New topic (for today :( ). Tires

[HISSIN50]

Hey guys,

I'm sorry to do this to you (if you see me post a gear thread, you can kick me in the head), but I'm needin' some new front skins on the '94 (17x8" wheels, currently running 245/45/17 Nitto 555 Extremes).

I've been reading threads and feel like I'm dumber than when I started. I thought maybe if I toss-out what I'm lookin for maybe you could let me know what you'd choose.

I live where there are 350 days of sun a year so wet weather doesn't matter. In lookin at Tire Rack and Discount, I think (unless otherwise swayed) that I'd just get the tires at Discount. In my price range (dirt cheap), there isnt much savings with ordering from Tirerack (I don't have hook-ups for mounting/balancing).

Let's see if this will work: In the first page of the 245/45/17 tires at DT (that's my price range - sub 105 bucks each or so), what would you choose? I do care about aesthetics (think rear sport-bike tires to know what I like) and treadwear is a consideration (though aesthetics, treadware and price = generally you can have two but not all three). Speed rating doesn't really matter.

Please post up what route you'd go. Thanks guys!

 

['66 coupe]

I have Kuhmo Ecsta SPT's in back(got in Jan.) and Falken Ziex ZE-512's in front(got in Aug.).

I like the Spt's. I've read reviews about teh Falkens wearing fast, and it's true. but the Kuhmos seem to be holding up much better, despite having a lower treadwear rating. And the Kuhmo's grip just as well.

For the price range you're looking at, I'd definately have to say go with the SPT's.

 

[urban96]

i just dropped 800 on some tires, 18" tho. 275's and 295's

 

[wytstang]

From that page and bang for buck and what you are looking for (dirt bike thingy)
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...cf=false&sw=false&cs=245&pc=33658&rd=17&ar=45
That's my .01

 

[xr8d302]

I completely agree with Danny on this one

 

[Therian]

I'm liking the Kumhos or the HRII

 

[parchisi]

I know its above your price range, but the g-force Sports only run $115/tire and from some experience and what I've read, they're very good.

 

[trav_19]

well these are on my 93 http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...cf=false&sw=false&cs=245&pc=28655&rd=17&ar=45

i dont drive it a ton and its not in your climate either but in the 4 years they have been on i cant tell any noticable wear yet so thats good i also think these are nice too

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...cf=false&sw=false&cs=245&pc=11846&rd=17&ar=45

however it states it as being a all season tire and i dont think you need to worry about winter time lol...

 

[trav_19]

why dont you just get these http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...cf=false&sw=false&cs=245&pc=11846&rd=17&ar=45

i know your loaded lol

 

[urban96]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyWMTiXPbLQ my tires

 

['66 coupe]

well these are on my 93 http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...cf=false&sw=false&cs=245&pc=28655&rd=17&ar=45

i dont drive it a ton and its not in your climate either but in the 4 years they have been on i cant tell any noticable wear yet so thats good i also think these are nice too

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...cf=false&sw=false&cs=245&pc=11846&rd=17&ar=45

however it states it as being a all season tire and i dont think you need to worry about winter time lol...

Wow, wierd. You're pulling up tires that aren't popping up in my search for 245-45-17. The cheapest tire I get is $97 General Exclaim UHP then jumps to a $110 Cooper.
I wonder if you all get all season, but they don't sell those down here or something.

Now that I realize the options are different for everyone, these are the tires I was talking about:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fi...false&cs=245&pc=33521&rd=17&ar=45&ct=&rf=true
They look aggressive on the car(you can barely see the letters in the tread).

EDIT:
Wow!!! You haven't noticed any wear after 4-years on a 280 tread wear tire?!!! That's crazy.

 

[WHITE94COBRA]

I Have the falken fk415's on the back of the stang, they were just so, so as far as grip and longevity, the front one's lasted less than a year, however my camber was off in the tire's defense, but it still wore extremely fast. I had the vredestines when I bought the car, (the older ones) and they were pretty good, I bought sumitomo's for the 98 cobra and so far they are ok, now I am putting nitto 555's all around, for the money I believe the nitto's are the best bang for the buck. I'll let you know how I like them in a few month's.

 

[mo_dingo]

I love my kuhmo's. They look sweet and have lasted for a while now.

