I will be in the market for some new rubber soon and i want the best grip/handling compromise for the money. I am running 18x7's. Who here can advise me what works best?

I was very happy with my set of Maxxis V1's. For the price (cheap by tyre standards) they are a great set of entry-level tyres. If you want to go for even more grip, I have heard great things about the Z1's from Maxxis too.

What is your price range?

I was very happy with my set of Maxxis V1's. For the price (cheap by tyre standards) they are a great set of entry-level tyres. If you want to go for even more grip, I have heard great things about the Z1's from Maxxis too.

What is your price range?

I am running V1's at the moment. I have no issue with the handling as such but when i give it a go off the line it becomes a wheel spinning mess. Even if i go easy and then nail it. As i have the LPG tank over the rear wheels there is bigger weight shift than there would be in a normal FWD...

My price range would be approx 1k for 4 tyres but it would be better to spend less of course!

The Z1s are worth looking at - they're supposed to be an excellent performance tyre for their money. I paid $240 each for mine (235/40R18, so probably a little wide for you, but I imagine that a 215 or 225 variant would be similarly priced).

Kumho KU-36s are very grippy (much more than the Z1s), and are good value (around $200 I think?) but they suffer in the wet, and I think they wear reasonably quickly. I'd go the Z1s over them, but that's just me... the KU-36s would be the way to go if you were mainly focused on grip/handling.

You probably won't get a huge range of 'performance' tyres for your budget unfortunately. I was looking at spending <$1000 on 4 tyres when I bought my mags too. I was originally hoping for something like the Bridgestone RE001s, but I was quoted $330 each for them :(

I think V1's are $250 a corner aren't they? Not sure what else you will get in that price range...

Ask Dave (formerly Cybermonkey), his are great. I can't remember what tyres he has on but they are very grippy and when I gave it a good go (after the manual was put in) they didn't break traction for me

I think they might be Eagle F1's

I'm happily flying the re001 flag but as has been said, super expensive.

Ku36 is great in the dry, not much chop in the wet though, not a very good tread pattern

Heard good and bad about federal

Pirelli may be a good option, but they are fairly expensive in oem sizes

I had toyo t1rs before these, maybe it was r1rs

Have a look at toyos I had them on the rear and they seem to be pretty good

I think V1's are $250 a corner aren't they? Not sure what else you will get in that price range...
I was quoted $199/ea for V1s. They seem an alright tyre but from what I've read it's probably worth spending the extra on Z1s.

He Dave.

Have not long had Bridgesttone Potenza RE001's put on my awd. I'm still running the stock rims but with 225 55 16 and can't recommend them enough.

We have had a week or so of horrible weather and i had the chance on Tuesday to drive it hard in heavy rain for the first time since having them on.

They are an awsome tyre. I was driving it through roundabouts that are on a FWY and was able to drive it like it was dry, seriously. I could power out of them with the foot to the floor and already doing 60km/h with no hint of understeer which the awd can suffer from a little.

They would be even better in your size as well.

I will be in the market for some new rubber soon and i want the best grip/handling compromise for the money. I am running 18x7's. Who here can advise me what works best?


I am running V1's at the moment. I have no issue with the handling as such but when i give it a go off the line it becomes a wheel spinning mess. Even if i go easy and then nail it. As i have the LPG tank over the rear wheels there is bigger weight shift than there would be in a normal FWD...

My price range would be approx 1k for 4 tyres but it would be better to spend less of course!

Not to be a negative Nelly or anything, but you're contradicting yourself. You want grippy performance tyres, but don't want to pay for them.

I just got Yokohama Advan Neova AD08's for my car. Probably the best gripping street tyre money can buy, and they cost me $2k for 4. You want to spent half that, you will get half the tyre.

Let's be real about a few things. MAXXIS MAV1 are not a performance tyre. They're rubbish. The Z1's are marginally better, but in the scheme things they too are rubbish.

