Best 200 minimum Treadwear tire ??

[JEFFTATE]

Well , I'm doing a little research on the best 200 ( minimum ) UTQG Treadwear tire.

I've seen how good the BFG g-force TA KDW's work. They're 300 UTQG.
Kuhmo makes the ECSTA MX. They're 220 UTQG.
Falken Azenis RT615. - 200 UTQG
Toyo T1R . - 280 UTQG
Toyo Proxes 4 - 300 UTQG

So , I'm just wondering , for the price which ones are junk and which ones really work good.
I want to get a tire that is minimum 200 UTQG.
That way I can use it at most autocrosses. ( Like Goodguys and RTTH )

I've heard good things about the Toyo R888' but they are 100 UTQG.
I've heard good things about Kumho brand , Falken brand , and Nitto brand.
There is a lot of choices out there.

The KDW's are US made.
That kinda makes me feel good.
They obviously work good.
That's what Detroit Speed uses on their test cars.
They get fastest time at almost every autocross they run.

But the Kumho's cost a lot less.



The Falkens look good. and they're a 200 UTQG.

[lnirenberg]

My personal favorites are the Goodyear F1 GS-D3s that I have on my Chevelle. The 1st set I bought 2-3 years ago for a '91 ZR1 I had and they transformational. I am putting them on my Bel Air project (ordered today). They are exceptional in wet weather and very good in dry, although I do not auto cross, and have a 280 wear rating. Tire rack is offering a $50 rebate on a set of 4 until 7/11. I looked at a lot of tires for the new build and ended up with one's that have proven themselves to me and I believe they are made in the US but nothing is certain in this regard anymore.

[JEFFTATE]

Thanks . I'll look into them too.

[RodDawg]

Talk to Finch (Brian) about the KDWs. He has his own personal BFG store in his garage. He may part with a set for reasonable $$.

[Takid455]

I have the Toyo Proxes 4 on the 97 Grand Prix DD and really like them. I have a set of the T1R's on the T/A, but that is not driveable yet. The store I purchase my tires from as heard nothing but good about either. I would have gotten the R888's if they had my sizes. I get about 30k or so out of the 4's.

[DriverzInc]

Nitto NT05....

[PARKERRS]

Nitto NT05....

I'm about to try a set of these out Jeff. If they are a big leap from the NT 555 I'll be very happy as the 555's are pretty darn good once you get the pressures right for the track.

[Johnny Blaze]

I am really happy with my bfg g force cports I just put on my dd.

[T-CHRGD]

My personal favorites are the Goodyear F1 GS-D3s

X2

I have them on my '87 Turbo "T" and I LOVE them !!

[jknight16]

I just heard today that the T1R has been discontinued by Toyo. So if you want em, get em now!

[Roadrage David]

Jon Hendrson send me the 315 x35 Nitto 555 and the 245x 40
Nitto Nt101 to the Netherlands. all i can say is that the grip is fenominal!!!
but i must say the nitto tires are verry small for there size. the 315 looks like a 285.
if there is a tire brand out there that will out perform this combo in exeleration and stearing grip i like to hear it

[1969CamaroRS]

Michellin Pilot Sport 2s? 220 treadwear.

[JEFFTATE]

Ah Ha ,
I'm getting some opinions now.
Thanks guys.

I can read about tires all day on the websites of the tire manufacturers , but that doesn't give me a real world opinion.

So , thanks for the input.

[zman1969]

The ratings have no bearing when comparing brand to brand. The government made the Tire companys do a rating system with no standard or base to rate from so each tire company has their own base and rates from that- confusing? typical government involvement IMO. I worked 20+ years in the tire buisness and when they rolled that new UTQG the government let each mfr test their own-surely no one would lie? heres a quote off TireRacks site
"The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful."
Things to keep in mind when comparing brands!

[JEFFTATE]

The ratings have no bearing when comparing brand to brand. The government made the Tire companys do a rating system with no standard or base to rate from so each tire company has their own base and rates from that- confusing? typical government involvement IMO. I worked 20+ years in the tire buisness and when they rolled that new UTQG the government let each mfr test their own-surely no one would lie? heres a quote off TireRacks site
"The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful."
Things to keep in mind when comparing brands!

I know that the number means nothing between brands.
I just need a minimum 200 to run at any Goodguys Events or Run Thru the Hills.
That's my only reason for caring about the number.

I value intelligent , real world opinions more.

That's why I started this thread.

So , thanks for the info .

BTW ,

Michelins , Nittos , and Goodyears are just way out of my price range.
I've heard that Toyo , Kumho , Falken , and BFG are just as good.
( From certain people )
So I'm still doing research.

It's boiling down to a decision between the : Toyo T1R or Proxes 4 , Kumho ESCTA MX , BFG g-force TA KDW , or Falken Azenis RT615 .

So.....

[noobwrench]

Nitto NT05....

x2, its an amazing tire. Got some wheel time in a C5 with them, noticeable step up from the 555's, which are a great tire on thier own.

Pilot Sport PS2 is another amazing tire!

[sik68]

Good info. It's why I bought my GS-D3's

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires...y_f1_gs_ds.pdf

[Steve1968LS2]

Why 200 treadwear? All the Goodguys go by a min of 180 treadwear..

In which case you could also go with the Kumho XS tire. And they are priced RIGHT!

The Mich Pilot Sport 2 is 220 treadwear and the KDW, although marketed as 300 is just as soft at the 220 Pilot Sport 2.

The only problem with the NT05 is sizing.. not even a 315 tire for the rear.

[Steve1968LS2]

I just need a minimum 200 to run at any Goodguys Events or Run Thru the Hills....

Goodguys is 180 TW.. the RTTH folks should carry the same standard so that people don't end up having to buy new tires over a measly 20 treadwear.

You listening Bill? ;)

[JEFFTATE]

Goodguys is 180 TW.. the RTTH folks should carry the same standard so that people don't end up having to buy new tires over a measly 20 treadwear.

You listening Bill? ;)

Oh, thanks Steve.
I thought Goodguys was 200 also.
Now I've got more info to work with.