I'm looking for something in the 205/50-16 range for the XR4ti.
Cheaper is better, but sticky is appreciated. Looking for a "Summer" tire, but we generally don't have anything except summer down here. I don't have time/money for trackdays and I only get to do 1 or 2 autocrosses per year.
I'd like to get at least 2 years out of a set, maybe ~300 treadwear? I commute ~ 45 miles/day.
If you're looking for true "bang for the buck", Sumitomo HTR-Z. Hands down. It won't be the stickiest tire out there, but it's pretty damn good. They're dirt cheap too. I've used several sets. Used them for street duty as well as autox and HPDE. I'm much more towards the novice driver than expert, so I probably didn't push it nearly as hard as a pro would, but I leaned on them pretty good. They stuck terrific, and felt great. For street duty, they were very good too. Lasted a long time, even with the events I ran. Only downside is that in a very heavy rain, they're a bit iffy, just have to go slow.
I've got 205/50/16 Kumho ASXs on my MINI and I like them. I wouldn't use them for track days ,or autocross, but they're nice for DD duty and occasional hooning.
I have about 30K on a set of ASX's. No complaints about traction or wear but my set started out being slightly out of round and has not improved. Probably should have returned them for a different set when I discovered the imperfections.
225/45R16 Hankook Ventus RS3's. Don't be a Bob Costas, run them!
HiTempguy wrote: 225/45R16 Hankook Ventus RS3's. Don't be a Bob Costas, run them!
That would be awesome if they made them. Sadly, they do not.
No ones said Star Specs? Everyone likes Star Specs.
Another vote here for Kumho ASXs. I bought a secondhand set over the summer and am downright pleased with them. Not the stickiest compound or stiffest carcass, but damn good for the money. I'll be buying more in the future.
Vote AGAINST the ASX. I've had two sets and neither lasted more the 20K miles of pretty average commuting.
It really sucks that Goodyear stopped making the GSD3 in 205/50-16... great tire.
We have Star Specs on the other MINI (same size). Awesome tire, although I don't now how long they'd last under daily driving and I'm not sure about the 'budget' aspect.
I was pretty impressed with my 13" Sumitumos. I sold off the wheels and tires before I got real mileage out of them, but the performance for the price was impressive.
Kumho SPTs...great in the rain and also autocross worthy. Not an all-season tire...not as fast as the Uber street tires, but much cheaper. Got something like just under 30K out of a set on a Mazda6
It really sucks that Goodyear stopped making the GSD3 in 205/50-16... great tire.
Ditto that.. can i hop in the way-back machine and throw Toyo T1-S in there too?
I was pretty impressed with my 13" Sumitumos. I sold off the wheels and tires before I got real mileage out of them, but the performance for the price was impressive.
Ditto that as well, i love those things for the money. Got a pair of 14s on the insight right now and want to buy some 215/50r13s for it once i get the wheels. BUT they dont make HTR200 in a 16" size. 
ST_ZX2 wrote: Kumho SPTs...great in the rain and also autocross worthy. Not an all-season tire...not as fast as the Uber street tires, but much cheaper. Got something like just under 30K out of a set on a Mazda6
^ This. Two AutoX seasons, three track days and 20K out on the hwy . . .
Id second the short wearing ASX's. Although I did drift on a pair of 205/50/15s, and MAN did they SMOKE. Held up to abuse well too. I drove 10 miles home on them showing cords. Fun day.
I also had a pair of BFG sports. 205/50/16. Those were great tires, good grip for the size, and I think they are close to what you want wear wise. They are cheap too, very durable as well.
Id recommend star specs RS2/3's, blah blah but I doubt they'd make it 2 years at 45 miles a day. I got the BFGs with only 4-5/32's left and they lasted a decent amount of miles. Considering they were my front tires daily driving and drifting, they held up well. I'd buy a new set in a heart beat. I actually might get some this spring for 3 season tires, being in ohio and all. They did well in the rain too, even with minimal tread.
They are $88 each on tire rack. So they are pretty cheap, and a good brand too.
~Alex
Bobzilla wrote:HiTempguy wrote: 225/45R16 Hankook Ventus RS3's. Don't be a Bob Costas, run them!That would be awesome if they made them. Sadly, they do not.
DOH, fools!
Fine, then this:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+XS&partnum=145WR6EXS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
I was excited, then i saw the size. I didn't put 16x8s on two of my cars to run that tire size.
If you can get to the noticing the difference between an RS3 (or Starspec, RE11 etc.) and an SPT on the street, then you really need to re-channel some of your efforts into sanctioned events. Something like the SPT or the HTR-Z etc. is plenty good for DDing and daily onramp romps --and will cost less and last longer.
I stumbled into a great deal on some Yokohama S-Drives, via a friend of a friend. They'll end up costing about the same mount/balanced as the Sumitomo HTRZ II.
I know you are looking for "summer" tires, but I have been very pleased with my Sumitomo HTR A/S's I put on my G35. They were the cheapest tires in my size at Tire Rack, but got really good ratings, so I took a chance.
They are quieter and stickier than the Yokohama's that were on it before.
Based on this I would definately try the HTR Z's (which didn't come in my size).
You'll need to log in to post.