You really need to be clear about what you want. If you want high end, grippy performance tyres, you have to pay for them. If you want to spend no more than $1k you're looking at the lower end of the "Sports tyre" category with the MAXXIS, Federal, Hankook etc.

yeah what disciple said
I have pirelli on the corolla and did not get a lot of change from '2k now that car sticks to the road like shit to a blanket. However I did not need to have such a hi po tyre for the 380 but still paid for decent rubber and on special it was still over 1k for 4

You will get what you pay for when it comes to rubber and it is an area you need to spend more on IMO rather than less kumho seem to have a range that is super sticky and not crazy expensive so have a look at them

yeah what disciple said
I have pirelli on the corolla and did not get a lot of change from '2k now that car sticks to the road like shit to a blanket. However I did not need to have such a hi po tyre for the 380 but still paid for decent rubber and on special it was still over 1k for 4

You will get what you pay for when it comes to rubber and it is an area you need to spend more on IMO rather than less kumho seem to have a range that is super sticky and not crazy expensive so have a look at them

:stoopid: x 2

I just spent $510 per tyre of some Yokohama Advan Sports, you want grip your gonna pay for it!

He's not an idiot and know's that. Clearly a tyre twice the price will be twice as good. he obviously want's recommendations of lower end tyres that are as grippy as can be for the $.
Best thing to do Dave as you already know, is ring around tyre joints. Mate of mine was buying tyres for his XR4, everywhere was quoting $310ish, kept rining up and found the exact same tyre for $240ish at another joint same size everything, pays to hunt around.
GL.

I think V1's are $250 a corner aren't they? Not sure what else you will get in that price range...

Ask Dave (formerly Cybermonkey), his are great. I can't remember what tyres he has on but they are very grippy and when I gave it a good go (after the manual was put in) they didn't break traction for me

I think they might be Eagle F1's

Eagle F1's aye, but not made anymore. The equiv is the Eagle F1 ASYM and is the best wet-weather tyre you can buy, its also pretty good in the dry. I think they are about the $300 mark in 18's

Cant recommend the Sumitomo HTR ZIII enough. I went from bridgestone ER300s on the front, to Sumitomo HTR ZIII's and the difference was instantly noticeable.

I'm using Goodyear Eagle LS2000 II, got them for $800 brand new, GREAT in the dry sticks like bubblegum at the cinemas to your shoe. Grippy as hell. The only downside is they are horrible in the wet, Grips like any other tyre, But even slight acceleration = wheelspin.

http://www.goodyear.com.au/TyreDetailAction.do?website=GYR&websegmentcode=PASSENGER&mtpcode=00751&from=nPerPage

I will be in the market for some new rubber soon and i want the best grip/handling compromise for the money. I am running 18x7's. Who here can advise me what works best?


Not to be a negative Nelly or anything, but you're contradicting yourself. You want grippy performance tyres, but don't want to pay for them.

I know that i will get twice the tyre for twice the money but what i was originally asking is for the best compromise for the dollar spent.


;1274721']He's not an idiot and know's that. Clearly a tyre twice the price will be twice as good. he obviously want's recommendations of lower end tyres that are as grippy as can be for the $.


What he said ^^^

I have heard good things about the Kumho KU36 (on here and elsewhere). When it comes time for me to get new tyres i will most likely get a set of these. As already mentioned though, apparently they dont last as long as some other similarly priced alternatives

I know that i will get twice the tyre for twice the money but what i was originally asking is for the best compromise for the dollar spent.



What he said ^^^

If you want the best tyre for $1k you're looking at the very low end of the market. Probably KU36 will be your best bet.

It depends on how grippy and how hard do you want to push. KU31s are good for me on the street and moderate driving in twisties, providing good grip in wet and dry. They're definitely not as sticky as some, but also are nowhere near that high end price point.

If you want something that will give you a decent life with moderate performance wet or dry - Maxxis MAV1 (Around $199ea)

If you want something that will give decent life with slightly better performance than above - Maxxis MAZ4 (around $240ea)

If you want a good life, and good all round performance from a well known brand - Kumho KU31 (Around $190ea)

If you want something that will last around 2/3 of the life of the above tyres, give exceptional grip in the dry, but isnt suited to spirited driving in the wet, then you want the Kumho KU36 (Around $230ea)

I had a tad over 20k's on my ku36 when i sold the verada. Trick was to get them rotated often to prevent the edges wearing prematurely. Mine were rotated every 3000km. Most places will only charge around $12-15 for this incl rebalancing. You can do the rotation yourself of coarse if you have the equipment and the time. My local BJT look after me here, so i didnt pay for any of the extra rotations :)

EDIT: Buy your Kumho's from HERE (http://www.option1garage.com.au/NewTyres.htm). Will be cheaper than everywhere else.

