Need Opinions, Advice, Help etc.

[CTt3P5]

Please help!!!

I have a good oppurtunity to pick up some 17x7 +42 offset wheels at a good price but would like some help with tires. Please let me know of your experiences with manufacturers, sizes and so on. Here are some links from tirerack.com with some that I like...please feel free to give me your honest opionions

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...lse&partnum=04YR7EMX&fromCompare1=yes&place=2

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=7

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=8

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=9

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&partnum=04HR7G009&fromCompare1=yes&place=15

Either of the Bridgestones seem like a good buy with the $50 rebate but would like some first hand experience from fellow owners. Also open to other brands and/or models. These were just a few I picked.

According to Rishies guide I should go with a 205/40/17 at that offset. I am not looking to drop the car (although that may change) but for the time being I want to leave it stock height so I fear a 40 is going to look ghey. Could I go with a 205/45 and what are speedo calcs and mileage issuses with each? I am kinda new to the whole wheel upgrade (this would be my first) so would I need a camber kit??

Sorry for the long post, but I know I can come here for honest answers/opinions and GREAT advice!! msprotege.com and all its members FTW!!!

Also Thanks!!

 

[aMaff]

if you're not changing the suspension at all, a camber kit would be pointless...and even if you do drop it, unless you totally slam it, you still won't need one. Changing wheels has no effect on alignment (that I know of....)

You may also want to look @ discounttiredirect.com. The falken ziex 512's are a really good tire, and I've got the same setup as you (205/40-17, +42, stock suspension). The falkens have a good lip to help protect the rim. If you're going with kumho, I'd say the Kumho would give you best bang for your buck. It's giving the Falken Azenis RT-615 in Sreet Tire autocross classes a run for their money this year, and that's saying something.

EDIT: The Kumho Excsta MX is the 1 I'm talkin about...

 

[CTt3P5]

Thanks, I am going to have to do a search for your pics to see how much gap there is. Definitely would like a tire with a lip. I did glance at DTD but will have to take a closer look. I have bought from them before with great service plus you get free shipping!!

 

[aMaff]

ninja'd

 

[CTt3P5]

SWEET!!! I have been searching for your pics since my post....with no luck. I knew you had posted pics, I even went into all threads you started and couldn't find it. Don't take me on a scavenger hunt. LOL

Thanks again. The gap is not as bad as I thought. I did find in one of your posts you had to get hubcentric rings? Are they required because I am doing a +1?

 

[aMaff]

SWEET!!! I have been searching for your pics since my post....with no luck. I knew you had posted pics, I even went into all threads you started and couldn't find it. Don't take me on a scavenger hunt. LOL

Thanks again. The gap is not as bad as I thought. I did find in one of your posts you had to get hubcentric rings? Are they required because I am doing a +1?

no, they're required because the wheels I got are lug centric, which puts a lot of undue strain on the wheel bearings. Most aftermarket wheels are lug centric, the rings help the center bore of the wheel perfectly mate up to the hub.

 

[CTt3P5]

Ah, I see. Then I will have to look into some of those. Off to do research. Thanks again!

 

[CTt3P5]

Come on everyone....where are those tire reviews?

 

[Canecreekfreak]

I've got a set of the Kuhmo SPT's, and I'm pretty happy with them. I've actually got a review of them on the tire racks site. I've got a set of 205/40/17 on 7" wide ASA AR1's. They are light years better than the stock Dunlop 5000's in the dry. They stick like glue and are very predictable at the limit. They're much better in the wet, too, and resist hydroplaning well. If the puddle is deep enough, or you're going fast enough, they can still get a little squirrly. I don't think I've had a situation yet where I felt I needed to slow down considerably in the rain, though.
They're also fairly comfortable tires. They're not too loud on the highways, and they're not too stiff over rough roads. They probably don't have the all-out handling that some other tires have because of it, but for spirited daily driving they're perfect. I definetly notice the wind noise more than tire noise on the highway.
My final though, and something I noticed just recently, is that I used to have a 94 Miata with Pirelli P6 tires on the stock 14" rims. I feel way more confident, and can drive at faster speeds more easily on the same twisty roads in my P5 with the SPT's than I ever could in the lighter and better balanced Miata.

 

[CTt3P5]

Thanks aMaff and Canecreekfreak for your responses. Unfortunately deal didn't go through....oh well will have to keep looking (peep) Tried to give you some +reps but page keeps refreshing, I will try again at a later time.

 

[aMaff]

yep, rep's busted, but it's the thought that counts. Good luck w/ the search.