I'm looking for some new tires, to get away from the stock Pirelli runflats , and I bet I'm not the only one looking for some good tires on a budget.

So what do you all think are the best tires for under $100...

...in 205/45 R17?

...in 215/45 R17?

 

For under $100, I'd have to recommend the Yokohama ES100's I just put on - FANTASTIC tire all-around, and I came from those same runflats! They have better grip off the line, feel just as nimble cornering, about the same noise level, are under $100/ea., come in the stock size, GREAT in the rain (that says something after the hurricane and flooding here!), etc.

If you want to spend an extra $30/ea. and are going 215, I'd say the Toyo T1-S - they are a slight step up in all aspects, but not available in stock size.

 

I'd give the Fusion ZRi's a chance at $83 a pop at www.tirerack.com

since you say you're on a budget. that or the sumitomo HTRZII's.
215/45/17's.

 

What are you using them for? Street, autocross, track, driving school/events, and under what weather conditions- rain, dry, light snow?

At tirerack.com (talk to Alex)
...in 205/45 R17
Kumho SPT $94 each
Yokohama ES100 $99 each
Yokohama Parada Spec 2 $95 each
Avon Tech M550 A/S $103 each (all season)

...in 215/45 R17
Avon Tech M500 $104 each
Avon Tech M550 A/S $99 each (all season)
BFG G-Force sport $94 each
Fuzion ZRi $83 each
Kumho SPT $92 each
Kumho 712 $83 each
Kumho ASX $86 each (all season)
Yokohama ES100 $102 each
Fuzion HRi $76 each (all season)

At edgeracing.com
...in 205/45 R17
Falken Ze-512 $90
Toyo Proxes 4 $104

...in 215/45 R17
Toyo Proxes 4 $88 each
Yokohama ES100 $104 each

 

minihune- you're like a living tire encyclopedia.

 

If you're looking for a max performance tire thats good in the wet and dry (not an all season) then you might want to look at the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212.

I know discount tires has them for $95 for 215/45-17's. And free shipping doesn't hurt.

I put a set on my S2000 and they grip almost as good as a well worn R-Compound tire..but at 200 UTQG it'll last a bit longer. For the money it performs really well.

 

Actually, I think Alex is the "tire person"- he's amazing.
It's only my "hobby".
I've got another day job.
Did I mention I have a garage "full" of tires?
My wife (the MINI police) isn't too happy about my hobby/hobbies.

I just remind her I don't drink, gamble, take trips, or golf.
That ought to be good for "another set of tires" don't you think?????

 

Your garage must look like a mr. michellin house party.

 

me 3...
Im thinking of either ditching my 17s for 16s or just getting rid of the runflats...i cant make up my mind?
the runflats are like what I imagine tires from the 50s would be hard as a rock...

db

 

Edgeracing has the T1-R for $129 plus shipping. It's in the 215 size.

 

Pretty much looking for a street tire...no AutoX or track time for these. I've been combing through TireRack, EdgeRacing, Discount Tire, etc. for the past couple days, and I am starting to feel like a tire encyclopedia . From the prices, reviews, and surveys, I've seen/read, I like the prospects of these tires:

205/45 R17
Kumho ECTSA SPT - $94/each
Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 - $85/each
Yokohama AVS ES100 - $99/each
Yokohama Parada Spec-2 - $95/each

I noticed some of the same tires, and some that you noted minihine, in a 215/45 R17 size, but quite honestly, other than a larger contact patch, I don't know what a 215-series tires is going to give me over a 205-series tire .

 

215/45R17 BFG G-Force Sports. Got 'em on mine and they work great

 

I've got a set of kumho 712's that I am trying to wear out so I can get some Toyo RA-1's for the track. They are tough tires, won't wear down They are also nice street tires and not bad on the track either.

 

You answered your own question..larger contact patch. That's usually nicer for handling. Plus, you will have more tire options in the 215 size.

 

215/45/17 is considerably more forgiving than 205/45/17's in terms of comfort too.

 

The Yokohama AVS ES100 is a great 3-season tire for the price; the Falken ZiexZE 512 is a good high performance all-season tire.

