Reccomended 15x7 Tire/size for GRIP

[i8yourfwd]

Ok after some searching, many threads had different answers for the same question. I'm looking to put a decent but low priced ($60~$80) tire on some 15x7 wheels. Here are the different things I've read while searching:

Regarding Sizes:
225/50/15- Reccomended tire size. Obviously should be better because there's more contact patch, although some say to NOT get it because sidewall flex will in turn give you less grip. Unless your running an R compound tire (I won't)

205/50/15- Many reccomended this size but the arguement is hand in hand with the above size. 225 has more contact patch, 205/50 would have less sidewall flex (i think?)

Regarding tires:
ES100- Heard reviews on both sides of the spectrum. Some say they're horrible, some say they're great.

Fuzion ZRi- Very low cost tire, but what about the quality?

Kumho Ecsta 712- Some say it's the best bang for your buck tire. Decent grip and long lasting

What's "right" for the sizing? Tire suggestions?

cliffnotes:
Need a low priced tire for a 15x7 rim for GRIP

[ThatGuy]

BFG g-Force Sport.

I am currently running 205/60-15 (too tall I know) on 15x7 and couldn't be happier with them.

[ALTRNTV]

205/50/15

Fuzion ZRi's are awesome tires. I drove my friends SR powered hatch on a auto-x day once, they performed well.

[SoSideways]

Fuzion ZRi is not too too grippy, but it does well.

I have ES100 in the front of my car 195/60/15 on stock S13 SE wheels. They were not bad, although I didn't have good enough rear tires at the time to compliment them (meaning I couldn't push my car hard at all due to shitty rear tires).

Right now I'm running some Hankook H405 HRii in 205/50/15 in the rear on some 15x7 wheels. The shoulders are square on the wheels, and they are not bad for grip. However, I think a little more sidewall on them would actually add to the grip level.

Heard the Hankook RS-2 tires are really good, especially for their price. 90% of the Azenis RT-615's grip, but only 70% of the Azenis's prices. However, at this site, I did find the RT-615 to be rather cheap.

I think, personally, that if you can find a good compound tire in 205/55/15, get that. It'll give you a shorter sidewall, but still have enough sidewall for grip.

[EchoOfSilence]

I'm running Hankook HRII's in the rear. They weren't that great; I had them in the front once during a touge run, and they locked up a couple times under relatively light braking.

I'm currently running Fulda Assuro's in the front, they seem to perform better than the HRII's, but I haven't really pushed them. ES100's seem to get mushy when pushed too hard apparently, but that seems to be during higher-speed laps on the track.
If I had to buy tires again, I'd wait out a little more and buy KDW's.

On a 7 inch-wide wheel, 225 offers too much compliance; you're better off with a 205 unless you're running either z- or r-rated. 50 series is fine on a 15, maybe 55.

Lastly, 225's don't necessarily offer more contact patch than 205's.
205/50/HR15 seems to be your best bet.

[wootwoot]

I was going to run 225/50R15 with Yokohama AVS ES100's

[JaeTea]

I ran 205/55 for drift and the car gripped like crazy...

So I'd say they'd be a good choice for grip driving.

[KA24DESOneThree]

225/50s. Temperatures will be noticably less during your runs. Buy a pyrometer, dial in negative camber to even out temps.

I agree with ThatGuy's choice. I am currently running the G-force Sports, albeit in 245/40, and I am very happy with them. It's either them or the ES100s, which might have a slightly stiffer sidewall. Can't say for sure since I've never felt ES100s in 245/40, though.

[SoSideways]

Oh, also, Kumho MX grips like crazy, and they don't really break the bank either.

Dunlop Direzza was good, but my friend says he liks the Kumho SPTs better than the Direzzas. The Direzza and SPTs were both in 205/50/15.

[Irukandji]

falken ziex 512 is super cheap ($40 a tire) and they grip alright for the price.

i'll probably stick to es100's... pretty cheap, good grip

[TheTimanator]

I had Ecsta 712 205/55/15's. Great for comfort but that was about it. Soft sidewalls and didn't grip very well.
I currently have ES100's in the same size. Considerable difference in grip stiffer sidewalls than the 712's.

