Help w/ Tire Selection - Honda Prelude Forum

Mugenlude · 07-02-2002, 11:13 AM

BTW - Yes I used the SEARCH function.

I'm looking for a set of summer tires. I have snow tires for the winter, I have race tires for racing. So, the tires don't have to perform at any autocrosses or in the snow. I'm just looking for a moderately price tire that will provide for some inspired street driving.

-Road noise isn't that big of any issue (I have a good stereo

)
-Wet traction is preferred
-Tread life is important

I haven't decided whether I want to go with a 215/45/17 or 215/40/17. I like the idea of more wheel protection and a little more flex in the sidewalk for some of the crappy road around here.

Tires I am considering:

Bridgestone Potenza S-03 -- 215/45/17 -- $144
I think these are more than what I want to spend, and I don't think I'm going to get the full use of these tires. The thing that attracts me to them is the supposed wet traction. Tread Rating = 220.

Bridgestone Potenza RE730 -- 215/45/17 -- $139
I have heard these tires have good dry traction, these are the more affordable Bridgestones. Tread Rating = 300.

Yokohama A520 -- 215/45/17 -- $98
Noise is what concerns me with these, numerous people have complained about them being loud. I know that noise isn't that big of a deal, but it they are annoying likely loud I'm not interested. And the tread rating is lower on these compared to the Parada's. Tread Rating = 180.

Yokohama Parada's -- 215/40/17 -- $98
These tires are less expensive than the A520's and have a better tread rating. The fact that they are in the 40 series is something I don't like. Tread Rating = 300.

Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 -- 215/45/17 -- $89
I have read these are LOUD, and they continue to get louder as they wear. Tread Rating = 280.

Dunlop SP Sport 9000 -- 215/45/17 -- $135
Again these are alittle more than what I like to spend. My buddy has them on his Miata - they seem to drive well in an autocross run, however, the car is 800 lbs. lighter and I'm not autocrossing on mine. BUT if they perform well autocrossing, they should be able to handle street use. Tread Rating = 280.

Sumitomo HTR ZII -- 215/45/17 -- $101
I have heard people say these tires are good for the money, but mostly people taling about them in regards to autocrossing. Anyone know how the wet traction is with these tires? Tread Rating = 220.

So now that I have written a book, please help me decide. Respond with your thoughts of tires you have owned and some experiences (ie noise, dry and wet traction, tread life, etc.)

thepreludedude · 07-02-2002, 11:31 AM

my a520's in stock size are freekin' annoying, very loud. i have about17,000 miles on them now, still have good tread, i do mostly highway. would not buy again. spend more money and get better tires.

thewedge4 · 07-02-2002, 11:46 AM

you say noise is not a big issue, but then U say the A520s noise concerns you. Treadwear ratings are largely meaningless.

I don't buy that Bridgestone has fixed the noise issue with the GEN 2s. And it most certainly was not due to uneven wear.

You forgot the yoko AVS Sport---they are reasonably priced.

I'd go with S0-3s or the AVS.

Two-Five Boy · 07-02-2002, 11:51 AM

I've had the Sumi HTRZII's for a couple of months now and I have nothing but good things to say about them. Like yourself I am running another set of tires for winter, since these tires will not bite in snow at all. (see tread pattern). They've been pretty good on wet pavement, although I don't drive too hard in rainy weather anyway.

I would've gone for the Parada II's if they weren't so much more $$ than the HTRZ.

As for Kumho's, I've heard they are pretty good in the beginning, but its grip decreases SIGNIFICANTLY after about 50% wear.

Mugenlude · 07-02-2002, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thewedge4
you say noise is not a big issue, but then U say the A520s noise concerns you. Treadwear ratings are largely meaningless.

I don't buy that Bridgestone has fixed the noise issue with the GEN 2s. And it most certainly was not due to uneven wear.

You forgot the yoko AVS Sport---they are reasonably priced.

I'd go with S0-3s or the AVS.

I said "Road noise isn't that big of any issue", however, the reviews on the A520's have been a large issue. I didn't say it wasn't an issue at all. If you see the reviews on Tire Rack, 2 of 3 are complaining about the noise.

I didn't list the AVS Sports because they are more expensive than the S-03's, if I decided to spend that much I would get the S-03's.

BoYgUaN · 07-02-2002, 12:22 PM

s03 dont last that long....paradas are pretty good at tread but arent great in traction as s03......

get the re730.....
but for the price paradas will last u damn long

thewedge4 · 07-02-2002, 12:35 PM

Souds to me like this is all just driving you crazy and you're just gonna end up cheaping-out and buying ECSTAs anyway...

