Extreme Performance Tire Information

[coolhandluke]

Current Deals for tires in the Extreme Performance Summer Category:
http://itrca.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12631


A common item that is often discussed with performance tires is tread wear or tread life. In the post below I point out two key factors to pay attention to. The first is tread depth, which is the physical amount of tread the tire comes with new.


Tread Depth
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 - 9/32" (All sizes)
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 10/32" (Most sizes), 9/32" (14'' and 195/50-15 sizes)
Falken Azenis 615K 8/32'' (All sizes)
Kumho Ecsta XS - 9/32" (205/50-15), 8/32" (215/45-16), Other sizes vary from 8/32" to 11/32"
Toyo Proxes R1R - 8/32" (195/55-15, 205/50-15, 205/45-16), Other sizes are either 8/32" or 9/32"
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 - 9/32" (205/50-15), Other sizes are either 9/32" or 10/32"


The second is treadwear. These numbers must be taken with a grain of salt since each manufacturer uses their own test to assign this rating. That means it is likely that some use these ratings to help market their tires. I use this rating as a reference only when comparing tires. I would not base my decision to purchase a tire solely off this rating.

Treadwear Ratings
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 - 180 A A
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec - 200 A A
Falken Azenis 615K - 200 A A
Kumho Ecsta XS - 180 AA A
Toyo Proxes R1R - 140 AA A
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 - 180 AA A


Current Pricing:
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 - $119, 205/50/15 - $162, 205/45/16
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec - $89 195/55/15 - $107, 205/50/15
Falken Azenis 615K - $104, 205/50/15 - $126, 215/45/16
Kumho Ecsta XS - $94, 205/50/15 - $100, 215/45/16
Toyo Proxes R1R - $99, 195/50/15
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 - $113, 205/50/15

Venders
Discount Tire
Phil's Tire Service
Tire Rack
Vulcan Tire


References
Current Deals on Falken 615 Azenis *Old 615 Model
Current Deals on Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs


Tire Rack Extreme Performance Tire test:


Tire Test Video









*These tests pre-date tires like the new Falken Azenis 615K's

Reference

[Erik95LS]

really wish some of these came in 225/45 15 also.

[CivicBeater]

Great thread!

[bluebomber]

So how does the Bridgestone RE-11 compare to the Falken RT-615K?

The RE-11 has 1/32" more tread depth, but has 20 A A less on the treadwear rating than the RT-615K.

Which would be a better deal in terms of longevity and stickiness?

Also, the RE-11 has a 100 dollar rebate on a set of 4 from TireRack, which brings the price of a set of 205/45/16 to almost exactly the same price as a set of 205/40/16 of the RT-615K.

Here's a link to the promo:
http://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers/d ... omoID=B010

Which is the better tire of the two?

[98spec022]

I don't think there has been a comprehensive review of the 615Ks yet, which along with the $100 rebate offer is why I went with RE-11s this year.

[bluebomber]

Well, with the rebate, the RE-11 is only an extra 4 dollars per tire!

Is the RT-615K going to last longer than the RE-11, or do you think their life will be about the same or less?

I'm really leaning towards the RE-11, but the sub-10,000 mile lifespan of them (from what I have heard) kind of makes me want to go with the RT-615K in the hopes they will last longer.

[98spec022]

I picked up my RE-11s when they were <$100 each so its a better deal for me

Lifetime doesn't make much of a difference to me since they will be track/AX tires, but I won't even try speculating how long the 615Ks might last.

[coolhandluke]

The 615k's were just released. Unfortunately there isn't any significant data or reviews yet. Summer is approaching so I hope that changes very soon from a creditable source.

Also, i don't recommend 205/40/16 tire size at all. For 16'' selections look for 205/45 or 214/45 tire options. No model will be offered in both and the difference between the two should not a be deciding factor on your tire purchase.

[bluebomber]

Hmm. Now I am confused. nsxtasy on H-T wrote this to me in another thread in Wheel/Tire:

205/45-16 is too large for your car. You need to stick to 195/45-16 or 205/40-16. The reason is that both these sizes are close in outer diameter to your stock size of 185/60-14, as you can see:

185/60-14: 22.74" (stock)
195/45-16: 22.91" (+0.7 percent)
205/40-16: 22.46" (-1.3 percent)
205/45-16: 23.26" (+2.3 percent)

It's not just a matter of cost. Another downside is that the oversized tires may rub. They also will make your car accelerate slower, due to the added weight as well as the added diameter (they are like putting taller gears on your car). They will also throw off the accuracy of your gauges.

