New tires for the Daily Driver (not Porsche)

FrayAdjacent911 · 06-13-2005, 07:46 PM

So my Daily Driver, the 03 Hyundai Tiburon in my sig, needs a new set of shoes this summer. I have 20k miles on the OEM Michelin Pilot Sports. I liked 'em, but wet traction and low treadwear left a bit to be desired.

I have replaced the stock 17x7 rims with aftermarket in the same size, and had the tires swapped onto them. They are currently 205 45 17s. Recommended is 215 45 17s, which I want to go to for a little bit wider footprint.

This car is not driven at a track or seriously hard, although I do like to accelerate briskly and sometimes take turns quickly. I live in the South, so the car gets driven year round. Temperatures here rarely get below freezing in the winter, so snow and ice are not things I have to contend with.

Cost IS an object. Ideally, I'd want to spend about $600 for the whole set, including mount/balance.

Several flavors of Khumos and Dunlap have appealed to me, though I do not remember the models. I've had Dunlap tires before, and liked them.

So I'm looking for something good for daily driving, with some aggressive driving, yet not quite track style driving, not too expensive, and decent treadwear for a daily driver (I want them to last at least another 20k)

FrayAdjacent911 · 06-13-2005, 07:50 PM

As a little aside... a gripe... some a$$h0l3 ran into my car yesterday. Not really bad, but there are a few nice scrapes on the bumper and fender, driver's side rear... with a nice green paint transfer from the other vehicle (my Tiburon is white).

Noticed it when I got home yesterday after catching a movie. I think it happened while parked at my apartment, but could have happened at work earlier that day.

NO NOTE... no nothing. PISSES me off. It will probably buff out OK, but may have to be taken down to the plastic (bumper) and repainted.

If I found who did it... UGH... I'd be pissed... but I'd just make 'em pay for the repair, or call the po-po and have them cited for leaving the scene of an accident.

M.D. Holloway · 06-13-2005, 08:33 PM

After doing work in Kelly Springfield, Goodyear and Michelin plants, I would have to say Michelin has by far the best quality and production I have ever witnessed. I do believe that I will never buy anthor tire unless it is a Michelin.

coldstart · 06-13-2005, 08:39 PM

My daily driver (Acura RSX) came with Michelins MXV4 All-Seasons.

Absolutely the worst tire a lot of money can buy. Bad in the snow, bad in the rain, bad in the dry, bad performance, bad comfort. And all-around bad tire and not cheap either unless you use a 205-55-16 and then you can visit forums.clubrsx.com and buy them used for $10 each....My winter tires (Dunlop M2s) outperform them....sad

911S Targa · 911S Targa's Garage

I HAD Michelin's on my Sonata . My goodness they were the WORST set of tires Ive ever owned, and these came from the factory. I went and put some Goodyear Assurance tires on, and they are AMAZING. Being in Vegas, and having it rain only 9 times a year, these puppies stuck to the oil soaked roads here everytimed it rained. I almost met a few walls with the Michelin's that were on it.

FrayAdjacent911 · 06-14-2005, 01:27 PM

I guess Hyundai is using Michelin for OEM tires. So far that's three against and one for.

I have looked at a few models, including the Pilot Sports, but nothing Michelin offers appeals to me.

Rot 911 · 06-14-2005, 01:33 PM

They are expensive, but I don't think you will ever hear anyone say something bad about the Bridgestone S03's. Great road handling in both dry and wet weather and they stay sticky even down to the wear bars. I run them on my 911 and will continue to pay the $$$ for them.

FrayAdjacent911 · 06-14-2005, 02:11 PM

They look nice Kurt. A bit spendy... Right now, the Kumho Ecsta ASX are the front runners. Not a bad price, and more of an all season performance tire. A buddy had them on his 02 'Vette, and he liked them.

M.D. Holloway · 06-14-2005, 08:34 PM

I stand corrected - I have made a mistake. I goes to show you that even a tight production unit and an applealing QC doesn't make for a product that the customer likes. I shall continue my personal quest for engineering enlightenment.

FrayAdjacent911 · 06-15-2005, 01:34 PM

Looks like the Kumhos are still the front runner. I threw up a similar question on another forum (non car related, but the GD there discusses all kinds of things!), and the Kumhos seem to be the winner there.

Now I gotta wait until I can get some OT next month and see if any of the local shops (Discount Tire, NTB, etc) have them, and what their prices are, or just order them from Tirerack.com.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

My wife's 5 series came with the MXV4's - they were horrible for sporting driving (suited my wife's boulevard cruising style fine). Replaced them with Bridgestone Turanzas which are OK.

I'll need to replace the Pirelli P6s on my Volvo T5. I'm thinking the Bridgestone RE950s based upon TireRack reviews.

onewhippedpuppy · 06-15-2005, 06:59 PM

Do a search both here and on Rennlist on the Fuzion ZRis, I put them on my 951 and love them. Took the edge of bumps, smooth ride, quiet at highway speeds, and sticks nicely. So far they're good in the wet too, not designed for snow though. It's a Bridgestone product, Matt H on Rennlist (Bridgestone Employee) says it's 90% of the SO3 technology, for half the price. I only paid $420 installed for 17" sizes at the local Firestone store, cheaper than Tire Rack.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-15-2005, 08:16 PM

I have nothing but good things to say about Bridgestone.

I also have to say that from personal experience, Michelin's suck..

wludavid · wludavid's Garage

Have you thought about the Falken Ziex 512? Good treadwear, inexpensive and very competent in the rain. I've got some on the BMW right now and I like them well enough - even autocrossed 'em a few times.

Can't comment on snow/ice, but you say that's not a priority for you anway.

http://www.vulcantire.com/ze512_t.htm

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-16-2005, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
I put Sumitomo HTR tires on my daily driver BMW. These are the BEST tires I've ever used on it!

Good handling, nice and quiet, they track straight and true (not all tires do that on 80's BMW which are very sensitive to tire roundness), and wear well, too. Very inexpensive, too!

Thats funny, i put them on my BMW and hated them.. No sidewall stiffness, car always feels like Im driving through mud. They also wore out very quickly

RickM · RickM's Garage

I'vehad Sumitomo HR 200s on my Heavy MB sl and couldn't be happier. Quiet, excellent handling and tread is 80% after two years....and $42 a pop.

onewhippedpuppy · 06-16-2005, 09:34 AM

I had worn Sumis on my 951 when I bought it, they were hard as a rock and overpowered the radio with their high pitched oscillating noise. I had Falken Ziex ZE512s on my 911t, let's just say they were slightly better than the dry rotted Yokohamas that I replaced. Cheap though.