Time for new summer tires

[eclipsh]

So it is time for another bench comparison of summer tires for me. I have had a set of Kumho SPT 245/40-17 rubber on and I've been pleased but want to see what else is out there. I know there are grippier tires available. However, I can't afford to spend more than $130/tire. Some tires I'm looking at are:

Sumitomo's 'cause they're cheap:
Sumitomo HTR Z
Sumitomo HTR Z II
Sumitomo HTR Z III

Kumho's - tried and fairly true:
Kumho Ecsta SPT
Kumho Ecsta MX

And these two:
Fuzion ZRi
Hankook Ventus R-S2

I'm looking for a combination of handling, price and longevity here, not sure what order I'd place those in. Anyone who's run a few of these please let me know what you think.

As far as usage goes, I spend most of my time as a DD with less spirited driving than I'd like these days. I go to a few weekends of Auto X each summer and hope to get in some track time. I don't have extra wheels for track rubber but will look into it in a few years when I've rebuilt my engine and everything else is "done."

[Boost92awd]

From past experiences with sumitomo, I would highly recommend not to get them, they dont hook up good at all. I'v heard some good things about the kumho ecsta mx's though. There rated pretty good for the price.

[eclipsh]

Originally Posted by Boost92awd

From past experiences with sumitomo, I would highly recommend not to get them, they dont hook up good at all. I'v heard some good things about the kumho ecsta mx's though. There rated pretty good for the price.

Thank you for your input. However, drag launches are about as important to me as tits on a frog. How is the grip in cornering and exiting? Which set of Sumitomos did you get and how long ago?

[Boost92awd]

I had the sumitomo HTZ II's on my last talon which was about a year ago. I really hated the tires they were not grippy at all. I personally would never buy them again. I also went through a set of tires in I want to say 10,000 miles. They didnt last that long and that was with minimal launches on them.

[bastarddsm]

Kuhmo Ecsta SPT all the way. I have them on my FWD, best traction I have ever had. They lasted a hard 10,000 miles on the front. The rears look like new still.

[kanderson]

I would definitely go with Kumhos. I run ecsta spt tires right now, I like them a lot and they have held up well over the last two autocrosses. I have also heard great things about their mx tire as well, so I might go that route pretty soon. Overall, I think that Kumho is the best bang for the buck, in my experience.

[unlmtdndeavor]

Originally Posted by bastarddsm

Kuhmo Ecsta SPT all the way. I have them on my FWD, best traction I have ever had. They lasted a hard 10,000 miles on the front. The rears look like new still.

Best traction you ever had......time to get some better tires. There are WAY better tires out there than the SPT.

To the OP, the hankooks are probably the best out of the choices you gave. I dont the like Fuzion or Sumitomos. Why not consider RT-615. Are you set on the 245/40/17...I ran the 255/40/17 RT-615 and they are by far the best bang for the buck tire. They will out grip any of the tires you mentioned and for about $126/tire i believe.

[eclipsh]

Originally Posted by unlmtdndeavor

Best traction you ever had......time to get some better tires. There are WAY better tires out there than the SPT.

To the OP, the hankooks are probably the best out of the choices you gave. I dont the like Fuzion or Sumitomos. Why not consider RT-615. Are you set on the 245/40/17...I ran the 255/40/17 RT-615 and they are by far the best bang for the buck tire. They will out grip any of the tires you mentioned and for about $126/tire i believe.

The RT-615s were mentioned to me by others. How is the tread wear on those? I'm on 8 in. rims so 255 isn't going to fit safely. I could run 235/40 or 245/45, the latter of which would be the cheapest at $112/each.

Falken AZENIS RT-615 Tires for Sale Online - Vulcan Tire Sales

Unless you know of a cheaper supplier that is

[T9S1i]

anyone look into the dunlop direzza sport z1? or star spec ones?

Im kind of torn inbetween the rt-615, kumho mx, and dunlop direzza sport z1's.

The only thing is i'll be doing a lot of drag racing, so im looking for a softer tire compound and softer sidewall, one reason that im kind of leaning away from the rt's is because they only come with a 40 sidewall not a 45, i need all the sidewall i can get for drag racing.


