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View Full Version : Which Tire Brands are good?

Dream240
10-08-2003, 12:51 PM
Hey guys did a search, couldn't find what I was looking for.

I basically want to know if you guys have any objections to buying the cheaper tire brands, like Visa or Ventus.

I need new tires but I don't want to spend 145 bucks per tire to replace my Falken Zeix tires.

I found the Visa tire at discounttiredirect.com for 109.00 with free shipping! They're Z-rated with 360 treadwear, A traction + Temperature, and they look alright. The Ventus HRII H405 tire comes H-rated, 340 treadwear, A traction + temp. and they're priced at 110.00.

Do you guys have any opinions on these tires? Any input will help my decision.

Thanks
adey
10-08-2003, 12:58 PM
If you don't need all-out grip, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Ventus, Hankook, Visa, Negotiator or others... In fact, these are some favorites of drifters, precisely because they cost a whole lot less than their Advan (Yokohama), Bridgestone and Dunlop counterparts.

Keep in mind though that in the end, you usually get something close to what you pay for... i.e. sidewalls will not be as stiff, compound won't be as good in the wet, they may feel greasey after one or two laps if you track them, etc.

Or, you can move back down to 15" wheels. :D
Flybert
10-08-2003, 01:43 PM
Kumho are pretty cheap as well. Basically, if you aren't a track whore and don't really care about excellent performance, get the other ones. Otherwise, save up and shell out for some nice ones.

Go to tirerack.com and read all the reviews they have about the tires there. Most people that are looking for an affordable decent tire opt to get the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's. They seem like they would be a good deal for the price.
SilviaSR20DET
10-08-2003, 02:01 PM
Id highly recommend Bridgestone performance tires especially the S03s which is the top of the line. I currently have the Bridgestone re730s 205/55/r15 and these tires are VERY grippy even in the rain. I used to experience understeer with my old crappy michelins and now it only oversteers since the tires are so good. Also the treadwear on the re730s are 300 which is pretty good since its a performance tire. Hope this helps.
Var
10-08-2003, 02:41 PM
FALKEN AZENIS
gfisch
10-08-2003, 06:09 PM
If you've got the funds, I'd reccomend the Bridgestone Potenza SO3. They ran me about $700 installed.
I just got 'em last week, and have had a good experience so far.
Havent had a chance to try em real aggressively yet though.
adey
10-08-2003, 06:56 PM
Originally posted by gfisch
If you've got the funds, I'd reccomend the Bridgestone Potenza SO3. They ran me about $700 installed. Did you even read his original post? he's looking for tires on a budget, and isn't too willing to spend $145/tire for Falken Ziexes... I think it goes without saying that he'd rather not spend close to $200/tire for S-03s. :hammer:

ditto to westborough pimp!


Back to Dream240:
For the price, two great tires are Yokohama AVS-ES100 and Dunlop FM-901. Usually the ES100 is a little cheaper than Dunlops in the same size, but ES100 apparently have more grip, as well as a higher treadwear. These will run you more than Ventus, Hankook and Trampio, but it may be worth the marginally higher price.
orange-grey
10-08-2003, 08:37 PM
Kumho MX and Falken Azeinis seem to be the current ticket for cheap sticky tires. Tread wear isn't too terrible on either.
RedlineRacer
10-08-2003, 08:47 PM
Anyone know anything about Kelly Springfields? I was talking to a local tire dealer and I told him I wanted some Kumho's and he said he recommends Kelly Springfields over Kumho's. Is this true?
tiki240
10-08-2003, 08:57 PM
SUMITOMO HTR 200'S
FastBack 240
10-08-2003, 09:08 PM
My yokohama prada spec 2's are very nice
phatsx
10-08-2003, 09:24 PM
Falken Azeinis or Dunlop FM901 would be my choice
docrice
10-08-2003, 09:32 PM
i have Kelly something or others (chargers i think) on the back, and they're decent...decent wear, not too noisy, pretty grippy...
THX1138
10-08-2003, 09:43 PM
I'll put in another recommendation for the Yokohama AVS ES100. They have terrific grip both wet and dry, quick transitional response, smooth breakaway as you approach the limit, and are quiet on the highway considering their performance. They're also very reasonably priced for their capability.