Thanks for the link Keith! Much appreciated.

disciple, where did you get your advans from? (nengun?)

disciple, where did you get your advans from? (nengun?)

Bob Jane.

Another vote here for the Kumho KU31s, they're definitely worth a look.

I used to run them in 245/45R17 on a Soarer that I drove before I needed four doors. Their grip level comfortably managed to exceed my bravery level in that car. I haven't tried them on a Magna/Verada yet, but on a well set up car they grip brilliantly wet and dry.

As for this 'you pay twice as much you get twice as much' tosh, it's rubbish. Do your research, buy the best you can afford.
Just because some company wants to charge $$$$s for their tyres doesn't necessarily mean that they're a neat multiple better performance wise than a cheaper tyre. Often it just means that they'd like some extra money.

Bob Jane.

Assuming you meant tyres... Rims I got from Jas Racing.

Another vote here for the Kumho KU31s, they're definitely worth a look.

I used to run them in 245/45R17 on a Soarer that I drove before I needed four doors. Their grip level comfortably managed to exceed my bravery level in that car. I haven't tried them on a Magna/Verada yet, but on a well set up car they grip brilliantly wet and dry.

As for this 'you pay twice as much you get twice as much' tosh, it's rubbish. Do your research, buy the best you can afford.
Just because some company wants to charge $$$$s for their tyres doesn't necessarily mean that they're a neat multiple better performance wise than a cheaper tyre. Often it just means that they'd like some extra money.

Welcome to the club.

I believe you're referring to my post? I was referring to specific tyres, AD08 vs well, anything half its price, WILL be half the tyre. Bragging about a Soarer hardly gives one the moral high ground on grip and handling in a motor vehicle. Not saying I have it either. I agree with the rest of your post, but in my experience, you get what you pay for with tyres, MOST OF THE TIME.

Cheers.

for what it's worth, we've been pretty happy with our Bridgestone re001s. on special they were $165 each - this is in granny spec 215/60/16s, i'd imagine 18s will bump the price up significantly

Welcome to the club.

I believe you're referring to my post? I was referring to specific tyres, AD08 vs well, anything half its price, WILL be half the tyre. Bragging about a Soarer hardly gives one the moral high ground on grip and handling in a motor vehicle. Not saying I have it either. I agree with the rest of your post, but in my experience, you get what you pay for with tyres, MOST OF THE TIME.

Cheers.

G'day,
Not sure if it was your post, remember coming across this line of argument somewhere in the thread though.

No bragging going on, just pointing out a confounding variable. Those tyres, in that size, worked very well on that car. These same tyres in a different size may not suit another car with a different setup quite as well. But I believe that the compound is worth a look and shouldn't be discounted based on whatever bottom line different tyre manufacturers are chasing.

I've never driven on the tyres you mention, they may be fantastic if so then great! But I'm guessing that as with most things you can get a high percentage of the performance of a top rated anything for about half the cost. I find it hard to believe that a $500 per corner tyre will lap twice as fast as a $250/corner tyre, develop twice the g... whatever. But will it be measurably better? Quite likely. Whether getting that extra performance is worth the considerable extra cost is up to the bloke with the wallet.

Assuming you meant tyres... Rims I got from Jas Racing.

yeah i meant the tyres, cheers

G'day,
Not sure if it was your post, remember coming across this line of argument somewhere in the thread though.

No bragging going on, just pointing out a confounding variable. Those tyres, in that size, worked very well on that car. These same tyres in a different size may not suit another car with a different setup quite as well. But I believe that the compound is worth a look and shouldn't be discounted based on whatever bottom line different tyre manufacturers are chasing.

I've never driven on the tyres you mention, they may be fantastic if so then great! But I'm guessing that as with most things you can get a high percentage of the performance of a top rated anything for about half the cost. I find it hard to believe that a $500 per corner tyre will lap twice as fast as a $250/corner tyre, develop twice the g... whatever. But will it be measurably better? Quite likely. Whether getting that extra performance is worth the considerable extra cost is up to the bloke with the wallet.

welcome. i agree, if you do your research you can usually get 85% of the performance of a top-shelf tyre at half the cost. certainly more than enough grip to keep you safe on a public road.
it sums up neatly why we're all driving Magnas/380s really :)

G'day,
Not sure if it was your post, remember coming across this line of argument somewhere in the thread though.

