need new 16'' tires???? what do you like

[USOPHUNKE]

ok I just bought some sick 16 x8 wheels and I need a good tire....street/track tire that will last decently......

what are you guys running what do you like and wheres the best place to get them....

looking for 205/50/16 I think....

[turbosnow]

Breant I'd go with a 215/40/16 if I were you.

These look good.


http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?cf=false&sw=false&cs=215&pc=28754&rd=16&ar=40

[BUNNYLOVE]

Definetly don't do the 205/50s. Too much sidewall

[SickVDub]

whatd you buy for wheels man?

ok I just bought some sick 16 x8 wheels and I need a good tire....street/track tire that will last decently......

what are you guys running what do you like and wheres the best place to get them....

looking for 205/50/16 I think....

[USOPHUNKE]

Ziex ZE-512
All-season performance. W-speed rated. Rated #1 by a leading consumer magazine.

215/40ZR-16 86W REIN


these are pretty cool...and 80 each is good...

[crew219]

Ziex ZE-512
All-season performance. W-speed rated. Rated #1 by a leading consumer magazine.

215/40ZR-16 86W REIN


these are pretty cool...and 80 each is good...

They're noisy as hell . . . . noisy enough to make me think that my dad's car had a bearing problem . . . . kyle's passat is running them too and he thinks he has a bearing problem . . . I certainly wouldn't get them on that basis.

Dave

[USOPHUNKE]

good to know///think I will here them over my 3'' open race exhaust that ends before the axle.????

any other recomendations..

[USOPHUNKE]

Yokohama A-539.

[lotar_6]

They're noisy as hell . . . . noisy enough to make me think that my dad's car had a bearing problem . . . . kyle's passat is running them too and he thinks he has a bearing problem . . . I certainly wouldn't get them on that basis.

Dave


They are noisy, but with lower pressure the tread wear is good. Sidewall stiffness is not that great. They provide good wet traction and do ok in the snow. The dry traction is not the best at all. I'm running the BFGoodrich G-force sports on my Rado and I like them alright. Much better dry traction w/o sacrificing wet traction. Better sidewall stiffness and about the same price.

Need to ask... why would you want an all-season for your Rado? Aren't you gonna be mostly tracking that car? The ZE-512's won't make you happy when you race it... trust me. Go to tire rack and tires.com to read reviews. Most consumer reviews suck, but you find a few people that you can relate to. Tirerack also has a nice rating chart that was helpful to me! GL!!

[USOPHUNKE]

i dont want an all season....!!!! cost kinda comes in play..

Yokohama A-539......any one run them....

[SickVDub]

do you have any pics of what they look like?? and whered ya get them?


Ziex ZE-512
All-season performance. W-speed rated. Rated #1 by a leading consumer magazine.

215/40ZR-16 86W REIN


these are pretty cool...and 80 each is good...

[VWTUNING]

im rocking these:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?cf=false&sw=false&cs=205&pc=38449&rd=16&ar=40


in 205/40 and have been very happy with dry/wet handling, low road noise, and so far wear seems acceptable. $69 a piece shipped seems like a good price too, so I recomened them :)

[lotar_6]

im rocking these:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?cf=false&sw=false&cs=205&pc=38449&rd=16&ar=40


in 205/40 and have been very happy with dry/wet handling, low road noise, and so far wear seems acceptable. $69 a piece shipped seems like a good price too, so I recomened them :)

That's exactly the tire I'm running! I also like them pretty well, too. I don't know if it's comparing brand new tires w/ the worn FK451's, but they seem to not transfer the "feel" of the road as well as the old Falken's I had (not the ziex's, but the GRB-FK451's). They grip well, so far the wear has been good, wet traction seems to be there so far, and the price is right.