I think I'm gonna try the BFG g-Force Sport next time in this same size.

[r-b-x]

falken azenis 615, kumho mx, and hankook rs-2 are the popular choice for valued priced grip tires in autox. i'm currently running the rs2 and it's quite square on my 15x7 wheel.

but they all come in 205/50/15 for 15in sizes, which is the popular civic/miata size, but are way too small for 240sx. like a couple inches smaller compared to stock so it's not gonna look good. quick horrible, actually, unless your car is super slammed.

falken plans to release a 225/50/15 for the azenis for better sizing and contact patch and i'll be looking to get that the next time i replace my tires.

[S14DB]

Yokohama A032R S-Compound
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?sw=false&cs=225&pc=44551&rd=15&ar=50

[EchoOfSilence]

look at that treadwear...
EDIT:
He gave a price range of $60-$80, A032R's fall WAY out of that category

[OptionZero]

Fuzion ZRi is not too too grippy, but it does well.

I have ES100 in the front of my car 195/60/15 on stock S13 SE wheels. They were not bad, although I didn't have good enough rear tires at the time to compliment them (meaning I couldn't push my car hard at all due to shitty rear tires).

Right now I'm running some Hankook H405 HRii in 205/50/15 in the rear on some 15x7 wheels. The shoulders are square on the wheels, and they are not bad for grip. However, I think a little more sidewall on them would actually add to the grip level.

Heard the Hankook RS-2 tires are really good, especially for their price. 90% of the Azenis RT-615's grip, but only 70% of the Azenis's prices. However, at this site, I did find the RT-615 to be rather cheap.

I think, personally, that if you can find a good compound tire in 205/55/15, get that. It'll give you a shorter sidewall, but still have enough sidewall for grip.


I just bought tires, albeit in the 17inch range.
Hankook RS2 Z212's were $105; Falken Azenis RT-615's were $112.

For $7, i'll take the Azenis anyday of the week.

Are you sure the RS2's had 70% of the 615's grip? or was that supposed to be compared to the OLD Azenis Sports, the 215's?


back to the original poster:
http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm

$78/tire for 205/50/15 RT-615...a maximum performance tire.

Thus far the 615's grip levels seem to have a ridiculously high limit, it's nuts, i'll never even touch the limits on the street. Supposedly they're up there with the BF Goodrich KD's (not KDW or wutever lesser model), which are around 50% more expensive.
The Kumho MX is the closest competitor but does not come in 15 inch size.
Hankook RS2 Z212 is the other competitor.

Those are the 3 for bang/buck street tires.

If your priority is going fast, you go with those 3. If you're worried about other stuff like treadwear and such...then you go to the G-force sports, or ST-115's/FK415 Betas...but they'll have less ultimate grip of course.

Speedmonkeyinc runs Cooper ZX2's i believe...maybe he'll chime in, he does grip.

[S14DB]

look at that treadwear...
EDIT:
He gave a price range of $60-$80, A032R's fall WAY out of that category
Fine, I'll go with my DD favorite. BFG g-Force Sport
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?sw=false&cs=225&pc=38440&rd=15&ar=50

[SoSideways]

I just bought tires, albeit in the 17inch range.
Hankook RS2 Z212's were $105; Falken Azenis RT-615's were $112.

For $7, i'll take the Azenis anyday of the week.

Are you sure the RS2's had 70% of the 615's grip? or was that supposed to be compared to the OLD Azenis Sports, the 215's?



Sorry, I forgot that Falken finally got over their greedy phase and lowered the prices of their RT-615s. They're now back to resembling RT-215 prices.

The RS2s, however, does indeed have like 80-90% of the RT-615's grip. They do however have slightly less stiff sidewall and do get a little greasy after you heat the crap out of them, but overall they are supposed to be consistent.

I do plan on trying them out in the future.



The Kumho MX is the closest competitor but does not come in 15 inch size.



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Kumho&model=ECSTA+MX

You = pwn3d there :naughtyd: j/k

[KA24DESOneThree]

205 is too skinny when dealing with a compound that will overheat as easily as the RT-615.

[SoSideways]

205 is too skinny when dealing with a compound that will overheat as easily as the RT-615.