 

Very true, although, I think you do give up a little in turn in and you will have a slightly taller gearing. Can't forget that with them 215's!

Hijack time! Have you heard anything about the T1-R? I am considering them since I am close to seeing the wear bars on the Kumhos. Not a moment too soon since those things are LOUD!

 

I agree with tsukiji the Yokohama AVS 100Evo's are fantastic they are very grippy great looking aggressive tread and softens your ride considerably too At $78 a pop the AVS's are a real bargain (they were $78 when I bought them two years ago). Keep in mind he is also correct about them being a 3 season tire, the AVS 100's should not be the tire of choice for the winter or even heavy rain seasons. The only other downside is if you are an aggressive driver the tread life leaves a bit to be desired as well but not as bad as several of the other brands mentioned in this thread. I would rank the AVS 100's an 8 out of 10

 

I agree... and from my driving habits the MCS is too nimble
so went with 205/50/16's using GS-D3's which are soft sidewalls vs
something like S03's to numb the turn-in a tad to increase
straightline stability for easier control.

Toyo tires in my head is like the Nitto's upgraded version tires..Toyo
and Nitto at one time were building tires at the same factory. not
that it matters, I just don't like Toyo tires that much. They're great
for dressup but not so much in terms of grip. I haven't tried the
T1-R's but Im not expecting too much out of them. Please let me
know how they grip from actual experience! (i read some
good reviews, but most are coming from less grippy tires so not
sure).

 

I have a set of proxe 4's(245/45/17) on our Lexus and they handle pretty good compared to my stock bridgestones(234/45/17). And they are quiet. I am not 100% sure I am going that route. I might go the GY F1 D3 instead. They have some rebate stuff for those tires.:smile:

 

If both the 205 & 215s have a sidewall height of 45, how's gearing taller? 'Course, - didn't realize 215s may soak-up more rough road, offering more comfort.
Kudos, meanboy & kenchan.

Checked around early this summer & found the local shop offerin' fat & fab 205/50-15s Azenzis (sp.?) $20 cheaper [each] than their 205/55 brothers. !

All I mean is, be sure to call your favorite local shop & compare options & pricing. [Online retailers are not the end-all.] The shop near me was within 2 bucks of TireRack, so what would've been spent on shipping went into rubber.

Further, they offered a deal on the mount & balance since I bought thru them, then called me 10 days after telling me all rotations are free for the life of their set & recommended I come in every 6K mi. Paid some taxes, for better roads (hope, hope), - but then its good lovin' to pay more to support the neighborhood shops, too. This time, it offered brilliant benefits.

Since folks here taught me about lower gearing in the 50s, I went to the shop with that, ended up learing more & been smiling ever since.

Hope this helped or contributed somehow. Good luck, all-around. :smile:

 

Thanks for the compliments.

I purchased the Proxe 4's (for our Lexus) locally and the rims for our mini at TR. I probably will check locally to see what the pricing is like because shops charge a lot for mounting and balancing. And some offer free flat repairs too. Speaking of repairs, I was charged $49 for a flat repair at the local firestone dealer(some baloney about a custom rim). I walked the rim over so they didn't even have to remove it from the car. I even showed them where the link was. You can bet I will never go back to them for anything, ever, unless it's a loss leader for them.

While it's true that they are both 45 series tires, the 215 is slightly taller at 24.6 inches versus the 205 at 24.3 inches. The speedo will read a little too slow because of the difference of 1.5%.

The old standby, the miate tire calculator at http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html,

provided the actual numbers.

The butt dyno has the 205 coming off the line slightly quicker then the 215 but that also may be because of the larger footprint of the 215 more then anything else.

 

45 = 45% of width of tire.

215/45 = 215mm x 45% = 96.75mm
205/45 = 215mm x 45% = 92.25mm

and the list goes on and on... :smile:

 

I'd go for some Hankook RS2-Z212's for sure. They are fairly quiet, excellent grip and decent ride. What more can you ask for out of a tire?

 

I'll second this. I have them too and really like 'em.