I'm looking for a performance street tire in size 255/50/16. I would prefer for it to be Z rated. Flat out, which is best?

You won't find too many tires in that size now, 245-50-16 has many times more choices.

Fulda makes them. Its what I have except I've got 245s but we have some 255s that I'm about to snag.

Fulda Extremo (Its a German tire)
Treadwear: 180 (very sticky tires)
Traction: A
temp: A

you have much more choices in 245/50-16

there is no "best" tire for everything, so you'll have to be more specific.

are you asking for the best dry grip, with zero regard to life, wet grip or cost?

i think that would be a toss up between pirelli, dunlop and goodyear...

but i wouldnt consider them the BEST because to me, cost, wet traction and life are factors too...

From the tire rack, you'll have 13 chioces, not so limited.
All are ZR speed rated or greater.

Yokohama A032R
Hoosier R3S04
Hoosier R3S03
Hoosier A3S04
Hoosier R3S03
Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Asymmetrical
Sumitomo HTR Z
Kumho ECSTA Supra 712
Goodyear Eagle HP Ultra Plus
Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP
Dunlop SP Sport 8000
Michelin Pilot SX MXX3
Michelin Pilot Sport

Nobody likes the Nitto 555R's? They come in 245/50/Z16's

Eldorado HPZ 760 255/50R16W

WWW.ELDORADOTIRE.COM

Nitto 555's are really drag radials not really great street tires, but if you need those to hook then it's probably a great option, but for everyday driving.... i dont know

Firestone Firehawk SZ50ep's definatly or Bridgestone Pole Position S03's if they come in that size

I was looking at the BFGoodrich Comp TA ZRs. Are they any good? They come in 255/50/16 and the tread pattern is pretty attractive, plus they are z rated.

Also looking at these dunlops. Are they any good?
http://tires2.digiknow.com/dunlop/di...ea=Performance

I wished BF Goodrich made G-force KDW size 255/50/ZR16.

I have never owned them, but I have heard that the Michelin Pilot Sports are pretty nice for street tires.

I have Kuhmo Ecsta 712s right now and they are alright.... Kind of hard when cold and they get pretty greasy when they get hot, but they are pretty cheap too....

As for the track, the Hoosier R3S03s would be the way to go.

The Michelin Pilot Sports are great tires but so damn expensive

I love mine! Check out my Signature block below!!!

$1,100.32 for Michelin Pilot Sports shipped to my door. :lala: those are the 255/50/16's
$560.00 for Nitto555R's shipped to my door. :lala: those are the 245/50/16's.

Only bad thing is that the Nittos maybe last for 10,000 miles.

I really like the Sumitomo's, the BFG G-force KDW, and the Dunlop sport series. But they are all 245/50/16

I paid $84 a piece for my Kuhmo's!!!

After looking at all of my choices for 255/50/16's I think I'm gonna go with the Dunlop Sport 8000 tires. There is no way in hell I am going to pay almost $300 for a tire. What do you guys think about my choice?

bfg comp t/a ZR...255/50zr/16..had them...loved them.but i moved on to 17in and now i have some kd's. i wish they made kd's in 255/50/16. but those comp t/a zr's are great i think.i am going with those if i ever find some 16 wheels i like that are not to pricey.

keene

where did you buy them and how much? I can't find anywhere that has them or even any info on prices.

I will be buying the Kumho 712s in the next few weeks...

Good choice. I love mine, and you can't beat the price!

Oh I like mine too, and agreed on the price .

But do be careful if you run them on the track.... When you get them hot, they get really greasy and there is little transition from the normal feel to that "wow, am I driving on ice here or what????" feel. I got compliments on my driving when I was pushing them a little too hard - or more like compliments on my ability to keep the car from swapping ends, mostly on the hardball, and in front of some cars that are far more capable than mine .

I had the sp8000's on my stock rim's, I was very impressed with them!!

I was in pep boys yesterday and kinda wandered into the back where they keep the tires and I saw a set of 255/50/16's back there. Looked really wide so i think i might try em out. I had them in the 245's but they wore out kinda quick.

Ok...I'll bite. What do you mean "they looked wide" ? Compared to what? All 245/255 tires I have seen on a 16 inch rim look about the same. Were these Futura tires?

