official tires thread
 

its long past due.

format:

brand, model:
size used:
cost per tire:
grip:
smoke:


remarks. liked them, didnt like them. etc.

All the tires I use are take-offs. Most of them are just above the wear bars, but have camber wear rendering them 'unsafe' and not resell-able. Most of the events I go to have 30-50second runs but sometimes I'm able to 'hot lap'.

My 1-10 scale is based from the tires I've used.

Brand, model: Falken Ziex ZE512
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...gWWkPLAdRoxar4
Size used: 215, 225/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: I don't remember
Remarks: It's been a few years, but I don't think these delaminated before the tread was gone.

Brand, model: Falken Ziex ZE912
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...TAkg9tpkUsDypX
Size used: 225/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 5/10
Smoke: 5/10
Remarks: I remember having two pairs of these at one event. Both delaminated after 4 or 5 runs. I would not recommend these tires, but maybe starting with full tread would be quite different.

Brand, model: Federal SS535 (NOT SS595)
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...i_WSBhZlCxpTCC
Size used: 205/55/16
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 2/10 (Probably the least grippy tire I've ever used)
Wear: 10/10 (wish these came in 17s)
Smoke: Probably not.
Remarks: These tires are amazing for goof-off tires. Terrible traction, I don't think they smoke at all, but they lasted about 5 hours of *almost* straight drifting.

Brand, model: Continental ContiproContact
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...KbtIBHhJc-PZ3w
Size used: 225, 235/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 5/10
Smoke: Plenty
Remarks: These usually last about 10 runs.

Brand, model: Continental ExtremeContact DWS
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...gdaEJ-v1tUacm1
Size used: 225, 235/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 7/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: fair to plenty
Remarks: These wore very nicely down to the cords with no delamination. Plenty of grip, but not hard to drift.

Brand, model: Continental Sportcompact 3
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...HWU-iGxB6dYLQQ
Size used: 225/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 4/10
Wear: 1/10
Smoke: Didn't last long enough to get a fair assessment.
Remarks: These tires delaminated half way through my second run. I am unimpressed.

Brand, model: BFG g-Force KDW
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...6SqNcKDbN2YFbj
Size used: 225/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 8/10
Wear: 8/10
Smoke: Awesome smoke, IMO
Remarks: I expected these to be a lot more grippy. The grip was consistent as the tires warmed up. They did not delaminate, but wore down to the cords. I enjoyed these tires very much.


Brand, model: BFG g-Force Sport
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/im...NDFleriopTNomQ
Size used: 235/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 2/10
Smoke: Fair
Remarks: I also had two pairs of this tire at one event. They delaminated pretty quick. Maybe 4 runs. Decent grip and smoke though.

Brand, model: BFG g-Force Super Sport
https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/im...ARcbPZqHHR4vfQ
Size used: 235/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 6/10
Wear: 2/10
Smoke: Fair
Remarks: These delaminated, but gave me a while to try them out. Maybe 10 runs.

Brand, model: Nexen N7000
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...QhUstxdfY9BRzj
Size used: 225/40/18, 225/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 3/10
Wear: 9/10
Smoke: eh..
Remarks: Awesome tire for wear, kinda sad for traction. Lasted ~15 runs. IIRC, the 18s delaminated at the very end of their life. I was still very pleased.

Brand, model: Nexen N3000
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/im...0SG5MtcEYSVf-Q
Size used: 225/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 3/10
Wear: 8/10
Smoke: eh..
Remarks: Great tire for practice events. Traction is meh, tire wear was great. I think I remember these delaminating after a couple hot laps..

Brand, model: Good Year Eagle RS-A
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...sANj8Zlzrstowh
Size used: 205/55/16, 205/45/17 (runflats), 215/45/17, 205/50/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 7/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: Plenty
Remarks: I've been through a lot of these, as they are pretty common. I've found that they will hold up to a lot of runs if there's a bit of cool down time in between, but they delaminate after 3-4 hot laps. They're more common to find in 16s, so i don't use them much anymore.

Brand, model: Good Year Eagle GT
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/im...gbbo5iVgmT-3Ig
Size used: 205/55/16, 215/45/17, 205/50/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 7/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: Plenty
Remarks: These are a lot like the RS-A above. I like them.

