tire size discrepancy

sethwas · Aug 31st, 2003, 10:47 AM

So,
Its time for me to buy new tires and I was looking at tirerack and discounttiredirect for options.
Since I'm replacing all four I was considering buying rims with the new tires, and selling my NX2000 gunmetal ones.
However I noticed this in the 'departmentalizing'
for :
14": least amount of choices. No really high end stuff
15": Most choices only high end stuff
16": middle choices selection no high end stuff, only upper midrange.

Because of the outer diameter of our tires, in order to keep that size the same when you upgrade to 16" (which to me is a better compromise than 15", whereas 17" and 18" are overkill and do nothing in the handleing dept. but thats only personal) you lose out on all the super tires. I can't get pole position or SP Sport9000 tires.
Only Kumho and sumitomo. Not even the AVS100, only the Parada Spec 2. Funny.
I may re-think going 16" just because the tires available suck (compared to 15")

Seth

nastynissan · Aug 31st, 2003, 11:51 AM

Ive been running Sumitomo 205/50/15 on my 92 for the past year and I LOVE them... They handle great and dont wear too quickly.. Theyve been on for right at a year and their now due to be replaced.... I got these from TireRack.com for $50 each plus shipping.... I think the total for shipping/ installation/ tires was about $275.. PLUS the 205/50/15 is nearly the same height as a stock 13 so you dont loose any gearing....

sethwas · Sep 1st, 2003, 08:51 PM

Well,
My only consolidation is that the Yokohama AVS ES 100 come in 14" sizes. Thats basically the only 14" tire I'll consider. Its allegedly the best in the wet, and it sorta rains down here in FL.

Seth

'98200SXse · Sep 1st, 2003, 09:33 PM

not tryin to bust anybodys bubble or anything but i looked aroun don tirerack.com and a few other places and didnt really find anything that i liked for my 14's (motegi racing wheels: I know i know.. i couldnt afford 16's OK!) anywho, after looking otherwise, i came across Falken Tires, they offer there Ziex ze512 series for 14's and they have an agressive tread and a supperior wet road rating.

wickedsr20 · Sep 1st, 2003, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sethwas
So,
However I noticed this in the 'departmentalizing'
for :
14": least amount of choices. No really high end stuff
15": Most choices only high end stuff
16": middle choices selection no high end stuff, only upper midrange.

Because of the outer diameter of our tires, in order to keep that size the same when you upgrade to 16" (which to me is a better compromise than 15", whereas 17" and 18" are overkill and do nothing in the handleing dept. but thats only personal) you lose out on all the super tires. I can't get pole position or SP Sport9000 tires.
Only Kumho and sumitomo. Not even the AVS100, only the Parada Spec 2. Funny.
I may re-think going 16" just because the tires available suck (compared to 15").

Can help you out a little bit here since my 16's need new tires.

Tire Rack has the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 in a 205/45ZR16 for $146 each. This was when I checked a few days ago, so the price should not have changed any. The only way to get the S03 Pole Position in a 16" is to run a 225/45. Cool if you have 7.5 inch wide wheels though.

Also www.treadepot.com has the Toyo Proxes T1S's (what I'll most likely get next) for $123 each. This was as of Sat. also.

It's true that it's cheaper and plus more choices are available to go with the 15's, not to mention the wheels are a lil lighter, but I like the way that my 16's ride and handle also. I also love the look of a B13/B14 on the B14 SE-R wheels too. Just hope this helps your decision making process a little.

niky · Sep 1st, 2003, 10:47 PM

15's are definitely the easiest though... you've got a wide selection there, Potenzas, ES100s, Proxes... i've been looking at the AVS Sports (top of the line by Yokohama...) but as the price is 3x that of the ES100, it'll probably be a pipe dream for quite a bit longer...

sethwas · Sep 1st, 2003, 11:30 PM

Well,
I won't buy :
Kumho
Toyo
Sumitomo
Nitto
Falken
General
Uniroyal
Firestone (not because of explorers but because they don't make something for our applicaiton)
Continental for the same reaon (but if I drove a beemer, maybe)
Hoosier for the same reaon
No michelins since I don't drive a van or big sedan, otherwise they're fantastic.
and I won't buy no name brand from wal-mart.

For a few dollars more you get a much better tire. I know all those companies make a good piece of equipment but it isn't a 'serious' tire for my application.
I need excellent treadware and excellent water traction.
Noise and comfort I do not care about (since it isn't going to make much difference in my size tire and my vehicle).

That leaves me with:
Dunlop SPsport9000 (my personal favorite)
Yokohama AVS ES100 (best water traction behind the dunlop I think. Compared in class to kumho 712 and sumitomo htr+ but better than both.)
Bridgestone Potenza S-03 pole position (to remind me of a porsche turbo)
Goodyear Eagle F1-Gs-D3 (heard good things)
Pirelli P6000/7000 (trail behind all in the technicals but I use pirelli now and very very good stuff)

I do not want an 'all season' since their tradeoff for snow and mud is pointless in FL (softer rubber for use in cold weather makes for flex, and slats for snow grip wastes dry traction). I need a summer tire only. I also do not want race rubber since that is also stupid unless you race all the time. Even once a month or week does not mean you should get race tires, unless they are on separate rims.

wickedsr20 · Sep 2nd, 2003, 05:46 PM

I run the Nitto 555's on my 16's and the tread wear aurprised me at being pretty high. Not obscenely high, but high compared to other similar performance tires. They're pretty damn good in the wet, and real nice performance wise. The only trade-off is their performance in snow, which shouldn't be a problem for you. The Neo-Gen just came out and a friend just got them in 205/45ZR16 for his boosted 200, so when I get a ride, I'll share the tire impressions with the board. Not to mention you can score them for under $100 per tire in a 16"

tkvtec · Sep 3rd, 2003, 08:43 AM

I just went to 16's with 205/45/16 Parada Spec2's, they handle incredibly. And I do beleive you can get the AVS ES100's in the same size. You gain about .25" in overall diameter. I have noticed a loss in gas mileage, but nothing too major. Its to be expected when you increase tire width by 30mm.

Also, I got them for about $75 a tire.

sethwas · Oct 15th, 2003, 06:50 PM

Sigh....
Long story short: I'm now running Michelin Pilot XGT H4's.
They are all seasons. Mud and Snow too. In fact they are the same type of tires on my mom's minivan. Its the best performing tire sears sells in 14". They simply don't carry anything else.
All that research for nothing. (only got them at sears because my family has a deal with them).

Seth