No bragging going on, just pointing out a confounding variable. Those tyres, in that size, worked very well on that car. These same tyres in a different size may not suit another car with a different setup quite as well. But I believe that the compound is worth a look and shouldn't be discounted based on whatever bottom line different tyre manufacturers are chasing.

I've never driven on the tyres you mention, they may be fantastic if so then great! But I'm guessing that as with most things you can get a high percentage of the performance of a top rated anything for about half the cost. I find it hard to believe that a $500 per corner tyre will lap twice as fast as a $250/corner tyre, develop twice the g... whatever. But will it be measurably better? Quite likely. Whether getting that extra performance is worth the considerable extra cost is up to the bloke with the wallet.

I agree. It's like I said before. If you want the best, you have to pay for it. No two ways around it. You may find another tyre that comes close in some tests, but at the end of the day, as you've pointed out, you get what you pay for.

I personally look for tyres that perform well in wet conditions, as this is generally when tyre grip is needed the most in adverse situations. Hence why I will continue to use Eagle F1 tyres. For a road tyre to maintain well over 1G in lateral grip is astonishing and certainly has given me lots of confidence in avoiding accidents so far.

Dave, I just did the massive search around for tyres recently and had the same problem you are probably finding. With the 18x7 rims from the Lancer, the proper size is 225/45/18. It was VERY hard to find them with a correct load rating of 95. Many places said that I can put on a 235/40/18, it will be a lot cheaper for the same model tyre, but isn't actually legal.

I ended up going with the MAXXIS MA-Z1's, and I'm really happy with them so far. I paid $250 per tyre after shopping around, and that was from a Bob Janes. I was suprised they were the cheapest, as they were more expensive for every other tyre I looked at.

I went with the MA-Z1's because out of all the tyres in 225/45/18 95, they were the only ones that I could find multiple (positive) reviews for. I had a few others make the short list, but I couldn't find any reviews on them - only the word from the guy trying to sell them to me that they would be good. I believe they were a few Kuhmos from memory, but not the popular KU31/KU36 as they didn't come in the right size/load rating combo. If I still have my list at home, I'll post up the other ones and the cheapest prices I was quoted.

Just a FYI Type40 - you're going to be very hard pressed to find any KU36's in Australia at the moment.... they are currently on backorder, and the list is long..... You'd be waiting at best a month before you can get a set.....

I've currently got a generic set of front tyres, and they've gone all lumpy so I've been looking around at getting a new set for the fronts at least, and yeah the KU36's are sold out everywhere....

I was recommended the KU31's for absolute performance, one shop said that they are the top of the range tyres from kumho before they become illegal but you won't get great milage out of them....on the other hand, others recommended the Ku37 for great milage with less performance and the KU21's for a bit better grip than most but less milage.....

The cheapest quote I got for the KU21's was around $165 for 235/40/R18 at 'Air Anywhere' in hallam...they're actually a truck tyre shop generally but do sell and fit passenger cars as well on the side....they are probably the cheapest kumho tyre dealer in melb.... I called a fair few eastern region places and they were the best.....

Just my $0.02

Dave, I just did the massive search around for tyres recently and had the same problem you are probably finding. With the 18x7 rims from the Lancer, the proper size is 225/45/18. It was VERY hard to find them with a correct load rating of 95. Many places said that I can put on a 235/40/18, it will be a lot cheaper for the same model tyre, but isn't actually legal.

I ended up going with the MAXXIS MA-Z1's, and I'm really happy with them so far. I paid $250 per tyre after shopping around, and that was from a Bob Janes. I was suprised they were the cheapest, as they were more expensive for every other tyre I looked at.

I went with the MA-Z1's because out of all the tyres in 225/45/18 95, they were the only ones that I could find multiple (positive) reviews for. I had a few others make the short list, but I couldn't find any reviews on them - only the word from the guy trying to sell them to me that they would be good. I believe they were a few Kuhmos from memory, but not the popular KU31/KU36 as they didn't come in the right size/load rating combo. If I still have my list at home, I'll post up the other ones and the cheapest prices I was quoted.

I believe that is because Bob Jane's is the Autralian agent for Maxxis.