[wolfs99]

Try edge racing http://www.edgeracing.com/images/tire/toyo_proxes_4_front_zoom.jpg
Toyo Proxes 4
http://www.edgeracing.com/tire/889/
try www.1010tire.com

[USOPHUNKE]

Azenis RT-615

Falken RT-215

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:30 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love my Falken RT-215 (now the RT-615). Come in a 215/45/16. Ran a 12.62@120 with them and not horrible in the rain either


are these the same tires.....

also if you can run a 12.62 on them I think they are sticky enough for me....


Yokohama A-539...what about the yoko's ...

[crew219]

A big hit on the RT-615s . . .

Also, you will want to check out the Hankook RS2s . . . . really good sticky tire in the same category in the RT-615s.

Dave

[wolfs99]

http://www.hankooktireusa.com/product/tire_race_detail.asp?pid=8

[USOPHUNKE]

Yokohama AVS ES100 ???? I like the looks of these but only in 225/45WR16

is that too low profile??? the whole tire size thing I dont get at all...

which number is wider, which one is taller....

[wolfs99]

This works well self explantory.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
or this: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

[USOPHUNKE]

ok so now i finally got...
firts num is width second is your sidewall and 3rd is rim size...........

so its ok for me to go to 225 40 16 cuz they will be wider not taller.....

wow that took a while....


thanks

[lotar_6]

yup... but the second number "40" is a % of the width IIRC. So a 40 sidewall will be a lower profile on a 205 than a 215. Granted, not by much tho.

this might help a little... tire size explanation (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/brochure/tire/ReadingTireSize.jsp)

[USOPHUNKE]

who the hell came up with that way to measure a tire...thats assanine.....

how about total inches or even mm 5'' sidewall with a 10.5 inch surface area with a rim of 16

10.5 / 5- 16

gosh......

[wolfs99]

The other thing you when tto be carfull of is width becuse of clerince isuse when turning and thr strut brace. pm me with you oem tire size maby i can help some more

[USOPHUNKE]

205/50R15 is my stock corrado tire................

[USOPHUNKE]

i wanna go as wide as possible and a bit lower profile due to going up an inch in wheel size....

[lotar_6]

I'm currently running the 205/40 R16 w/ no probs... if that helps, Brent. 215 will not be a prob, but not sure about 225.

[turbosnow]

I think a 215/40 is the ay to go vulcantire.com has a couple of different options in that size.

[wolfs99]

How much clerince do you have when you turn the wheel in the wheel weel and to the shoks i think you could go with 225-40-16 that would be the best you could go and not mess with speedo

[USOPHUNKE]

I dont have tons I had 225 on the yellow car and they rubbed slightly on the inner plastic but it never hurt anything..... that car also did not have 3 inches of drop.

[USOPHUNKE]

is it a bad idea to run a bit wider tire in the back than in the front..

[crew219]

is it a bad idea to run a bit wider tire in the back than in the front..

If you want more understeer, then no, it isn't a bad idea.

Dave

[USOPHUNKE]

http://www.ubfoodservice.com/ourbrands/shoks.gif i dont eat candy while driving

hehe...sorry I am a idiot!!!

[USOPHUNKE]

dave sorry man go into it a bit more...

understeer is my car pulling into a corner tighter....would this hurt the tires at all and cause premature ware.

[USOPHUNKE]

ok also if I want to run 225/40-16 in the rear should I run 215/40 in the front or does the middle number need to change..

I know I am asking alot

[USOPHUNKE]

if I went wider in the back would it be worth it to swap them when I was at the track 1/4 mile.....for traction or no...

[USOPHUNKE]

adam that vulcan tire wont come up.....I will check at home...plan on buying these tonight.....so hopefully I will have this all fig out...

[VWTUNING]

I think a 215/40 is the ay to go vulcantire.com has a couple of different options in that size.



agreed - I would not go bigger then that, and I personally would not go bigger in the rear. Staggerd wheels is one thing for looks, but running a staggered tire is uhhh.... welll I wouldnt do it.