Stick to 195/45-16 or 205/40-16."

Why wouldn't you recommend a 40 series?

[BlueR]

Also, i don't recommend 205/40/16 tire size at all. For 16'' selections look for 205/45 or 214/45 tire options. No model will be offered in both and the difference between the two should not a be deciding factor on your tire purchase.

the idiot is talking about his Civic not an ITR, which he fails to disclosed when discussing tires on a site for ITRs

maybe hes afraid he might hurt your feelings since you only own 2 lowly ITRs and may not be able to afford some seats?

[Erik95LS]

I'm guessing he's talking about stock tiny wheel civic sizes while most always use the more common integra/newer civic sizes. Or he was just having an off day...

205/40 is a really really short tire. Hardly any sidewall. You won't have any rubbing issues unless your car is retardedly low. So low that the other sizes would likely rub as well.

205/45 and 215/45 would be the better tire sizes

[bluebomber]

the idiot is talking about his Civic not an ITR, which he fails to disclosed when discussing tires on a site for ITRs

maybe hes afraid he might hurt your feelings since you only own 2 lowly ITRs and may not be able to afford some seats?

I've got ITR 5-lug and rims, dummy.

[BlueR]

Also, i don't recommend 205/40/16 tire size at all. For 16'' selections look for 205/45 or 214/45 tire options. No model will be offered in both and the difference between the two should not a be deciding factor on your tire purchase.

the idiot is talking about his Civic not an ITR, which he fails to disclosed when discussing tires on a site for ITRs

maybe hes afraid he might hurt your feelings since you only own 2 lowly ITRs and may not be able to afford some seats?

I've got ITR 5-lug and rims, dummy.

i don't see anywhere in this thread where that information is disclosed, toolbag

and wtf does how many lugs you have, have anything to do with what size tire you need? toolbag x2

[bluebomber]

Hmm. So you keep running your mouth when you think I'm trying to get advice about Civic tire sizes, then when I tell you I'm running ITR 5-lug and rims, you ask me why it matters? Maybe because the advice that works for ITR also works for my setup because it's the same?

It shouldn't need to be said considering we're on a site for ITR. It's the same as if I had one.

Now please stop following me around. You're annoying.

[BlueR]

i'm from brooklyn

talking shit is a birthright

[bluebomber]

I'm guessing he's talking about stock tiny wheel civic sizes while most always use the more common integra/newer civic sizes. Or he was just having an off day...

205/40 is a really really short tire. Hardly any sidewall. You won't have any rubbing issues unless your car is retardedly low. So low that the other sizes would likely rub as well.

205/45 and 215/45 would be the better tire sizes

Thanks for the informative reply. My car has about a 2 finger gap all around. 215 series no matter the size and 50 series no matter the size all rub on my setup, so I guess I will just stick to 205/45/16 then. That's the size I have on now anyway and it works without rubbing.

So it seems like the RE-11 would be the one to get since they come in a 45 series. Does the RT-615K comes in a 45 as well? I couldn't find one on TireRack or DTD.

[coolhandluke]

....215 series no matter the size and 50 series no matter the size all rub on my setup, so I guess I will just stick to 205/45/16 then.

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion, but its your car so okay. I personally pick the tire first and then the appropriate size in that order.

....Does the RT-615K comes in a 45 as well? ...

First post....

[Erik95LS]

Maybe because the advice that works for ITR also works for my setup because it's the same?

not really how it works. Has entirely to do with the VSS and VSS gear you have in your transmission.

The lugs and suspension have nothing to do with what size tires are the "correct" size.

[bluebomber]

....215 series no matter the size and 50 series no matter the size all rub on my setup, so I guess I will just stick to 205/45/16 then.

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion, but its your car so okay. I personally pick the tire first and then the appropriate size in that order.

....Does the RT-615K comes in a 45 as well? ...

First post....

