Recommend Z-rated tires (performance, but good price!)

Dan · Nov 29, 2001

I have been using Dunlop Sport W-10 (215/45/17) and I love them, but three are really bald. I can either replace these three (the 4th is only a couple months old) with the same model ($100-$110 each) or I can go for something else.

As far as performance is concerned, these are fine by me... I couldn't be happier, and traction isn't an issue.

But what about price? Are there any other z-rated tires that come approximately in this size for a better price, that can compare, performance-wise?

If so, list them here. Thanks!

RippinGSX · Nov 29, 2001

First of all, why are'nt you running 235/45/17's ??? I have Bridgestone Potenza 225/50/zr16's and they are awesome. This was my second summer on them and I can't see any visible signs of wear whatsoever and they grip like a mother. I got them from http://www.tirerack.com for about $130 each. Check em out. They blow the crap out of the Goodyear GSC's I had before.

97TSiAWD · Nov 29, 2001

Kumho Ecsta Supra tires. Around $100 each--I'm running 225/45ZR-17 tires on 17x8 wheels since spring and they're great. They are the best value in tires I could find (among performance tires).

Jon

90TSI-AWD · Nov 29, 2001

I run Kumho Ecsta Supra's in 225/45ZR17 on Enkei RSE 17x7 rims, and they are great tires. I had them for about 3K. No traction problems, good ride and they are quiet. I don't plan on buying anything else. They are cheap too, got all four installed for about $430

Hor · Nov 29, 2001

I've had Pirelli P7000 SuperSports in 225/50/ZR16 for about a year. I like the tires, especially the tread design, but I think there are probably better tires for the money. These were ~130 a piece from tirerack.com, and they are a lot better than the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE92s that came with the car (which incidentally cost about $135 from the tirerack). The tires seem to track straight and handle the corners well, but they are a little louder than stock (not too bad though). Unless you need them for winter driving, don't get the M+S all season version of the tire. I have the all-seasons, which aren't really worth it IMHO since after just 10k miles they aren't doing all that great in the snow.

RippinGSX--which Potenzas do you have? I didn't really care too much for the O.E. RE92s and the tread lasted less than 30k miles on each of the two sets I had. I've heard the RE730s and a few others are really good though.

RippinGSX · Nov 29, 2001

I have the 730's and they are sweet. 6000+ miles on them so far and I can see no signs of wear yet and I drive it hard and burn them off every now and then. Excellent traction wet or dry. I went around a 35mph corner at 80 plus with no squeal from the tires, they stick like glue. Tread wear rating is 320 I believe which is pretty damn high. Traction is AA rating which is also excellent.

dsm1995gst · Nov 29, 2001

I really find it amusing when you AWD guys say you have no traction problems with your tires. Very funny. =D

Anyway, I'm glad you started this thread because I too am looking for some good street tires, but I'm FWD.

Hor · Nov 29, 2001

dsm1995gst said:
I really find it amusing when you AWD guys say you have no traction problems with your tires. Very funny. =D

Anyway, I'm glad you started this thread because I too am looking for some good street tires, but I'm FWD.

So true.

But, given some snow and ice, I can still have minor traction problems. I've never gotten stuck, but give it a little too much gas and the back end will always step out on me. And it'll always step out to the right...I wonder if that's because the left side of the car is heavier. Anyhow, it's so much fun making the car act like a RWD car going around a corner in snow and it is so much easier to catch than an actual RWD vehicle.

RippinGSX · Nov 29, 2001

I love doing that too except I can do it on dry pavement too

Hor · Nov 29, 2001

RippinGSX said:
I love doing that too except I can do it on dry pavement too

I can't wait until I can do that on dry pavement **crosses fingers**

woo-hoo!

Although I do get some surprised looks when I get all four wheels spinning when going around a corner if there is a little sand on the road. AWD is so much fun

EclipseXstacy · Nov 29, 2001

97TSiAWD said:
Kumho Ecsta Supra tires. Around $100 each--I'm running 225/45ZR-17 tires on 17x8 wheels since spring and they're great. They are the best value in tires I could find (among performance tires).

Jon

where did you get them at?

IRalliWannaRace · Nov 29, 2001

I run 205/55 r15 nitto nt450's on my galant vr4 although not z rated, these tire tear it up all season long, they are very good in the dry while performing excellent in the rain. and snow for non snow tires definalty the best there is. cost 78 dollars each, a steal. And eclipseexstacy why would you use a 16g with a 4g63 flat six. I think 3.8 liters would need something a bit bigger than that. But would proably smoke a supra.

EclipseXstacy · Nov 29, 2001

IRalliWannaRace said:
eclipseexstacy why would you use a 16g with a 4g63 flat six. I think 3.8 liters would need something a bit bigger than that. But would proably smoke a supra.

i guess a ported 16g would work. I'm pretty sure the manufacture wouldn't provide us with a 20g if they made this engine. Cost you know.

16g-95GSX · Nov 30, 2001

You guys would actually pay 100 dollars for a tire? Everyone knows paying 200 each tire is the way to go
(That was sarcasm by the way). I tell you toyo's are the absolute best tires I have ever had but the price kills you. You chirp off the line and you can literally see the dollar bills make their own burn marks on the pavement. O yea and that price was for 16" if you haven't noticed from my sig.

How much do Nitto 555's go for?

Cazzo · Nov 30, 2001

Personally I would say the Nitto 450's were some of the least gripping tires I've owned and IMO were only a small improvement over the stockers. I could set the 450's free pretty easily, making 1st to 2nd spinning no prob, and this was on the t-25. They lasted less than 12k miles, which is horrible for a tire of its wear rating (30k + miles), and most likely because they just spin too easy.

The 555's on the other hand are fairly cheap for their performance, tread life and speed rating. Now with a bigger turbo and wheels, they will not let me light up shifting from 1st -2nd (unless of course I purposely dump it). I do lose traction at the top of 2nd WOT, but that is expected from a 320+ whp FWD and there probably isn't a tire out there that will hold it. I have nearly 25k miles on these, with still about 20-30% to go. They have a much less wear raiting than the 450's and I've doubled the life compared to the 450's (I too am Surprised as I never had a tire last so long). I paid close to $225 ea for the 555's, but then again I'm at 19", which is a major downside for cost (and performance). 17" and lower are in the $100-$150 range.

I'm pretty sure the Nitto 555's are some of the cheapest high performance tires there are, and you will get way more than you pay for.

I have a friend with the khumo (720 or something like that) tires on his LX mustang. Avoid these. He now feels like he has a GT because he can spin his tires shifting from 1st-2nd, and its funny how he tells me stories about how he smokes GT's on the freeway (he is completely stock V6 btw and slower than a snail).

Another tire I have experience with are Pirelli P-Zero's. Not worth the $200 premium you pay for the name, although they definately are good tires, but not much better than 555's. They lasted a whopping 9k miles. I'd be happier flushing the extra 600-800 bones down the drain then buy these again knowing that 4 months later they are toast.

I've heard continental makes some good tires for the price but I've never owned a set.

Good luck. Tire selection can make you or break you and in most cases, you get what you pay for.

[Edited by Cazzo on 11-30-2001 at 01:34 AM]

turboniam · Dec 2, 2001

Kuhmo Ecsta

My 2 cents... I have the Kuhmo Supra Ecsta and I like them alot!

Recommend Z-rated tires (performance, but good price!)

Dan

RippinGSX

97TSiAWD

90TSI-AWD

Hor

RippinGSX

dsm1995gst

Hor

RippinGSX

Hor

EclipseXstacy

IRalliWannaRace

EclipseXstacy

16g-95GSX

Cazzo

turboniam

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