[wolfs99]

215/40 /16 Is not the proper converson for 205/50/15

[VWTUNING]

I thought 195/50R15 was stock size for the G60


but anyway.... screw stock size! I have 205/40R16's on my Wolfsburg and its fine, less sidewall = less chance of roll over = better handling. IMO.

Plus you get more clearance to go lower :)

[USOPHUNKE]

I think I am going to try and squeez the 225's in the rear and run the 215 in the front.... I will try to fig out what I can get n run without bugging ya anymore.....

[VWTUNING]

I really wouldnt recomend it, but its all oppinion I guess. I would think it will make your car handle weird and since its front wheel drive I really dont see the point. As for clearance, do you know what the ET is on the new rims? how doess it compart to stock?

Dont feel bad about asking questions, thats how we learn :) I know I've asked more than my share :p

[RichB]

I would keep in mind your ultimate goal.... if this is to be a serious track(as in race track or autoX course, not drag)/street car.... keeping the front and rear tire size is the same is going to be important. Bigger (wider) rear tires will help keep the rear planted to well and the car will then understeer (i.e. the rear end will not want to come out or rotate). Also put the biggest size tire you can fit on all four corners. With a 8" wide wheel, you would want to run around 225 wide tires on each wheel. The idea is to pick a tire width that has a large contact patch (tread width) with a very upright side-wall (for less sidewall flex under cornering load). If you look at the specs for the tires sizes you are looking at from the tire company you will see they list reccomended rim width for the particular tire size. You may want to take a look at that info.

BTW, can't wait to see the wheels in person!

[USOPHUNKE]

rich, ok so do I want to have something with a shorter stiffer wall....I want the widest tire I can fit without serious rubbing....if 225 is it then thans what I will shoot for...... what does the info tell me I see it..but tire width and wheel width seem so general 7'' to 8.5 just shoot in the middle..?

???drag cars run taller walls...for traction why is this....

[RichB]

Drag tires are a very different world.... I don't know much about that stuff... probably the tall sidewall happens for a number of reasons like keeping the wheel as small and light as possible to reduce the mass you need to get spinning. A tall sidewall allows you to run lower tire pressures....plenty of room for air to expand to as it heats up with the tire during burnouts and runs down the track. Keeping the tire soft with low pressure probably helps with grip on launch as well.

In the tire specs you want to be around the middle of the recommended rim width range given. So, if a 215 tire will fit without rubbing and its recommended rim width range is something like 7" to 8.5"... that would be a good tire size to fit a 8" wide rim. Note that all tires that are the same size are NOT the same! Let me explain. If you look at two different brands of a 225/45 size tire. The tread width and section (overall) width can vary by a few tenths of a inch. May not sound like much but can be the difference between one tire rubbin and the other on not when on your car.

[USOPHUNKE]

ok I see what you are saying......cool...

[BUNNYLOVE]

Drag tires have really soft sidewall that allow it "wrap" and get more of a contact patch. For drag racing you can't touch a slick with any street tire, especially in a FWD car.

[USOPHUNKE]

k
my problem is I want my cake and eat it too....I want a really sticky tire I can put 10000 miles on.....and use on the street to get to a show or track and not have to swap them off.

[crew219]

k
my problem is I want my cake and eat it too....I want a really sticky tire I can put 10000 miles on.....and use on the street to get to a show or track and not have to swap them off.


What's the best tire you've ever owned? That'll give a good indication of what you consider "sticky"

[BUNNYLOVE]

The rt-615 in 215/45/16 would be a good option. As long as they will clear without rubbing. Your old yellow rado had 205/50/16s on it, so these would be wider and shorter, I think they would work out good.

[turbosnow]

stock size on the raddo is 195/50/15, 215/40/16 is a direct match or as close as can be. A 215/45/16 would be fine too I would not go to a 225 as the extra 10mm in width is not worth the chance of rubbing.

Staggering the tires back to front will have no effect other than making the car not want to rotate at all in the corners and that is not what you want. Plus with a lot of power you will want to be able to rotate the tires to get somewhat even wear, if you stagger you will not be able to do that.

