Tire recommendations: street + autox rains - Page 2

*clyde* · 03-20-2007, 08:21 AM

If I had to go with a street tire to act as a rain tire...the Hankooks are what I'd go with if the sizing worked. What I didn't like about the Hankook on the RX-8 was that because it was a little short compared to OE (225/40-18 vs 225/45-18), I racked up mileage about 3% faster than I should have. OTOH, having the speedo read a couple MPH high at highway speeds probably never hurt me.

The tires wore pretty nicely on the street. I put about 14k on them and they still have plenty of life left (and are going on the front of the Boxster as streets). One of them has a couple screws in it, though. They were quiet, ride nicely and have more than enough grip for the street. FWIW, this is the same set that I did the Evo Challenge school on back in 8/05. And they're cheap.

We only ran them in the wet once (Devens, Saturday), and the experience didn't give us the warm and fuzzies. I don't think that we were anywhere close to right on pressures, and I don't think we drove very well. Still, though, I'm not sure that we did the wrong thing running those tires.

bren · 03-20-2007, 08:48 AM

I thought you were an all-season guy? In that case I'd look at the Avon M550 or the Kumho ASX.

I'm happy with the Kumho SPT on the M3 and would definitely buy them again. I'll be able to give you a comparison between the SPT and the Avon M500 soon as I just ordered them for the vette since it already had 1 good one on the car

FWIW, ST* guys seem to like the M550 and the SPT for rain use.

You should be able to fit a 245 all the way around right?

FC · 03-20-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

Wow.

Edgeracing.com has the Hankooks in Boxster 18" sizes for $580. I wonder if the Michelins are twice as good. :shifty:

Dammit, now you are making me wonder yet again if I should order those instead. I haven't ordered them yet.

The only matching set in that site are the Toyo Prozes T1r. And the set is
Are THOSE any good?

They are $600 cheaper than PS2's for the set.

rumatt · 03-20-2007, 10:06 AM

The reason I don't buy super expensive tires is that I would feel inclined to get my money's worth out of them and use them right to the wear bars. Of course, once you're anywhere near the wear bars they suck ass in rain.

I'd rather get cheaper tires and replace them sooner. I'm probably safer that way.

John V · 03-20-2007, 10:21 AM

FC, I'm kind of kidding. I'm sure the PS2s are absolutely fantastic tires. I just can't honestly see myself buying a tire like that, because I would never feel like I got my money's worth out of them. Are they THAT much better in the wet? Are they THAT much quieter and that much longer lasting?

I'm with Matt. I'd rather have fresh tires every couple years rather than try to get every last mile out of an expensive set.

To me it has come down to the Dunlop Direzza, the Kumho SPT, the Avon Tech M500 and the Hankook Z212. All of these tires have very good survey responses at Tire Rack (except the Hankook, which isn't sold there). Of those, the Hankook will probably last the least long, since it's molded with less tread depth and a stickier compound.

I have driven on the T1R and was not impressed. Very squirmy and wandery. Learic had them on her RX-8 and she didn't like them either.

rumatt · 03-20-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

I thought you were an all-season guy?

I don't know what I am.

I need to buy *something* to drive on this summer, so I'm thinking I might as well make it decent for autox rains too. Then again, the fedex lot is on a hill. How much standing water can there be?

I really hate the fact that it means I'd need to run staggered wheels. I might just put 225's on the four 7.5" M68's I have, and if I happen to run them in the rain, people can protest me. But in that case I guess I might as well just stick with the R-comps.

John V · 03-20-2007, 10:32 AM

FedEx can easily get wet enough to require treaded tires. The lot as a whole is sloped, but there are flat areas that can gather a lot of water.

rautox · 03-20-2007, 10:33 AM

It's actually a matter of how much running water there can be. I've had it running over the tops of my shoes more than once on that lot. It's ... weird.

rumatt · 03-20-2007, 10:41 AM

Thanks guys. I'll think of something...

bren · 03-20-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

I might just put 225's on....

I thought 245's all around fit on the e46?

03-20-2007, 08:21 AM	#11
clyde Chief title editor Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,599	If I had to go with a street tire to act as a rain tire...the Hankooks are what I'd go with if the sizing worked. What I didn't like about the Hankook on the RX-8 was that because it was a little short compared to OE (225/40-18 vs 225/45-18), I racked up mileage about 3% faster than I should have. OTOH, having the speedo read a couple MPH high at highway speeds probably never hurt me. The tires wore pretty nicely on the street. I put about 14k on them and they still have plenty of life left (and are going on the front of the Boxster as streets). One of them has a couple screws in it, though. They were quiet, ride nicely and have more than enough grip for the street. FWIW, this is the same set that I did the Evo Challenge school on back in 8/05. And they're cheap. We only ran them in the wet once (Devens, Saturday), and the experience didn't give us the warm and fuzzies. I don't think that we were anywhere close to right on pressures, and I don't think we drove very well. Still, though, I'm not sure that we did the wrong thing running those tires. __________________ OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do?

03-20-2007, 08:48 AM	#12
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	I thought you were an all-season guy? In that case I'd look at the Avon M550 or the Kumho ASX. I'm happy with the Kumho SPT on the M3 and would definitely buy them again. I'll be able to give you a comparison between the SPT and the Avon M500 soon as I just ordered them for the vette since it already had 1 good one on the car FWIW, ST* guys seem to like the M550 and the SPT for rain use. You should be able to fit a 245 all the way around right?

03-20-2007, 10:06 AM	#14
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	The reason I don't buy super expensive tires is that I would feel inclined to get my money's worth out of them and use them right to the wear bars. Of course, once you're anywhere near the wear bars they suck ass in rain. I'd rather get cheaper tires and replace them sooner. I'm probably safer that way.

03-20-2007, 10:21 AM	#15
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	FC, I'm kind of kidding. I'm sure the PS2s are absolutely fantastic tires. I just can't honestly see myself buying a tire like that, because I would never feel like I got my money's worth out of them. Are they THAT much better in the wet? Are they THAT much quieter and that much longer lasting? I'm with Matt. I'd rather have fresh tires every couple years rather than try to get every last mile out of an expensive set. To me it has come down to the Dunlop Direzza, the Kumho SPT, the Avon Tech M500 and the Hankook Z212. All of these tires have very good survey responses at Tire Rack (except the Hankook, which isn't sold there). Of those, the Hankook will probably last the least long, since it's molded with less tread depth and a stickier compound. I have driven on the T1R and was not impressed. Very squirmy and wandery. Learic had them on her RX-8 and she didn't like them either.

03-20-2007, 10:32 AM	#17
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	FedEx can easily get wet enough to require treaded tires. The lot as a whole is sloped, but there are flat areas that can gather a lot of water.

03-20-2007, 10:33 AM	#18
rautox Crotchety Join Date: Mar 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: Phone book... or two Posts: 792	It's actually a matter of how much running water there can be. I've had it running over the tops of my shoes more than once on that lot. It's ... weird.

03-20-2007, 10:41 AM	#19
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Thanks guys. I'll think of something...