Help me choose a tire ...

[TouringBubble]

Alright, after my RS2's died in under 8000 miles, I've decided to go with something a little more tame for the street this time. I've picked a few to consider based on a few factors, but if you have other suggestions, please chime in. Otherwise, let me know if you have any experience with the tires I've listed. I will not be driving hard on these for the most part ... I'll get separate sticky tires mounted on my BBSs for that.

What I'm looking for:
$90 - $110 each (I've got a tire guy that can get most brands)
235/45/17 or 245/45/17 or 255/40/17
300 - 350 TW
W, Y or Z rated
Decent dry and wet traction ... AA or A.

These are the ones I've found so far ...

Dunlop Direzza DZ101
BFGoodrich g-Force Sport
Yokohama S.drive
Falken Fk452
Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance

[EWaugh]

My experiance with Falken is that they suck in the rain, that could have changed in the last two years though.

I tried to get the yoko's a couple of months ago and was told they wouldn't be avaible until March.

[aufoxy]

I like Nittos, I drove the Neogens all last year and they were great, would have lasted a lot longer than 9,000 miles if I hadnt of autocrossed them. I would suggest them but I think they were more expensive than $110, and they might be a little less tame than youre looking for, with a treadwear rating of 220...

[zukitek]

Gimme a break...For those interested ...

H rated tires are for the street(used wherever you may )Afterall, every racer knows that street DD tires are always derived from a used source.

V rated tires are for rich suckers who own MB or Any other idiot buying a premium car with no knowledge of what to do with it ...(on track car or track car oriented person) .These are usually bought new .

W, R and Z rated tires are _ALWAYS_ bought new due to the fact that __we_(who know that this is the best bang for the buck) are who these tires were built for .

I tried RS2...CRAP..I tried NITTO...CRAP...I tried Kumho victos....CRAP...Go on and get the Kumho V710 as a minimum.The MANUP is a HOOSIER .Im not presently in the manup category.Im still running V710 Kumhos .Then again Im married with children so i have that excuse .

RR

I now return you to your normally scheduled programming .

[TouringBubble]

Ricky ... did you read my post? I need a DD tire that can handle 350 HP and last about 20k+. I don't need a V710.

[TouringBubble]

With lots of feedback from different sources, I think I'm down to these choices ... it may depend on what my friend can get me.

Falken Fk452 - $91 - Y, 300, AA, A
Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance - $104, W, 300, A, A
General Exclaim UHP - $96, W, 380, A, A

[Focus]

I've loved my g-Force Sports for DD. I'll check how many miles when I'm on lunch, as they are about to be replaced. I've heard good things about the General Exclaim UHP from several people in a bang for the buck sense. Sidewalls are really squishy but thats ok for DD.

[TouringBubble]

Yeah, squishy sidewall i can deal with ... I mainly need longitudinal grip. If I DS to pass, I don't want to lose traction. I've got about 330 - 340 TQ that hits pretty hard, so that's the only reason I don't want super hard all seasons.

[Focus]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Sport&partnum=54WR7GFSP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=21

If a 255 doesn't rub then this might be your best deal. I don't know if that will fit your wheels, though.

[TouringBubble]

Yeah, I can run a 255/40 ... that's a good price. Thanks.

[EvoLady]

yeah i think Ricky was not paying attention when he was posting! lol

i think i'm going back with the R615s. i just love that tire and Edge racing has the 255 for $125 each. not bad really. i can usually make them last almost a year (as in dont take them off till the metal is showing or i have a flat tire). and you know how much i drive so thats some good mileage. (no autoxing them)

[JohnW8]

I was going to suggest the Bridgestone Potenza RE01R but I see Tire Rack has them in your size for $203 each. So, I guess that's a no-go. It a great tire though.

[TouringBubble]

... and it's a 140 TW and not what I'm looking for. But thanks.

Guys, I specifically didn't list the RE01R, RT615, MX, KDW, Z1 etc because I'm not looking for an autocross tire. I need a DD tire slightly on the grippier side simply to hold the TQ my car has, and I need it to last.

[EvoLady]

I DD THE RT615, thats why i suggested it. 200 tread wear is not too bad.

245/45/17 $112.00
255/40/17 $125.00

[TouringBubble]

I wasn't talking about you Sara, I was referring to the RE01R that John suggested.

You and Joey both suggest the RT615, but I'm honestly not in need of that kind of grip. I don't go to the dragon and such like you guys do and I could really use the cash I could save on a lower cost tire that would last longer. I really need something that will last 20k+. Joey said he got 22k out of one set, but 8k out of another ...

Also, the Rs-2 is rated at 200 ... I know they wear faster than the 615, but that's really turned me off of anything below 300.