MAZDASPEEDFD

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking to get new tires in a week or so...and was considering the Azenis Sport...but the 200 wear rating kinda killed that idea. I'm now looking at the Azenis ST115's...360 on a Z-rated tire...sounds too good to be true. Someone please tell me that these tires don't suck more than Kumho's 712's. I know that wear and grip don't go hand in hand...but I'm willing to try them out if my fellow forum members can't convince me to reconsider this tire. Thanks.

SleepR1

Generally the higher the wear rating, the harder the rubber compound, the suckier the grip. Draw your own conclusions.

You can't have your cake and eat it too The best we can do is strike a balance between grip and wear.

The Bridgestone S03s in 220 UTQG and Continental Sport Contact 2s 280 UTQG are doing just that.

Compare those wear rating numbers with the old stalwart performance tires, P-Zero Asimmetrics, S-02s, Pilot MXX3, all at 140 UTQG. Today's tire engineers are making the same grip with double the wear ratings.

BUT 360 UTQG is going to be HARD rubber compound, count on that!

maxcooper

Yeah, I would steer far clear of anything with 360 UTQG wear rating. You would spend less on tires, but doesn't that approach devalue the much more substantial investment you have in the car? If you can't enjoy the car, whatever you spent on it was wasted. That is my opinion about why it makes sense to put good tires on your car.

I have some Bridgestone S-03s on my car now. They grip nicely and are wearing quite well. I am surprised they are lasting as long as they are -- still lots of tread left. Compared to other tires in their class, the S-03 also seems to be somewhat of a bargain.

-Max

MAZDASPEEDFD

iTrader: (1)

Have you guys had any experience with the Azenis Sports? If so, how many miles can you get w/ them. I really want them since the limited sizes of the Azenis will go perfect w/ my 17 x [8 & 9]. Is a 245/45 tire good for the rears? Or should I try to run a 40 sidewall?
Thanks for the advice guys--btw, I plan to give autocross a try for the first time soon. Any help is appreciated. ---Jason

maxcooper

I have Azenis Sports on my daily driver and I like them a lot. They are cheap and sticky. They are a little noisy, but I can live with that. I am not sure how many miles I have on them now, but they don't seem to be wearing outrageously fast or anything. The are so inexpensive, it probably doesn't matter.

225/45-17 on the front and 245/45-17 on the back seems like it should work, though I wouldn't pick those sizes if there were more choices available.

I think you know this, but Azenis Sports are different tires from the Azenis ST115.

-Max

MAZDASPEEDFD

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input again Max. I think i'm just going to go and give the Sports a shot. But there's one more concern that I have about these tires---how do they do in the rain? I'm not expecting them to perform great or anything, I just don't want to hydro. Where'd you pick up your set of tires? Discount Tires wants about $580 for the tires, shipping, mounting and lifetime balancing.
---Thanks again Max and SleepR1, I'm sure I speak for us all when I say that the time you guys take to help out around the forum is really a blessing! ---Jason

maxcooper

I haven't faced any major water yet, but I would expect that they would not do so well. I have been out in light rain and they weren't terrible, but it seemed like they would be a handful in a downpour.

Hmm... they are much cheaper in the 15-inch sizes. Perhaps at the price point for the 17s, it is worth shopping around a bit to see what other tires are available in that price range.

Around the same price you could get in (225/45-17 or 245/40-17)F and 255/40-17R:
- Sumitomo HTRZ
- Yokohama AVS ES100
- Kumho Ecsta MX

I might still go for the Azenis, though. I bet they would stick best in the dry.

-Max

MAZDASPEEDFD

iTrader: (1)

Anyone reading this thread have experience w/ Yoko ES100's. I'm going to order in the tires tomorrow to put in on Saturday. I WANT the Azenis, but I'll be doing a lot of driving this year and the rain season is coming up. The Yoko's seem to have a good comprimise between performance and wear. What do you guys think?

maxcooper

This thread has some good info about what's available:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=151406

Considering price and performance, these seem like good bets (not in any particular order):
Kumho Ecsta MX
Sumiomo HTR Z
Yokohama AVS ES100
Sumitomo HTR Z II
Falken Azenis Sport

-Max

SleepR1

I've read great reviews of the ES100s. They're supposed to replace the outgoing AVS Intermediates (which are outstanding tires...I have a set of these now).

MAZDASPEEDFD

iTrader: (1)

I went ahead and ordered some Azenis Sports. I guess i'm just going to have to drive like a granny when the rain comes. Is the 245/45/17 sidewall too tall for the FD on Tanabe springs? Thanks guys for the input, I'll be sure to post my impressions on the tire when I put some miles on them.

3isacharm

they're not bad in light rain, but with the huge amounts of solid rubber on them, they don't take well to hydroplaning. don't worry, the grip in the dry should make up for that. Be careful though, they're very quiet when braking away so you have to feel it more than listen for it. other than that, they won't surprise you by suddenly losing traction, they're smooth.

MAZDASPEEDFD

iTrader: (1)

Well, the tires do live up to the hype that they are accredited for. I would recommend these tires to anyone that can fit the limited sizes.
The only problem that I have w/ the tires isn't even the tires fault. After only 50 miles (1 night) of driving, I found an inch long piece of metal stuck into my tire! I guess I'm short another $120. Sucks huh?

3isacharm

damn, no good.