***Tire Poll***

[carnut169]

In talking to different people many have unique opinions about what tires are good and which are not- my guess is that it depends on the commissions being offered.... anyway I would like to try and get a unbiased group opinion. So, if you have a personal experience or have an educated opinion please cast your vote! My criteria is simply a good tire at a good price. I know that better tires exist, but at double the cost! Thanks, Sean.

[adamnitti]

since you said 'best tire for the money', i'm casting my vote for the kumhos. there's nothing remotely that good that compares for the price they are asking. now, there are definitely stickier tires, but these work pretty darn well for the money.

(fwiw, i've had dunlop sp sports, michelin pilots, and yoko all seasons before...)

[Targa Dude]

Hey, I dont Track my car.. so for street use I went with
Bridgestone SO2 Pole Position II and I have to say I am pleased
with the way they handle and they wear well too.

Jorge ( Targa Dude)

[carnut169]

Oh- my sizes are 255/40/17 and 235/45/17 (or so). Prices are as follows:
1. (A520 TL) $127.00 and 119.00
2. (Kumho) $107 and $98
3.(HTRZ II) $122 and $103
4. (Pirelli) $148 and $148

[Colby]

I second the vote for Kumho's. For the price they are amazing. Even absent the price, they are still amazing tires. They wear well, the grip is awesome. I'm sure there are better tires, but if you're not on the track, you'll never know the difference (so why pay more?).

Colby

[skinnerd]

I also vote for Kuhmo's. I run 205 and 245 on 16x7 and 16x8 for the street. Great value for the money. -Doug

[89Targa]

I went with the Bridgestone S03's. They are a big improvement over the Yoko's that were on the car. However in fairness the Yoko's were worn down to the wear bars.

Tire Rack rates the Bridgestone S03 as "the tire to beat". IMHO the price difference on tires gets lost in the rounding when compared to the cost of maintaining our cars. Buy whatever tire turns you on and go have fun.

[H20911]

kumhos

225/45 on 16x7 front

245/45 on 16x9 rear.

I really like them a bunch. Can't beat the price either!

[boyo]

I loved my Pirellis in the dry - for about 12K miles. I guess I missed the "for the money" part...

-Boyo

[carnut169]

Looks like the Kuhmos are it.... and at 107 & 98 I am glad! Thanks!

[Blackdimonds]

I vote for the Kumho's, mainly for "bang for the buck". However, I have a couple complaints with the Kumhos I just put on the rear of my car. First, they seem to run wider than the BFGs I had before. The BGFs were 255s and fit with no rubbing, where as the Kumho 255s rub slightly on the oil line in the right rear. I have had to buy 7mm spacers to get the wheel away from the oil line.

Second, is the very touch nature of the tires reaction to air pressure. A difference of 3 lbs at a recent autocross made the car go from too much oversteer to too much understeer. That is very touchy in my opinion.

Over all though, the price is great, and wet traction is very good.

[jsmarcus]

For all around street driving, I loved my Pirelli P7000 Supersports, but they wore out way too fast. Good in dry/wet and not bad in snow.

I've had BFGoodrich KDWS on for a year now and they are great tires in dry, ok in wet, not sure about snow.

Good bang for the buck tires here.....

[VenezianBlau 87]

It's not that "I wouldn't buy any of these". I couldn't pass up the $60 something AVS Intermediates (Yokohama) for 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear from tirerack.com a few months ago.

They are more than a match for my daily driving on two lane country roads and expressways. I'm one of those who drives his 911 as much as possible.

Cheers
--------------------
Bob Sauerteig
'87 Carrera

[gr8fl4porsche]

I am considering the Yoko AVS Intermediates as the price is hard to beat. But when you read the reviews on tirerack.com, its hard to not go with the Bridgestone SO3's.
Almost every review of the SO3's states that its the best tire they have ever had.

[RoninLB]

S-03 = home run
Simply-- Like a young Mako eyeballing a school of Mackerel...'77 2.7, 25 1/4 & 24 3/4 to fender, sport eng/trans.mounts, 22/27 springs, stock sway bars, 205-55-16 all, Fuchs, Weltmeister bushings F/R. The traditional sneakers were RE-71, went thru a few sets of them. The S-03 is a serious, relaxing, eager sneaker waiting to perform, relative to the RE-71....
The best street action on Long Island, IMO, is Northern State Pky. It was built after WW 2 for scenic Sunday drives with a speed limit of 45 mph. It was shortly raised to 55 mph. N. S. is all twisties. Anyway, the late metro NY commuter scene is wild. The most eastern 20 mi. is twisting, narrow, 2 lanes[going east] stretch I like for late evening rides travels at 70-90 mph. The BMW/Lexas crowd rides the left lane. The S-03 was able to position quickly and effortlessly avoiding the bears feeding on the Mackerel at 90 in 2 narrow twisting lanes. The greater the speed the stronger the S-03's control of traffic, compared to the RE-71. What suprised me was not the firm ride but the lack of harmonics transfered to the cabin. A quiet, low harmonics, but firm, impressive, excellent street tire, IMO....Ron

[targa88]

I agree with 89 Targa and RoninLB. I have been running SO3 PP for the last year; both on the road and for DEWs. Good road handling capacity and great water evacuation for both kind of activities. Quiet ride on the road but enough grip for the track.

[orph]

Since we are on the subject of tires, does anyone have any experience with Goodyear's Eagle HP Ultra Plus ? TireRack has them listed under the " Ultra High Performance" Category.

[carnut169]

I believe that the S03s are a great tire but are they twice as good? I ordered them (the Kuhmos) today at work (discounted price, no shipping, no taxes) for $382.00. Thats all four 255/40ZR/17 and 225/45ZR/17- just can't beat it with a stick. Thanks for your help- as usual the board comes through!

I will report how they feel compared to the Sport Contacts when I get them mounted and have a chance to go to the mountains.