[Silver BLT]

I admit to being totally ignorant about tire sizes. I currently have 17" rims with A/S tires that gotta go. I would like to purchase a tire with the same attributes as a Yokohama AvS ES100 or a Kumho ecsta MX. Anyone own either of these and what's your impression of them. I will be using them about 90% street and 5% autocross or similare DE. 5%???

Sizes on the car now are 225 45 17 front and 255 40 17 rear. Can I go larger with 7.5" and 9" rims? If so would there be any benifit?

Questions asked are due to complete ignorance with tires, laugh if you must, we all gotta start somewhere with our knowledge.

Thanks

Silver BLT

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[Duckman]

I currently have the Yokohama ES100s and like them. My sizes are 235/40-18 and 275/35-18, respectively, on 8.5" and 10" wide wheels.



They provide pretty good ride quality and pretty good grip. They replaced Bridgestone S03s, which probably had a little better grip but the ride quality sucked. They were terrible for tramlining and wandering around the road, following every little groove or wrinkle. Not so with the ES100s.



In general, all other factors being equal, wider tires provide superior grip. Lower profile tires provide a relatively firmer ride and tighter turning characteristics than higher profile tires.



The sizes you currently have were the original specs for the 17" wheel option on 968s. They are just about perfect fits for wheels of those widths. Could you go a little wider? I guess so but I would go too far--maybe 235/45 and 265/40.



Also, remember that changing widths will increase the overall diameter unless you reduce the aspect ratio. A larger diameter in the rear will make the final gear ratio slightly higher and a larger diameter in the front will slightly lower the indicated speed on your speedometer. How much of a change depends on how much you change the diameter. I have slightly oversized diameters front and rear and it's not a problem in my opinion.

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[Greimann]

I agree with Mr. Duckman on the AVS 100. They are a good value and track straight. You can bump the sizes slightly from stock, but not much. Take a look at this table from Tire Rack to get an idea of what sizes fit what rim width, and overall diameter.



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?mak...model=AVS+ES100



Also, for general tire tech education, spend some quality time browsing their site. They have all kinds of tech articles to read. Very good stuff.

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[Anchorman]

Another vote in favor of the AVS ES-100. I'm running 245/40 and 275/35 on the same size wheels as Duckman. Very pleased with the tires - grip, particularly wet, is excellent, and they are wearing well.

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[EEZATOY]

Ron,



The other tire I was trying to remember, when we talked the other day, is the Fuzion ZRi - bridgestone's answer for a low priced S-03. Like I said I have the S-03's and really like them, but they are expensive....



Sam

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[Harvey]

I have S-03s and they're quite noisey....so much so, I'm not buying them again. I need some quieter tires for a change. I'm looking at Yokahama dBs....



I'll look at the Fuzion tread design. The sexier the design, the more noisey apparently.



Harvey



quote=EEZATOY,Mar 18 2005, 10:13 AM]

Ron,



The other tire I was trying to remember, when we talked the other day, is the Fuzion ZRi - bridgestone's answer for a low priced S-03. Like I said I have the S-03's and really like them, but they are expensive....



Sam

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[WYLDCTZ]

I have the Goodyear Eagle F1s. I love the design, and they are much quieter than my Kuhmos. But they're pricey.

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[KensCab]

I too have the GY Eagles, like them, just would like them to wear longer!

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[WYLDCTZ]

How many miles should I expect out of them Ken?

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[KensCab]

Mark- That really depends on your driving style. If you were to watch your tire pressure, rotate side to side often, keep a good alignment, and balance, drive reasonably, don't track it or autocross it (in other words don't have much fun!) you could get upper teens or twenty before looking to replace. Or if you push the car, like I tend to do (that is what it likes, it tells me so!) , you'll be replacing them around ten to 15 thousand miles. I'm not one to depend on 'iffy' treads (not safe at some of the higher speeds), I don't want to have to wait to replace them when I HAVE TO.

It really does have A LOT to do with how you drive. I have had them on two 944's and now my 968, I like them because they seem to do real well under different conditions, they are reasonably quiet, a dependable 'all-around' tire, and GY has stood behind them before when I had an issue ( trouble with having a couple being balanced). Just a good, all around, dependable, safe, tire that is somewhat easy to find. If you should be out on the road and need a replacement... Some of the brands are not always available most everywhere you go and if you should have a bad puncture or shread a tire you wouldn't want to wait for three days at "Bill & Joe's Garage & Diner" in no-where KansASS waiting for one to be shipped in!

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