Auto-X/Street Tire Choice.

[Sabretooth]

Ok, this is a basic discussion thread for what tires you think are best or use for both Autocross and Street applications.

Basic Contenders under $100 per tire: Base selection is set for 205/50/16, so tire prices may vary depending on application. All prices were checked at Tirerack.com

Fuzion ZRi
Falken Ziex 912
Pirelli PZero Nero
Khumo AST or ASX
Goodyear Eagle GT
Yokohama S drive

The Yoko's seemed to test best in their class...but real world tests are more of where I like to see the truth


Please keep it on topic for tire use for both street and track purposes, we all know that you could spend the little extra and get Proxes or KDW's and have a much better feel or grip, but most of us out there are not willing to spend $130 per tire, unless its a must.

[HTM Yaris]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?width=195%2F&ratio=55&diameter=15&skipOver=true&y=9&ratio=55&skipOver=true&width=195%2F&diameter=15&x=18&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&RunFlat=All

These are much better suited to your needs than the tires you have listed

OOOps I posted 15" tires instead of 16"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?sortValue=1&filterType=all&resultsNumberSelected=Y&displayResults=10&compare=true&compareList=&RunFlat=All&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&sortCode=&width=205%2F&ratio=50&diameter=16&startIndex=0

Try the Hankooks Ventus

[kurokoma-kun]

For Falken, imo the RT-615 is the better choice. I don't know about your 16s but my 205/50/15s were some $80 apiece (Discount Tire). I'm on my second set of these for daily driving (I figured don't I want grip at least as much on the street as at an auto-x?) and the only tires I've ever liked better were a set of Michelin Pilots that cost twice as much.

I switched to the Falkens from a set of the Kumho ASXs... I didn't like the kuhmos that much at any inflation, and they were downright scary in the rain.

[Loren]

Any of those would be fine for street use and mediocre for autocross use.

For serious grip, the current best street/autox tires are (in order from good to better):
Hankook RS2
Falken Azenis
BFG Potenza RE-01 (on closeout, possibly cheap)
Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec
Toyo R1-R

Most of those can be had for under $100 in 15" sizes (except the Toyos), don't know about 16s. Check the status of the closeout on the RE-01 at the Tire Rack, the prices were GREAT, and it's a fantastic tire!

[Thirty-Nine]

I run my Falken Ziex 912s on the street and do the occasional autocross with them, too. I've been happy with their performance for what they are.

Being in Florida, you probably don't need an all-season tire, though (since it doesn't get that cold). If I were you, I'd go with a summer tire. Here in Oregon it gets cold enough in the winter (32 or less sometimes) that I don't want to run a summer-only tire.

[Sabretooth]

Yea, summer tires are a do-able thing here, coldest it got this winter was 31, no snow...just ice on the windshield.

I had a set of Falken 912's, loved em...but that was because I was going from all season radials that were heavy, bulky, and didnt grip worth a damn.

When I got my rims now, I went with the cheapest performance compound tire I could get, which ended up being about the same feel as the 912's, but I did have another inch of just rim, then another 1.25 inch of tire wider than the last ones. So I wasnt really sure if it was just due to the increased contact with the road or the actual tire itself.

Thats why I started this thread, I am trying to find a good compromise between cost, treadwear, and most of all traction.

[Loren]

Get a set of RE-01's or Star Specs. They will blow your mind.

[ChinoCharles]

Man, I'm kind of pissed I got 912's now. Where was this thread a year ago? :laugh:

[SailDesign]

I'll still swear by the Proxes4 on the car now. Only $99 each from Tiresavings.com excl. shipping.
But you knew that... :smile:

[Sabretooth]

Damn...thanx for the website, Toyo T1-R are only 118 a pop.
LOL but the R1-R are $165

Anyone had luck with the Falken FK 452's?

[SailDesign]

Damn...thanx for the website, Toyo T1-R are only 118 a pop.
LOL but the R1-R are $165

LOL +1 - but I like tires that slide just before the car rolls. :biggrin:

[Loren]

FYI, the T1-R is a completely different animal. The R1-R is almost a "race tire for the street", super-grippy, super-responsive.

