Tire Dilemma

IROC · IROC's Garage

I have run DOT R-compound tires on my car since 1997, so I am somewhat out of the loop when it comes to "street" tires. I am very quickly going to need a set of tires as I am showing cords on my Yoko A032s. The problem is that, due to family constraints, etc., I haven't done any track events in awhile and probably won't in the next 6 months or so at the earliest.

I am considering getting a set of inexpensive street tires (something like some Yoko ES100s). I don't see the need in another set of R-compound tires with my current usage. I also don't see the need in spending $200 + on S03s or something.

My thought is the ES100s (or similar) would be a decent street tire to last a while and would fit my current street usage. What I don't know is the "what if" I decided to do a track day on them. Would they hold up? Would I ruin them?

Thanks for any insights. BTW, I'm probably looking at 225/50-16s front and 255/40-17s rear in something cheap if anybody has any recommendations.

Thanks!

Mike

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

I have been very happy with the kuhmo mx's. price is right there with the yokos and they have gotten some good reviews for track use recently in the ax/track section.Tire report: Kuhmo MXs rock!

rfuerst911sc · 10-24-2005, 02:45 PM

I have the ES100's on my 83SC and have done 5 auto crosses with them and they are holding up fine. They are not the ultimate performance tire but the price reflects that. On my 944S I ran Kuhmo 712's and was happy with those also.

Jack Olsen · 10-24-2005, 02:50 PM

Harder tires will hold up better than softer ones in just about all circumstances. This might not hold true with very heavy cars (although I don't see why it wouldn't), but your car is light.

Reckless opinion: Guys who chew up street tires at the track and complain that R-compounds are their only viable option are usually either running the wrong suspension settings and tire pressures, or simply trying to rationalize the more expensive R-compounds in the hopes they'll be faster.

jester911 · jester911's Garage

I got fuzion ZR1s from tire rack. All in all about 150 bucks cheaper including having mounted on wheels than my last set of tires that were toyo.

I love these tires. Grip like mad and wear very well for a street tire.

I will buy these again when it is time.

Also I have to share a funny story about having the tires mounted.

They were delivered to my house and I had just bought a set of aftermarket Ronal wheels.

I took the wheels and tires to the preferred shop in the area in the back of my pickup. I went in and asked the manager on duty what the cost of mounting and balacing was. He looked at what I had and said it would be 25 dollars per wheel.

I said do it. So as the guy is writing up the bill he says, by the way what kind of car are these going on.
I replied a 911. The guy actually said, well we do normally charge 55 dollars per wheel for porsches.

He did give them to me for the agreed price.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Thanks for the responses. Looks like a cheap set of tires is on the agenda! I've looked at the Kumhos and the ES100s - I'll check out the Fuzions also. A friend at work just put them on his 300ZX.

Thanks!

Mike

howiee · howiee's Garage

Went from Dunlops to the Fuzion ZR1's. Very inpressed. In the rain they surpass the Dunlops and I haven't been able to get the ass out in the dry yet. Would definetly buy them again. Check the Tire Rack's review on them. That's what made me buy them.

MuffinMan · 10-25-2005, 06:32 AM

I drove a friend's Corvette with Kumho MX's at Watkins Glen a few years ago and I was very impressed with them. They also held up great after two days of hard track use. I currently have Kumho SPTs on my Boxster, but they have only seen street duty. I don't have experience with many other high performance street tires, but I love both of these Kumho models.

Jeff · 10-25-2005, 06:45 AM

May want to check out the Toyo T1-R. 280 tread wear. That is what I am putting on my 87 in about a month. My tire guy said it would be around $620 mounted, balanced & tax. I run 225/45/17 & 255/40/17.

Flipseat · 10-25-2005, 08:10 AM

I have a pair of 225/50/16 Michelin Pilot HX speed rated "V" that are new if anyone wants them. Tire Rack gets $166 per tire (plus shipping) and I'd let them go for $250 + shipping from WI if anyone wanted them. I'll give first dibs to IROC, although I couldn't find the same tire in 255/40/17 from tirerack to match a set.

I run SO3s up front in 205/50/16. The car had 205/55 on it, but the tire would catch the left fender lip if you turned and went over a bump... like going into a driveway. So, I had to go a little shorter. I have 245/45/16 Potenza RE750s on the rear and the car seems to handle very well, although I haven't throuroughly flogged it yet.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I would also check out the Avon Tech M500...

or the Sumitomo HTR Z

I feel like tire technology has increased tremendously - you will probably not be able to tell much difference between these tires in everyday driving.

Jeff Higgins · 10-25-2005, 10:25 AM

In the last couple of years I have run both the ES100's and now the Avon Tech M500's. I'm very happy with both. I got two full seasons of almost monthly DE's and track days out of the ES100's, plus over 20,000 street miles. They were anything but worn out when I took them off; they started rubbing due to some suspension changes. I was going to get a smaller set of them but decided to try the Avons instead. I've run three track days on them, both in the rain and the dry. They worked great in both. I think in the long run I'll wind up liking them better than the ES100's. It's about a wash on the price between the two.

dmcproud · 10-25-2005, 10:46 AM

I have Pirelli Ruso on my 911 and Nitti 555 Extreme Performance on my Cobra - I am so amazed at how much better tires are than they used to be

D

DW SD · 10-25-2005, 10:50 AM

Second (or third) the Kumho MXs. Good tires, good value. Worked well at the track for a street tire.

Yellowbird RS · 10-25-2005, 11:22 AM

Pirelli Zero Nero cheap & chic
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Nero+M%26S

Coral Red Syd · 12-12-2005, 01:30 PM

Its been awhile and its time for new tires. Car is a performance driver and I need Z's for the routine high speeds 130 +++.
Remember that Pirelli put out P7000's but now they look like they are unavailable. Its been awhile since I've looked at tires for the little lady. Was thinking about P-Zero Nero asymetric for the rear with a directional on the front. Have 225-50-R16s front and 205-55-R16s on the rear. Looks like I would have to use the P-Zero Nero asymetric for both front and rear for the sizing. Don't really want to do this and remember that looking at the Nero's a year ago it left a bad taste in my mouth - don't remember why, think it was that the nero's were the lesser model from Pirelli for street rice cars.
If there are some track folks out there, what's the best street tire?
Thanks!!!!

Coral Red Syd · 12-12-2005, 01:54 PM

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+System+Direzionale&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=055ZR60DN3&fromCompare1=yes&place=2

Found this. Thoughts?

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cbeers · 12-12-2005, 02:21 PM

I ran through two sets of the ES100s and have just recently switched to the Kumho MXs. The MXs are FOR SURE a softer, stickier tire. Nothing crazy, but a lot better already over the Yoks.

Time will bring the long term review, but so far, I wouldn't go back to Yoks.

Near the end, they were like solid rubber wheels on a shopping cart

-Chris

chuckr · 12-13-2005, 05:19 AM

I just put the Toyo T1-R's on my 89. I had some old Yoko AVS Intermeaditaes (?) The Toyo's are holding up pretty good so far,
I haven't pushed them hard yet. I got mine from
www.edgeracing.com pretty good price, close to the
ES100's

Jack Gresham · Jack Gresham's Garage

I did 2 DE's on Kuhmo MX, great tire great price.

Jack, 87 Carrera