I need new tires and your opinions.

[simmode1]

The time has come to shell out some cash for some new tires. But I'm a cheap bastard who likes to get the maximum performance for the smallest cost. Currently, I have 16x8.5+27 Kosei K1's with 225/45/16 Yokohama AVS ES100 all around, some of which are showing tread

As it turns out, 225/45/16 is not a common size. I should be rocking a 50 profile (which is easier to find since Mustangs usually run that), but I like how my 225/45's look.

Here's what I've found on Google in my cheap bastard's price range, so far:

-Yokohama Tires - AVS ES100 for $84 From Vulcan Tire Sales-Falken Tires - FK-451 for $90 From Vulcan Tire Sales-Nexen Tires N3000 fot $69 From Discount Tires 2Go

I'm leaning towards the Nexen's. Not just cause they're the cheapest, but because some ppl have said that tey perform similar to the Yokohama's. Plus I like the tread pattern

So, anybody got input on the Nexen's versus the other two? Or any other tires in that price range you can recommend for me?

[ashibah83]

i would go with the Falkens, they were one of my choices when i was searching for new tires( but im glad i got the Hankook Ventus V12 EVO k112's...its too bad they dont make them in the size you need) then the Yoko's, followed be the nexen's, i dont see how a hard a$$ cheap chinese(or korean, i dont really care) tire could perform with either of the afformentioned two

i know a lot of beginning drifters run nexens and i have installed a lot of them for local "import guys" and they just feel cheap, when you install tires for a while you can tell a good tire pretty easily

[simmode1]

Ohhh.... Thanks.

What do you think about BFGoodrich G-Force KDW? I found a set of 4 in my size on ebay for $218 + shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...AX:IT

It looks too good to be true. Is it? 4 tires for $218?! That's like $54/per tire! Aren't these supposed to be pretty good too?

I vaguely remember a magazine saying someting good about them years ago, but I can't remember. I googled some review threads of these tires and ppl say they're good, but hey... ppl in other threads also said the Nexen's were good too, so...

[Rex]

Ohhh.... Thanks.

What do you think about BFGoodrich G-Force KDW? I found a set of 4 in my size on ebay for $218 + shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...AX:IT

It looks too good to be true. Is it? 4 tires for $218?! That's like $54/per tire! Aren't these supposed to be pretty good too?

I vaguely remember a magazine saying someting good about them years ago, but I can't remember. I googled some review threads of these tires and ppl say they're good, but hey... ppl in other threads also said the Nexen's were good too, so...

Those are old tires. New, but old.

I'd also check with the other places and see what the production dates on them are. You really don't want anything more than 1 year old.

[simmode1]

Yeah, I read that the G-Force KDW were discontinued & replaced by the BFGoodrich G-Force KDW2's. So I guess they'd be kinda old. What exactly is the problem with an unused "old" tire? Never heard of this being an issue before...

[Rex]

The ones in the ebay link you posted are from 2005. And the issue is the rubber ages/cures over time and loses some of it's grip. I think Tirerack used to have an article/comparison of the performance of old (unused) tires.

[simmode1]

The ones in the ebay link you posted are from 2005.

Damn, you're right... I completely missed that. I gonna try to find some more info on this 'new/old' tire issue. Thanks.

[simmode1]

Rex, thank you so much for responding before I could click on that "Commitment to Buy" button on Ebay. You saved me alot of trouble!

The Hidden Danger - New Old Tires: http://www.consumerwarningnetw...tires/

[adrianfromthecastle]

simmode, go with the yoko es100s... you won't regret it. I had them and loved them. I think those Nexans are bootleg es100s.

edit: aren't the es100's discontinued though? I had them like 4 years ago

[Rex]

Rex, thank you so much for responding before I could click on that "Commitment to Buy" button on Ebay. You saved me alot of trouble!

The Hidden Danger - New Old Tires: http://www.consumerwarningnetw...tires/

No problem. I go through lots of tires given the # of miles I drive and I hate "bad tires". I also hate 40k, 50k, 60k tires. If they're made to last that many miles, IMHO they're not worth crap. Well unless you're running them on your Prius or something.

And FWIW, over the last 5 years, the only thing I liked less than the ES100's (I bought) were the (nearly new) Nexxen's that were on my buddies 240.

