Best Replacement Tires?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 202
From: Trinity FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
Thanks for all the input. The biggest obstacle to choice seems to be the rear tire size - 285/40 17. There are a lot of choices for 275/40 17. Has anyone tried going down a size? Will this have a noticeable effect on performance/ride/handling etc.? I mean other than the fact that 285's just look so cool.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 212
Likes: 12
Got 4 to match
I was finally able to locate 285/40 R17s with the help of Kumho's importer. I now have a matched set of their ASX all-season tires. The difference between these tires and the 17-year-old Goodyears is rather dramatic.
Piece of advice: Don't keep those old tires just because they look cool.
The new ones are much quieter and smoother and the 4-wheel alignment helped a lot. I have driven them in pouring rain with utmost confidence.
I don't know what the policy is on this forum, but I would not hesitate to recommend Tire Discounters in Jeffersonville, IN.
Piece of advice: Don't keep those old tires just because they look cool.
The new ones are much quieter and smoother and the 4-wheel alignment helped a lot. I have driven them in pouring rain with utmost confidence.
I don't know what the policy is on this forum, but I would not hesitate to recommend Tire Discounters in Jeffersonville, IN.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 27
From: St James New York
Found out about them from the C5 guys on this forum several years ago. They were relatively cheap then, now as more people find out about them the price has gone up though!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 182
Likes: 4
From: Gardena CA
I had the same problems with the Sumitomo's. I also had two sets of tires and both times they were out of spec. The symptoms were the same-vibrating around 70 mph. Finally, I went to Goodyears F1 GS-D3, problem solved.
If you buy Sumitomo's, be prepared to go for the higher-priced road force balancing. And, the possibility of returning a couple of them for being out of spec.
After two sets and being pissed that there was vibration above 70mph, I had them road-force balanced. Two had imbalances greater than a 35lb rotational force at 60mph!
I didn't do that to my prior set, but felt the same way.
Sent the two back (this time) and got two more. It's finally smooth at 75+mph.
And, it ONLY cost an extra $150 to get it all done. Add that to the price of Sumitomos before you decide to give them a shot.
Or be prepared to own a touring car. (Same as that Ferrari guy who drive 35-55mph) LOL
After two sets and being pissed that there was vibration above 70mph, I had them road-force balanced. Two had imbalances greater than a 35lb rotational force at 60mph!
I didn't do that to my prior set, but felt the same way.
Sent the two back (this time) and got two more. It's finally smooth at 75+mph.
And, it ONLY cost an extra $150 to get it all done. Add that to the price of Sumitomos before you decide to give them a shot.
Or be prepared to own a touring car. (Same as that Ferrari guy who drive 35-55mph) LOL
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 212
Likes: 12
SPTs are softer compound but look like an excellent value for the money. Tire Rack's prices do not include freight which adds about $20-$30 a tire, so you need to compare apples to apples. Mounting & balancing ranges from $20-$25 per tire. Sometimes a retailer will offer a package deal which includes mounting, balancing, & a 4-wheel alignment that beats an internet price when all the costs are figured in.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
i have Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 on my 91 and they are pricey but worth it they hook up good and handle awsome.
the kumos that i had i always had a hard time hooking up and i always felt like i had a flat tire. i have pulled over on the side of the highway a few times to look for a flat
the kumos that i had i always had a hard time hooking up and i always felt like i had a flat tire. i have pulled over on the side of the highway a few times to look for a flat