The T1-R is fairly grippy, but not as grippy as an Azenis. It is a GREAT all-around tire, and fantastic in the rain. It's shortcoming from the performance aspect is that it has soft sidewalls... great for ride quality and quietness, but really poor steering response and feedback.

[KCALB SIRAY]

sub'd

[LtNoogie]

I ordered a set of Kuhmo ecsta XS on Friday. I hope to have them installed this Friday before Sunday's autox event. 205/50-15

[supmet]

Damn...thanx for the website, Toyo T1-R are only 118 a pop.
LOL but the R1-R are $165

Anyone had luck with the Falken FK 452's?

LOL +1 - but I like tires that slide just before the car rolls. :biggrin:

and I like tires that cost less dollars than the treadwear rating

How much do the proxes and T1s weigh??

edit: google answered, nvm

http://www.miata.net/faq/tire_weights.html

the T1s are pretty light actually.

[eTiMaGo]

Anyone had luck with the Falken FK 452's?

I'm using them, but in 18" size...over 20,000km (roughly 12,500mi) and the fronts are getting a little bald, time for a front to back swap soon :tongue:

Overall they've been really good. Mind you, I don't really have experience with other performance tires, but they have served my needs well, most importantly they handle tropical rainstorms well :biggrin:

But, I understand they're more of a "show" tire than a true performance one...

[Yaris-x]

I just bought a Set of Dunlop Star specs and for the little bit I used them on the street they cruise very smooth but roar at about 40mph and the roar goes away at highway speeds. As far as handling they are amazing I got to test them in wet and dry and didn't feel all that different. i recomend these big time!!!!!

[Ton]

Why dont you try the Khumo ecsta MX or the Pirelli PZero Nero or the Falken Azenis RT-615, those are good ones!

[mojoyaris]

How about the Nitto NT-05 which compete with the Azenis 615's? I'm not sure about pricing in the US, but they are comparable to the ones you 've listed in Canada.

The Toyo R1R's are a great tire for ST class. In Canada, there are some regions that don't run SCCA ruling and they don't qualify for ST type classes. You'd have to go do something that is 200 utqg and above.
Since the R1R is 140, right at the legal limit for street tire class in SCCA.

The T1R is an awful tire for the track. yuck. Especially road tracks in a Miata.
Azenis are known to get a bit greasy on a hot day and I hear that the Nitto NT-05 has addressed those concerns and are very competitive. I think their utqg rating is 200.
Great for the street and solo 2 courses and it looks good.

I'm getting a set of T1R's for the street just because its an easy and forgiving tire. Loren is very correct here with that tire.

I may be a bit biased with Toyo and Nitto tires, but they make a good tire, especially the R1R. For a few bucks more, it may be worth it.??

[dallas]

I autocrossed both the RS2 and the RT615 while the RT615 had better turn in feel, I did better with the RS2, it may have been due to running in colder weather, it seemed to me like the RT615 needed to be really hot to work, on cold days in the spring and early fall the RT 615 fell short.



Any of those would be fine for street use and mediocre for autocross use.

For serious grip, the current best street/autox tires are (in order from good to better):
Hankook RS2
Falken Azenis
BFG Potenza RE-01 (on closeout, possibly cheap)
Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec
Toyo R1-R

Most of those can be had for under $100 in 15" sizes (except the Toyos), don't know about 16s. Check the status of the closeout on the RE-01 at the Tire Rack, the prices were GREAT, and it's a fantastic tire!

[Loren]

The Azenis (and pretty much every other tire I mentioned) is a "summer tire". Performance is going to fall off as the temperature decreases. You'll probably notice a decrease in grip below 70-75 degrees ambient. And it will SHARPLY drop off from there.

Cold tires suck.

[LtNoogie]

I can't wait to test my new Kumho Ecsta XS in May at the next autox. They are noisy in a gravelly parking lot because the rubber picks up little pebbles which are then flung onto the plastic fender covers.

[Ton]

This year I´m running on Yokohama AVS Sport, I´m gonna test it this sunday!! then I tell you how was it!

