185-60-15's..... NO GOOD OPTIONS!!!

[zachryboles]

I've checked all around and if i use the same size that the previous owner did i have NO OPTIONS from what ive searched for with regard to wanting a much grippier tire set for my stock 15" toyota alloys. I'm wanting these for everyday use and im going to run them "occasionally" for autoX and would like advise to finding good tires for them.... ill change sizes considering im about to put the tanabe spring set that does the lowest drop. anyone have any better sizes that have good deals? also i was looking at Falken Azenis RT-615K and didnt know if that 15 size would fit my rims.

[custom Lftback]

That was my stock tire size with my alloys. But I wanted something with more grip so after searching around (and with the help of lilredrocket) decided on General Tire's Exclaim UHP size 205-50-R15. Amazing difference!!!!

[Billiam]

You got pix of that 195/60? 'Cause that's one sizes I was thinking about?

[paulyates]

I too put on a set of 205/60/15s (7inch rim however), Bridgestone Potenza RE-11s.
They are a ball. I carry a lot more speed into and through curves which is good, as the giant power from this massive motor tends not to surge me out of low speed...

I'm sure they won't last, they cost $97 at tire rack I think...but they sure are fun and I can mount and bal them myself when I need to, so it's only tires I have to pay more often for... Fellow in the mailroom saw them and said,"So you're the guy who got these...are you autocrossing?"

The Kuhmo XS is also supposed to be very grippy as well.

Speedo will read 3% or so faster, but I'll live with it.
Not sure if they'll be best for your rims, 6.5" is likely OK, I think stock 5.5" would be pushing it.

They don't rub, I'm not lowered, the tire fender gap is slightly larger.

I'm sure 195s would be fine as well. 205/55 is a closer match for diameter but you won't find as many sticky compounds. They will also trend towards being slightly less cost, more in the 4-season sort of mold, pun intended.

PY

[severous01]

that's because it's a one-off tire size. toyota is about the only company using it.

go with a 195 and there's options out the wazoo.

[sbergman27]

Originally Posted by severous01

that's because it's a one-off tire size. toyota is about the only company using it.

go with a 195 and there's options out the wazoo.

And the difference in circumference is only about 2%. About a 1.5 mph difference at 75 mph, on a speedometer that's virtually impossible to read due to the parallax anyway. ;-) Come to think of it, that difference should help adjust for the parallax. It's in the right direction.

-Steve

[dingbat]

I'm looking into a tire for the same usage and think these look good in a 195/55/15:

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec

Really good price too! Just be aware of what you're buying though. These look like a fair weather tire only.

Anyone had any experience with these?

[SilverBack]

I'll say it again:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...26&postcount=9

[MUSKOKA800]

There are more choices at 195/55/15 should you care to go with a more aggressive look while putting more rubber to the road.

[Loren]

Originally Posted by dingbat

I'm looking into a tire for the same usage and think these look good in a 195/55/15:

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec

Really good price too! Just be aware of what you're buying though. These look like a fair weather tire only.

Anyone had any experience with these?

Awesome tire. They're far from a "winter" tire, but they're excellent in the rain. So, "fair weather" is relative.

[bobolinko]

Sorry for the thread jacking, but I could not pm Loren.
I have a Yaris and an XD. I want to soften the XD's ride by changing the springs to a Tein set that lowers about 2". I've read about some threads that say the Teins have a softer ride, and some say it's harder. I'd like your opinion on this if it's possible.

Sorry Loren, I didn't know how else to elicit a response from you !

You can pm me if you want to respond

[Loren]

You could (should) start a new thread.

Everything is relative. "Softer" than what? "Harder" than what? The spring rate is probably going to be a little stiffer than stock, particularly in the front. The harshness in ride quality is going to come from lowering the car 2" and not making the springs stiff enough, as is the usual case.

If your goal is to make a stock xD ride SOFTER than stock, you don't want to lower the car at all, nor do you want to fit any aftermarket springs. I'd look at the tires. A nice cushy set of touring tires with pressures set on the low side (28-30 psi) will do wonders for ride quality... at the expense of everything else.

[sbergman27]

Originally Posted by Loren

I'd look at the tires. A nice cushy set of touring tires with pressures set on the low side (28-30 psi) will do wonders for ride quality... at the expense of everything else.

Agreed. For ride smoothness... and especially road noise.

This next bit is not a serious suggestion today, in the year 2010... but I will mention that bias plies ride like silk. No radial tire ever made can hold a candle to the 2 ply rayon Uniroyal Laredo tires that came standard on my 1968 Cadillac. Even compared to other bias ply tires of the time, the Laredos were like riding on a cloud.

-Steve

[dingbat]

Originally Posted by Loren

Awesome tire. They're far from a "winter" tire, but they're excellent in the rain. So, "fair weather" is relative.

Good to know, thanks. Am I correct thinking these will have an R compound type grip like an old Yoko A008R or approaching a BFG R1? I used to run both those tires un-shaved for everyday use on my A1 Volkswagen and they held up just fine. All the DOT R compounds out now look like slicks and have no tread life rating in comparason.

[zachryboles]

as far as 205-50-15's, which will do better in street/light autoX and still have rainy grip?
Falken Azenis RT-615K
BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S
Yokohama S.drive

[Loren]

Originally Posted by dingbat

Good to know, thanks. Am I correct thinking these will have an R compound type grip like an old Yoko A008R or approaching a BFG R1? I used to run both those tires un-shaved for everyday use on my A1 Volkswagen and they held up just fine. All the DOT R compounds out now look like slicks and have no tread life rating in comparason.

Yeah, that's about right. The current crop of high-end "Ultra High Performance" street tires is about where R compound DOT tires were 15-20 years ago. Probably better than the old A008, and pretty close to on par with an R1.

Tires like the Star Spec, Toyo R1-R, Kumho XS (I think that's the one), BFG RE-11 and maybe a couple others fit that category.

Zach, of the tires you listed, I only have experience with the Azenis. They're not great in the rain, and downright scary in the rain at less than about half tread depth. Star Specs are awesome in the rain.