Brand, model: Good Year Eagle F1
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...wIcvqtFUUUw8sA
Size used: 215, 225/45/17, 225/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 8/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: Plenty
Remarks: These are a lot like the RS-A and GT, but are a bit more grippy.

Brand, model: Good Year Eagle F1 GSD3
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/im...R9Hraeuakv3pdw
Size used: 225/35/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 7/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: I don't remember
Remarks: It's been a few years. I remember they lasted quite a while, but I don't remember the level of grip.

Brand, model: Hankook Ventus V4ES
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...MXMfwHXpvxImlA
Size used: 225/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 4/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: Kinda
Remarks: Another long-lasting bash-around tire. Fairly low on grip.

Brand, model: Yokohama YK520
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/im...nlNDoj11Qfx7wA
Size used: 225, 235/45/17, 225, 235/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 6/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: fair
Remarks: These always seem to be great for wear. Medium traction.

Brand, model: Yokohama S-Drive
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/im...nxTZlNTLf66FHw
Size used: 205/50/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 9/10
Wear: 6/10
Smoke: plenty
Remarks: I was very impressed with these. I got plenty of grip and smoke and wore out all the way to the cords without delaminating. I remember, qhite clearly, they were a bit hard to break loose the first two tries after using Nexen N7000s.

Brand, model: Kumho Ecsta AST
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...HV4rLxSj4bBtKh
Size used: 215, 225, 235/45/17, 225/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 6/10
Wear: 6/10
Smoke: Ehh..
Remarks: These tires are okay. Some 'prematurely' delaminate, some don't.

Brand, model: Kumho Ecsta ASX
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...y_oonXWZYaKjJv
Size used: 215, 225, 235/45/17, 225/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 7/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: Fair
Remarks: These seem pretty close to the AST, but a bit more grip and they don't delaminate as much. I've had good experiences using these as front tires too.

Brand, model: Bridgestone Potenza RE92
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...njmucgEBxGexvg
Size used: 205/55/16, 215/45/17, 205/50/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 3/10
Wear: 3/10
Smoke: ehh..
Remarks: These tend to delaminate really quick. I usually won't grab these tires from the pile unless I know someone else who wants them.

Brand, model: Bridgestone RE960 Pole Position
https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/im...PXeIdtc-0uSgSQ
Size used: 235/45/17, 225/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 8/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: plenty
Remarks: These were also pretty grippy for me. They wore very well without delaminating and provided plenty of smoke.

Brand, model: Michelin MXV4
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...AjHqySlIyHZlyw
Size used: 235/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 6/10
Smoke: ehh..
Remarks: These lasted a good 15 runs, then as soon as I did two hot laps, they delaminated.

Brand, model: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...aIXemZLNIh9jb0
Size used: 245/40/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 6/10
Smoke: ehh..
Remarks: Most of these are down to the cords in the middle rib when i find them, but still have plenty of meat on the outer edges. I used these very recently and they were bald in the middle, but still gave me 12-15 runs and didn't wear the middle any further until the outsides caught up.


Brand, model: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/im...VCoq6HVF_y_vtQ
Size used: 215/45/17, 235/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 7/10
Wear: 6/10
Smoke: plenty
Remarks: These were great tires. Great smoke, consistent traction, good wear. I also used them on the front with great success.

Brand, model: Dunlop DZ101
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...8qp_NmpTs94T_C
Size used: 235/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 10/10 (most grippy tire I've ever tried)
Wear: I could not complete this pair of tires.
Smoke:
Remarks: These were pretty intense for me. I only got maybe 4 runs before I had to stop driving (plenty of tire left), but it felt nice to throw the car harder than ever and not spin out.

Brand, model: Dunlop SP Sport 9000
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/im...94lJo1Czfkb_jw
Size used: 225/45/17, 225/40/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 6/10
Wear: 6/10
Smoke: Don't remember
Remarks: These were pretty rad. IIRC, I ran the 17s backward and the 18s normal. I don't remember any significant difference in traction or smoke. I don't remember these delaminating.

Brand, model: Dunlop SP Sport 5000
https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...MXniwejbF_Uznm
Size used: 225/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 5/10
Smoke: Eh..
Remarks: I used 2 pairs of these, but at different events I think. Sticks in my mind that one pair delaminated kinda quick and the other pair didn't.

he wins

Forgot these two..

