All,
This week I ran over another nail and made a bee-line to Discount Tire. They couldn't repair the tire because the tread was worn past legal limit.
I went with Yokohama AVS ES100 thinking that they were decent replacements. NOPE

There's too much lateral play and the traction is not as good as the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE050. In effect, I chose poorly and lost a bunch of performance that takes away from the daily driving fun.
Today, I did a little test on a piece of road where I usually do my checkouts. The springs and Euro modifications with the OEM tires was fantastic! I tested that setup on this nice chicane close to work. So, this morning I tested the new tires and MUSH ... the whole car went sideways throgh the turn - plowing the front and sliding the back. YUK.

I wore out the Bridgestones over 5 track events and one year of street driving.

The Yokohamas have a smoother ride and are quiet. They have a deep rain pattern that should keep me safe in the upcoming monsoon season - but I won't be able to do any track events with these tires.
To remedy this situation, I'll have to throw out more money to get some track wheels and tires... something I'm guessing will cost around 2 grand. I don't know if I can stay sane missing a HPDE season.



For those of you replacing MY04/05 tires that want to have a little weekend fun with your daily driver street setup, stay with the OEMs - or perhaps go with the more all-season S03s.

Anybody have a good lead on track rims?

C 'bummin' B

 

Bah, just cause they're not as good as OEM doesn't mean you can't beat the snot out of 'em on the track.

Best value in track rims is a second set of OEM rims, which can be had for a song in the marketplace.

 

See my reply to your identical post in the Wheels and Tires forum.

OEM rims are the inexpensive solution.

 

Did you guys notice that I have an 04? You still believe that OEM rims are the best way to go? I see sets for 1200... suppose that's alright... 300 each. Yes, CB stands for Cheap Bastard.

I gotta tell ya, the Yokohama 100s just don't do this car any justice! My stook handles like shit now. Okay for daily driving, but forget about spirited road drives and don't even think about the track. I'm still bummin about my poor choice.

wah!!!!!!

CB

 

Seriously...
These tires will get my baby smacked, and/or me killed if I try any HPDE shit with them.
It feels like I'm driving the wife's RAV4. I'm cryin' here! I went from being on rails to driving an effin boat!!!!!!

Ok. It's time to mow some lawns and save up for track rims and race rubber.

CB

 

Just because you have an '04 doesn't mean you can't run AP1 wheels. You just need to find tires that are similiar or smaller in heighth.

As for tracking the ES100's([u]E[/i]xtra Slippery), just think how much more emphasis will be put on honing your driving skill rather than the car making you look good. Maybe one of the most hindering things I did was tracking right from the start with shaved RA-1's. The allowed me to go faster than my skill level.


BTW, I have a set of the Extra Slipperies on one set of stocks for getting around to different shops. I gave them the 500 miles to see if they'd finally get some/any grip... never did.

 

Sounds like you are serious about lapping. Bite the bullet and get some used AP1 rims, $300-$400 and some R-compounds (for the next step in grip) $700-$800. That is the cheapest setup and gives way more performance than the 17" + street tire combo.

Unless you have a big rotor, big brake kit, there is no reason you can't go to 16" rims.

 

If you can't afford the 2 set of wheels and tires, then drive on the ES100 and work at being smoother.

I have a set of Toyo T1S and at the track, in the heat, they give a lot. I have to slow and really work on being smooth. On the street, they are fine, and in the rain, track or street, they are great.

Also if your ES100 last like the set I had, in 7000 miles (all street) you'll be getting a new set of something (Kumho MX ???) and never another set of ES100.

 

i have es100's in the rear. horrible tires. i feel almost scared to have fun with my car for fear that ill loose control..

 

Dude!
I mean!...
Chalk this one up for experience.
The ES totally effed up my daily driving fun.
The Bridstone Potenzas are the way to go. Don't skimp.

I could take the the ESs to the track once just to learn how crappy they really are, but I've seriously got to fix the track situation.

I'm kinda bummin' because not only are the Yokohama ES100s slippery - they have a LOT more lateral play. It feels like I'm driving a truck!

This too shall pass.
What are the winning lotto numbers?

CB