Best Tire in the 285-295 Width Range
 

Okay, I am running Falken 275/35 18s in the back now, and traction under acceleration(both straight, and corners is not so great). I am sure the tire compound has some to do with it, but I also want to bump up in width a little.

I searched and found a lot of recommends on tires, but none of them seem to be available in the widths I need.

I am not look to go broke, so i would to like to stay below $250 a tire, the cheaper the better(i am not going to lie, money is an object), but if there is a tire that is really going to make me wet my pants i don't mind shelling out a little extra.

I am looking at the Nitto 555s, BFG KDW-2s, Falken 452s.

What is the preference round the forum?

Thanks!

The BFG KD2s are nice, Ive had those in 285/30r18s and was happy with them. I cant comment on wet traction, but they held good acceleration-wise, and were very predictable in the corners. A friend of mine has 285 Michelin pilot sports on his T/A, they seem to grip well even with the torque of his car, but that tire is a bit more expensive.

yea, i am leaning towards the kdws. the more i read and hear, the more they seem like the best choice, for my price range. i just didn't know if there was a model i was overlooking.

My favorites are the BFG KD and Potenza S-03

Oh, and I did auto-x someone's 350Z once. The Nittos on it were pretty good, definitely better than the set of Yokohama A032Rs I had before.

too bad you cant spend a little more..
I run Advan Neova AD07 and theyre amazing
285/30r18 fronts and 295/30r18 rears ;)

now you say youre running falkens, are you running the azenis st615 super sticky tire or some other azenis (not nearly as sticky!)?

seems like a nice damn tire, but about 1.5times more than what i would like to spend. i don't see myself dropping 1600 on tires. I love driving, but not that much, hahahaaha. or i should say my wallet doesn't.

So what type of Falkens are your running?

I'm running the Falken RT-615s in 275/35/18 in the rears and they stick like glue on the streets.

I agree wit NeoTuri. Those are great true street tires. (the S-02's were even better)

Another good choice is the Toyo RA1. They last a long time and once heated up grip like a mofo. Good in the rain with controlled throttle. You could eek out 8-10K miles from them.

Expect a little more from the Nitto DR's. 10-15K miles if you don't abuse them too much.

Don't forget the Kumho MX. Check the sizing... they have odd choices for them.

A 275/35/18 has a decent sidewall to absorb some of the power before breaking traction. All about compound.

I would even look for a 40 series to try them out. A 30 series would probably make traction worse.

Just remember the handling characteristics will change with the taller profile tire.

I also wonder what Falkens you are running, for purposes of comparison to other tires. For example, the Falken Azenis RT615 is quite sticky. If you are running those (and they haven't lost their grip from heat cycling or age), then you might need to go to a DOT R-compound to substantially improve traction.

-Max

i am running falken ST115s, not sure if they even make them any longer (seems very similar to the FK452). They were actually really good tires on the corners when i first got them (3+ years ago/20-25K miles). Now the seem to have lost their grip. they tend to slide in the front, and break in the back. Of course, the rears are now somewhat worn, but the fronts are still in great shape. These tires have what I would consider a hard/long lasting compound, and have performed adequately, but now leave some to be desired, now that my power level has increased.



my original thought was to go with the RT615 like some have mentioned, but they don't carry it in my desired sizes. I wouldn't cry about going 275 in the back again, but they don't have a front size that matches my needs (245 or 255/35-18). I would prefer not to mismatch front and rear tires.

I am really leaning towards the KDs or KDWs. They seem to be the best bang for the buck in my price range. But am gonna check out the Potenza S-03 and Kumho MX, since i don't know much about either of those.

thanks for the input guys.

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 bar-none the best tire in that size, ive had several different tires and nothing compares - problem is they are expensive. I have toyo t1r 285/30's right now and i am very happy with them and their only 250 a tire but ride isnt as smooth as the PS2's