[BUNNYLOVE]

Stock size is actually 205/50/15.

[turbosnow]

weird tirerack lists 195/50/15

[BUNNYLOVE]

What is even weirder is that 1990 cars list 195/50, 1991 and up list a 205/50 on tirerack.

[turbosnow]

yeah we were lookin up 1990....

[USOPHUNKE]

the wheel off set is 40 mmwhich is i bit more than the stock rado wheels....which I think the bbs was 35....not sure though....

will I need spacers ya think....I wonder if the hr spacers for the wheels I have willwork.... def will stick to the 215/40-16 I think also....

[USOPHUNKE]

215-40-16 Hankook Ventus HRII H405 $61.25 ea. NEW !! 18 each to ship


FALKEN ZE-512 215/40R16 4 Tires 215 40 16 215/40/16 $270 shipped for free
these are rated really well....and cheaper than most I look at....

P215/40ZR16 SP. K104 VENTUS 4 Tires
Hankook 330 W/FREE SHIPPING



215/40-16 *4-New Nitto NT450 Tires NT-450 $ 269 plus 70 to ship.....



215/45-16*4-Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 Tires RS230 plus 70 shipping...
sorry 330 plus 70 shipping

these seem to be decent prices for pretty high rated tires

[USOPHUNKE]

FALKEN ZE-512 215/40R16 4 Tires 215 40 16 215/40/16 $270 shipped for free
these are rated really well....and cheaper than most I look at....

I think I am going to get these just for cunsumer ratings and price.....if I dont like them I can run them on the ghetta or sell them I am sure..... stop me now if ya think I am making a bad decision......

[lotar_6]

FALKEN ZE-512 215/40R16 4 Tires 215 40 16 215/40/16 $270 shipped for free
these are rated really well....and cheaper than most I look at....

I think I am going to get these just for cunsumer ratings and price.....if I dont like them I can run them on the ghetta or sell them I am sure..... stop me now if ya think I am making a bad decision......


How much HP do you plan to put down? I think with these tires, you are really gonna light them up at the line! I doubt you'll get much traction at all on your launches. I suppose you could find 2 wheels for slicks just for drag events... but I wouldn't use these on the track. Just MHO!!

[boostin20v]

FALKEN ZE-512 215/40R16 4 Tires 215 40 16 215/40/16 $270 shipped for free

where from?

[USOPHUNKE]

around 350 hp give or take prob close to 400 with nos setup running...

I am going to spin whatever I get unless I run slicks at the track.....I am thinking of buying two slicks also if I can get a good price on them.

[USOPHUNKE]

where from?
I will pm you on this......

[sector7g]

10k miles and sticky as possible? Toyo RA1. DO NOT drive them in the snow !! rain can even get a little sketchy.

Stick with the same size all around. Staggered it for RWD cars to allow more traction in the rear. Which ever width you decide on, the sidewall will be the same height due to the aspect ratio of the width to keep the same rolling diameter. You have a fixed inner wheel diameter and a fixed rolling diameter.

I have about 5k miles and 5 days at Watkins Glen on a set and still have about 5/32nds left. started at 8/32nds.

RA1s would over power my stock suspension and were not that much fun to drive on. Switched to BFG Gforce sports which allow the car to rotate much better. For the price I really like these tires.

[USOPHUNKE]

cool nice to hear some info from someone on the track....

your the second person today to tell me about the bf goodrich gforce sports....my friends using them on his firehawk and loves em for traction says they are sticky but still fun.....

[VWTUNING]

Switched to BFG Gforce sports which allow the car to rotate much better. For the price I really like these tires.



http://www.fastdubs.org//forums/images/icons/icon14.gif


I have been very happy with the G-force sports, especially for the money. Everyone I talk to who runs them says the same. they are very predictable, i like that.

