Tire recommendations

[Xplat]

Hey guys, I need some tire advice specific to my application. I've been doing research and have narrowed down my options but would still like others input.



Spec's I'm running

17x8 front
17x9 rear

I want to get 235/40/17 fronts and 245/40/17 rears



Tires will be used only for Sunday driving/spirited driving in the mountains in the summer. No track events. Also, I won't be drifting with these tires, just grip.


I'm looking to spend ~$130 per tire

In these sizes and prices I've narrowed it down to Nitto NT-05's for the front and Nitto Invo's for the rear (different because of my stagger and unavailable ideal tire sizes). At $30 bucks more per tire I could get Nitto NT-01's but I'm worried about how much shorter their life span might be compared to the non r-compounds. Also, I'm not particular to Nitto I'll use any brand so long as they are grippy, my sized, fairly durable and within my price range.



Here's where you guys come in. I want some recommendations on similar grip/cost/size/longevity tires you folks have had experience with.

Thanks guys. Hopefully I can get some good input.

After a little more searching I found this neat article which compared a lot of popular tire choices.

Here it is simplified


*prices are based off tirerack.com in 235/40/17 front and 245/40/17 for rear. For tires not available in 40 profile, 45 was chosen.

Any references to track testing took place on an autocross and not a road course.


Tire Manufacturer |Front | Rear | Side note | UTQG rating (traction_temperature)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Dunlop Z1 Star Spec : $154 // $167 | (2nd fastest in dry and wet, but best overall tire) | 200A_A

2. Hankook Ventus V12 evo : $99 // $105 | (4th fastest in auto cross time trial, but 2nd highest skid pad at .93g) | 280AA_A

3. Kumho Ecsta XS : $134 // $145 | (Fastest summer tire tested, .94g, VERY squirrely in wet) | 180AA_A

4. Bridgestone RE760 Sport : $123 // $150 | (.90g skid pad, noteworthy tire precision "above average", "crisp and direct feel" ) | 340A_A

5. BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDW : $107 // $124 | (loudest tire test, Below average ride comfort) | 300A_A

6. Yokohama S. Drive : $125 // $124 | (lightest tire tested, ~3 lbs lighter per tire than HEAVIEST tire tested)| 300AA_A

7. Falken Azenis RT-615 : Discontinued | Whatever, it's since been replaced by the RT-615K ~

8. Nitto Invo : $127 // $131 | Tire not available @ TireRack.com, pricing based on DiscountTireDirect.Com. | 260A_A

9. Ling Long L688 : $ n/a // $ n/a | Tire Pricing wasn't readily available , $127'ish

Michelin PS2 (base test tire) $177 // $225 | .92g , faster in wet than Ling Longs in dry... | 220AA_A

All info used above except for pricing and UTQG rating -
was based on this article : Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec - Comparison Tests - Car and Driver

[Karlitos]

Ive driven s2000 on dunlop star specs, not sure on pricing in your size but theyre pricey. They grip well and are considered the best autocross wheels(non r comp). Ive talked to people that used nt05 and they all just switch over to nt01 for the next time. Another s2000 has rs-3(?) the newer hankooks, i liked them better than the z1 because they got up to temp faster. If your looking for a little bit cheaper, i would look into evo v12's aswell not a bad tire for the price...
And dont stagger compounds, or expect some funky results especially in warm up temps and their grip. Just look for tires that have the two sizes you need.

[Tenchuu]

trip car =/= r comps. I thought about some tires i could drive and auto x on well, until i found out that most who drive a street legal r comp, or r comp outplacement tend to buy multiple sets of tires every year(read a new set of 4 every 3-6 months). i got some Ventus V12 evo instead since they see track and daily use. they have gotten rid of my traction problems on a RB25DET with light weight flywheel. (switched from 245/40 out back and 235/40 upfront, didn't care for those)


also if you want to do better at autox, i would suggest getting a 255 on all corners, and having a separate set of R comps for the track. there is no compromise tire that has bad ass handling and can stand a few K of driving a year.


that said i have heard nothing but rave reviews from autocrossers about the star spec as a track tire.

[bc.]

Star spec is cheapish and a good performer. But do you really want to go cheap?

[Xplat]

hmm I originally thought about buying star spec's, which are around ~$160 each in my size they are still rubber and not r compound right? Does anyone know how long they might last?

[Seraphim38]

Azenis will be too much. Nitto NT05s would be my suggestion. I am currently running 235 front 255 rear on 17x9/17x10s, but need more grip so I will be going up to 255 front / 275 rear.

[homeslicej2]

I say Dunlop direzza star specs too (have to be star specs, they make a reguler direzza) A friend of mine at church autocrosses his G35 around the Southeast & recommended them. I forgot how many events he does per year (a couple dozen iirc) and he said he still gets ~12-15,000 street miles out of them on top of the events. As previously stated, they are pretty cheap too.

[Xplat]

So, while continuing my search I found this awesome article that compares about 10 tires performance.

Good read for other Zilvians in my position.

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec - Comparison Tests - Car and Driver

[jorge1190]

I would go with a 235/40 front and a 255/40 rear. This is what my brother has on his FC with the same size wheels (Mazdaspeeds). The tires look good on the wheels, the sidewalls are really square. I just got NT05's for my car but I haven't put them on yet, so far is heard nothing but good reviews.

[axiomatik]

I just bought and mounted some Dunlop Z1 Star Specs. Don't have the wheels mounted on the car yet, so I can't give driving impressions, but I've read good things. 245/40/17 cost me $169/ea = $817 total mounted and balanced, taxes, etc. They are the mildest stretch possible on a 17x9, 255 would probably be square.

[Ilya]

This is going to sound weird but the tire with most grip that I have ever driven on was Micheline Hydroedge. Its grip doesnt compare to hankooks or even NT05's or Dunlaps. its what I keep buying for my cars

[chiboy002]

i have yokohoma s.drives and i fucking love them when paired to hankook rs2 or w.e in the rear

[josephin510]

Michelin ps2 had them on my 330 and loved them. I daily them on my s13 with occasional canyon passes lots of grip from them.