Brand, model: Pirelli P-Zero Nero
https://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:...hq2K-9FQBMwCoA
Size used: 215/45/18
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 6/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: It was good
Remarks: These wore out all the way with no delaminating.

Brand, model: Pirelli P6
https://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:...AR5AUfZdR47GSA
Size used: 225, 235/45/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 5/10
Wear: 6/10
Smoke: Okay
Remarks: These were inconsistent. Some delaminated quick, some didn't. I figured the ones with less tread broke apart a lot easier than those with pretty deep tread before drifting.

The other day I got a pair of Fierce Instinct ZR in 215/45/18. I mounted them today and I'm kinda interested to try them out.

I had a set of the eagle rs-a. I didn't like em. I felt they were inconsistent as fuck. Only got worse when they heated up. Didnt delaminate though. And lasted a while for me. My absolute favorite tire so far is the Bridgestone turanza. Not the grippiest if ever had but consistent and suuuuper predictable. Slide after slide after slide. Don't last super long though. But worth it.

Oh yeah, forgot about the Turanza EL400. I think I've only used one pair on the front since I switched from 16s to 17s & 18s(about the time I started taking note of which tires were what).

Also took a look at my stack to refresh my mmemory and got a few more.

Brand, model: General Exclaim UHP
https://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:...H9E-HNMKITESuA
Size used: 245/40/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 3/10
Wear: 2/10
Smoke: I don't remember
Remarks: Delaminated most of the way through the first run.

Brand, model: Triangle/Diamondback TR968
https://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:...raUm0Txwx5juY-
Size used: 215, 225, 235/45/17 Maybe some 18s?
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 6/10
Wear: 7/10
Smoke: fair
Remarks: These surprised me. More grip than I expected and lasted a while. I don't remember any of these prematurely delaminating either.

Brand, model: Yokohama A82a
https://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:...6EckhVu3UxNKFA
Size used: 205/50/17
Cost per tire: Hell if I know.
Grip: 4/10
Wear: 4/10
Smoke: fair
Remarks: These were pretty average in every way. They delaminate after a few hot laps.

Damn dude. Definitely have some variety there lol I think tire selection has a lot to do with the driver as well. Like I said, I absolutely hated RS-As but my buddy got some and loved them. We have completely different driving styles when it comes to drifting so I think that plays a huge role as well. but I'm glad you've tried out such a variety. Gonna try some new tires out now. For fronts anyway. I'm too in love with turanzas to switch on the back just yet. Good reviewing there for sure though. Thumbs up dude.

I've been collecting a lot over the winter. Sometimes they're a pain to store. This was in November, but it's about the same now. EDIT: Actually, that motorcycle is gone and there's 3 stacks where it was sitting.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._8564052_n.jpg

Federals are the most popular drifting tire in Japan.

They're the only new tire that you can actually afford to drift with,and the grip is good.

RS-Rs are a little pricey for drifting though. If you're a high-level drifter, they're worth the money though.

Hankooks apparently have a problem with the tread flying off while drifting.

I've got SS595's on my MR-2. Great tire for the price.

Had the blocks chunk a little bit on the rear after about 4-5 track sessions, but still usable. Only 1.5 drifting sessions though.

yeah im pretty positive ive decided on the ss595's for vegas drift round 1

`intersting

nitto Nto5 or falken Azenis rt-615k fronts

Falken Ziex 512 rears, i dont preburn-out they dont chunk are consistent and last along ass time for sliding, also pretty cheap new

and they smoke
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2_703910_n.jpg

I love federals for track use only. I wouldnt recomend them running them on your fronts on daily driving hahahaha

brand, model: Falken Ziex ZE912
size used: 195/50R15
cost per tire: $20 per tire - used
grip: 7/10
smoke: idk

These guys lasted quite a while on my rears, and gripped decently up front. I believe they're around $70 new though, which is kinda pricey for a guy on my budget. However, they're super popular in that size, so they're easy to find at used tire shops.

This was also on a 1.6L Miata, so not much smoke was produced.

I used to autocross my 06 Scion xB with Azenis RT-615k, they provided a lot of grip, I believe this is the same tires that Falken sponsored Formula D cars ride on.