Top grip street and auto-x tires (Exige / Elise)

13771 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by FLKeith, Aug 24, 2010

EricH

Discussion Starter · Sep 24, 2009 (Edited)

I know many have already done this compare, but in order to prevent others from re-inventing the wheel (no pun intended) I thought I would post a summary of my research here. Hopefully it will save someone's afternoon.

My opinion - R888 and A048s are great at the track. On the street or even if auto-x in our light cars even with a 2 driver car they DO NOT heat up enough. I am in Texas. I know what heat is.

I just purchased a set of spare wheels to mount tires that are more complementary for max grip street or auto-x (tire class) driving. Dry weather grip is my only concern. I don't care about wet weather, ice, snow, mileage etc.

For reference, my '08 Exige-S 240 OEM setup:
Front Wheels/6J x 16 - 195/50R16 Yoko A048
Rear Wheels/7.5J x 17 - 225/45R17 Yoko A048

My spare wheels:
Fronts: 16x7 +27 offset
Rears: 17x8 +35 offset

For my spare wheels I researched the following tire sizes:
Preferred -
215/45/16 and 245/40/17 sizes.

2nd choice -
205/50/16 and 235/45/17 sizes.

To cut to the chase unfortunately my preferred choice is STILL not available from the brands/type of tire I am looking for. So, I will go with the 2nd choice in Z1 Star spec flavor. Toyos were another 2nd choice option.

The only option at this time to get my preferred sizes would have been to go with 615 fronts and Z1 rears. I decided to stick to the same brand all the way around. I think the 615s would be less sticky than the Z1s. I don't want more under steer.

Falkin 615 - Untitled Document
Only has preferred front.

Yokohama - yokohamatires.com
AD07 – Back stock size only 225/45/17
AD08 – Preferred back size, 2nd choice back size.

Dunlop Z1 – Dunlop Tires - Find The Right Tire - Tire Specifications
2nd choice fronts and backs, preferred choice backs.

Toyo Proxy R1R – PROXES R1R | Toyo Tires
Preferred rear, 2nd choice both.

Bridgestone RE-11 – Sizes and Specifications
Preferred and 2nd choice rears.

Hankook R-S3 - Welcome to Hankook Tire International Website
Nothing available.

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

ZQQM

· #2 · Sep 25, 2009

I've done most the the same research, thanks for writing up a great summary ( and I guess confirming all of my tire searches ).

The only thing I would add is that the Hankook R-S2 is available in the 215/45/16 - 245/40/17 sizes. Read some pretty good reviews on this tire. I guess thats what I'm leaning towards right now.

Maxster

· #3 · Sep 25, 2009

EricH said:
My opinion - R888 and A048s are great at the track. On the street or even if auto-x in our light cars even with a 2 driver car they DO NOT heat up enough. I am in Texas. I know what heat is.
Nothing available.

Eric, Very good job. If your interest is mostly dry street and autoX. You may want to reconsider the A048s but be aware that the LTS version of the tire comes in the Medium-Hard compound and the Medium (which is a less popular tire) may better suited to your requirements.

EricH

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 25, 2009

Maxster - very good suggestion that I didn't think of. If you are going to stay with the stock Lotus sizes, the softer compound A048s might be another good option for others to try for a max-grip street tire.

Note for for Auto-x A048s will keep you out of tire class. You will be competing against others on full slicks.

EliseAtLeast

· #5 · Sep 25, 2009

What about Kumho Ecsta XS? They come in 215/45/16 and 245/40/17 sizes.

EricH

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 26, 2009 (Edited)

EliseAtLeast, true - I felt (from other's opinions) that the Z1s were better tires than the Kumho Ecsta XS KU36. However it is possible that having the ideal size would make up for it. True I have not heard from someone that has has both brands and combos on our cars. Have you? Anyone else had both and have an opinion?

205/50/16 and 235/45/17 - Dunlop Vs. 215/45/16 and 245/40/17 - Kuhmo :shrug:

EricH

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 1, 2009

Not sure if you can tell much from the picture but here they are:

Front Wheels/6J x 16 - 195/50R16 Yoko A048
Rear Wheels/7.5J x 17 - 225/45R17 Yoko A048
and
Fronts: 16x7 +27 offset - 205/50/16 Dunlop Star Spec
Rears: 17x8 +35 offset - 235/45/17 Dunlop Star Spec

See less See more

cheungms

· #8 · Apr 17, 2010 (Edited)

Great research!
I'm in need of rears, and I might try the Dunlop Z1's Star Spec ($135/each). Has anyone tried these (since the 6 months ago that this thread was started) on their car for autoX / track events?

