EVOlutionary

iTrader: (38)

Hello Everyone,

I am having a tuff time making up my mind on what tire to go with for my street wheels this summer. I am hoping to get some feedback from folks who have used any of these tires as a street tire and what your experience was. What I am after - maximum grip that will last maybe 5000 miles or more of daily driving. These will be mounted on an 18x9.5" wheel. Here are my choices:

Yokohama Advan A048 285/30/18 60UTQG - $300 each

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 285/30/18 80UTQG - $310 each

Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 285/30/18 180UTQG- $347 each

Kumho Ecsta V700 265/35/18 50UTQG - $230 each

Falken Azenis RT-615 275/35/18 200UTQG - $225 each

Nitto NT-01 275/35/18 100UTQG - $258 each

Toyo RA-1 275/35/18 100??UTQG - $277 each (website says 40 treadwear rating but I thought I read somewhere else it is 100??)


Now one thing that is making the decision so hard is that if I go too low (below 100 or 150) with the treadwear rating I will not be able to use them in any events that require street tires. Plus, some events classify it at 100, some at 140 or 150.

Will my enjoyment of the extra traction on the streets make up for not being able to compete in any events (like C&D challenge, time attack, or the thing coming up in June in Indy) that mandate street tires? Are the true R-compounds that much stickier than the 615s or the Neova?? Thanks to anyone who can help me make up my mind. BTW, preferred sizes are 285/30/18 or 265/35/18, but I will settle on 275/35/18 if it is not made in the other 2 sizes.

Thanks!

EVOlutionary

bullfrg

iTrader: (42)

Why do you want to drive r-compounds on the street? Seems like too much tire for normal street driving and you will end up needing new tires before summer is over. Out of the r-compounds the RA-1 is the only one I would run on the street, especially in rain. If it were me I would just get the Falken RT-615,which is plenty of tire for street and they will outlast all of the r-comps, but I run Conti extreme contacts year round now and Toyo RA-1's for track/autox (will drive these on the street to get to events).

evocanival

iTrader: (3)

Falken Azenis RT-615 275/35/18 200UTQG - $225 each, sick tires, great grip, decent life with spirited driving, and great reviews from magazines.

EVOlutionary

iTrader: (38)

I ran the Azenis RT-615 in 275/40/17 last year. I did really like them, but I thought that since I won't be driving my car as much I could get something sticker with a bit shorter life.

As for why I want to get sticky tires - that's easy - so I don't have to slow down as much for corners!

Anyone try the AO48's???

EVOlutionary

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (25)

I have to agree, not the best idea to run a competition tire on the street. They wear very very fast, pick up/throw a lot of road debris, are more vulnerable to damage easier (cause of the soft compound and minimal internal construction), and are bad in wet conditions.

Of the ones we carry above my vote goes strongly for the Yoko Advan Neova. That is such an awesome tire right now its not funny. The A048's might be ok to get your car to an event, but not for every day use.

EVOlutionary

iTrader: (38)

I guess I thought quite a few people ran the RA-1 as a street tire.

So then, between the Falken 615's and the Advan Neova's, has anyone tried both?? What improvement in performance will I get with the Neova to warrant a $125per tire higher cost???

EVOlutionary

EVOlutionary

iTrader: (38)

Anyone?

value

iTrader: (1)

If your only looking for 5K , A048 gets my vote.

DaWorstPlaya

iTrader: (31)

The Neova's have a better tread pattern for wet conditions and won't hydroplane as much as the RT-615. Plus supposedly the Neova's are better at handling heat than the RT-615s. But when it comes to dry grip, IMHO, the RT-615s are slightly better and would be my tire of choice.
As has been said above R-comps for the street are overkill, not very safe and wear out too quickly.

JohnBradley

iTrader: (30)

Quite a few people do run the RA1 as a street tire. It has very beefy construction and definitely doesnt have "minimal internal construction". However Neal does a have a point in that because of compunding they tend to grab stuff off the road after spirited driving (and therefore when they are warmed up). I'll be putting some on in a few months (2 at the most), and if you havent already bought something I'll let you know what I think.

EVOlutionary

iTrader: (38)

Thanks everyone for the input. I really appreciate it and it will certainly help guide me to the "right" decision, if there is such a thing.

I am going to see how my 285/30/18 race rubber fits and then depending on clearances and "daily driveability" with that size I will decide to use that size for my street tires or to step down to a 265 or something. Then I will pick my tire that is available in that size from the choices Neova, 615, or RA-1.

One more very interesting thing I found on my tire research. According to the website I was on the Kumho Ecsta MX in an equivalent size is 4-5 pounds lighter than most of these tires.

How much difference in accelleration would I see by dropping 20 pounds of rotating weight??

I may have a new choice to throw in the mix.

EVOlutionary

EVOlutionary

iTrader: (38)

bump for answers to last question. Thanks

DaWorstPlaya

iTrader: (31)

The 4 pounds you are losing per tire/rim will help with the unsprung mass on your suspension. It will allow your suspension to react faster and work better but the difference in acceleration you will see will be little to none.

thomas.featsent

Falken Azenis

These are the ones I have and have lasted long. I have been driving on these tires forever yeah they are balded now but they still hold up when they have too. I think they look aggressive too they look smooth on the sides giving it that look like they are slicks. I due for new tires and believe I am going to get the same ones. I have them on my MR wheels.

EvolutinIX

iTrader: (10)

How long did these last you(miles)? OP did you pick one yet? I am very curious to see which tires you go with.