but I switched to 18" wheels to clear the C5 brakes.
Tire choice.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,956
Likes: 706
From: WI
Tire choice.
I am looking at two tires and trying to decide. Any suggestions? Other brands?
Kumho MX 275/35/18 (no 285 size) $205
Goodyear GS-D3 285/35/18 $265 plus $50 cash back card deal on four.
I like that the GSD3 is, wider, higher tread wear, more tread depth, and is made in America. I don't like that it weights a lot more, and it costs more but not bad.
Links to the tire specs:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=
These are for street use plus drag and road course. I would like to have a spare set of wheels with track tires but it's not going to happen for a long time.
Kumho MX 275/35/18 (no 285 size) $205
Goodyear GS-D3 285/35/18 $265 plus $50 cash back card deal on four.
I like that the GSD3 is, wider, higher tread wear, more tread depth, and is made in America. I don't like that it weights a lot more, and it costs more but not bad.
Links to the tire specs:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=
These are for street use plus drag and road course. I would like to have a spare set of wheels with track tires but it's not going to happen for a long time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 818
Likes: 13
From: San Antonio Texas
I have a set of 4 - 275/40 17 Yoko ES100 that I bought as a back-up set, and since have decided to move to a larger rim. They are brand new w/ stickers still on them.
If you're interested let me know, I sure we could work something out.
edit: sorry just realized you too had the desire to move up to an 18" rim.
If you're interested let me know, I sure we could work something out.
edit: sorry just realized you too had the desire to move up to an 18" rim.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
I've never used the GSD3, but I've heard from people that they don't handle heat real well. They seem to start chunking if they're driven hard for an extended period (like at a track day.) The Kumho MX is a proven performance tire, and while I'd definately take the GSD3 if I were only driving on the street, I think I'd give up a little treadwear and wet grip and just go with the Kumhos for your application. They're also considerably cheaper than the GSD3.
If you want to spend a little more than the Kumho, but still less than the GSD3 you should consider the Falken Azenis RT-615. It's only a 275, but the tread width is actually wider than the 285 GSD3. It's stickier and stiffer than the Kumho MX and GSD3 too. It's also lighter than the GSD3. If I were only driving on the street, I'd pick the GSD3 out of the 3 tires I've discussed. If I were driving street/track, I'd take the Falkens hands down.
If you want to spend a little more than the Kumho, but still less than the GSD3 you should consider the Falken Azenis RT-615. It's only a 275, but the tread width is actually wider than the 285 GSD3. It's stickier and stiffer than the Kumho MX and GSD3 too. It's also lighter than the GSD3. If I were only driving on the street, I'd pick the GSD3 out of the 3 tires I've discussed. If I were driving street/track, I'd take the Falkens hands down.
Last edited by 90Z51; Jun 28, 2007 at 08:48 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
I've heard a lot of positive results about the MX's but have never used them.
For another cheap tire look into the Goodrich KDW's. I run them on the M3 and they're fine on the street and decent on the track. They handle the heat well and don't show much abnormal wear after hard driving. They do show some "rippling" along the tread edge, but they do not chunk or come apart. They do get soft, however...
Since cost is a factor, I suggest getting some R compound scrubs. I have stacks of them that I run anytime I'm on track and not competing. I keep the new Hoosiers for the timed laps and run scrubs the other 60% of the time. Contact Bob at usdrctrs@aol.com. He has Hoosiers, Kumhos, etc. in any size you need. Expect to pay between $50-70 each (plus shipping) depending on brand and condition.
They'll last you a heck of a lot longer than new street tires. You'll need rims, but there are old rims all over the FS section for $400 a set.
4 scrubs @ $70e plus a set of rims for $500 = about $800, less than a set of new street tires...
For another cheap tire look into the Goodrich KDW's. I run them on the M3 and they're fine on the street and decent on the track. They handle the heat well and don't show much abnormal wear after hard driving. They do show some "rippling" along the tread edge, but they do not chunk or come apart. They do get soft, however...
Since cost is a factor, I suggest getting some R compound scrubs. I have stacks of them that I run anytime I'm on track and not competing. I keep the new Hoosiers for the timed laps and run scrubs the other 60% of the time. Contact Bob at usdrctrs@aol.com. He has Hoosiers, Kumhos, etc. in any size you need. Expect to pay between $50-70 each (plus shipping) depending on brand and condition.
They'll last you a heck of a lot longer than new street tires. You'll need rims, but there are old rims all over the FS section for $400 a set.
4 scrubs @ $70e plus a set of rims for $500 = about $800, less than a set of new street tires...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
I'm curious - where is the clearance an issue, offset or backspacing?
I assume the inside diameter of a 17" rim is plenty large. I have Brembo 4-pistons up front and run 17" A-mold rims. Backspacing is a concern for me but not diameter.
I assume the inside diameter of a 17" rim is plenty large. I have Brembo 4-pistons up front and run 17" A-mold rims. Backspacing is a concern for me but not diameter.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I have the Kumho MX on my C4. I believe the Goodyears would be a better street tire, for several reasons that I won't go into here.
So, it comes down (in my opinion) to this:
For mostly street: go Goodyear
For mostly track: go Kumho
Anything else??
Larry
code5coupe
__________
not easily impressed....
Last edited by rocco16; Jun 29, 2007 at 09:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I have the GS-D3's and have been very happy with them but it's my understanding they are made in Goodyear's Plant in Germany FWIW.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The Y2k wheels will probably clear Brembos with no spacers, they clear my wilwoods.
I'd really like to stuff some wilwoods under my 16" stock wheels for a nice sleeper effect, but there's about 1/4" not enough radius in there. I may try sawblades or cuisinarts though with some spacers.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,956
Likes: 706
From: WI
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,956
Likes: 706
From: WI
I thought of running scrubs but I do drive some street miles, and do see rain. The Kumho is looking like the best choice here till I get an extra set of rims, or if my stockers fit.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Just don't tell people you need 18s to clear them. Keep in mind the C5 had 17" front wheels.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
But Goodyear has other models made around the globe and in South America. It's akin to buying a Toyota Tundra because it's MADE IN U.S.A.