It's tire time... again.

[kneedragger241]

Help me pick a new set of shoes!

For some reason, I trust the subjective musings of this forum's membership more than the ratings/test results on tirerack.com.

I'll take tire suggestions in two categories:
- Best damn tire ever, cost and treadwear be damned
- Best tire for the dollar with very good to excellent wet and dry grip


225/45-18


TIA

 

[Hank3]

Falken 452s or Yokohama S-Drives.

 

[SallySpeed3]

I believe the Dunlop Direzza Stars are available in that size, and I think most would agree that they fall into both categories. Great performance and much less expensive than most other "top" performance tires.

 

[CnoTataymo]

For the price and performance, I would say the Kuhmo XS in that size would be the best tire to get. After reading the reviews, it seems like it's one of the top street auto'x tire compared to the Bridgstone RE-11 and Dunlop Dizerra Star Spec but are cheaper. The XS's on tirerack are $169 each.

As for cheapest tire with good grip and treadwear, I've got the BFGoodrich's G-Force Sports in the size you're wanting and they're okay. Dry traction is good but in the wet, I wish they were better. I got a good deal on them, that's why I got them.

 

[Nliiitend1]

One of the best cost-be-damned tires: Bridgestone RE-11

Best performance-to-dollar ratio: Probably a toss-up between the Kumho Ecsta XS and Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec.

 

[funksilver07]

I just put a set of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 star spec's 225/45/18 and they're definitely worth it. They grip like crazy not very noisy on the highway. Right now the Kumho XS and the Direzza star spec are $4. ($169 and $173.) difference in price so, if your comparing those 2 flip a coin. I have 1 rotation on these so far (a bit over 5k miles now) and they're wearing just fine. 200 UTQG rating so should be OK for a while. My OEM Potenza's rated at 140, got 25k miles out of them rotating regularly... I'll be autoxing this month so I will be able to push them to see where the edge really is.

 

[mazdaspeed32007]

i had falken 452's and they were 140 a piece. they lasted about 20000 miles and id say was one of the best tires ive used. they were great. i now have khumo ecsta asx's all season and every thing was greatly diminished in handling. the falkens were a little loud at about 30-40 mph but other than that they are great tires.

 

[MikeHTally]

Using Yokohama YK-520s here. Probably not the absolute best for grip, but I expect them to last me 40K-50K. That would be in the 4-6 year range. Seems like the stock Bridgestones provided really nice grip, but from what I've read, 25K would've been 'bout the best I could have gotten. FWIW.

 

[mazdaspeed32007]

best tire for the dollar is def the goodyear eagle f1 supercar. best tire youll own EVER! some nasty s*** for sure. comes stock on top of the line vettes.

 

[wassup61]

best tire for the dollar is def the goodyear eagle f1 supercar. best tire youll own EVER! some nasty s*** for sure. comes stock on top of the line vettes.

The RFT F1 supercars are one of the worst tires. Just because its OEM doesnt mean its good. We have vettes that chuck these in favor of the XS when they have literally no miles on them. The Kuhmo XS and Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star specs fit the bill. If you are looking for a money be damned approach look towards the Bridgestone RE-11 or an R compound tire such as the TOYO R888 though they will only last 1 summer.

Jeff

 

[shaneS]

anyone know what the best tire for the dollar would be if its only all-season tires?

 

[meicalnissyen]

For the price and performance, I would say the Kuhmo XS in that size would be the best tire to get. After reading the reviews, it seems like it's one of the top street auto'x tire compared to the Bridgstone RE-11 and Dunlop Dizerra Star Spec but are cheaper. The XS's on tirerack are $169 each.

As for cheapest tire with good grip and treadwear, I've got the BFGoodrich's G-Force Sports in the size you're wanting and they're okay. Dry traction is good but in the wet, I wish they were better. I got a good deal on them, that's why I got them.

I'm ok with the firehawk ovals i got from the rack, they had decent rating and I wanted a great wear time

I am not auto xing well with them though
this may be the nudge I need to get a little trailer and 4 bad 16 inch wheels
and some dot tires
for alot more money the direzza stars do seem to be the way to go

 

[mazdaspeed32007]

The RFT F1 supercars are one of the worst tires. Just because its OEM doesnt mean its good. We have vettes that chuck these in favor of the XS when they have literally no miles on them. The Kuhmo XS and Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star specs fit the bill. If you are looking for a money be damned approach look towards the Bridgestone RE-11 or an R compound tire such as the TOYO R888 though they will only last 1 summer.

Jeff

no sh*t huh? ive always heard good things. hmm. more power to knowledge.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

I run YK 520's in Michigan winters, not sure I would drive overly aggressive with them but have put some heat into them without any problems, they just squeal a lot at the edge. I have Prada Spec V's on for summer. So far I like the specs better than the RE050's that came with the car. Stick with Zero noise.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec.... whew that's a long name... Treadlife be damned! Decent price though, and a very, very well rated tire.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

I run YK 520's in Michigan winters, not sure I would drive overly aggressive with them but have put some heat into them without any problems, they just squeal a lot at the edge. I have Prada Spec V's on for summer. So far I like the specs better than the RE050's that came with the car. Stick with Zero noise.

Yeah, our MZ6s has YK520s, I don't think they're very good, I wanted to get the Continental Contiextremecontacts... The YK520s didn't grip snow as well as the OEM Michelin MXM4s did. I have yet to drive them hard in good weather.

 

[wassup61]

My preferred A/S tire is a tossup between the michelin PS A/S + and the Bridgestone g-force super sport. Both are excellent no season performance tires.

Jeff