New Summer Tires

[KrayzieFox]

Well I'm looking for a set of new tires for the upcoming summer, and they will only be used for summer (dry + rainy) driving. I have a set of winter tires I use for snow, but I'm really needing to replace the Coopers I am on right now. They'll be mounted on a 17x7 rim and I'm probably gonna go with a 204/40/R17 of some sort just cuz I know those won't rub.

So I did a lot of reading and went through the whole tire review thread, and it seems that the Falken Ziex 512 and the Kuhmo ASX seem to be a pretty popular pick. At first I was oriented towards the Yokohama SpecII Paradas but I've read a lot of reviews that they have horrible wear. So I think the battle is between the Falken and the Kuhmos.

Anyone have any opinions on either one of these tires or maybe even recommendations of a better tire?

 

[KrayzieFox]

Oh yea .. one more thing before you guys ask. I'm looking for a tire that'll last me a while but provide good performance at the same time. I drive the Protege the way it's supposed to be driven, which is hard around the corners. Now I'm not saying I'm flying through every corner I encounter, but I do like to have a some fun on the road.

I'm not too concerned about ride quality or road noise, those things don't bother me. The music is usually killing road noise, and I've gotten used to having a harsh ride from having my springs installed since I've owned the car.

 

[TheMAN]

the ziex 512s are all seasons... a good summer tire would be the azenis

 

[KrayzieFox]

the ziex 512s are all seasons... a good summer tire would be the azenis

Which ones are gonna last longer tho?

 

[JoshP5]

Azenis treadwear = 200
Ziex treadwear = 360

These should wear pretty well:
Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position
Toyo Proxes TR1
Falken FK-452

 

[treybrad]

Check out the Kuhmo SPT. The ASX is still an all-season, the SPT is a summer tire. I love mine, one of the best I've had in the rain. Had Toyo T1R on the Miata, also a great summer tire.

trey

 

[KronixKid22]

I had the Kuhmo ASX's all around and I hated them. I mean performance and everything was awesome, but they just didn't last for me. Two of the tires got bubbles, and one of the bubbles was on the inside which I didn't like the idea of. Just picked up Dunlop Direzza DZ101's and they're awesome so far. Low price too. Check them out on tirerack.com

 

[jflash]

here is a real summer tire with a 300 treadwear rating.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=BFGoodrich&model=g-Force+T%2FA+KDW+2&tirePageLocQty=

 

[JoshP5]

here is a real summer tire with a 300 treadwear rating.

They lasted 11K miles for one reviewer!

Treadwear ratings don't mean anything when comparing different brands. There is no standardized system to determine the rating, so manufacturers are free to determine it however they like. Therefore it's only useful for comparing tires within a manufacturer's product line.

 

[jflash]

i wasnt going by just the rating. ive had mine on for 7000 miles and 2 track days and they still look new.

 

[Reitrof]

Check out the Kuhmo SPT. The ASX is still an all-season, the SPT is a summer tire. I love mine, one of the best I've had in the rain. Had Toyo T1R on the Miata, also a great summer tire.

trey

2nd these. SPT's are great handling and good treadlife.

 

[KrayzieFox]

2nd these. SPT's are great handling and good treadlife.

Good deal. That's what I like to hear, good reviews from multiple members. +2 for the SPTs then.

 

[NVP5White]

I am considering the SPTs but my current experience with ASXs is making me very carefully consider another brand. I suppose I should knock the tire too bad since it will get just barely to 30K miles, but I really was not impressed by the performance and feel of these tires. The tread squirm/squishy sideway feeling has lasted. With the lower tread now they really crash over bumps and expansion joints.

Anyway, I am looking at the General Exclaim UHP. They have a 380 tread rating and they can take light snow. Now I probably won't be driving these through much snow, but the fact that they can handle colder temps is a big plus for me.

Good luck!

 

[JoshP5]

^ Consider Falken 512s. They are decent in snow, absolutely rule in rain, grip almost like a summer tire in dry, have decent sidewall rigidity, are reasonably priced, protect your rims from curb rash, are quiet, and last a long time (360). I like mine.