I'm still breaking in my car, but I've been running it pretty aggressively while still under 5Krpms. Lotsa twisty roads to test the car on around here in Cville.

So anyway, I was figuring with the way I drive now, my Yokohamas probably aren't going to last very long. I was thinking of just getting some high grade all seasons, then just swapping on the Yokohamas when I hit the track or something like that. Or should I get a set of summer and a set of winter tires? I don't plan to do much racing/driving in the rain or snow, so I don't know if that would warrant a dedicated set of winter tires.

What do you guys think? Also, what all seasons/summer/winter tire sets do you all recommend? This is my first high performance vehicle and I'm not used to having to deal with multiple sets of tires.

 

Well ... I don't have to worry about much of that here in FL ... but summer is around the corner and by changing the tires prematurely, you'll be robbing yourself of some of the handling ability of this car -- don't forget that our Yoko Advan (Jap version) tires were specially designed for our vehicle; therefore, changing to an all-season tire seems senseless. My 2 cents: get yourself a set of snow tires for the winter and be done with it. Enjoy the wonderful feel of the Yoko's ... you paid for it and deserve to enjoy it ... why deprive yourself of such a luxury?

 

I'm just worried I might wear out the Yoko's prematurely.

What's the treadlife on them, and about how many miles can I expect from them if I'm a fast/aggressive driver? (didn't use to be, but now I am because of the car, haha)

I am guessing if they last for 10K miles (if even) they will last me about 2 years with a dedicated set of winter tires. Does that sound about right?

 

Oh, since our Yoko's are J-spec, is there any way to buy replacements for them here? Or what other comparable tires are there? Just so I have a benchmark to work with when shopping for tires?

 

Yes, I believe that the Mitsu dealers will be stocking them, and any Yoko dealer can get them via special order. Don't worry about wearing them out early ... just enjoy them when the season allows it. Like I said, there isn't an all-season tire that will compare ... you'll be depriving yourself of one of the major benefits you paid for. If you figured out a way to come up w/ the cash for this car, you will figure out a way to buy a new set of Yoko's when you need them. Just be sure to rotate them frequently and they should last a while. If you want to find out their rating and overall longevity ... do some research and you can start by checking out Yoko's website and maybe calling Yoko customer service.

 

okay so here is a question... if you go to 18x8's... since the stock tires wont fit...what is the best substitute...are TOYO T1-S tires just as good/better/worse...or are the RA-1's more fitting for the Advans? I'm gonna put snow tires on the Enkeis and get better tires after the summer is over and Ive crushed the yoks

-Shahul

 

Not sure what you mean here ... Why would you need a different size wheel? What are the RA-1's? Are you referring to the stock Enkei wheel? There is proabaly no better tire than the Yoko Advan for our car ... why do you want to go to heavier 18" wheel? Seems to be that you are making this more confusing because all you have to is buy a snow tire in the same size for the winter, use the same wheels and be done with it. Please elaborate more about what you mean ...

 

I want to change the wheels to 18x8, maybe 17..just differant... not always heavier...look at the SSR comps... 15lbs...18" I do undertand the Advan tires are for our car ONLY, meaning if I buy them from a dealer they may only stock the 235/45 17... if I go to lighter tires...(Proxes, T1-S or RA-1's)and wheels...OZ Superleggaras or SSR comps or TE-37's... I wonder what tires will be as good or better than the stock ADVANS. Just because they are bigger doesnt mean they are heavier, but mix of looks/grip/performance.... is the key

-Shahul

I was thinking BFG KDWS 235/45 17's on the stock ENKEI's for winter, and Bronze TE-37's or SE 37's with Toyo T1-S for summer

 

Okay I gottch-ya ... you're right but most of time 18's are heavier unless you spend big money. I like you're idea but I would try to stick with the same tire but in a size that fits the 17 or 18" wheel you want ... I'm sure Yoko makes the Advans or something similar that will fit your new wheel. I wouldn't move to a different brand unless you were going with some Bridgstone Potenza's. IMO -- only tire that compares with Yoko's but this is subjective.

 

DO NOT BUY ALL-SEASON TIRES FOR PERFORMANCE DRIVING

All-season tires are the epitome of compromise - in other words, they're not very good at anything.

You will probably not get more then 10k miles out of the A046s. This is a good thing - it means your tires are doing their job. If you think you're going to find a tire that has as much grip but lasts 30k miles, you're deluding yourself.

As for replacements, the A046 (if you're happy with it) will be a good choice. Tire Rack should have them shortly, for about 1/2 what your dealer will probably charge. Outside of the A046, Bridgestone S03, Dunlop 9090, Michelin Pilot Sports, etc are good replacements.

For winter tires, I don't think you'd need dedicated snow tires in VA. I wouldn't recommend tackling snow with any of the above tires. However, based on your driving estimates, I assume you have another car. Put the winter tires on it and park the Evo, possibly? Otherwise, something like the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDWS or Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Asymmetrical would be a good choice for winter (decent dry grip, can handle some snow).

 

yea...kdws are fairly good in snow, wet... nobody thinks the toyo t1-s is as good as the A-046 or S0-3's?

-Shahul

 

here is what i am looking at
getting Michellen Piolit Alpin for the winter very nice, kinda expesive(like 150-200 apiece in our size) but they are very nice well performing winter rubber

and then i am thignk of Piolit sports for the summer


this ofcouse requires my car to comin first...........
but i am looking at th poilits beacuse i can not afford to replace tires every liek 10-15k miles

 

No No No....the toyo's have a wear rating of 280.....the yokohamas have a wear rating of 160....you do the math!!!!!there is a comparable tire...Yoko A032R...or if you want to compromise a little..Kuhmo v700...but these are only available in 235/40/17......these tires are dot legal racing tires...the only reason I would substitute the original advans would be cost...My 0.2c

 

Just curious, anyone know what the A046's will go for? If the cost isn't too bad (on a per year basis) then I can probably just get new A046's when I need them. However, if they're like $250+ a tire...

 

If you're interested, here's a 5 page thread that discussed the issue on the Evo forums:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d&pagenumber=1

Seemed like some of the DSM guys were just having plain old trouble with it. Others didn't, so it may be a specific car issue. Like the one guy mentioned, my car might not be a DSM but it's designed by the same guys (mostly). Anyway, they recommend stuff like BG Synchroshift II, or something like that.. I don't really know much about aftermarket tranny fluids, I'll probably have to call up my dealer to ask about the warranty situation on that too... they can be pretty **** sometimes.