Edit: Just found a good deal on some Michelin Pilot Sports (NOT PS2's) - does anybody use them? Any difference to stock AD07?

EricH

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 17, 2010

Basically the Z1's are one of the most popular street tire that I have seen in auto-x before it was the 615's. I don't think you will be disappointed.

dukenyc

· #10 · Apr 20, 2010

My car Came with the base rims matched to ad-07's.

What choices do have with these rims?

Dry street onlyl.

Thansk for the help.

GTI-Guy

· #11 · May 30, 2010

Kudos to the OP on this. Anyone aware of some new choices? Also, is 245 width in the back too wide for a 205 width in the front? I have the Team Dynamics 7 " wide fronts, 8" wide in the back.

Thoughts on a longer laster street tire? Going to get a second set of wheels and bubble gum tires for track fun, but would like a decent wearing DD tire.

robo60

· #12 · Aug 10, 2010

Did you ever get a response ? I have stock rims (read 5.5" front) and AD07s. I would like something that lasts a little longer - its my daily commute car ;-)

I was thinking of yokohama s-drive 175/50R16 + 225/45R17 (though 205/50R16 should just fit the 5.5 rim)

Anyone have comments ?

EricH

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 12, 2010

GTI-Guy - thanks! There are no new "top grip" choices... these brands still apply to any size stock or the size I got. Sorry I can't help much on anything less sticky than those listed above. I guess every one is different, I think the tires above are the best "street tires" choice... gummy for track are 888's or Yoko A048s. I have used Yokohama AVID ENVigor on my M3. They are great wear, great rain, pretty good grip, but I would never use them for track.. I guess I'm spoiled.

Robo60 - This thread was to list Top grip choices, the S drives might be a good tire overall but depends on your goal. It will not dry handle as well as the AD07's or anything on the list above as they are not a "top grip" choice. Something cheaper than the AD07s but still close to that type of handling are the Z1s or the other options above.

sleepe

· #14 · Aug 12, 2010

I use R888's for autoX, track, and street.
The performance is great in all driving categories.
For autoX it is a good idea to really be comfortable with your
tire selection, that is why I chose to use r888's. Don't go to an event
without having had adequate seat time with the tires.
195/50/16
225/45/17

They lose grip progressively as they wear though, either due to heat cycling
or less rubber? R888's need a few laps around a racetrack before they are up to optimum temperature, but they perform great at AutoX's as nonetheless.
-Robert

They are generally marginal in the rain, but at FULL thread they perform admirably considering.

-Robert

See less See more

cashxdr

· #15 · Aug 12, 2010

I put about 2000 miles on my RE-11's and absolutely loved them. Great grip, great ride, low noise and good in the rain.

But I just had to try the R888's and wow, these are a whole new level of grip. I have about 2000 miles on them and am constantly grinning as I push them harder and harder. They really tell you what is going on and have been very gentle in telling me when they are out of grip. Most comunicative tires I have ever owned. I was most surprized by how well they ride, maybe a bit nicer than the RE-11's. They are low noise too, but not very good in the rain.

If I do another road trip, I will put the RE-11's back on just for their rain capabilities. You can push them really hard and they give you good feedback about grip also but they are not R compound tires, but really close

robo60

· #16 · Aug 12, 2010

Thanks EricH.

Yes - understood about the grippy tire thread, but was having a difficult time finding a thread to ask the question in. I am starting to see some input in different threads now too. And thanks on the tip for Z1s.

-Rob

cashxdr

· #17 · Aug 13, 2010 (Edited)

BTW, my R888's are 195/50/16 and 245/40/17 and I got them delivered to my door in 3 days on a saturday for $616.90 from tiresdirect()net

It would of been about about 100 bucks more if I would of got the 225/45/17's

Go figure

I completely disagree that the R888's do not warm up enough. I'm running 20 psi in the front and 24 in the rears cold and they grip so much my buddy threw his neck out last time he took it for a spin. I really need a harness but have learned to brace myself. As long as you are smooth with them, they are like ur magnetized to the road. I do not have a way to check the temps but I cannot put my hands on them and the wear is even.

FLKeith

· #18 · Aug 24, 2010

cashxdr said:
BTW, my R888's are 195/50/16 and 245/40/17 and I got them delivered to my door in 3 days on a saturday for $616.90 from tiresdirect()net

It would of been about about 100 bucks more if I would of got the 225/45/17's

Go figure

You did well - I just checked tiresdirect.net as I am in the market for these and a set of tires is now $782

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.