Tire discussion and choices [Merged 11-7] which size what tires tiretire

[nighthawk355x]

I searched already and only found 2 threads on all weather tires. I'd love to get a tire that can hook nicely on the street and still be at least fairly capable in the winter. A few people said it's nearly impossible to get a true "all weather" tire, but are there any reasonably capable tires for that. I'm not looking to launch in snow or anything, just to be able to function.

The tires will be going on an AWD, lowered with eibachs, 16" rims, if that helps

Ideally I'd like a high speed rated(W-rated if possible) tire that will be good for launches and still get me around in the winter. Any info or help on this is greatly appreciated!

 

[yellow90tsi]

I had a stratus r/t and i ran 215/45/17 nitto nt450. I was very impressed with them in the inclement weather. It snows here pretty good sometimes, and one time i had trouble with them, but it was some deep snow. The stratus was a v-6 and pretty torquey. A little finess and off we went.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

So far I've been happy with my nice and cheap Kumho Ecsta ASX's. I've only had them in snow once so far though.

 

[illeffekt vr-4]

toyo proxes 4.
i had a set of 205/55-16's on 16x7's, and now i have a set of 245/40-17's on 17x8.
awesome in dry/wet and great in snow. my galant is my daily driver, and i go snowboarding in the winter with it and they rock.

 

[andymoraitis]

The Falken Ziex ZE-512 is also a decent all around performer that you may want to look into. I only live a couple miles from work so I just leave my FK-451's on all year and take it easy in snowy conditions. Rain is no biggie. I just make it a point not to mash the gas or I'll go sideways when the boost hits.

Good luck,

Andy

 

[90 GSX]

I like my kumho ecsta mx. All other kumhos except victoracers suck. The MX is a very good tire, the sidewalls could be a little stiffer but it makes for a decent ride and super traction. I'm AWD but I've never had a problem in the rain... if that means anything to you.

-Omar

 

[Defiant]

Dunlop Sport A-2

 

[solo92s10]

continental extreme contantacts. Had them on my 2000 eclipse gt and they were great in all weather, even snow (well somewhat).

 

[wret]

Sure there are all-weather tires, but if you live in an area with snowy winters, using the same tires all year will be a compromise. There are no UHP tires that perform with any kind of safety in snow, and neither snow or all season tires will compare to the warm weather handling of a decent UHP tire. I would suggest a second set of wheels and tires for the winter. Stock DSM wheels or other compatible wheels can be found quite cheaply on ebay, often already mounted with snow tires.

 

[drivemusicnow]

I like my kumho ecsta mx. All other kumhos except victoracers suck. The MX is a very good tire, the sidewalls could be a little stiffer but it makes for a decent ride and super traction. I'm AWD but I've never had a problem in the rain... if that means anything to you.

-Omar

Kuhmo Ecsta MXes are NOT!!! rated, or safe in snow.

By the way, Summer tires are NOT safe on a car in winter. My daily is a Subaru SVX, and it just snowed. I thought I would be okay with the Ecsta 712s, but boy was I wrong. AWD car, good ABS/brakes, nightmare to try and get to work. I got "stuck" twice (once trying to get into my driveway), and would spin the tires at idle (automatic car) on ice. Basically the only way to get anywhere is 3/4 throttle and locking it in 2nd/3rd gear. Made the drive interesting at least

I already have a set of dedicated studdable snow tires on the way.


As for a good All season, The BFG KDWS worked for me fairly well, as well as the Dunlop Sport A2s (my old tires on my subie, and the tires on my moms subie). The stock sized dunlop sport 5000s (old tires on my DSM) worked decently in the snow as well. All of these preform fairly well in the summer as well.

 

[wvturbo2]

Kuhmo's work great for me in rain at least i can make it slide if i mash on it when making a turn but unless im trying to slide the back out it won't happen. With awd i don't see why any tire isn't pretty good if you don't drive like a dumbass because awd can lose traction 2. Also kdw's aren't to bad but in snow they suck ass. The treads fill up with snow making them giant slicks. My friend couldn't move 2 inches i nthe snow, but he was rwd.

 

[drivemusicnow]

Kuhmo's work great for me in rain at least i can make it slide if i mash on it when making a turn but unless im trying to slide the back out it won't happen. With awd i don't see why any tire isn't pretty good if you don't drive like a dumbass because awd can lose traction 2. Also kdw's aren't to bad but in snow they suck ass. The treads fill up with snow making them giant slicks. My friend couldn't move 2 inches i nthe snow, but he was rwd.

