Well the time has come to get a new set of rubber for my Rotas. The used tires that I originally put on have FAR exceeded their life. :D So now I'm stuck as to which tire to get. I know a few of the people on here use the Azenis tires. But I'm kind of concerned about treadware. I was also looking at teh Yokohama AVS ES100's. What would you all recommend? It can be either 195-50-15's or 205-50-15's. Yeah the 205's will be a tad wider, but the 195's have a lower profile.

For the $$$ they are disposable. Treadwear is pretty good as long as you don't have a really agressive alignment.

kumho supra ecsta 712's. i got the 205/50/15v and they are way better than the stock eagle rs-a's. other than that i've only driven them a few hundred miles so can't give you a full review, but so far i like em, and a lot of people like em if you research them.... pretty cheap too as i got mine for $65 each mounted balanced installed... the treadwear is supposed to be pretty good also (i think its a 280 treadwear)..

My Kumhos suck! I'm gonna get a wreckless driving ticket from all the squeeling they make. It's like they never stick to the ground anymore and they aren't that old!:mad:

Bridgestone Potenza S0-3.

I have a set of Yokohama A520 205/40/17. I love them. They're great in wet conditions and decent in dry. I've had them for 20K miles and they probably have another 15-20K miles left. The only set back is the noise, however, they're more tolerable than Kumho Ecsta's horrible vibrating and wheel bearing sounding noise.

Originally posted by MaddMatt
Bridgestone Potenza S0-3.


Yes! I have Potenza S0-3's on my Si. 195/50/15. They're outstanding tires. I have Potenza RE-730's on my B14 - 205/50/15 and they're not even close... for the money, you can't beat the S0-3s IMHO.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Matt4Nissan
I know a few of the people on here use the Azenis tires. But I'm kind of concerned about treadware.

Yeah me too.

I was also looking at teh Yokohama AVS ES100's.

I wasn't, somehow I skipped over it on TireRack, but since you brought it up, I've done a little investigating.

For the last few days I've been wavering between the Azenis, Kumho 712, S03's, and now the ES100.

I only put on ~5k miles per year on my car right now, so wear isn't a big issue.

The Azenis are bad ass, but I'm troubled by their weight and large size. I want to keep my speedo as accurate as possible, and don't want a heavy tire fighting me at launch, especially once I install my ultra-lightweight flywheel.

The Kumho's are hard to embrace because peoples' opinions are ALL OVER THE MAP!

The S03's are universally loved, but a bit pricey.

That leaves the ES100's which I think are just right . Tire Rack has them for $60 each in 195/50 15's. The guys over at the Miata Forum, who seem like a picky bunch have some positive things to say about them. See here, http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=005220#000000

Comments anyone?

Chris

The S03's are universally loved, but a bit pricey.


At $88 for 195/50/15, there's no better all-around performer for the $$. Azenis have higher ultimate grip, but they wear fast, roar on the highway, are heavy as hell (noticably slower accerleration in my car) and I wouldn't trust them in a thunderstorm.

Originally posted by myUsername
I have a set of Yokohama A520 205/40/17. I love them. They're great in wet conditions and decent in dry.

I couldn't agree with you more, they are a good grippy tire, I had these when I had my 16s, like 500 years ago :D However, Matt needs them for his 15s, I dont think they come in that size.

Originally posted by MaddMatt
At $88 for 195/50/15, there's no better all-around performer for the $$. Azenis have higher ultimate grip, but they wear fast, roar on the highway, are heavy as hell (noticably slower accerleration in my car) and I wouldn't trust them in a thunderstorm.

Agreed on the price, they are a great value. I was talking in terms of absoute dollars in relation to the other tires I listed. At $60 each, and with the positive reviews from the Miata camp, they're looking good right now.

C (:-)

Bridgestone SO3 have no vices on my B14. The best tire I have owned. Great in the rain and dry. They would suck in the snow but we don't get much of that and then we drive the wifes car or just stay off the road. Virginia Beach drivers and snow is very scarry.

The Bridgestone's are great tires, and like Matt said for the money, they are great performing tires. I have been very happy with the Potenza's on my stock wheels.

I'll add my vote to the Potenza S-03 admiration society. Best tires I ever drove, better than Yoko AVS-I and better than the first-gen Goodyear Gatorback VR-50 on my Shelby Charger turbo, way better than Goodrich Euro-T/A.

In fact, my 205/50-15 set is for sale. I only put 2,000 miles on 'em before parking the car. Never holed.

So how much for the set? I've got first dibs, since it is my thread and all.

Originally posted by Matt4Nissan
So how much for the set? I've got first dibs, since it is my thread and all.

Those tires suck. You don't want them. In fact I think the are dangerous and should only be used by someone with great skill. I have great skill, he should send them to me free for research purposes.:rolleyes:

I've got 205/45/16 potenza re910's ony my se-r...best all-seasons I've ever run.

98SR20VE, I'll send them to you free of charge if you donate $400 to my race car fund.

I have RE730s on my '96. I just bought another set after the 1st ones lasted 2 years, and ~23k miles. This was with some autocrossing also. My wife's '97 SE-R had the Z rated Kumhos, and they BLOW. I replaced them with P700Zs, and they are awesome. You can't beat a $50 205-50-15 tire. Thomas Reynolds got 30k out of his.

i have the azenis on my car 205/50-15's..... they grip like no other, ive went 10,000 miles on them and the wear is pretty substantial.

next year (i only drive this car in the summer and will get new tires every summer) i dont expect to get azenis, they were good but there's gotta be better