I have tried to review as much of the previous thread and I am sure the answer is there but I haven't been able to find it yet...here is the question:

I am looking for a recommendation for a 17" tire and here are my considerations:

1. Ride quality improvement from run flats
2. Performanace - handling as good or better than the run flats

Cost and how many miles i can get is not important. My mini is used sometimes daily but mostly for club rides and maybe sometime for the occasional track day or club autocross.

Right now the best recommendation I seem to have gotten is for the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

I have also heard that there is a great bridgestone but not sure of the model...

HELP! i am trying to make a decision and get some new rubber rolling. thanks much. Michael

 

i am running 225/4517 falken ZE512,
they are a little stiff, but if you want a great sticky tire that will last around 30K miles(depending on abuse of course) these tires are fantastic. i can take a 90 degree turn at 45mph and not even get a tire squeel!
there around 130 per tire at discount tires here in AZ.
they have a nice look and a rim gurd built into them as well.

 

From Consumer Reports the Top Four Tires Ultra High Performance are:
1. Falken Ziex ZE-912
2. Nitto Neo Gen ZR
3. Yokohama Advan S4
4. Falken Ziex ZE-512

 

Google Michelin's Pilot Exalto PE2.

I have had these on my '04 S since I purchased it over 31,000 miles ago.. and they are not even CLOSE to the wear indicators. Great performance wet or dry but it's NOT designed as a tire for ice ( I DID drive it in the snow in Tahoe but nothing serious).

Great handling, wear, and low noise.. I'm running 205/25-17 on my S-Lites.

Jim

Jim

 

the ziex912's are pretty stiff tires for a/s. they gripped like crap the first
500miles, but lately its gripping quite well.

 

I'm still using the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 currently, but have ordered some Bridgestone RE050's as I have heard good things about them. I also wanted to keep the RFT's on, even though they cost an arm and a leg!

 

Ditto this, but I also put low weight wheels on too, Team Dynamics Pro Racing Ones. S-lites are pretty heavy.

 

215/45/17 here, Great tire!

 

I just got the Falken Ziex ZE-912 in 215/45-17 and they are great. Not really sure how they compare but I would recommend them based on the price and performance.

 

I also live in the bay area and didn't see a need to go with anything other than a summer performance tire so i went with the F1 GSD3. Although I just got the tires I can easily say that the Goodyears easily cover both your points from above. It's also a quieter tire so i hear more exhaust noise over the previous road surface noise.

 

The Bridgestone RE01R is an awesome tire!!!! I currently run these (have an extra set in the garage for the next go around) and will keep these on as long as they make them. 215/45R17's fit and look perfect.

Later

 

I've run 3 sets of Falken Ziex 512's----205/45r17 and they are inexpensive tires--bought them from Edgeracing when they are about $79/tire. They have since been replaced by the 912's which are a bit heavier.

After doing more research, I decided I would try the Nitto Neo Gens in 215/45r17 although I've considered the 205/40r17's which are ultra cheap at $62/tire. My only concern is they are 84W--the Falkens are 88W--which basically means their weight capacity at 50psi is about 133 pounds lower per corner (comparing 84W to 87W).

Tire's are crucial of course, and cheaping out isn't a smart thing to do, but it appears that as long as I don't carry a lot of weight---it's mostly just me and my 4 year old son in the car--once in awhile my wifes there too--it seems that the 84W might be ok to run.

$250 for a set of 4 tires that I expect to replace twice a year is mighty attractive to me!

Richard

 

Thanks to all and this thread really helped as i now have it down to a couple of choices and i am sure i will be happy with any of them....

 

Oops..

Fixed the size on my post for the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2s which SHOULD have been 205/45-17

I really don't think they make 25 series tires. Yet!

They are awesome on the S-Lites and I KNOW that with a really light wheel they would be even better!..These are about $135 each if you do a little shopping so the extra mileage makes them a bargain even if the initial price is a little higher than some..i REALLY expect that I will get 50,000 out of them and I LOVE hanging it out on the corners as much as anyone.

My OTHER 2 cents worth..

Jim

 

If tread wear is not a concern, you may want to look into the Hankook Rs2 or Falken RT-615. Since you do occasional auto-X and track events, they will give you the grip you need for those events, but not last as long. If you want a bit more tread life and decent grip for the events, try the Falken FK-452 or the Toyo T1-r. For an ultra high performance, people here are on point with the Falken 912's, but if you need something a bit lighter you can try the Toyo Proxes 4.

Leo Barrios
leo@edgeracing.com
800-489-5353 x211
http://www.edgeracing.com

 

i run Kumho Ecsta SPt 205/45/17 they are a pretty decent tire. i'm going eagle F1's next but these tires seem to be holding up alot better than my last tires with minimal wear and excellent grip. however i would like them to be a little stiffer in the corners but the slightly softer ride is nice for the daily commute without giving up those 90 degree turns without squeal.