I know it's been beaten to death a thousand times but a bunch of new tires came out in the last year, including the Azenis RT615K. I need a 15" size (205/50/15 on there now, for STS). I loved my Azenis on the 7 and have been pleased with the 912's and 452's that I've owned/own (FK452's on the P71 now), so I want to stick with that (plus Falken's generous amateur autocross support) but if there's something significantly faster I am all ears...
All the new tires except the new falken have been compared in recent issues me the magazine. I think the kumho xs was the grippiest. I wouldn't expect the new compound from falken to be as good as the kumho or potenza.
Sportscar (SCCA rag) also did a ST tire comparison recently. The Dunlop Star Spec won, but for the 205/50-15 size, I think the Kumho XS would be next on the list.
The 615K isn't out yet so that's not an option if you need tires now. The old 615's are outdated and were outclassed several years ago.
The Kuhmo XS or Bridgestone RE-11 are your best choices right now. The Kuhmo if its hot, the BS if its cooler or rainy. The Dunlop Star Spec Z1 should be out shortly in a 205/50/15 and would be great too.
Yeah, I've also heard the latest Azenis are a bit behind the XS, Star Spec, or Bridgestones. I've heard more than one place they can get greasy earlier. Haven't tried them myself though.
I'm curious how the Yoko AD08 compares to the reigning batch of established ST tires. Anybody use these yet? My tire/alignment shop recommended them for the street tire classes based on another customer's experience.
Matt B wrote: I'm curious how the Yoko AD08 compares to the reigning batch of established ST tires. Anybody use these yet? My tire/alignment shop recommended them for the street tire classes based on another customer's experience.
They're good. Very good actually. The problem is while they're equally as fast as the other front runners they are also considerably more expensive.
I just have not seen any tests on the new RT-615K yet so nobody has any idea how they will be time wise. I hear they will be out in March but have not seen any hard dates on official sites yet. Since you seem to want them so much get them but go into it knowing they might not be the fastest tire out there. But since your car is not going to be fully setup why worry about what tires are going to be the best? Just get the ones you like and drive them.
If you want to support a company that is supporting autocrossers look at the Toyo or Bridgestone. Both are paying contingency for national events.
In 15" sizes none of the tires are that expensive.
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