For my 87 t2 s4, I've been thinking about the Kumho's MX or the Supra 712's. However would like to have the Yokahama's A032R but they seems to be too expensive. Then I also did a search on this forum and found that people dont wanna use their MX's for daily driving? I know that I probably dont wanna go with the A032's for everyday driving probably, sorry i'm a little confused. Any suggestions as to which tire would be best? I drive somewhat aggressive and like to speed up on corners a bit, plus i go out to local scca racing events and would like to stay with the same tires. And the weather around my area is cold and snowy during winter and hot as over 100 F (~40C).

 

I haven't tried any of the tires you mentioned on my own cars, but here's a rundown on each model based on what I have read:

712: don't buy these, everyone I know that tried them says they aren't for people who want excellent performance

MX: these are street tires, so I don't see why anyone would recommend against running them on the street (perhaps they were talking about Kumhos R-compound tires like the V-700 or V-70A). I haven't seen many reports, but a few magazines said they performed well. I think they are worth a try.

A032R: very noisy, but other than that these are truly streetable R-compound tires (sticky)

There are some other tires that are worth consideration that will give good performance without breaking the bank. I've got some Falken Azenis tires on my daily driver and I LOVE them. They are dirt cheap and stick like glue.

-Max

 

mhmmmm.... falken azenis sports... that's what i've got... and yeah, they stick like a motha!

 

What size tire are you looking for and what size rim are you mounting it on? If you're talking stock rims then the stock size is 205/55-16 and you can step up to a 225/50-16 (assuming you're not trying to run in the stock class of SCCA events).

In 225/50-16 all of these tires are closely equivalent, and listed in price order: Bridgestone S-03, Goodyear F1 GS-D3, Pirelli PZero Nero, Kumho Ecsta MX.

The Falken Azenis is another great tire but is only available in the original 205/55-16 size so if you're looking to stay in the Stock class of Solo II events that's your tire right there.

None of these tires will work in the snow, and you really should have a dedicated set of snow tires for a car like the RX-7.

 

Oh yeah, it is the Azenis Sport tires that I was talking about, too. I hate it when people incompletely specify what they are talking about ("I got some Potenza tires...") and here I just did it.

Anyway, I would guess that the 205 Azenis Sport tires will stick better than most 225s (even very good ones) but won't last as long (just because S-03s, etc. just last longer anyway -- not because of the size).

-Max

 

Max, are those tires noisy? How do they do in the rain?

I run full boost on the street all the time which is around 400+rwhp. I need something that will stick. When you say these stick you talking about in a turn or when the boost kicks in? I need something to keep me planted when the boost kicks in. So far I've been driving on drag radials all the time but 1, its getting expensive cause BFG's only last 5K at the most and 2. they SUCK in the rain so I have to borrow my wifes car when its raining. In addition to that they only have a 255/45 or something like that and it looks like a balloon on my back wheels haha

Anyway, I just wanted to see how those tires grip in 1st and 2nd when the HP/boost kicks in. I was going to get some So3's but am scared I'll drop and ton of money and they wont stick worth a damn.

Thanks,
STEPHEN

 

The Azenis Sports are a bit noisy, but still much quieter than A032Rs, I think. They "whir" at speed. They aren't great in the rain, but they are still quite drivable. I've had to commute 35 miles on the 405 in the rain a few times and they skated around a little bit, but not enough to slow me down. I would expect them to get a lot scarier as they wear down. But they are fine with some tread on them -- you won't get stuck white-knuckling it in the slow lane.

The S-03s blow them away in the rain, however. The S-03 is by far the best tire in the rain I have ever experienced, including skinny touring tires on sedans and stuff. It rained super hard while I was on the highway right after I got the S-03s on my RX-7 and it was truly amazing how well they resist hydroplaning -- they are very confidence-inspriring in the wet. As you can tell by this glowing review, I was amazed at how good they are.

My Azenis tires are on my daily driver (stock '90 Integra), so I can't attest to their grip under acceleration. I would expect them to have more grip than most other high-performance street tires. Drag radials and perhaps the BFG KD or something might be exceptions, but other than that, the Azenis will probably have more grip. I'm not sure they are available in sizes that you would find useful, though.

My 265 S-03s hold my 370 RWHP through second gear unless it is wet or really cold or something. First gear is a joke, but I don't think any tires would hold that. I hear lots of people complain that they spin the tires in second and third gear easily with about the same power, so I guess the S-03 is pretty good. They have notably good traction under braking, so perhaps that translates into good traction under acceleration, too. The sidewalls are less stiff than other tires I have used in the same class, so perhaps that helps them with accel and braking.

-Max

 

yokohama avs db v2 225/50/r16's work really well. and you can pick them up for 100$ a piece from tirerack.

 

How about the Toyo T1S? I bought my car with the Kumho 712 and I'm not liking them. Especially in the rain. the S-03 sound spectacular, but that is a lot of $$.

 

The T1S is a good tire but its sidewall is a bit softer than most of the other "max performance" tires out there, and it's kind of pricey.

If you want a good wet/dry tire that's nice and cheap the Kumho MX is a great choice. It's nothing at all like the 712, it's actually right up there with the S-03, PZero Nero, etc. Cheaper than the T1S by a good bit as well.

 

Wow cool, thanks a lot guys. I didnt think that anyone payed attention to me, cuz i checked the forum for like the first couple of days with no responses, so I gave up. But really thanks for the info, I dont know why but somewhere someone (that I apperently believed) said that falkens suck and that I should get some kuhmos or sumotomos, they were pushing sumotomos more but I read up on the kuhmos and they seemed better.

I'm glad that I found out about SCCA class rating. Because I wanna be int he stock races, so as far as 225/50/16's not being allowed, thanks for the tip.
I"m thinking 215/55or50/16 <---? on stock rims. But I'm definetly gonna go and check out the falkens since so many of you seem to really like em. My friend has them on his rx7 and he seems to be happy with em. Anyways, thanks.

 

BTW which Falkens should I pay attention to?

 

A couple of additional remarks on the Kumho MXs:

1) They stick pretty darn well in the rain (better than the Azenis). As someone else mentioned, you'd be better off with a separate set of snow tires.

2) They are a bit noisy as they wear down, but they also seem to stick even better the more they wear.

3) They have the same treadwear rating as the Bridgestone S-03s, at a fraction of the cost.

4) Phenomenal sidewall strength (as with all Kumhos - even the 712s have great sidewalls, even if the grip is less than desireable).

5) The MX tests well against tires that cost much, much more.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/max_perf_charts.jsp

I have no idea what kind of unsavory labor situation allows these tires to be so cheap and perform so close to the big boys, but until I hear some true horror story, I will continue to buy them.

Note: All my experiences are driving with them on an '01 Audi S4. I just got them strapped onto my FD two days ago, so the verdict is still out on how they'll do with almost double the power to the road.

G'luck with whatever you get. You've got some good advice from some folks in the know here.

-E