Help with tire selection

[Cox Abele]

I've been so far seperated from performance tires that I don't know what is any damn good any longer. Additionally, my performance expectations stem from RWD Mustangs that were more built for straight line performance.

I've built a fun little 2g. (2g Spyder - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com) While I don't intend to use it for racing, I'd like to put on some rubber that will provide great all around traction for street driving and the occasional run at the strip or auto-x. I'd also like to get some tread life out of them and still be safe if I find myself caught in the rain. Auto-x class is irrelivent. This car will not see snow.

I'll be running a 225/40/18.

Fuzion UHP
Nexen N5000
Nexen N3000
Falken Ziex ZE912
Kumho Ecsta AST
Nitto Neo Gen
Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39
Nitto NT555

Tires are listed by price, low to high, but all are within my budget. I used to think NT555s were the best street tire out there, but now the Neo Gens have me interested. I'm getting these through work for right around $100 each, so going outside of these brands isn't possible.

 

[1990dsmkid]

Ive known a couple people who have run the nitto neo gens and loved them. Said they handled everything they would throw at em and never had problems. If I could afford em thats what I would get

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Everyone will say something different, but you ought to consider the Continental DW. It gets rave reviews and Vette and BMW boards are loaded with posts more or less indicating they prefer it over items such as Neo Gens.

What really drew me in was the insane amount of dry grip you get for such a high treadwear tire. That and I was able to blast over a mountain pass that wasn't letting anyone through unless you had chains on or you had a 4x4. Since there was no way chains were going on my car I got the go ahead by asking the attendant to check for the pumpkin. She let me through. While the tires were nothing like snow tires, I made short work of every SUV and truck coming over the pass all the while in 4+ inches of snow and storm.

Anyways, obviously I like them, and I am trying to sway you, but at the least; they're worth a look.

 

[Cox Abele]

I'm looking at $664 for the Continental DWs on TireRack, and another $55 to ship them. The reason I want to stick to my list was due to my pricing. The tires I have listed are all right around $400 for the set, installed.

 

[knochgoon24]

You really get what you pay for with tires.

NT555's may be one of the best tires in that price range, but if you ever get to drive on a set of really good, daily driveable DOT tires (Dunlop Z1 or ZII's, Hankook RS-3's, or Continental DW's) you won't want to go back to cheaper tires.

 

[Mello]

I hated my Neo Gens & have not or will not buy them again. My DD preference are BFG kdw's and for me the price per mile is better than Neo Gen's.

 

[5150DSM]

Consider Continental DWS Extreme Contact and Kumho Ecsta 4X KU22. Stay away from Fuzion, Nexen and Falken for performance. Also, for a little pricier tire you can look at the BFG GForce KDW II, treadwear is not so great, like the Nitto's but the grip is awesome.

 

[my dreamt dsm]

I have never used nitto gen's but seen my brother in law with a set.
Lasted only 6 months on his car. And no, he is a granny driver.
You should check out firestone firehawk oval on tire rack. It did very good in it's class. I'm rolling on a set and so far, the best tire I've ever used. Previous used are, yoko avid s, falken 615rt, kuhmo ecsta, falken ziex. Kuhmo, they don't make tires how they used to. The first gen ecsta was bad ass.
Kuhmo AST also suck balls. It didn't last one year on my brother's car.

 

[TJCTalon]

Only decent tire you have listed is the 555.

The rest are pretty much off brand except kumo and falken both are low grade cheap tire.

I work at a tire shop right now so I know alot about tires and Im running Hankook RS-3 on my weekend/track car and Blizzaks/Riken zr's in my daily driver.

Conti DWS are a very good tire. But If your not looking for anything other then whats on your list go with the 555's

 

[Cox Abele]

I hated my Neo Gens & have not or will not buy them again. My DD preference are BFG kdw's and for me the price per mile is better than Neo Gen's.

Why did you hate your Neo Gens? If tread wear was an issue, explain your suspension setup, alignment specifications and driving style while on these tires.

Consider Continental DWS Extreme Contact and Kumho Ecsta 4X KU22. Stay away from Fuzion, Nexen and Falken for performance. Also, for a little pricier tire you can look at the BFG GForce KDW II, treadwear is not so great, like the Nitto's but the grip is awesome.

Continental DWS Extreme Contact, Kumho Ecsta 4X KU22 and BFG GForce KDW II are not on my list or within my price range.

Why do you say the tread wear with the Nittos is not so great? What is your experience with Nittos? If you have run the Nittos, what tire exactly did you run, 555 or NeoGen? What is your suspension setup like, what does your alignment look like and what kind of driving did you throw at them?

I have never used nitto gen's but seen my brother in law with a set.
Lasted only 6 months on his car. And no, he is a granny driver.
You should check out firestone firehawk oval on tire rack. It did very good in it's class. I'm rolling on a set and so far, the best tire I've ever used. Previous used are, yoko avid s, falken 615rt, kuhmo ecsta, falken ziex. Kuhmo, they don't make tires how they used to. The first gen ecsta was bad ass.
Kuhmo AST also suck balls. It didn't last one year on my brother's car.

The firestone firehawks are not on my list. Nor are the Yoko avid s or falken 615rt. What was your experience with the Kuhmo ecsta and Falken ziex. What is different in the manufacturing process of the new Kuhmos verses the old? What was your brother's car, suspension setup and alignment specifications while running the NeoGens? I can drive 1k-100k miles in 6 months. The time he ran them is irrelevant. How many miles did they last and on what kind or roads? Living in a mountain region is far different from living in a dense city.

Only decent tire you have listed is the 555.

The rest are pretty much off brand except kumo and falken both are low grade cheap tire.

I work at a tire shop right now so I know alot about tires and Im running Hankook RS-3 on my weekend/track car and Blizzaks/Riken zr's in my daily driver.

Conti DWS are a very good tire. But If your not looking for anything other then whats on your list go with the 555's

Thank you for your opinion and making a suggestion that pertains to the tires that are on my list.





To anyone else reading, commenting or provide their recommendation...

Please do not make recomendations on tires that are not on the list.

Fuzion UHP
Nexen N5000
Nexen N3000
Falken Ziex ZE912
Kumho Ecsta AST
Nitto Neo Gen
Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39
Nitto NT555