Sooo... what's the latest opinions on tires for an '05? My Bridgestones are gone and it's time to start looking for something else. I need daily driver tires that I can occasionally autocross one. The Bridgestones were great, but... at $750 for a set, I thought I'd look around for something else.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
--
Dave

 

You might check the Wheel & Tire forum on this board. I'm sure there's lots of useful info there.

As for me, I'm in an '03, so my input won't be particularly useful... plus, I stick w/ the OEM tires anyway.

 

Heard that the Hankook RS2s are all the rage these days for a dual street/autox tire. Have not tired them, but they'll be my next set. Currently on MXs, and I don't like the inconsistent grip they offer when they're not warmed up at autox -- but otherwise a good tire. Not great though.

 

You have plenty of options to fit the 17" stock wheels. I'd recommend looking at...

Falken Azenis RT-615
Kumho Ecsta MX

Both are relatively inexpensive street tires with enough grip to be fun in autox. I'm sure there are others, but I've used both of those in 225/255 stagger.

 

I've read ALOT of threads on tires on here and read the reviews on the tire sites (Tirerack, etc). One thing I came to realize is that you will never get a consistent opinion. One person says tire A sucks, another guy loves em...

When I buy tires, I'm going to pin a buncha different tire pics to the wall and throw a dart at them. wherever it hits, will be the tires i buy.

 

Well, based on the 16" RS2 tire... which I used on the street and at the auto-x here's what I found: I liked them on the street, they seemed to be easier to "catch" once you kicked the ass end out... generally more consistent and predictable vs the stock S02s, but they didn't have the same grip as the S02 either. Compared to the S03s which I felt have good grip and predictability/consistancy... but they are a bit pricey.

At the track I liked the S03's the best, then the S02s then the RS2s. This was mainly because the RS2s seemed to be either: really good or really bad. There didn't seem to be any middle ground at the track, either you had the air pressure right or you didn't... and I don't really like to mess with it that much.

Overall for one or maybe two auto-x a year, then the rest street driving then sure go ahead and get the RS2 and you can still have some fun at the auto-x and you won't be tearing up expensive tires. If you plan on contending for points... or even just want to see what the car can REALLY do when you push it then maybe look at a set of cheap rims for some racing slicks (even if you don't use them more than a few times a year that just means you get more seasons out of them )

My minimal experience with 17": I have the Kuhmo VictoRacer V700 on there which I have had a blast on, at the auto-x and on the street. They have a low treadwear rating so they wear fast. They really are nice tires, but once these wear down the rest of the way (I'm gunna try to squeeze one more auto-x out of them... since I don't have to drive down there on them) I plan on getting something a little more cost efficient since they are going to be my street tires. (Then going to get a seperate set of racing slicks for the auto-x).
-Doug

 

For AP2 sizes the RE050 potenzas are onsale at tire rack for about 130 a piece.

Otherwise try the RT615, Kumho MX, Neovas, or RE-01R. I'm actually quite happy with the 225/245 RS2 setup for AP1 sizes, won Y class in BMWCCA on saturday.

 

Thanks for the replies... I should have pointed out, I'm in an AP2 with the 17" wheels... The reason I asked over here was that most of the autocross discussion over in Wheels & Tires are for R comps...

I'm leaning (slightly) towards the Kumho's just on price...

 

Dave, FYI, I'm going Kuhmo, but then again, I'm cheap (and I dont have any other choice but to be cheap). Which is why we'll be doing the rear end fluids change after my trip.

Tx_Phantom

 

You pay for what you get IMHO. If I were to do it again, I'd look towards the RT-615s. Like I said, until you get the Kuhmos heated up, they offer a real lack of grip. Too often I lay on the gas at the limit, and the rear-end steps out and I have to back off. Frustating when you're trying to nail a fast time.