Mugenlude · 07-02-2002, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thewedge4
Souds to me like this is all just driving you crazy and you're just gonna end up cheaping-out and buying ECSTAs anyway...

Actually I think I have eliminated the Supra 712 and the A520's. Rigth now I'm leaning toward the 730's, the Parada's, and the 9000's.

thewedge4 · 07-02-2002, 02:28 PM

Actually, I don't think any top of the line tire would dare have horrendous road noise like these lesser models (among other things) so you're "safe" in going with the 9000s or the SO-3s, etc.

Apparently, it costs money to engineer out severe road noise.

Specialque · 07-02-2002, 02:57 PM

The S-03s are the best, they do last a "long" time. It was the S-02s that were short lived. The parada spec-2's are a more economical choice. It's up to you how you want to allocate your money. If you rip on your car, get the paradas, because you'll just burn threw the s-03s.

Luke

Mugenlude · 07-02-2002, 04:18 PM

I don't "rip" on my car. I'm not one of those people who are racing away from interestion. I am actually very calm on the road, I get it all out on race days.

I'm trying to decide if the extra $164 for the RE730's is worth it (over the Parada's). BUT, then for an extra $20 I can get the S-03's -- treadware is the concern with upgrading to the S-03's. Like I said, I just need something to daily drive around on. They don't need to be the best tire out there, if that was the case I would be buying the S-03's -- the reason I am leading toward the Parada's is the tread-life and price. I don't have a problem spending the extra money, it's wasting money that I don't want to do.

pearl type sh · 07-02-2002, 04:53 PM

pirelli p700. best IMO

mc88 · 07-02-2002, 09:45 PM

When I was asking about purchasing tires..there was nothing but praise for the Kumho 71's..and now that I purchased them(not installed yet) ppl are saying they ar extremely LOUD, and the grip decreases signaficantly after 50% treadwear...y didnt no one tell me this before? Oh well..I guess I will have to live with em...

BTW...I think u should go for the potenza S-03's if u got the loot!!!

thewedge4 · 07-02-2002, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mc88
When I was asking about purchasing tires..there was nothing but praise for the Kumho 71's..and now that I purchased them(not installed yet) ppl are saying they ar extremely LOUD, and the grip decreases signaficantly after 50% treadwear...y didnt no one tell me this before? Oh well..I guess I will have to live with em...

BTW...I think u should go for the potenza S-03's if u got the loot!!!

You can't expect much from a 75 dollar tire.....people like to justify their cheap purchases by saying it's a great________FOR THE MONEY! All the cheap perf. tires are loud---or get loud after a certain number of miles.

And just because you can buy a DVD player now for 199 bucks doesn't mean they're as good as the 700 dollar ones from a few years ago.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

mc88 · 07-02-2002, 11:34 PM

thewedge4: Thats what I was asking when i wanted to get tires..and many ppl told me that the kumho's were better than most of the $100 tires! I would of spent the extra couple of hundred dollars for the s-03's if I knew that the KUMHO'S were considered cheap and low perfomance tires! But no one told me that the KUMHO'S were bad...or not up to par! I figured it was a step down from the S-o3's! Don't they last alot longer than the
s--03's as well?

mc88 · 07-02-2002, 11:35 PM

I still havent put on the KUMHO'S...is it too late to return them and get "supposedly" better tires like the S-o3's?

iatacs19 · 07-03-2002, 06:52 AM

ask the place where you got them, maybe they will take them back since they are BRAND NEW still and the tyre is not discontinued yet.

thewedge4 · 07-03-2002, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mc88
thewedge4: Thats what I was asking when i wanted to get tires..and many ppl told me that the kumho's were better than most of the $100 tires! I would of spent the extra couple of hundred dollars for the s-03's if I knew that the KUMHO'S were considered cheap and low perfomance tires! But no one told me that the KUMHO'S were bad...or not up to par! I figured it was a step down from the S-o3's! Don't they last alot longer than the
s--03's as well?

I never liked them---but I was the only dissenter. So even if you "heard" me you wouldn't have listened.....aaww this guy's crazy....see?

mc88 · 07-03-2002, 08:26 AM

So what tires should I get if i returned the kumho's?

jmcn · 07-03-2002, 08:44 AM

You should consider BFG gForce KDW, and Toyo Proxes T1-S as well. Both excellent tires...in the same class as the S03s.