hello all its time for a new set of tires

i curently have 215/45/17 kumho ecsta 712 on 7" wide rims right now, and i realy liked the way thew felt and handled in both the dry and wet. however i dint like the fact that they wore out after only about 15K miles (err, i had a bad alignment and a dragging brake for some of that tho) and that they are fairly large in diameter and thus produce a higher final drive ratio than stock, which doesnt pair well with the N/A's lack of torque.

sooooo, ive been considering going to 205/40/17 kumho 712 because they are smaller diameter and they are cheaper (im a little low on funds at the moment). but im not sure if they'll still ofer enough traction as i am able to spin them in first gear on aynthing but clean, dry asphalt.

on the other hand, i have been concideing going with a wider set of kumho 711 tires. i know they are a less agressive compound but i thought the wider section like a 225/45 or even 235/40 (will those fit on 7" wide rims?) might offset that.
but them its a larger diameter which i am trying to get away from.

so baisicaly my kunundrum is:
reduce diameter, raise effective wheel tourque and simultainiously reduce the grip.
or
increase diameter, decrease effective wheel torque and maybe increase the grip because i switched compounds.

any help welcome.

 

Kumho 712's suck! Buy a better set of tires. I have them and hate them.

 

What's your budget?

 

I also hated 712's, I had them on my dsm. They were Crap! I have Dayton Daytona ZR's on my RX from the previous owner. They aren't very well known, but they grip like a ****, are Z rated, great in the rain, and have great treadlife.

 

You need a new alignment everytime you get new tires. The tires should've lasted longer than only 15k.

Also, I don't think width has anything to do with diameter and thus wheel torque. 17 inch wheels are still 17 inches regardless of width 205 or 215. Also, if you have a 7 inch wide rim, you can probably run wider rubber. I have 205 on a 5.5 inch rim.

Hope that helps.

 

1984special: A 275/40-17 is taller than 225/40-17. Niether of them are 17" in diameter. The outer tire diameter is determined by wheel_diameter + 2 * (width * aspect_ratio / 100). Be sure to use consistent units -- wheel diameters are in inches and widths are in mm.

-Max

 

Actually 215/45 17 is a hair SMALLER than stock diameter. 225/45 17 would be matching the stock diameter and would fit on a 7" wide rim (not ideal but fits). Either run a 205/50 or a 225/45 17.

As far as tire choice goes, I've heard many bad things about the 712s. However, you are not going to get significantly more than 15k miles out of any of the better tires I would recommend, so.....

 

wow i'm a terrible , sorry bout ALL that wrong info. *shakes head*
Anyways...hope you find a good tire!

 

yeah. all im looking for is something that will last about 20k. my budget is to keep it between 350-400. however i do have a freind that can help me mount them so thats gona knok a little off the cost.

 

cus my frind is gona help me out im thinking about goin with 205/40/17 kumho mx.

and by the way i would have never put 17's on my car becuase of performance. the previousy owner put them own and im gona keep em beacuse i realy like the style

 

As I mentioned above, 205/50 17 would maintain stock wheel+tire diameter. 205/40 will be REALLY small compared to stock....

 

andrew, dont go with a 40 series on a 205. atleast get a 45 or 50 series. i have 205/50/17 on the front and i love them. i also had 225/45/17 on the front and rear and they were great too. but im useing the 205s becuase they have a good amount tread. and you better get some tires quick your have to be so bald now. if i were you i would go with a 225/45/17. thats about the widest you should go on the 7 inch rim, and about all that will fit on the front.