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Need some tire help (What are these Federals all the drift kids are talking about)?

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VadGTI

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
The GTI needs new tires at 41k. Found two bubbles in the sidewall of one and took a depth gauge to the rest. Result? 3/32nds on average, with some uneven wear all around. Time to replace all four. The stock tires are 225/40/18 Pirelli P Zero Nero All-Seasons, and a Google search revealed that they love to bubble. The car is used as a commuter 98% of the time, with some mildly spirited driving the other 2%, so I don't need $400/corner track-spec rubber. On the other hand, I don't want no-name Chinese stuff either. Just something in-between.

Looking around, I discovered that a local place has Federal SS595s for $69/corner. Under $300 with tax.

Image


A quick Google search reveals that these are a favorite of the drifter crowd for some reason. Comments also seem to state that they have stiff sidewalls (less chance of bubbles?) but are somewhat noisy. Anyone have any experience with these?

Tire Rack also has the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum for $82.77/corner but that comes with a $75 rebate for a total of $256.08, with an additional $60 for shipping but free road hazard protection. Comes out to about the same as the Federals. Any comments on these?

Image



Any other decent deals out there that I'm missing?
 
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#4 ·
Drifters probably like that tire because they are CHEAP and they destroy them by drifting. They don't really care as long as they hold air. I'm guessing the stiff sidewalls help with the drifting as well.

You don't mention installation which most people forget about.

Pepboys has Falken Ziex ZE329 for $79 a tire, without install.

Have you considered upsizing to 235/40/18 for some extra sidewall protection? I'm running that size on my 18x8.5 VMRs. Conti DW and the ride is nicer than the stock Bridgetone they came with on the stock wheels. I don't cringe as much hitting potholes.

It's tough getting a decent tire in the size the GTI needs under $100.

There are some deals on Tire Rack if you get tires from 2013 production.
 
#6 ·
Stiff side walls help with not walking the tire off the bead or leaning over to far. During extreme use.

This has happened to me when I was sliding around with my tires going up in a 68 Nova I had with a 455 Olds. I had gravel stuck between the bead, and rim.
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Numbersix said:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...tireModel=Firehawk+Indy+500&width=225/&ratio=40&diameter=18&partnum=24WR8FHI5XL

This is what I'd do. $97/tire seems pretty reasonable given the performance.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, that's not bad.

DUSlider said:
Drifters probably like that tire because they are CHEAP and they destroy them by drifting. They don't really care as long as they hold air. I'm guessing the stiff sidewalls help with the drifting as well.

You don't mention installation which most people forget about.

Pepboys has Falken Ziex ZE329 for $79 a tire, without install.

Have you considered upsizing to 235/40/18 for some extra sidewall protection? I'm running that size on my 18x8.5 VMRs. Conti DW and the ride is nicer than the stock Bridgetone they came with on the stock wheels. I don't cringe as much hitting potholes.

It's tough getting a decent tire in the size the GTI needs under $100.

There are some deals on Tire Rack if you get tires from 2013 production.
Click to expand...
The Pep Boys site isn't giving me that same deal, maybe it's a local thing? Best they have that's similar is the Falken ZIEX ZE950 for $82 ($333 total), but installation and road hazard will add $160 to that total.

What would the 235/40/18s look like on a stock 18x7.5 wheel?
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
Aaand just realized those Firehawks are on back order.
 
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#9 ·
#10 · (Edited)
Cheap performance tires?
Sumitomo HTR Z III

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...o&tireModel=HTR+Z+III&partnum=24YR8HTRZ3XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

They aren't high mile/long lasting tires, but they offer very good performance for mediocre tire prices.
And they are actually round and won't come apart after 10k miles like many of the super cheap tires do.
I put three sets on my RX8.
FWIW- not a single tire I have had on my RX8- not even the original Dunlops- lasted 15k miles.
Dunlops, Khumo, Sumitomo, Sumitomo, Sumitomo, BF Goodrich, Falken...
Currently at 90k miles and needing new tires again. :laugh:
I may get those Sumitomos again.


