Dunlop Star specs are only a few dollars more and I think they're a much better tire. I just bought a set lol. I wasn't very impressed with the RT-615s I had.

 

ill check them out! thnks for the info.

 

So, tell me more about this "drift racing"?

 

Try to do a search, I remember reading a good thread that debated track tires to great length...both the star specs and rt-615's were mentioned. I can't remember where I saw it, I am thinking it is in the autocross/race section.

 

yeah, I think I posted in that thread too

the RT-615s are dated, there are now much better budget tires. They are about to come out with the RT-615K though which will have a new compound, so we'll see how that is.

keep in mind though that all these tires wear pretty fast (might get 15000 miles out of them?) and you can't really drive with them in colder temperatures.

another very good budget tire is the Kumho XS.

 

The Kumho XS is NOT to be purchased if you ever plan to drive in the rain. Full tread, they are downright dangerous. I can't even imagine them with a few miles on them.

Star Specs are probably the best option. Hankook RS-3s are another great choice.

 

My girlfriend daily drives Kumho XSs on her Miata (in the spring/summer/fall) and she's never had any trouble in the rain. What did you drive with them on?

If it's cold and wet, sure they're probably a death trap, but in decent temperatures I think they're fine.

 

maczpayne. watch initial d. lol if u already havent. but thats how i see it.. and yes i know its just a movie. but in my old supra. instead of just trying to keep all my tires planted around a corner i would let the rear end kick out. and just slide through. and i know ppl that would rather drift a corner. than just grip it. and not slide at all.. sure its risky. but yeah

 

I used to have Kumho XS. on my old 87 turbo supra.. and yeah.. they suck in the rain. no grip. just spinning at uphill stop signs. lol i was still a new driver. but still. retarded.. but otherwise. not a terrible tire.

 

Yeah, that's not racing. That's called the slow way around a corner. Unless you can pull off a zero-countersteer drift around every corner, you shouldn't even think about drifting in a racing competition.

Tires you should look it:
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
Kumho Ecsta XS (I haven't heard anything about danger in the wet either, could use another explanation)
Hankook Ventus R-S3
Toyo Proxes R1R
Nitto NT-05

These are the best street tires without getting into R-Compunds.

I only recommend Koni / Bilstein because you can convert them to an adjustable coilover setup afterwards when you have money. Use the Ground Control Coilover Kit with 400 lb/in springs in the front and 275 lb/in springs in the back and make sure your shocks are re-valved for those spring rates.

Springs - Tanabe GF210 for now, GC Coilover Kit later

 

Federal 595RSR's have gotten pretty good reviews also.

 

None of the national-level autocrossers use the XS in the rain. They also finished second to last in rain performance in C+D's last tire test. A friend of them has them on his E46 M3 and they are terrifying in the rain, to say the least.

The R1R, Star Spec and Potenza are all great rain tires.

 

well in 2 weeks. i will have an extra car i can use to drive around.. so i can take my suspension apart. and start changing bushings and suspension components.. and make my damn rear end stop trying to kick out around a corner and less bouncy

 

Have fun with that project. Its much better dropping the subframe/diff w/ another set of helping hands.

Make sure you figure out what you're gonna do about the rear camber because that will determine which bushings you can/need to replace.

And cut those dust shields off the rear, it'll make your life easier.