I'm on my second set; the first lasted about 15,000 miles with a super-crappy tire-killing alignment for the first several months I was on them. The current set ran me $445 at Discount Tire in Greenville, SC. That price was mounted and balanced with lifetime re-balancing, rotation, and road hazard repair/replacement.
S14Ninja
10-08-2003, 11:36 PM
Originally posted by westboroughpimp
FALKEN AZENIS
I live in a slightly pot-holed area (Rochester, NY if anyone knows where that is) and all my local shops see TONS of sidewall blowouts from Falken Azenis. I've AutoXed w/ Azenises and I loved them, they have incredible wet/dry traction, but simply because of all the reports I keep hearing I'm not going to risk even my crappy rims, much less the gorgeous TE37s I'm getting for my S14. I think I'm going to try BF/Goodrich G-Force KD/Ws. I've heard nothing buy praise about them. Anyone know something on those rubbers?
Joel 180
10-09-2003, 12:29 AM
Toyo Trampio TPG
Var
10-09-2003, 03:43 AM
Originally posted by S14Ninja
I live in a slightly pot-holed area (Rochester, NY if anyone knows where that is) and all my local shops see TONS of sidewall blowouts from Falken Azenis. I've AutoXed w/ Azenises and I loved them, they have incredible wet/dry traction, but simply because of all the reports I keep hearing I'm not going to risk even my crappy rims, much less the gorgeous TE37s I'm getting for my S14. I think I'm going to try BF/Goodrich G-Force KD/Ws. I've heard nothing buy praise about them. Anyone know something on those rubbers?

Sidewall blowouts?!? That's weird considering the Azenis have double layered sidewalls and are very stiff. never heard of such problems but i live in California. ??? But as far as treadwear on the Azenis, they are crappy. Seems like i went through my last set in 6 or 7 thousand miles with no track time.
S14Ninja
10-09-2003, 07:40 AM
God's honest truth, but like I said, there's a LOT of potholes here. If you could only see the area. You can't go a day w/o having your wheel fall in at least a 3 inch hole, or going off a 4 inch transition in a construction zone. We have 2 seasons, winter, and construction.
docrice
10-09-2003, 08:09 AM
I'll vouch for roads in rochester, i drove it with my cherokee and dam near had to put it in 4wd for some of those roads....
Dream240
10-09-2003, 08:55 AM
Just to let you know, I don't track my car, I don't really race that much anymore on the street either! I'm just looking for a tire that I can put on that will last me about 2 years on normal driving conditions and won't blow out with the first pothole I hit.

Does anyone have ANY experience with my Ventus or Visa brands mentioned?

Thanks for the info, I'm going to look into the Yokohama ES100 and see what kind of prices I can get.

Thanks again.
Kouki Monster
10-11-2003, 04:11 AM
i heard that the falken azenis runs great on dry road...but SUCKS on wet roads...many on the 4ag board said they were constantly hydroplaning with the azenis...
Var
10-11-2003, 04:23 AM
Originally posted by Kouki Monster
i heard that the falken azenis runs great on dry road...but SUCKS on wet roads...many on the 4ag board said they were constantly hydroplaning with the azenis...

Ill vouch for that . The azenis hydroplane fairly easily but have great wet traction if there are no puddles.
Kouki Monster
10-11-2003, 04:40 AM
i also heard that azenis are very grippy... so grippy that they prematurely wear out your lsd...
HaLo
10-11-2003, 10:13 AM
Wouldn't recommend them to my grand mother. Soft sidewall, loud tire, screechy and no wet traction. It's as bad as it can get. I'd recommend Falken fk451 or Yokohama ES100.