I looking to purchase new tires and want to hear this group's opinions. Currently I have stock rims with Kumho 712s (205-50-15), low priced ($62 each) tires with decent performance, and my Type R (2000 PY #27) is lowered about 1.75 inches in the front and rear with cambers on the front and rear. I'm looking at purchasing either Toyo Proxes T1-S or Yokohama ES100 (according to a tire shop these are replacing the A520s) in the 205-50-15 size. I was quoted about $100 each with install and everything else for the Yokohamas. For the Toyo's I was quoted, from an auto performance shop $119 without install or anything, $146 without install or anything from another tire shop. Are these resonable prices for the Toyos and Yokahamas? Also what are people's experiences/opinions/thoughts on each tire. I use my Type R as my daily driver and haven't taken it out to the track yet. I want to find a tire that will give me good traction in dry and wet conditions and improved performance incase the situation calls for it. Thanks in advance for your opinions and information.

 

Toyo T1-s are probably the best 'street high performance tire' available. I've raced on them in the SVWC touring clas, albeit in a VW...but that's another story.
Personally I like Toyo RA-1's for my everyday use, even though they are R compounds....it seems to fit on a Type-R....
The Ra-1 will give you a good summer worth of pleasure and allows you to fully enjoy the ITR handling prowess
However, lesser tires are just a lot of fun to oversteer with and let the 'R' rotate. Tire wear can be similar because traction loss wears them down faster.
If you eventually go to the track, you won't be sorry with the RA-1's as beginner rubber.

Just my biased opinion...lol

 

For some other fairly educated opinions I've always felt the people at 'Tire Rack' had a pretty good handle on things. They've helped me more than a few times and I've always been impressed with their 'fairly' impartial and well-informed opinions.

 

I would reccomd them this way.

Depending on budget this is the most money concious reccommendation I can give you.

If hydroplane resistance is a concern the best tire for money and every day use is the Yokohama ES100. THe Second best is Bridgestone S03 but is much more $$.

The best gripping tire is also very cheap which is the Azenis. THese don;t have quite the hydroplane resistance of the others but I have never hjad any major complaints with them in the rain.

These are my best suggestions. T1-S is a good tire but more than 2 times the cost of the ES100. And not near the grip of the Azenis.

 

I had the ES100s on my VW GTi over the summer, and I absolutely loved them. I can't compare them to the stock Type R RE010s, as my R came with this crappy Firestones on it, but for a performance tire in general, I was very pleased with it. I never came close to reaching the tire's limits on the street (sadly, it's getting sold before the track open up), so I would think it would be fine on an R.

 

The tires I've tried, so I've like and some not:

Pirelli P-zero - not bad -> WAY OVER PRICED!!!!!
Kumho Ecsta 712 -> good tire for the money, just so so on the performance aspect
Bridgestone RE010 -> great tire, but too much $
Yokohama AO32R -> Great tire, worth every dollar, but don't last long.
Michelan Pilot Sport Cup -> Best yet, but not at all worth almost a grand for 15's
Falken Azenis -> Great tire, great price, definitely the best tire on a budget of under a buck fifty a tire
Toyo RA1 -> great tire, last for nothing
Hoosiers -> HATE EM' ALL!!!!
Nito NT555R -> sticky, but not so great otherwise...
Nito NT450 -> Don't even bother

Out of all the tire I've tried and liked, the Azenis are probably the only ones that I would consider buying again. After spending obscene amount of money on tires, there are probably 3 I would buy again, but won't because, frankly they're just too much money. Pilot's, A032R, and RA1 in that order.

Any way you look at it, if you're only using them on the street, it really doesn't matter all that much, good luck with what ever you decide.

Later,
Aj

 

You rubber-murderer!!!

 

Thanks for all the information and the opinions.

 

That, or guy with three cars....

Later,
Aj

 

what about bf goodwrinch g-force t/a's? and toyo t1s's?
I had both, toyo's were awesome and not to expensive. G-forces were unbelievable(in dry) but expensive.