I also have the MA-Z1, from Bob Jane, in 245/35 ZR19 size, fitted about a year ago. Quite happy with grip, especially in the wet, relatively comfy ride for 35 profile, quiet on smooth tarmac but very noisy on coarse chip tarmac, and wear seems OK, although I have scrubbed both the inner and outer edges a bit. Inner edges on the rears due to the negative camber, outer edges on the fronts, didn't rotate them as often as I should have and ran them a little too soft (34PSI, now 38) for a bit too long. Rotated them a couple of weeks ago and they immediately developed a noticable rumble at all speeds, I reckon that is due to the uneven wear on the edges. Also now developed a slight vibration above 100km/h, I suspect the fronts (which used to be the rears) are slightly out of balance due to the excessive wear on the inner edges. Will be dropping into BJs soon for a balance.

KJ.

Just a FYI Type40 - you're going to be very hard pressed to find any KU36's in Australia at the moment.... they are currently on backorder, and the list is long..... You'd be waiting at best a month before you can get a set.....

I've currently got a generic set of front tyres, and they've gone all lumpy so I've been looking around at getting a new set for the fronts at least, and yeah the KU36's are sold out everywhere....

I was recommended the KU31's for absolute performance, one shop said that they are the top of the range tyres from kumho before they become illegal but you won't get great milage out of them....on the other hand, others recommended the Ku37 for great milage with less performance and the KU21's for a bit better grip than most but less milage.....

The cheapest quote I got for the KU21's was around $165 for 235/40/R18 at 'Air Anywhere' in hallam...they're actually a truck tyre shop generally but do sell and fit passenger cars as well on the side....they are probably the cheapest kumho tyre dealer in melb.... I called a fair few eastern region places and they were the best.....

Just my $0.02

Before they become illegal? What does this mean?

Also, I've got over 50,000+kms out of my KU31's so far - on a AWD, so mileage isn't too bad. Prob got another 10,000 or so in them, I think.

Before they become illegal? What does this mean?

Also, I've got over 50,000+kms out of my KU31's so far - on a AWD, so mileage isn't too bad. Prob got another 10,000 or so in them, I think.

It means that their they are too performance focused and are illegal, not sure why - but likely because they'd be slicks used for track racing.....

But I have to say that 50,000k's on a AWD is pretty good....but I'm guessing you're on stockies or 16" rims right? ....

With larger rims, you get less rubber and most of it is sitting on the roads, so you chew through tyres pretty fast - you'd be pretty lucky to get 40,000k's out of a set of 18's tyres especially for a fwd that rips through front tyres pretty quick.....stock wheels & tyres are great for comfort and lasting a long time but have much less road holding and handling than bigger wider rims with low profile tyres.....

I think thekovac may have accidentally mixed up the KU31 with the KU36, probably just a simple typo. The KU31 is a normal street tyre, no way could they have become illegal, but the KU36 is a track/street tyre and may possibly have been deemed illegal for street use by some Govt dept somewhere.

KJ.

It means that their they are too performance focused and are illegal, not sure why - but likely because they'd be slicks used for track racing.....

But I have to say that 50,000k's on a AWD is pretty good....but I'm guessing you're on stockies or 16" rims right? ....

With larger rims, you get less rubber and most of it is sitting on the roads, so you chew through tyres pretty fast - you'd be pretty lucky to get 40,000k's out of a set of 18's tyres especially for a fwd that rips through front tyres pretty quick.....stock wheels & tyres are great for comfort and lasting a long time but have much less road holding and handling than bigger wider rims with low profile tyres.....

No mate, Alscall just does ALOT of Freeway driving... the only time he'd really shorten the life of tyres is when his alignments are rooted... :)

whats all this ILLEGAL talk?!? Some semi-slicks and and all full slicks will make your car unroadworthy, not illegal. You wont go to prison for simply driving on disallowed tyres. Different case if you crash though...

maybe im wrong? Can someone show me where it says that driving an unroadworthy car is illegal?

I think thekovac may have accidentally mixed up the KU31 with the KU36, probably just a simple typo. The KU31 is a normal street tyre, no way could they have become illegal, but the KU36 is a track/street tyre and may possibly have been deemed illegal for street use by some Govt dept somewhere.

KJ.

You probs right... I'm going off what a shop said to me - they probably got the two mixed up....he said that the KU31 were the highest performance tyre before it becomes illegal or 'unroadworthy' as Dave is trying to clarify.....

Either way the Ku36's are out of stock all around Australia, so Type40 would need to look at something else unless he wants to wait for a good month or two....