OP, if i were you i would look into the rt-615's and the dunlop direzza sport z1's. The rt's are proven time and again for handling, but treadware sucks, the z1's might last longer, but any tire thats great at handling and very sticky wont last very long, its a trade off and you will need to pick a side.

[98GSXtreme07]

My dad had the Ventus on his 05 Mustang and than he went to the Sumitomo and he told me he definitely noticed that the Ventus had much better traction and grip. Maybe this helps, maybe it wont...

[unlmtdndeavor]

Vulcan tire is pretty much the best place to get them, unless you can get a local tire shop to price match for you. Treadwear is 200 on them. You gotta pay to play pretty much.

[eclipsh]

So long as I can get two full summers out of the 615 (say 15k-20k miles) they'd work for me. Otherwise I might also look at these:

Falken FK-452 Tires for Sale Online - Vulcan Tire Sales

I'll see if my local Big O will price match the 615 or FK-452 for me.

Otherwise, anyone have two slightly used 245/40-17 SPT tires they want to send me? Only two are really shot (bad alignment - my fault). Then I can see about finding some dedicated race rubber and wheels to stick 'em on.

[unlmtdndeavor]

I don't know if they'll last 15-20k. I'd say probably 12k. But then again, I don't know your alignment specs or how you will drive on them. By the looks of your avatar you autox, will you be doing so on these tires? If so they definitely won't last that long..hahah

[eclipsh]

Most of my driving is just back and forth to work, 7 miles each way on the highway. Sadly, I hit a max of 8 autocross days a year and might hit one track day if I'm lucky.

I think I'll go with the FK-452 this time around. They'll have the 245/40 size I want and should last just a bit longer. Oddly enough, they're rated with a better traction of AA compared to A for the 615. Go figure.

Oh, and on a side note, my local Big-O was a bit rude to me when I offered to buy local if they'd discount their $145 per tire price to come a little closer to the $108 per + $50 shipping this morning. Looks like I'll be picking up a set from Vulcan.

[1glaserturbo]

I'm going with these, based on what I've learned from a C6 Z06 buddy of mine and I got them in 235/45-zr17 for a steal

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A

[unlmtdndeavor]

Originally Posted by eclipsh

Most of my driving is just back and forth to work, 7 miles each way on the highway. Sadly, I hit a max of 8 autocross days a year and might hit one track day if I'm lucky.

I think I'll go with the FK-452 this time around. They'll have the 245/40 size I want and should last just a bit longer. Oddly enough, they're rated with a better traction of AA compared to A for the 615. Go figure.

Oh, and on a side note, my local Big-O was a bit rude to me when I offered to buy local if they'd discount their $145 per tire price to come a little closer to the $108 per + $50 shipping this morning. Looks like I'll be picking up a set from Vulcan.

Those ratings are whatever. But the RT-615 won practically every tire comparison in grassroot motorsports. I'm not sure now that the RE-01R is out, but thats an expensive tire

Originally Posted by 1glaserturbo

I'm going with these, based on what I've learned from a C6 Z06 buddy of mine and I got them in 235/45-zr17 for a steal

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A

I would get the RE050A pole positions. a bit better

[eclipsh]

So here's what other tuner sites are saying about the 452.

Falken FK-452 thread (owners ### come in discuss) - NASIOC

Falken Fk452 - RX8Club.com

Sounds like they are being well received.

[romeen]

The Kumho MX's love warm weather. They are sticky enough to pick up gravel. The sidewall is a bit on the soft side though. Good for straight line traction, not so good for the twisties. Great tire for the price.

RT-615's are about $20-25 more expensive per tire. They have a stiffer sidewall so they should be better than the MX's as far as handling. Falken also has a reputation for making their tires on the wide side. So a 245 width RT-615 supposedly has a slightly bigger contact patch than a 245 tire from most other manufacturers.

[djmixerx]

I found out that discounttiredirect.com has your tire in the size you like. You could price match with the other site was quoting you I believe. Free shipping too. Just trying to save you some money.