[anonymous user]

In my region, a lot of ST classed cars swap tires, even in those classes.
I'd say spend some cash and get some great summer tires. Any of those mentioned would be good, advan neovas would be the king of street tires.
IMO, learn to drive on crappy tires will help immensely when you purchase a better set.

I taught myself how to race on AVONTECH M550's. These tires were horrible for racing, but have like 420?? treadwear. Thresh-hold driving, or driving at the limits can be more easily attained on rock hard-like tires.

[cali yaris]

Toyo R1-R comes in a 205/50/16 -- NICE, might have to put these on next.

[Morgan]

I race in a large, concrete airport/helicopter landing area in south eastern Alabama and I always found that the azenis 615s would overheat :iono: they would get slippery between runs and I started carrying a garden sprayer to cool them off between runs since they would slip and chew through tread in the events April-November... the tires were great in December/January! :biggrin:

I'm tempted by the star-specs, anyone running them for an autox tire and recommend them?

[SailDesign]

I'm tempted by the star-specs, anyone running them for an autox tire and recommend them?

My older boy is putting them on for this year - I'll let you know how he likes them.

[Loren]

I'm tempted by the star-specs, anyone running them for an autox tire and recommend them?
Perhaps you should read this thread that you're posting in? :wink:

The only street tire I know of that's better than the Star Specs right now is the Toyo R1-R.

[cali yaris]

Loren, what do you think of the BF Goodrich T/A g-force KDW?

I have those on now, pretty sticky and not too bad in the wet.

[Loren]

Never tried the T/A's, they were always WAY too pricey. Heard good things about them, but never even seen them used locally, so have no direct experience.

They're also one of those tires that's not available in 15", so I pretty much disregard them.

I think the KD's are the ones you'd want for autocross.

[Yaris-x]

Like I mentioned earlier I am running Star specs and love them so far my 1st Auto-x is April 28th and we shall see how good they are on track. I have a feeling tire pressure is going to be key.

[Sabretooth]

I think im gonna end up soon buying 2 rims and mounting Star Specs on them just for auto-x...but I need to get out to the track first, lol

[ozmdd]

Azenis are the best bang-for-the-buck, and will definitely give you great performance. Also, they can be "flipped" with no adverse effects, unless driving in water, but fine for autoX. They will get greasy, but almost any tire will down here in Texas, April-November. Everyone uses the sprayer trick here, especially those on R-comps.

The star spec is a better tire for autox, but is more expensive, and is really only a must-have for people running at the top of their class (not a Yaris in HS if there is a Mini there), or someone who just wants a great tire for street and track. If you don't care about the extra $$, you'll love them.

[cali yaris]

ordered R1-R's. 'spensive. :eek:

My BF Goodrich's are pretty shot, will wear them out the rest of the way when I get my car back, then switch.

[Loren]

You'll like the R1-R's.

[Sabretooth]

Any updates from out Autocross peeps out there testing new rubber?

[kngrsll]

I just bought a set of Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec and hope to do a track day May 15th. I will let you know how they hold up! :D

[SpeedwayPerformance]

I found the star specs to be a amazing tire traction wise. But they do ware fairly quickly. I fail to understand how they managed to get a treadwear rating of 200. They are nearly as soft as the Blizzak WS-60s I have on my winter beater.

[kngrsll]

I found the star specs to be a amazing tire traction wise. But they do ware fairly quickly. I fail to understand how they managed to get a treadwear rating of 200. They are nearly as soft as the Blizzak WS-60s I have on my winter beater.

:( dont tell me that! is that with heavy track use or just street driving?

[Sabretooth]

You guys who must have the new tires... Tirerack has new tires in stock now:

Size 205/45/16
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
"The Potenza RE-11 is the first Potenza street tire to incorporate Bridgestone's 3D Seamless Stealth technology originally introduced in their Formula 1 and GP2 racing tires. The Potenza RE-11 features an asymmetric tread pattern that combines massive outboard independent shoulder blocks interlocked with a notched circumferential intermediate rib that provides the lateral stiffness needed to enhance steering response and increase dry cornering traction. Inboard, a continuous intermediate rib and notched shoulder rib are separated by wide, straight circumferential grooves that provide water evacuation to resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction."


I can only guess that these are going after the Dunlop Star Specs