I thought the RT-615s were supposed to not overheat as bad as the RT-215?

[neilsan]

fwiw i had kumho 712's on my cougar and they chunked apart along the outside patch every time there was understeer.

I just bought 205/50 Falken Beta FK's in 16" per someones reccomendation over having used them and AVS100's. One of my rims is getting repaired still so i can't comment from experience on them... They should be a lot more awesome than my ancient bridgestone allseasons.

[i8yourfwd]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I REALLY want to go with the RT-615's, but since my car is also daily driven, I'll need a decent lasting tire. Alot of people say the RT-615's wear super fast. I'll probobly be going with the g-force sport for the way better treadwear. Thanks again for all the opinions.

I think it's a general agreement that 205/50/15 would be a better choice than 225/50/15

[wootwoot]

No it isnt!!!

Just get 225's, it aint gonna hurt you any. Everyone on this board just loves narrow ass tires. 205 is a FWD size unless its on a Corolla(see the relation?), Miata, etc..

[EchoOfSilence]

on a 7'-wide? I think 225's pushing it unless you have REALLY stiff sidewalls.
if you'd wanna go bigger, I'd say 215 max.

I'd want something that does pretty well in the rain too... seems to rain quite a bit here in Santa Cruz and LA.

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

225 = bulge on 7's... Jesse (i8urfwd) is pretty slammed as well. and with a 0 offset, bulge = bad news.

Jesse I say you go 215 if you are still worried 205 is too skinny, if you can in the g-force sports. thats what i am doing.

[i8yourfwd]

225 = bulge on 7's... Jesse (i8urfwd) is pretty slammed as well. and with a 0 offset, bulge = bad news.

Jesse I say you go 215 if you are still worried 205 is too skinny, if you can in the g-force sports. thats what i am doing.
Alex, the ones on there now are 225's. 225's are the reccomended tire for 7in wide. The reason I WON'T be getting them is sidewall flex.

I may go 215's.. meh.. who knows..

[SoSideways]

Yeah see, 205s are perfectly square on a 7" rim. PUUUUUURFECT.

[wootwoot]

225's are recommended from 6.5-8.5 if you go by manufacturer specs.

[S14DB]

Um... You want some sidewall flex in grip driving. We an't drifting here...

[EchoOfSilence]

I've never seen 225's on a 7' come from factory

[KA24DESOneThree]

I thought the RT-615s were supposed to not overheat as bad as the RT-215?

They don't overheat as badly, but they still overheat fairly easily when compared to a tire such as the BFG G-Force T/A KD.

If anyone is seriously considering aesthetics into the equation of picking tires, your priorities are far out of whack.

[i8yourfwd]

Um... You want some sidewall flex in grip driving. We an't drifting here...
So then you would suggest a 215 or 225 tire?

[S14DB]

225, wider is better

[EchoOfSilence]

That is, if it doesn't cause you clearance issues with that 0 offset of yours

[i8yourfwd]

Um... You want some sidewall flex in grip driving. We an't drifting here...
Explain please? :)

[S14DB]

It helps when changing directions. Some flex allows the tires to stay in contact with the roads during sudden direction changes.

You don't want so much flex that the tire rolls over onto the sidewall.

This has more to do with sidewall construction than height. I had a write up somewhere. I'll search for it.

Also the wider tires will last longer.

[i8yourfwd]

I tried searching around for it, couldn't find it :( Thanks for the info though. 225/50 it is I suppose.

[neilsan]

the 205's i just got for my new 16x7's look pretty damn fat to me. for less than legit racing conditions or under 250whp i dont think id go wider than 215 even if i could. I think i can grip like nuts as it is with my coilovers and 195/60/15 Bridgestone RE92's on 5.5" wide rims. remember gas mileage is slightly affected by how much road contact there is as well.

[EchoOfSilence]

also, with sidewall flex, you get a sense of 'warning squeel', which you lose with stretched tires. Stretched tires tend to break with less warning

[wootwoot]

These pieces are going to wear out anyway, you can always try 205's, 215's, or 225's the next time around. Just do not get set into one thing being the say all be all for everything. Play around with it all. Get a good alignment too!!!!