta-New-Tires-ZR-4Y-/350336553129?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5191af90a9

I do not see any 315/35R17. If you decide on these I would ask the seller if he still can get that size.

[Bob Russel]

Even though I have not heard favorable reviews on the Sumitomo HTR Z, I still plan on going with these as my first set just because I know that the rubber is not going to last that long and I want something to compare them to when I get the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's. It is all personal preference and what works for me certainly won't work for others.

Cheers.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I've run both Sumis as well as the XS. A similar question was asked "elsewhere" recently, specifically regarding lower temperatures and wet weather. My answer is copied below:

No doubt that traction diminishes when the temperature drops but I think that can be said for most "extreme performance summer" tires which is the category the XS falls into. They don't become dangerous but you just need to be conscious that you can't do at 50 degrees what you can do at 80. I had a set of Sumitomo HTR-Z and they were very consistent across the temperature spectrum---no traction whether it was hot or cold :p As for rain I think when you combine giant contact patches with very little weight as these cars do ANY tire is going to demand that it be driven with gentle and deliberate inputs on wet roads. I've been caught in the rain several times with both the XS and Sumis and by being cautious never felt like the Grim Reaper was sitting beside me in the passenger seat with either tire.

I do a lot of autocross and track time and love the XS for that. They are about as close to an R compound as you'll find in a street tire. The Sumitomo, while competent for street cruiser duty is completely out of it's element in these circumstances. If those activities aren't part of your agenda but cold &/or wet weather performance is a priority you might be better served with something like a Goodyear F1 or some flavor of Goodrich KDW. You'll give up some warm and dry traction in exchange for cool and wet.

HTH,
Jeff

[Glory Bound]

I compared several different types of tires, looking at cost vs. dry and wet traction and ended up with 18 inch BFG g-Force T/A KDW 2s. They have been great in dry and wet and pretty good for autocrossing so far. The tread pattern also looks great. Wish I would have gone bigger in the rear than the 275s but did not want to have any fitment issues.

[turbonut48]

Just remember, tires age out. 6 years is about the recommended life of a tire now.

The Nut

[CraigS]

Whatever tire you pick I suggest you up the size to 275/40x17 on the front.

[OCCPete]

You can have my Sumitomos - just come to the London Cobra Show and pick them up - really. Only 1500 miles on them. 245/45/17 front, 315/35/17 rear. I'm planning on some Nitto NT05Rs for the rear and NT05s for the front as soon as I get my car back from the painter.

Pete

[Glory Bound]

Pete,

What size rims do you have in the rear and is it IRS or solid axle. Thanks.

[OCCPete]

My rear wheels are 11x17. Corvette C4 rear IRS suspension (I've got a Hunter, not a FFR).

Pete

[LCD Gauges]

Check out Maxxis and read the ratings while you compare. I have a set of 275/35/18 on my car right now and they are out-doing the Pirelli and Yokohama's that were on beforehand. Much stickier and better in the corners.

Maxxis makes a great looking and handling tire and is competitvely priced.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/30184_447855674147_505744147_5791182_1609997_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/30184_447855664147_505744147_5791181_5396956_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/30184_447855654147_505744147_5791180_979277_n.jpg

[MPTech]

Some good suggestions, but I'm concerned with some of them not having the sizes I'm looking for (not everybody carries a 315/17).
00SS_M6LS1, what style are those? (Victra??) I couldn't find anything in a 315 on their site.
CraigS, 275 in front? I've heard they'll rub the F-Panel. (why 275?? I considered 255)

Unless something else changes my mind, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Kumho Ecsta XS, 315/35 zr17 & 245/45, the first of next month (leaving for vacation soon).

Does anyone have any suggestions working with Tire Rack and do they offer us any discounts? Any gotchas?


Just doing a final check, I'm running the FFR 17" Halibrands (9" fronts, 10.5" rears) on a MK4 using standard-width IRS. This shouldn't have any fitment issues, correct?

