ST-115 vs. ES-100

[SpeedMonkeyInc]

ST-115 vs. ES-100

From what I can tell, they are about the same performance and price. Anyone with experince say why they would choose one over the other?

[adey]

From WHAT I'VE HEARD (i.e. not my experience) -
ES100 has better dry grip but ST115 is *marginally* better in the rain,
ES100 last significantly (noticably) longer than ST115 when used for drift,
Both seem to be good tires for the money, esp. the ES100, which I'm running in the fronts. So far I'm impressed with wet traction as well as dry!

[JasonNagra]

ST115 suck IMO. I have them now. Feel like a radial tire for a mini van that has no where near the tread of life of 360 as claimed by Falkien. ES100 All the way.

[SpeedMonkeyInc]

What does that mean, radial tire for a mini van? Can you describe what its like to drive on these tires? What size tire do you have and what size wheel?

[nismofeind]

I would really like some people's opinions on this aswell. I am currently debating between these two right now.

[drift into a curb]

ST115s tend to be heavy. They're were designed to have low road noise for a performance luxury tire. You can't really base treadlife on treadwear since the rating is simply a standard number tested within the manufacturer's own tires (thats how they get that treadwear number). As for my experience with treadwear, I've had the ST115s last me around 25k miles before I sold my rims and there was plenty of tire left. I also had buddy that ran them on his WRX for 48k miles, no problems what-so-ever. I think as long as you're daily driving and not drifting, the tires will be okay. I've tested both on and off the track and I feel more stable with the ST115s, perhaps because it is a heavier tire. I have to back adey on what he heard about how they perform in the rain. The ST115s have bigger voids (2 large grooves on the tread) that allow water siphon out faster.
The ES100's are awesome for spirited street driving. They use silica (sand) in their rubber compound (much like Toyo Proxes T1S has been and the newer Proxes 4) and it aids in traction and turning response. On the street, I was gripping very well driving on the nearby canyons with out a problem. But on the track, I had a different experience. I drove a Del Sol with the ES100's and was getting alot of traction loss (taking in to consideration tire pressures were readjusted and still loss traction). I also drove a IS300 with ES100 and needless to say the car felt a little too squirrely, sliding all over the place. Maybe it's just pure coincidence? or maybe I'm a bad driver?
Why would I choose one over the other? Depends what kind of driving you'll be doing. If you want the more comfortable/quiet ride with the performance, go ST115s. And if you're looking for a better dry grip, ultra high performance summer tire, go with the ES100. They're both good tires.

[JagdStealth]

I run ES100s, a great tire for the money.

If you want real grip, go with Bridgestone Pole Position S03s. I used to run those and they grip like crazy, only set back is the $200+ price tag ;)

[that180guy]

I run ES100s, a great tire for the money.

If you want real grip, go with Bridgestone Pole Position S03s. I used to run those and they grip like crazy, only set back is the $200+ price tag ;)

I was talking to a bunch of bimmer track guys, and the say the older, discontinued S02s destroy the S03s

but the es100s are the shiznet :stupid:

[drift into a curb]

S02s were pretty good. I don't remember if the S02's used it or not, but the S03s have a dual layer tread compound that allows consistency and tread life for their performance tire. good stuff.

[nismofeind]

There is one more tire in the range. the Falken gbr FK-451. I don't know the difference between them and the ST-115's because they are both the same price range and both ahve Z rating. Which ones is better for what. The FK's look better but Falken puts them under their Luxury* section and ST's under compact and luxury. And I Have seen alot of cars with the FK's are starting to think seriously about them any info with these compared to the other two.

[drift into a curb]

FYI: They are both Z ratings(up to 149+ mph), but there is a specific rating assigned as in Y or W. Some ST115s are W(up to 168 mph), while the GRB are Y(up to 186mph).

GRB FK451s are stickier tires. They use the silica compound in the tires that most companies are trying to incorporate in their high performance tires for better traction and response. Depends on the size you're looking at, but the FK451s have a higher speed performance rating of Y, while the ST115s only reach a W rating. I prefer using the term speed performance rating because the speed doesn't really make much of difference because you rarely reach maximum speeds of the tire, but the higher speed performance ratings does designate they do perform overall (accelerating/braking/turning traction) better.

If you want the quieter/more comfortable tire, ST115s are it. If you want the more performance oriented tire, the FK451 would be it.

[Racer X]

es100 is a great tire but belive it or not for around the same price kuhmo mx will kill it. and from my experiance they wear about the same. just my $.02 though

[drift into a curb]

If you don't want to spend as much as a ES100 or Kumho MX, both good tires, then Falken Azenis would be a good tire to consider for the money. Only thing that sucks is tire size selection.

[nismofeind]

Thanks to all for the good info. I think I'm going with the FK-451's.