Help me pick new AWD tires

[TheOctane]

So I have spent the last hour or so searching the forums about tires and it appears people havent really talk about tires that much since 2008. This will be the first time I have had to purchase tires for my 98 GSX and I would like some advice if you guys could.

This is my one and only car so its used all the time all year round, I live in an apartment with my girlfriend who will not let me keep an extra set of wheels/tires for the winter.

I generally put only about 7000 miles or so a year on the car. I am looking for a set of tires to use on my stock 17" GSX rims. The tires need to be an all around tire, more geared for performance. I feel like since I have the AWD I dont need snow tires but dont want to feel like I am driving on oiled grass at the sight of rain/snow.

Do you have some opinions or reviews on good tires? Money isnt really a driving factor as I dont mind spending more to get more.

So far ive looked at:
Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 (WEB LINK BELOW)
Tire Reviews - Discount Tire Direct

BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S (WEB LINK BELOW)
BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S

Really I have no hard opinions...I do not race this car on a track or strip...I do take a good ol joy ride sometimes but nothing crazy or dangerous...

All help is appreciated. Thank you very much!

 

[genegoesfast]

I've owned many different tires and I'd have to say the two favorites were BF Goodrich KDW 2's (get loud toward the end of their wear life) and Nitto Invo's (not quite as stiff in the sidewall but still very performance minded) Hope that helps.

 

[slayer450]

I vote bfg mk2's

 

[Silver99OZ]

I have a set of Bridgestone Potenza tires on my 17's that are awesome. They are the SO3 Pole Positions which have been replaced by a new model, the RE050. They are extremely sticky,great in both dry and wet weather, but wear very quickly and get loud as the tread gets low. I never tried them in snow as they are not intended for snow, but my cousin has the RE760's on his STI and said they were fairly decent in the snow. I also have Nitto Invo's on my 18's and I like them. I don't think they would do well in the snow due to the tread pattern they have.

 

[jtmcinder]

StarSpecs if it rains a lot; R-S3s if it doesn't.

 

[Guilty1s]

+ elevendybillion^^^^^ ... if you want the best.

The V12s are a great tire. Those BFG are an all season, granted a great all season, but it wont be like the V12s, but im personally not a fan of those BFG.

If you want top of the line summer tires:
Starspecs
Hankook RS3
the brand new Cooper RS-3

If you want a great summer tire:
V12s all the way
Pilot Sport 2

You want an great all season
I only use Pilot Sport A/S but there are a few good ones out there.


If your gonna drive it in anything below 30... dont get a summer tire.

 

[knochgoon24]

StarSpecs if it rains a lot; R-S3s if it doesn't.

I'd second the Star Specs, but they aren't so great in the snow.

Then again, if you're looking at K110's, you really aren't looking for a tire that's decent in the snow.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Sad as it is, the Primewell PZ900 have been great for the last year, 30k over 6/32ths left. Under 100 a piece.

Very stiff sidewalls, very sticky, lasts forever.

 

[TheOctane]

Awesome...now does anyone know where I can find any of the tires mentioned in 215/50/17 to fit the stockers?

+ elevendybillion^^^^^ ... if you want the best.

The V12s are a great tire. Those BFG are an all season, granted a great all season, but it wont be like the V12s, but im personally not a fan of those BFG.

If you want top of the line summer tires:
Starspecs
Hankook RS3
the brand new Cooper RS-3

If you want a great summer tire:
V12s all the way
Pilot Sport 2

You want an great all season
I only use Pilot Sport A/S but there are a few good ones out there.


If your gonna drive it in anything below 30... dont get a summer tire.

Dang...unfortunately here in Maryland I see everything from 0-100. I literally see it all. Hence the need for an all around tire...still feel like I could go a little more performance because of the AWD but I trust you all since I have little experience with tires in this format.

 

[Guilty1s]

tirerack.com and discounttiredirect.com for all your tire need

 

[99gst_racer]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

This is an excellent tire for summer and winter. It gets excellent ratings in every catagory. I ran these on my Talon this year and have nothing but praises. We get some nasty winters here in MI, and I had a blast driving on these.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

 

[1983gsp]

What's this thing called snow you speak of?

 

[tominatortwo]

What's this thing called snow you speak of?

That's a low blow my friend!

For a Daily I'd trust the all season group. Do some Car and Driver All Season run off research, results and make your own decision.

 

[Guilty1s]

My experience in tires comes from a a torquey RWD car that is tracked and autoX. I honestly wouldnt recomend starspecs or any of the Ultra High Performance tires unless you where autocrossing. The V12s would be very sufficient for any kinda agresssive driving you would throw at a daily.

 

[jtmcinder]

Sorry. I'm a pinhead who didn't read the first post carefully.

As all-seasons, both the StarSpec and the R-S3 stink, with the R-S3 being outrageously dangerous. Ignore me. I don't know anything about all-seasons. I hate them. Would never, ever run them. I'd get a new GF before buying such.

YMMV, of course.

 

[kennyg]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

Those do look pretty nice...

Couple other suggestions that are popular at work for all seasons are the new Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS or maybe the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (but I don't think they come in 215/50R17).

But we get so much winter here I've got Blizzaks for the winter (which are amazing with AWD )

 

[TheOctane]

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

This is an excellent tire for summer and winter. It gets excellent ratings in every catagory. I ran these on my Talon this year and have nothing but praises. We get some nasty winters here in MI, and I had a blast driving on these.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

Just purchased 4 new shoes off Tire Rack...thanks for the help!