Best 2 sets of tires I've had over the last 10 years were a set of Bridgestone Pole Positions (8 years ago) and some Bridgestone Potenza RE050's. They were both goo when first put on the car, as well as 10k later.

Keep in mind, it's the only part of your car that comes in contact with the ground (usually).

[simmode1]

simmode, go with the yoko es100s... you won't regret it. I had them and loved them. I think those Nexans are bootleg es100s.

edit: aren't the es100's discontinued though? I had them like 4 years ago

That sounds about right. I have es100's right now and I think I am the 3rd owner of this set of wheels/tires... ummm, wait... And both previous owners drifted on them... And I'been driving on them for about a year...

No problem. I go through lots of tires given the # of miles I drive and I hate "bad tires". I also hate 40k, 50k, 60k tires. If they're made to last that many miles, IMHO they're not worth crap. Well unless you're running them on your Prius or something.

And FWIW, over the last 5 years, the only thing I liked less than the ES100's (I bought) were the (nearly new) Nexxen's that were on my buddies 240.

Best 2 sets of tires I've had over the last 10 years were a set of Bridgestone Pole Positions (8 years ago) and some Bridgestone Potenza RE050's. They were both goo when first put on the car, as well as 10k later.

Keep in mind, it's the only part of your car that comes in contact with the ground (usually).

Well, I should have known I shouldn't cheap out in this area. I saw some Potenza RE050's in TireRack's clearance bin a few months ago, but they were gone by the time I had the cash for them...

I guess I'm gonna start looking at 225/50/16's after all. What do you guys think of these: Falken FK-452's for $384 shipped. Think I can find cheaper?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...43540

I can't see if these are 'new-old' tires. I don't think they're discontinued... Should I be worried?

[Rex]

I can't see if these are 'new-old' tires. I don't think they're discontinued... Should I be worried?

Ask them to give you the production date codes form the tires ... online places should be willing to do this as well.

[nifares240]

try KUMHO XS. pretty sticky tires.

[simmode1]

try KUMHO XS. pretty sticky tires.

Hmmm... I think that's more money than I want to pay right now for some tires on a set of throw away wheels.

I've pretty much settled on Falken FK 452 in 225/50/16 at this point. It turns out that Discount Tire has them for $90ea shipped if you buy online. So before taxes, that like, $360 total. I'm gonna call one of the stores and ask what the price in picked up or if they'll match the online price minus the shipping. Hopefully, that'll knock $10 off each tire, which already seems pretty nicely priced...

[n00b240]

will they charge you extra to mount and balance as well?

[simmode1]

I haven't got around to checking since my paycheck was short this week...

Will check and repost tomorrow...

[Rex]

Most places will M/B 16's fairly cheap.

Call around to a few places and get a "quote", also check with independent places, as they'll sometimes cut great deals, if you pay/tip the installer directly. Just depends how slow their business is.

[simmode1]

Most places will M/B 16's fairly cheap.

Call around to a few places and get a "quote", also check with independent places, as they'll sometimes cut great deals, if you pay/tip the installer directly. Just depends how slow their business is.

That's what I was thinking, because after today, I'm ordering these tires and taking them straight to the Arabs to put them on! Discount Tire tried to rape, fool!

I went up there and the guy tried to charge me $110 per tire, first off. I made him pull up the website and then he agreed to price match the $90 offer. From there, he proceeded to add in:

-$3 per tire for valve stems-$2 per tire for disposal of my old set-$45 for new tire warranty-$15 per tire for M/B!

The price went from $360 to $470 within just a few seconds. With tax, it'll be just shy of $500. So hell no to letting them mount and balance. I'll take the tires to one of the many Arab-run used tire shops that do this stuff for cheap.

[n00b240]

I'm ordering these tires and taking them straight to the Arabs to put them on! Discount Tire tried to rape, fool!

I laughed so hard at that. Hands down, I dunno why, but them Arab joints are the best. I went down to a place in uptown dallas, cause I needed 1 tire. Guy charged me 108, for the tire, lifetime warranty, mount and balance. I insisted on putting on the wheels myself tho, and it was no stress. Charged me nothing to take the tire I didnt want. Left him 20 bucks tip. Will definitely hit that guy up for my peoples, when they need tires.

Oh yeah and he sold me the 3mm spacers I needed for the fronts for 5 bucks for the both of them!
Modified by n00b240 at 9:29 PM 11/4/2009