[turbosnow]

yeah the gforce sports are good, for drag racing you are better off grabbing some slicks on seperate wheels and not worrying about it.I bet you will find little difference in 1/4 times between different street tires, the most significant factor will be the width. I'd definitely go with a 215 width tire.
Also I was thinkign abtout eh offset issue, it is a bit complex but the end result is with an 8 inch versuss a 6.5 inch wide wheel the 40mm offset is going to have the effect of having slightly larger overhangs on both sides. If strut clearance is a problem then spacers are the answer, but the extra width will also make the wheels stick out 14mm farther into the fenders.

Check this calculator out....
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

[USOPHUNKE]

well I have a set of spacers...and the set of hr's on there now.... so maybe it will all work out...the hrs are 10mm I think and the other set I have are 5 mm...

think I am just going to buy tires I want then get some 16 inch steelies or 15 inch...and put some slicks on to them.... its not like I will be racing the care every weekend or anything....just 2-4 times a year....

[BUNNYLOVE]

The race tires will last a long time too which is always good.

[USOPHUNKE]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&item=130008063983&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT

so I ended up getting these...I think from what I have read I will be really happy with them and the extra traction having 215 on a 8'' wheel should be really good.


and found a set of slicks on the tex for 60 bucks only used a few times...so I am getting them also. will pick up some rims later as I need them...or just put them on the wheels I have if they dont sell....

[sector7g]

FWIW I am running 225/50/15 on a 15x7, stock size is 205/55/15. There is a little sidewall bulge but it really isnt that bad.

[USOPHUNKE]

really wish you had posted that before I bought my tires....... what are they on offset wise and any rubbing issues..... If it will fit I may sell these and get 225's 40 -16

[wolfs99]

How much clerince do you have when you turn the wheel in the wheel weel and to the shoks i think you could go with 225-40-16 that would be the best you could go and not mess with speedo
i thought that is what you dicided on

[USOPHUNKE]

i got talked into 215........hope its the right choice......

[evolveVW]

215/40 should be perfect, I had 205/40R16s on the first wheels I had on the Golf and I hated them. 40mm offset, huh? you will probably want to run spacers. What size do you have? As for the Falkens.......they are going to wear very quickly, especially if abused. The 512s have been around since Falken first started mass distributing tires here. There are good for normal driving but you may waste them fairly quickly.

[USOPHUNKE]

I will have slicks for the track...and if the tires last 2/3 summers I will be happy. Its not like the car will be getting a ton of miles on it...but yes the ones its going to get will be harsh I am sure

[RichB]

There are good for normal driving but you may waste them fairly quickly.

Translation: That means no burnouts or you will wear them out!!! :p :) :p

[USOPHUNKE]

Translation: That means no burnouts or you will wear them out!!! :p :) :p




haha yeah they are fu-ck-ed

[USOPHUNKE]

http://i5.ebayimg.com/05/i/07/b5/da/57_1.JPG

for those wondering what wheels I got..these are them
16x8 roh racing snipers....nice lip light and very rare. I wont see them on another vw most likely...def not on a rado....

[sector7g]

My posts are pertaining to an e30 m3. stock wheels have an offset of 30.

[FlyBy]

http://i5.ebayimg.com/05/i/07/b5/da/57_1.JPG

Those are beautiful wheels man, how much do they weigh?

[USOPHUNKE]

aprox 16lbs... the 16 x7 weigh in at 15 so I am adding a lb for the extra 1 inch of lip... I think the lip is 2.25 inches if I remember right.

[USOPHUNKE]

http://www.absolutepro-formance.com/autoimages/wheels/ROH/2004%20WHEELS-B_W/ROH-63.jpg

pic went down so here is a new one..

[USOPHUNKE]

http://wheel-fix.com/roh/snyperl.jpg

[USOPHUNKE]

my wheels should be here today maybe tom. and my tires today..then I have to take them somewhere to get them mounted without fu-c-in them up.

any recomendations....jay said installations would do it for me and I prob could have it done really cheap there if not....free considering some other stuff.

anybody have wheels mounted there?