Well, I had some previous sets of tires that rubbed huge holes in my fender liner, pretty much shredding it. I first had 205/50/15, which rubbed, then got new rims. I've had a set of 215/45/16, and a set of 205/50/16, and they all rubbed. Not heavily, but enough to be annoying and wear them out prematurely. 205/45/16, what I have on now, seems to be the largest I can run without rubbing. Maybe there is some combination of a 215 or a 50 series (not together) that will work, but all the combinations I've tried so far haven't.

I didn't think the RT-615K came in a 45 series, since I couldn't find it. Guess I'm going for the Bridgestone RE-11 or the Continental ExtremeContact DW, since they are the only 2 I have been looking at in a 205/45/16.

Maybe because the advice that works for ITR also works for my setup because it's the same?

not really how it works. Has entirely to do with the VSS and VSS gear you have in your transmission.

The lugs and suspension have nothing to do with what size tires are the "correct" size.

I have a USDM ITR 4.4 transmission and VSS.

[BlueR]

whats the VIN # on the usdm itr transmission?

[bluebomber]

It doesn't have one. I got it brand new from Acura of Las Vegas.

[coolhandluke]

Well, I had some previous sets of tires that rubbed huge holes in my fender liner, pretty much shredding it. I first had 205/50/15, which rubbed, then got new rims. I've had a set of 215/45/16, and a set of 205/50/16, and they all rubbed. Not heavily, but enough to be annoying and wear them out prematurely. 205/45/16, what I have on now, seems to be the largest I can run without rubbing. Maybe there is some combination of a 215 or a 50 series (not together) that will work, but all the combinations I've tried so far haven't.

I didn't think the RT-615K came in a 45 series, since I couldn't find it. Guess I'm going for the Bridgestone RE-11 or the Continental ExtremeContact DW, since they are the only 2 I have been looking at in a 205/45/16.

Your ride height larger dictates rubbing. Most here track there cars and do not have fender liners. In both cases it is usually recommended to roll your inner fender liner. Again, I don't recommend using a fixed tire size (like 205/45) when shopping for tires, instead a tire based on its performance...but its your car.

The 615K's (and 615/215s) were all offered in 215/45/16. That size is listed in my first post. The Continental ExtremeContact DW's are not even in the same tire category as the others I have mentioned here. Please do not discuss them in this thread as it is only for tires in the Extreme Performance Tire category.

[bluebomber]

Well, I had some previous sets of tires that rubbed huge holes in my fender liner, pretty much shredding it. I first had 205/50/15, which rubbed, then got new rims. I've had a set of 215/45/16, and a set of 205/50/16, and they all rubbed. Not heavily, but enough to be annoying and wear them out prematurely. 205/45/16, what I have on now, seems to be the largest I can run without rubbing. Maybe there is some combination of a 215 or a 50 series (not together) that will work, but all the combinations I've tried so far haven't.

I didn't think the RT-615K came in a 45 series, since I couldn't find it. Guess I'm going for the Bridgestone RE-11 or the Continental ExtremeContact DW, since they are the only 2 I have been looking at in a 205/45/16.

Your ride height larger dictates rubbing. Most here track there cars and do not have fender liners. In both cases it is usually recommended to roll your inner fender liner. Again, I don't recommend using a fixed tire size (like 205/45) when shopping for tires, instead a tire based on its performance...but its your car.

The 615K's (and 615/215s) were all offered in 215/45/16. That size is listed in my first post. The Continental ExtremeContact DW's are not even in the same tire category as the others I have mentioned here. Please do not discuss them in this thread as it is only for tires in the Extreme Performance Tire category.

Ah, I didn't realize they weren't in the same category. Most of the manufacturers have their own terminology for the top-of-the-line summer tires.

So, it's back to a choice between the RE-11 and the RT-615K. The Bridgestones are looking more attractive the more I learn about these kinds of tires, especially since they have the size I want. I really wish someone has a side-by-side for these two tires. I'd love to see them in a shootout and see which one comes out on top.

[coolhandluke]

Tire MFG's don't make their own tire categories. This is an established tire category for performance oriented tires.

You are preaching to the choir on the review. Most (if not all) of us are awaiting a solid review on that tire. Many of us have used the 615's for years (and 215's before that).

[bluebomber]

I didn't realize there was a difference between ultra high performance and extreme, but the difference has been noted. I'm going to head down to Big O and talk to them and see if any of those guys have used either tire.

I'll write something up here once I figure out which tire I'll get.

Great thread!