Anyone take Kumhos to the track/auto-x??

[Itsablurr]

Looking at SPTs... I want a performance tire with a good bang for the buck on my daily, be safe in the rain, wear well, but will also perform well when pushed.

Also was looking at MXs, but they seem to be teh suckage with wear comparitively.

[chandlerseattle]

Looking at SPTs... I want a performance tire with a good bang for the buck on my daily, be safe in the rain, wear well, but will also perform well when pushed.

Also was looking at MXs, but they seem to be teh suckage with wear comparitively.

SPT's will be the suck at auto x compared to MX's or Falken Azenis. Get the Azenis.

[D. Hitchcock]

If you want grippy tires, they're going to wear fast.

If you want durable, long-lived tires, they're not going to be sticky.

If you want the former, then look into (on the cheap end) Hankook RS2s, Falken Azenis 615s, and Kumho MX.

The Bridgestone RE-01R is middling on price and a very good performing tire.

On the expensive end, check the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec, and the Yokohama Advan Neova.

FWIW, most of the serious ST class competitors seems to be running the Dunlops, the Yokos and the Bridgestones.

d.hitchcock

[Patrón]

Looking at SPTs... I want a performance tire with a good bang for the buck on my daily, be safe in the rain, wear well, but will also perform well when pushed.

Also was looking at MXs, but they seem to be teh suckage with wear comparitively.

Do you know anybody that's tried some Falkens?

If i had your car, i'd get the yoko neovas,ps2 or the bridgestones mentioned.

[bmwpowere36m3]

Looking at SPTs... I want a performance tire with a good bang for the buck on my daily, be safe in the rain, wear well, but will also perform well when pushed.

Also was looking at MXs, but they seem to be teh suckage with wear comparitively.

I run SPT's on my M3 (245's), for what they cost, wear rating, and grip I think they're great. They are by no means as grippy as Direzza's, MX, RE01's, but for DD and track use they work. I've used them for ~5K miles and 4 DE events (WGI, LRP, SP) and they worked great. When I step up to a second set of wheels (track only), then I'll be wrapping them with something along the lines of Direzza's.

[joenationwide]

If you want grippy tires, they're going to wear fast.

If you want durable, long-lived tires, they're not going to be sticky.

If you want the former, then look into (on the cheap end) Hankook RS2s, Falken Azenis 615s, and Kumho MX.

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec is middling on price and the best performing tire.
On the expensive end, check the Bridgestone RE-01R , and the Yokohama Advan Neova.

FWIW, most of the serious ST class competitors seems to be running the Dunlops, the Yokos and the Bridgestones.

d.hitchcock

fixed :D

[shaeff]

I ran Falken Azenis RT-615's on my Supra, and they were a pretty grippy tire. (275/40/r17's rear, 255's front)

[chandlerseattle]

I ran Falken Azenis RT-615's on my Supra, and they were a pretty grippy tire. (275/40/r17's rear, 255's front)

Since trying the RT-615's and having them hand tires like B'stone SO3 their asses to them I will be sticking with the Falkens. These tires are literally the best bang for the buck.

[D. Hitchcock]

fixed :D

Thanks!

I guess I thought the Stones were cheaper coz I was looking at the 15-inch stones and the 17-inch Direzzas.

dh

[giantrobot9000]

I have 235/40/17 Ecsta SPTs on my car, and though I haven't tracked with them,they are plenty grippy for the street. Good tire for the money.

Side note-does anyone know where I can find these in that size? Tire Rack doesn't list them. They were on the car when I bought it, and I need to replace 2 of them.

[motorsports321]

fixed :D

+1 to the fixed portion

rs2 lasted me a year of DD, 4 track days, and 2 auto-x for whats its worth. Loved the dunlop Z1s.

[D. Hitchcock]

+1 to the fixed portion

rs2 lasted me a year of DD, 4 track days, and 2 auto-x for whats its worth. Loved the dunlop Z1s.


I'm not convinced the Dunlops are faster than the Yokohamas ... yet.

I'm going to get to find out very soon. We're testing the Lops back-to-back against our Neovas at the next local event and at a test-n-tune at Heartland Park next week.<drooling>

d.hitchcock

[samsnead]

I dont have any experience with Kuhmos on the M3, but I have a set on my 911, they arent a good tire.

I have Sumitomos on my 993 and they are a better tire for less money.

I also have the Sumis on the m3, I just got the car and havent really pushed it yet.

[328iJunkie]

Ive run both the MX's and the SPTs both in 255s all around. MX's are garbage, No wet traction, no treadwear and barley noticeable dry traction. Ive run through 3 sets of SPTs since and love them. Might try something a little more grippy/expensive next though as i can out drive the tires pretty easily at autoX's and track events now... Oh and you cant beat 100$ a tire.

[nderwater]

When I replaced the Azenis on my Miata with SPT's, I gave up a lot of grip. I later replaced the SPT's with the Hankook RS2's which are on the car now. They're an improvement, but still not as sticky as the Azenis were - but make for a much less punishing ride.

[savage217]

Matty you should try the new direzza star specs, those are supposed to be amazing and wear pretty well.

[Itsablurr]

I'll take a look Nick.


Ive run both the MX's and the SPTs both in 255s all around. MX's are garbage, No wet traction, no treadwear and barley noticeable dry traction. Ive run through 3 sets of SPTs since and love them. Might try something a little more grippy/expensive next though as i can out drive the tires pretty easily at autoX's and track events now... Oh and you cant beat 100$ a tire.

Interesting. So in the same 255 size, you like the grip of the SPT better?

The SPT sounds pretty good at the price for daily driving with performance. Wet traction is essential.


When I replaced the Azenis on my Miata with SPT's, I gave up a lot of grip. I later replaced the SPT's with the Hankook RS2's which are on the car now. They're an improvement, but still not as sticky as the Azenis were - but make for a much less punishing ride.

The Azenis are really attractive, and seem to get a TON of great feedback for their auto-x and track performance.... how is the wear and wet traction though? How many miles are people getting out of these?

Looking at them, they seem pretty radical... perhaps better suited to dedicated track wheels?

[328iJunkie]

Yes the SPT grip is better... And also my roomate has the Azenis on his E30. Rain driving is fun but i wouldnt call it safe by any means... and treadwear rating is sub 200, i believe 140 or so whereas the SPTs are 280...

[nderwater]

The SPT's are great in the rain and offer a compliant ride for a performance tire, but there are stickier options out there for track and autocross duty. I'm considering putting them on my wife's 530iA now that her Firestone Wide Oval's are wearing out, but I'm looking to put a set of Star Specs on my M3 when the time comes. The Azenis offer truly awesome traction, but I wouldn't put them back on a car that I was daily driving.