 

[bimmertech]

kum-ho's are absolute crap---same with sumihomo's

i do a fair amount of tires at work, mostly mich, conti, etc.. every once in a while we get a tight assed cust bring in kum-ho's. we have to force balance every tire we mount(max spec is 17lbs) and i have yet to see 1 kum-ho tire meet that criteria. also bear in mind that the average cont/mich is in the neighborhood of 4lbs.

all you guys that say kum-ho's hook and wear good should really try a quality tire and see for yourself how much better they ride, wear, hook.

having said that, this is the best tire i have found for my dollar and the only one i suggest in your price range---i currently run a 255/40/17 of this all the way around.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...partnum=445WR7DZ101&fromCompare1=yes&place=13

 

[Blackened302]

^^those seem great, ben, tahnks for sharing that.

out back i run the sumi-homos (hehe) because i'm poor and $107 for a 315 is all i can afford, but i'm needing some for the front.

currently i'm running some crappy tire that starts w/ an N... can't think of the name. they've lasted ok, and are something like $80-90 a pop. they're a 245-45-17 and i'd like to get some w/ a shorter sidewall (the 315's are a 35 s/w) and at least a 255--those 255/40's you posted should look and perform considerably better.

 

[Engel]

You should check out the kumho mx's or whatever their current line is.
They are sticky, and they have a decent tread life. And should be in your price range.

 

[HISSIN50]

Thank you all very much for the replies. I wasn't sure if my hyperlink would work for y'all, so apologies if it didnt (I wasnt sure if cookies were needed from the originating search).

The Ecsta AST caught my eye originally as well. As did the Falken FK451 (in that order). I had talked to Wes about his HTR II Z's (I think that's the name), which are another appealing aesthetic in my eye. For those wondering, I get passed and flipped-off by mom's in minivans because I drive so slow - hence not needing ultra perf.

I was plodding along thinking that any of these tires on the first Discount Tire page would be really nice and then Mr Ben had to come along and burst my bubble. Those are a real nice lookin skin Ben. I like the balance aspect (chrome necessitates only inboard adhesive balancing - probably easier to do if the tire carcas has less intrinsic imbalance). I'd be in there near 280 bucks once mounted and balanced for Dunlops from Tirerack. Gulp. That's about the same as the 555's from Discount, which I have now (so the fronts and rears would match). Hmmmm. Ben (or anyone else), in your experience how do 555's compare to those nice Dunlops?

Lastly, and this ties into everything.......... What do you all think of the certificates you can get from Discount? I've never bought them though I've kinda wished I had them a few times with the other cars. Though I watch like a hawk, I'm a nail in the road magnet. Are those certs worth anything? For 555's, for instance, they're 16 bucks each tire. The advantage of Discount's tires are possibly the Certs and free mount and balance.

I really appreciate all the info. Once I'm not braindead from pulling an all-nighter, with your help I will be able to figure out which tire suits me best

Thanks again!

 

[trav_19]

those certs saved my butt more then once....the ladys car we put a high performance snow tire on it because it was terrible in the snow and the tires were 150 or something and a week after we got them she hit a nail and we got a new tire i was happy more times then none it will be plugged...but i got them when i bought my 35" mud terrians good call there too lol i guess it all comes down to if you think you will need them i have had a few cars where i had no tire issues but if its a wheel that cost any higher amount of money to replace i think its worth them .....if nothing else wait till there about bald and really slice the heck out of the tire and get new ones

 

[bimmertech]

my only experience with nittos were on a 330 a guy had aftermarket 19's on. the wheels were all bent and wouldn't balance out. i can't say the tires were junk cuz his wheels were square, but i wll say that i was not real confident on those tires.

as for the balancing, i never use outside wheel weights on any of my wheels---chorme or not. i have never had an issue with my dunlops. my original force balancing measurements were in the 8lb range without moving the tire. after moving 2 of them i was able to have one at 0 and the other at 3.

as for the certs, i say if you want to then do it. i do because if they do not meet road force specs(on initial balance) i can send them back and get a replacement tire. as you can see having a good smooth ride is something i take very seriously.

 

[chaos254]

i always order from tirerack because discount tire doesnt have much of a selection in 315/35/17. I'll be getting sumitomos because honestly you cant beat $99 a tire. I have these on all 4 corners now and yes their not the best tire but for people on a budget, their great. Once I actually get a real daily driver, i'll most likely be putting on nitto's or bfgs. But until then Sumitomo's all the way...