I bought new wheels,
Flik Wasp (anthracite) * 17x7 * 4x100 * ET 42 * 19lbs.

With new wheels comes new tires. I chose (against some opinions, sorry) the Falken Ziex Ze 512 mainly due to their high treadwear and All-Season-ness. Ok, I made that word up)
215/45R17 * 360 Treadwear * UHPAS * W Rated * 18.7Lbs.

I was deciding between Flik & Summer/AutoX tire for summer and X-Lites & Stock runflats for winter and Flik & All-Season year-round and X-Lites & Race tires AutoX
The second option won, but AutoX tires haven't been purchased for the X-Lites, yet.

Now here's where the questions start:
1) Should I race this weekend with my X-Lites & runflats, or my Flik Wasp wheels and my Falken tires?

My concern is taking too much tread off the Falken tires, but I understand I'll be more competiitve with the Falken tires. Which leads to Q2:

2) How much will 1 AutoX day take off of the tires listed above. One AutoX with the Stock runflats took off quite a bit, drastically shortening the life of the front tires.

Advice anyone? I'm leaning towards just running with the Flik wheels for better grip and slightly lighter tire/wheel combo.

(Wheels + Tires) X 4 = total weight of all wheels & tires
X-Lites 17.6lbs. + runflats 23.6lbs. = 41.2lbs. X 4 = 164.8 lbs.
Flik Wasp 19lbs. + Falken 18.7lbs. = 37.7lbs X 4 = 150.8 lbs.

3) What impact will the weight difference of 14lbs (unsprung) mean to my AutoX (Second AutoX, ever)? What would it mean to an expert AutoXer?

That's it, I'm done.

 

I think you'll be better off running the X-Lites and run-flats, especially if they are less than full tread depth. Even though your new wheel/tire combination weighs less than the stock setup, the tread squirm on the Falken Ziex tires will hurt your times a lot, and they could also put a lot of wear on the brand new tires. I've got a set of the Ziex 512's on a Neon I own and they are decent all-season tires (I mainly use them for cold weather and winter use), but I'd never autocross on them, especially at anything close to full tread depth. Even a lot of summer only performance tires or R compound race tires don't like being run at full tread depth.

Get something like the Hankook Z212 or Falken Azenis or Kumho MX for summer/autocross use, and leave the Ziex 512's for the street and inclement weather.

-Keith

 

danielg, First of all, how often are you going to AutoX? What rules does the local club have regarding wheels and tires and what changes can be made over what is OEM? Are you racing just for fun or do you want to be competitive? Because you seem to concerned about tire wear, are funds limited? Let's go from there. F

 

This will be my 2nd event. The season is ending soon, I'll probably race a few more times, maybe 50-75% of the races which are usually twice/month.

I'm not sure about the local rules, but I know I'm within the "offset limits". I'm racing for fun, more than competition. Yes, funds are limited. If the funds weren't limited, I'd just buy some nice AutoX tires for my 16" X-lites (or buy racing wheels).

 

I'd burn those runflats off(should last the remainder of season) and get a good grip street tire for the x-lites.. Falken Azenis or Hankooks comes to mind.. No need to jump onto R-compounds yet. I'd concentrate more on driving skills for now.. r-compounds will give you better times, but you learn less. Also it's a lot more fun with worn tires.

 

Thanks. I don't plan to jump to R-Compound tires; My term "race tires" was misleading. I actually meant tires appropriate for G-Stock racing, a.k.a. max performance summer street tires.

Please elaborate. Better or worse?

I'll probably run the runflats.

What's a good tire pressure?

 

danielg, From my own experience and from what is posted at this site and others, use the S-lite wheels for street only. Put your non-runflat or runflats tires (if you like them) , the all season type or just winter tires on these. Use your after-market wheels for racing with your summer tires. For as many runs that you'll do at one event, for as many events as you attend this year I wouldn't sweat the wear. I don't know what you spent for your summer tires, but Discount Tires is selling Falken Azenis RT-615 205/40/16 tires for 110.88 each plus installation. This model of Falken is probably one of the best street tires for AutoX available. If you don't believe me ask Randy Webb at Webb Motor Sports. http://store.webbmotorsports.com/

 

I'd agree, but I don't have the S-lites. I've got the X-Lites, a.k.a. V-Spoke. They're actually lighter than the after market, so I'll proabably race on them.

 

danielg, sorry you are right those wheels are lighter. If you ever want a set of the s-lites to use a a boat anchor, let me know.

 

I burned up a set of runflats at a track day. I've had the ziex's since then and they have lasted ok but I haven't raced them. One word of caution, when the front ziex's get worn, they are like water ski's. Personal experience!

 

Yeah just wait! I have them too. Good luck in the rain, im getting mine replaced next week, because i almost got into 5+ wrecks in two rainy days. Mine do have considerable wear though. ~18000 with two autoxs and a DE. They were great for about the first 15000 miles, then it was like ok, bye....

 

I have the ZE 512's also. Got 20K miles on the first set, no formal racing, just spirited street driving. Liked them enough to just have bought my second set.