My dad has the MXs on his WRX, and they are okay in rain. I think the perform better than a lot of their competitors in the rain (like the azenis). They are terrible in the snow.

The problem with summer tires is their ability to grip the road. This includes turning, stopping, and going. AWD only helps in the going departement, and even then, I was having trouble getting up a hill that the RWD dodge sprinter (a freaking van) didn't seem to have quite as much trouble as I did.

oh, and I was talking about the KDWS, which is the Allseason/snow tire they have. They make the KD, the KDW, and the KDWS

 

[wvturbo2]

My fault i thought you were just talking bout the kdw. Since he's running stock 16's why not just get some all season's for the winter?

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

My dad has the MXs on his WRX, and they are okay in rain. I think the perform better than a lot of their competitors in the rain (like the azenis). They are terrible in the snow.

The problem with summer tires is their ability to grip the road. This includes turning, stopping, and going. AWD only helps in the going departement, and even then, I was having trouble getting up a hill that the RWD dodge sprinter (a freaking van) didn't seem to have quite as much trouble as I did.

oh, and I was talking about the KDWS, which is the Allseason/snow tire they have. They make the KD, the KDW, and the KDWS

Exactly. I just want to reiterate. AWD only helps with acceleration. You still need grippy tires if you plan to use your brakes at all.

 

[4G63FLA]

Hey guys. What is the biggest tire with stock setup I can fit on a 2G? Meaning, I need to fit a 295 / 30 / 18 on there. With stock ride height, no fender work done, is it possible to fit this tire on the rear of the car? Thanks.

~Eddie

 

[JessGST]

The widest tire I've seen on a 2G is 255's... and that was with the fenders rolled. I have 225's and I had to roll my fenders, but my car is also pretty low.

I really don't think you'll be able to get 295's on your car, even with modification but I could be wrong.

 

[4G63FLA]

Thats kewl. I have 245's on there now on 18s but I had a chance to get some VERY nice racing slicks off of someone for free and they were 295's. Was jsut hoping you know? Thanks.

~Eddie

 

[2gntrbo]

why are you trying to put that specific size of tire on the rear for??

 

[4G63FLA]

Like I said above, I am able to get a very nice set of racing slicks for free and that is the size they are. I do NOT drag race I do allot of road racing and I see that allot of the other DSM's as well as other front wheel drive cars run this tire in the rear. However they have some fender work done. I have a set of 18 inch rims so I was just curious is all. if it can not be done, then it is no big deal and I am not out anything anyway. Just curious was all. Thanks.

~Eddie

 

[wret]

Stock ride height and no rolled fenders? I say 235's on +45 offset.

 

[4G63FLA]

Stock ride height and no rolled fenders? I say 235's on +45 offset.

Well I have 245 / 55 / 16s on a set of particular rims now. But I also have another set of 18s that I am trying to see if they would fit. i am thinking they are not going to. but I am not out any money either way.

 

[wret]

Offset is critical in any "how wide" discussion.

 

[1gcrazy]

Ok guys, I just searched for a recommended tire and i'm just not getting the results i'm looking for.

Alot of people have tires and i'm just curious which ones are recommended and which ones arent.

I just bought a daily driver and i'm looking to bring the maintenance up to par as much as I can and tires have come up. The ones on the car right now are about 2% left in terms of wear. They still have grooves but barely. ANYWAYS.

I'm debating on which type of tire I want to chose from. All Season or Summer Performance
We got a TON of snow here in Colorado this year and snow drivability is important yet, I AM awd... I'm more tempted to go for a summer tire since the awd will make up for any slack. I'm worried about stopping power in the snow though with a summer tire.

I would like to know about a few tires you guys have that have impressed you. I think i'm leaning more towards a summer tire because of my awd. Anyways, i only want to spend around 400 bucks on tires. Please if you guys have an EXCELLENT tire thats CHEAP that would ROCK! Remember though, this car will be a daily driver so tire wear is IMPORTANT. Let me repeat that since most people usually skim a post...

TREAD LIFE IS IMPORTANT!

I'm anxious to see what you guys are running!
Thanks!!!

 

[2gGSX97]

If I were you I would go all-season. IMO the Kumho Ecsta AST is great. It's a quality tire and has a sweet tread pattern. They look like summer tires. I had them on my civic and I thought they were great.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+AST

 

[wvturbo2]

I have kuhmo ecsta's on mine. I'm sure they aren't all season. I'll get the model later, but they suck in snow. They just hold all snow in the treads and act like ice skates. If i brake at all i slide bad. Turning will do the same sometimes. Awd makes up for going straight not for braking. If you get snow you won't want summer tires on.