On the "want something less noisy and more comfortable" side, I would suggest Cooper Zeon RS3-G1.
$100 visa card with purchase of four makes them really cheap too.
(support Cooper as it's US owned and they make tires here too)

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...78&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqMD4sIGF1QIV1xSBCh1-sAiWEAQYASABEgJag_D_BwE

Tho after researching those coopers.. might try them this time.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...news/2016/09/cooper-zeon-rs3-g1-do-all-season-tires-belong-on-a-sports-car.html
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
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Discussion starter · #16 ·
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#17 · (Edited)
Conti DW is a good tire. A bit soft of a sidewall so some vague response.

Bridgestone Potenza s04 pole position is better. Better response. Good in wet and good life. Closest to a Michelin Pilot super sport you'll get. Tire Rack rated it a close 2nd if I remember right.

I have had both on my M3. I'd get the Bridgestone again, have them now.

btw hi Vlad :wave:
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Those are too fancy for this thing!

So, the Cooper Zeons RS3-G1 are $680 less $100 Visa installed at Discount Tire with 3-year road hazard ($70 less without it) and a 40k mile warranty.

The Firehawk Indy 500s are $530 installed at Firestone (apparently they have them). There is no road hazard protection offered and no mileage warranty. Consumer Reports says they're projected to last 40k miles but I'm seeing posts on forums that they last less than half that.

Thoughts anyone?
 
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#19 ·
VadGTI said:
The GTI needs new tires at 41k. Found two bubbles in the sidewall of one and took a depth gauge to the rest. Result? 3/32nds on average, with some uneven wear all around. Time to replace all four. The stock tires are 225/40/18 Pirelli P Zero Nero All-Seasons, and a Google search revealed that they love to bubble. The car is used as a commuter 98% of the time, with some mildly spirited driving the other 2%, so I don't need $400/corner track-spec rubber. On the other hand, I don't want no-name Chinese stuff either. Just something in-between.

Tire Rack also has the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum for $82.77/corner but that comes with a $75 rebate for a total of $256.08, with an additional $60 for shipping but free road hazard protection. Comes out to about the same as the Federals. Any comments on these?

Image



Any other decent deals out there that I'm missing?
Click to expand...
BRealistic said:
Cheap performance tires?
Sumitomo HTR Z III

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...o&tireModel=HTR+Z+III&partnum=24YR8HTRZ3XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

They aren't high mile/long lasting tires, but they offer very good performance for mediocre tire prices.
And they are actually round and won't come apart after 10k miles like many of the super cheap tires do.
I put three sets on my RX8.
FWIW- not a single tire I have had on my RX8- not even the original Dunlops- lasted 15k miles.
Dunlops, Khumo, Sumitomo, Sumitomo, Sumitomo, BF Goodrich, Falken...
Currently at 90k miles and needing new tires again. :laugh:
I may get those Sumitomos again.


On the "want something less noisy and more comfortable" side, I would suggest Cooper Zeon RS3-G1.
$100 visa card with purchase of four makes them really cheap too.
(support Cooper as it's US owned and they make tires here too)

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...78&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqMD4sIGF1QIV1xSBCh1-sAiWEAQYASABEgJag_D_BwE

Tho after researching those coopers.. might try them this time.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...news/2016/09/cooper-zeon-rs3-g1-do-all-season-tires-belong-on-a-sports-car.html
Click to expand...
I'd go with the Sumitomos; I had the IIs and the main issues were they were a directional tread and got exponentially noisier as miles increased. The specs and reviews for the IIIs look like those issues were addressed. Kumhos aren't bad either, for their pricepoint. I've got Ecsta 4X IIs on right now, ~$83/each, and they're more of a 3-season tire but do really well in the wet and are great as far as noise/comfort (Only have 10k miles on them though).
 
#20 ·
I just put on Vogue Signature V's on my GLI. They have much more grip, are much quieter, and smoother than the Dunlops that came on it. They're 115 each at Discount Tire and have a 60k mile warranty from Vogue.

Edit - there's also a $75 rebate right now until the 14th.


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