Here is a test from Grassroot Motorsport and Tirerack--
in the order from fastest to slowest track times.

Results are done by Grassroot motorsport and Tirerack.

Street tires:
1/ Falken Azenis RT 615
2/ Falken Azenis RT 215
3/ Yokohama Advan Neova
4/ Hankoik R-S2 Z212
5/ Kuhmo Ecsta MX
6/ BF Goodridge g-force T/A KD

R compound:
1/ Kuhmo 710
2/ Hoosiers A3S05 (very close second)
3/ Hankook Z214 C70
4/ Yokohama A032R Soft compound

 

Well just did a 150 mile road trip and these tires handled great!!! Also had a quick rain shower and didn't fell any difference... Highly recommand the BFg g-Force KDW tires!!!

 

I just put on the Hankook R-S2s and LOVE them. I think they are every bit as grippy as that stock Advans, and better in the rain. I would say they are the best bang for the buck considering they were 575$ mounted and hazard warrantied from Discount Tire. You cannot go wrong with these tires. AWESOME!!!

Paul

 

i like my advans but have been looking at the falken azenis 615

anybody have these???????/

 

They freaking rock and I would put them up against any actual street tire any day of the week. Considering they perform as well or better than most any street tire out there, and can be as much as $100/corner cheaper, I would say it's a no-brainer for that sort of tire. But, that's just my opinion.

 

Thanks a lot! This is really what i wanted to see!

 

I just upgraded to 18s and got a set of Michelin PS2s in 235/40/18. I have to say they do NOT suit the Evo at all. Way too soft of a sidewall. I bought them as all my friends with heavier softer cars have them and love them, but with the stiff suspension on the evo the PS2 sidewall becomes the compression point and it just does not feel good. They grip ok and are quiet, but you either have to crank up the PSI, which makes them slide earlier than you'd like, or lower the pressures to the point that the sidewalls flex so much it squirms around.

As a result, I'm selling them and getting something else.

I want the stiffest sidewall possible to get back to the level of grip with the stock tires.

Any more comments on the sidewall stiffness on the following:

Yoko Advan Neova
Toyo T1R
Falken Azenis 615

Thanks. This is a very helpful thread. I am EXTREMELY picky about the handling and love the stock tires, I just wish they sold them in 18s.

-Dave
'05 Elise
'05 evo VIII
'03 evo VIII

 

What size did you get? Can't see any 235/45/17 Discount Tires web site.

 

did you get the suspension package for your elise?

rode on some neova in a sti the other day...that or a048 will be my next tire.

 

Try Discount Tires Direct... www.tires.com

 

I got the R-S2 in 245/45 17. I am lowered with Tein springs and have no rubbing issues. The total daimeter is only .375 larger than a 235/45 17. The width is only about 1cm wider. They look great though because they appear to be larger than they are.

 

i have an extremely hard time believing this. What tire pressure were you running? What car was this on?

 

How's the ride quality? Noise? Looking for a tire that will give me smoother ride on LA Freeways = softer side walls than the Advans. Ready to give up a little in streering respons for softer ride.

 

The road noise is about the same as the advans....the ride is much more comfortable. These tires seem to be a bit more forgiving for hard bumps and ruts. They don't track the road like the advans do, unless you have the pressures above 40psi (51psi max on these). I run 37 front and 32 rear and they ride great.

 

I have the Goodyear F1, GS-D3s. They are great on the raod. Much better ride than the Advans and much quieter too. They are second to none in the wet. But to get razor sharp turn in with these tires you have to increase tire pressures substantially. I run 35psi all around to maintain the ride quality while sacrificing some turn-in. I found a lot of chassis tuning can be done with these tires by varying the pressures. Even pressures all around will eliminate understeer and allow the tail to come out gently when pushed. But I never ran these tires on the track. I have read that the sidewalls are too soft and the tread too deep for the track. Treadlife is great. After 15k miles the tires are about one half gone. Much cheaper than Advans but much more money than most Kumhos, Falkens, etc. Longer treadlife makes the F1s cheaper in the long run.