June issue GRM conducts "extreme" street tire test

**Big Sky WRX** · 05-07-2009 06:29 PM

not going to exactly relate to our 3000 lb + cars, but does give some indication

Tires were tested in 15 inch sizes on a honda civic.

Here is a summary of times from worst to first.

6th - Falken RT 615 Mean time: 35.302 Sec Quick time 35.125 Sec.
5th - Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec Mean time: 35.209 sec. Quick time 35.061
4th -Toyo Proxes R1R Mean time: 34.522 sec Quick Time 34.452 sec
3rd- Bridgestone RE-01R Mean time: 34.478 sec Quick Time 34.430 sec.
2nd- Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 Mean time: 34.266 Quick time 34.238 sec.
1st - Kumho ECSTA XS Mean time :34.170 Quick Time 34.030 sec.

All tires were shaved to 3/32 nd and test performed on an Autocross set up.

**vttk_mig69** · 05-07-2009 08:36 PM

interesting i have always favored Kumho tires since i had them on my last car and they arn't that badly priced. I was planing on getting the ASX's when i had money for some new wheels.

**Sinister** · 05-07-2009 09:16 PM

I will Definitely have some RE-11s wrapped on some 18x8's within the year....

Hey BigSky... the tire sizes that fit the 18x8 RPF-1 with a 45 offset were completely off at discount tire.. Any clue if a 245/40/18 will fit without rubbing with that ET on just USDM pink springs, and stock struts.

**Big Sky WRX** · 05-08-2009 05:32 AM

245/40 is too tall IMO- it's just shy of 26", you want to shoot for just under or at 25"

245/35/18 if you can find it, 235/40 while a little taller than oe would still be a better choice (than 245/40)

***mycologist*** · 05-08-2009 05:45 AM

Nice find. I am shopping for tires currently and have been looking at the Dunlops and Kumhos. The Kumhos are also 3# lighter at only 23#. I wish they had included the Hankook RS3.

**Big Sky WRX** · 05-08-2009 02:22 PM

yeah the RS3 and the new Yokohama, AD08 didn't make it time for testing

street tires have come a long way in just a few years

**Sasquatch** · 05-08-2009 03:58 PM

Interesting ...

3000+ lb cars and 17" to 18" inch sizes might make a substantial difference.

**Big Sky WRX** · 05-08-2009 04:13 PM

^ clearly

I know the new Toyo's were used w/ quite a bit of success on Honda's and the like, but heavier cars they weren't working very well

the Bridgestones and Dunlops clearly work w/ our cars, the Kumho is a question mark- price is awful nice though

**Sasquatch** · 05-08-2009 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Big Sky WRX

^ clearly

I know the new Toyo's were used w/ quite a bit of success on Honda's and the like, but heavier cars they weren't working very well

the Bridgestones and Dunlops clearly work w/ our cars, the Kumho is a question mark- price is awful nice though

I know you mentioned the car weight. Obviously the design and construction of a given tire will not remain constant as tire sizes change. What works in a 15" may not as well in a 17" or 18" (and the other way around).

It is going to take a lot to get me to switch from the Dunlops.

**Sinister** · 05-09-2009 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Big Sky WRX

245/40 is too tall IMO- it's just shy of 26", you want to shoot for just under or at 25"

245/35/18 if you can find it, 235/40 while a little taller than oe would still be a better choice (than 245/40)

So what's your opinion between the 245/35 and 235/40's?

I'm willing to roll fenders, but I'm concerned about where the spring sits in the strut hitting. And I was unaware that a 245/35 could fit 18x8's. I knew a 245/40 could, but I thought the 35 was too short to properly fit a 245 tire on an 8" wide wheel.

**Big Sky WRX** · 05-10-2009 10:11 AM

not a lot of choices in 245/35, gearing wise a better choice for the WRX (if you cna find them in the tire you want)

varies by manufacturer, but look at the spec section and it should show a minimum wheel width- it's not gospel (ie always people who run outside of the approved range), but clearly the tire usually does better on an approved width

**Sinister** · 05-10-2009 03:41 PM

do you know what the ET tolerances on a 8" wheel is so I don't rub the spring's perch on the strut?

(I need to buy you a beer BigSky)

**teflon_jones** · 05-10-2009 07:41 PM

Have you considered the BF Goodrich KDW 2? I find them to be superior to the stock STi tires in pretty much every category, and in some categories they're WAY better (hydroplaning, road noise, and snow capability come to mind immediately).

**Sinister** · 05-10-2009 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by teflon_jones

Have you considered the BF Goodrich KDW 2? I find them to be superior to the stock STi tires in pretty much every category, and in some categories they're WAY better (hydroplaning, road noise, and snow capability come to mind immediately).

I'm keeping my stock wheels and my michelin all seasons.. I'm wanting a set of tires that'll keep me glued to the road. RE11's it is.. I was so impressed with RE01r.. and the RE11 is supposed to be incredibly better. There's no question that I'm going with RE11's.