[LCD Gauges]

Yes, it's a Victra MA-Z1

Sorry, they don't seem to make 315's; their widest is 305 in the listing and that's on a 20" rim. :(

[OCCPete]

Does anyone have any suggestions working with Tire Rack and do they offer us any discounts? Any gotchas?


I think they give a discount if you mention you're a member of the other forum...

Pete

[MPTech]

I think they give a discount if you mention you're a member of the other forum...

Thanks Pete!

anybody know what the discount is? I thought it was only good for Daily Driver size tires(?) (but that was from something I read LONG ago, I may be mistaken) :cool:

[Bob Russel]

Update - I ended up going with the Nitto NT555's. The price difference was only a hundo and from all the reading I have done it just seemed like a no brainer to go with the Nitto's. This should be a good starting tire for me to make possible comparison's to with my next set of tires. My back ordered shocks arrived yesterday so I hope to have the rear end on this weekend. If so, I will post some pic's of my rolling chassis.


Even though I have not heard favorable reviews on the Sumitomo HTR Z, I still plan on going with these as my first set just because I know that the rubber is not going to last that long and I want something to compare them to when I get the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's. It is all personal preference and what works for me certainly won't work for others.

Cheers.

[gtcobra]

I am not sure if they make them in the size you need, but look into the Nitto Invo, I use them strictly on the street, but seem to be very sticky.
Good luck....

[Duramaxhd]

Im bummed to here the less than glowing report about the Summi HRZ's. That is the tire I planed on using. I have a set on my IROC and love them. 20k miles very little wear and great wet traction. But then again it only has 350hp and weighs 4000lbs. I was hoping less weight = even better performance.

[onefastben]

I am running the Summi's and can't wait to get them off! If car sits for a week they flat spot. Feels like teh tires are square for the first 3-4 miles. Also, you will feel every tar strip and crack in the pavement transmitted up through the suspension. Traction is less that I expected as well for an extreme summer performance tire. Go with teh Kuhmo's.

[R. Button]

I have been running for a number of years the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires as they are awesome in the rain and exceptional on dry! But they dropped the size I was using for whatever reason so instead of just upping the size I looked around and am giving a try to these tires Lew suggested. Eagle's are $250+ per and these are $180+ each so the price is a nice help... I think the design of the tires is thinking outside the box of most tire designs. It's hard to get a feel for them from the comments on the internet so I ordered a pair. Will have them on the front of the car this weekend and then will go out looking for a rain storm to play in! :)

[trublue]

I would like to second the BF Goodrich g-Force tires. They are an excellent value. I selected 17"- 245- Sports for front and rear and have been very happy with grip(stability), agility, tracking and tire wear. They also look great on the car and the tread design is attractive.
I can identify with your enthusiasm and desire to order your tires now. You will be go-carting soon, so why not?


I compared several different types of tires, looking at cost vs. dry and wet traction and ended up with 18 inch BFG g-Force T/A KDW 2s. They have been great in dry and wet and pretty good for autocrossing so far. The tread pattern also looks great. Wish I would have gone bigger in the rear than the 275s but did not want to have any fitment issues.

[Bill_VA]

I just got back from riding the Moonshiner 28 and the Rt129 Tail of the Dragon in NC. The Kuhmos are amazing. The level of grip is astounding.

[R. Button]

wouldn't ya know it I order these new front tires, 17" Ultrac Sessanta and no rain... heat wave! Initial comments they are QUIET! OK so my old F1 tires had a few miles on them and were getting noisy... also the tires had a few cords just starting to peek through. These new ones are quiet... I did say quiet?? As expected they hold the corners well. Great response to steering - as the 40 series outside side walls seem stiff. The only "trick" to mounting them is ignore the pattern and install the thin rib to the inside.
Now am waiting for rain so I can go out and play in it! :)

They do offer a 315x35 17" tire you just have to ask the importer if they have them in stock.