My brother has 255/50/16 Futura Ultra Z tires on his 91z28 and with a dead posi he can still hook a 2.0 60' with very little if any burnout. these are off the self at your local pepboys.

Do not buy the Futura's. Pep Boys blows.

While I am moved by your conclusion...I need more in terms of the actual argument

Why? Specifics?

I agree with matt. I own the Kumho Supra 712's 255/50/ZR16's and they are great when driving normal but at the track, when you get them real hot, they suck. And that great tire feeling doesn't last long on the road either. But for what they do for how long they do it, its a good tire for that price. I had them shipped to my door for 372.00 at tirerack.com

Let me be more direct...

WHY DOES PEP BOYS/FUTURAS SUCK?

Thanks,

i am sure summit can get them, or sears, tire rack....anyone who sells bfg. i cant remember the price....alot cheaper than kd i know that.

keene

check out the bfg web site thay have all kinds of info

BFG G-Force Comp-TA KDWS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would have to disagree...I had a set on a 95 Talon turbo AWD...and the grip was ok, but they had a short tread life (around 25K)...they would be an ok winter tire (as the S in KDWS means). But certainly not for summer performance...

Which BFG G-Force Comp-TA did you have on the Talon? The KDW or the KDWS? Both are ZR rated but the KDW has the better looking thread pattern. I have the KDW and during the 4 years I've had them. I finally just replaced the 2 front tires w/KDW last month.

I have the KDWS and they suck! At the track I wasn't able to get any better than a 2.1 60. They're good for all season, but not exactly a "performance" tire. Besides, they don't come in 255 anyways.

I have them on the Formula I bought (prev owner put them on) and they seem just fine, handle about the same as the gatorbacks that came on my car from the factory.

which Futura tires do you have on the bird, are they the Super Sport GLS tires, Ultra-z's, touring HR, 2000 LTE's or the Touring Plus SE's ?

the best ive seen are the Ultra-Z all the others suck for traction expectially at the track, i could never hook good at all with the Super Sport GLS's.

do you have a reason why the blow?

Not sure which ones they are, I'm thinking Ultra Z, but I am probably wrong. I'll look tomorrow.

I had the KDWS on my car...the tread pattern was average and I bought them because I live in MN and the car was a daily driver. I thought I should have better grip with an AWD car...I have a friend with a WRX and a WRX STI for comparison...

Right there is ur reason. There "performance" tire is no better then the stock tires from the factory. I had the futras from pepboys, along with a horrible experince with their auto dept. (fat f-cks broke my seat and acted like nothing was wrong when they gave it to me). I was getting 2.4-2.6 60ft times at the track with the Futras and then I switched to Kumho's and it went down to a best of 1.9 and then average is between 1.9-2.1 60ft times for 84 bucks a tire at 255/50/ZR16's compared to what pep boys give u then yeah, their tires blow for a PERFORMANCE tire, which they say it is, when it isn't. thats why they blow and never shop at pep boys.

The Kumhos were good when I first got them but after the tires started to wear just a little, they stopped being as "sticky" as they used to be. Now they just make good street tires, not performance tires. But they were good while they lasted. lol

sounds like you just didnt have any good luck with them. for some reason my brother pulls 2.0 60' times at the track with these. my futura tires cant do anything better then a 2.3

any one have any input on dry autocross type tires for running the street track? in a 245 size ?

They aren't a "performance" tire by today's standards, neither are the old gatorbacks but the Futura's cost one hell of a lot less than Goodyears for the same ride and performance.

I think the traction with the futuras were almost just as good as my BF goodrich's. Like i said before they wear very fast though, and are sucky in the weather. But other than that I think they are well worth the 100 dollar price tag. My 2 cents

So, were not looking anymore for the best 255/50/16ZR tire anymore, were lookin for the ****ty, ok performance tire of "yesterday"? No, I dont think so. Thats why I am saying Futuras and Pep Boys blow when it comes to performance tires even in today's world. Why are u making excuses for them anyways? You own stock in them or somethin or do u just have a set and are tryin to coup with it like I once did?

WOW sounds like someone's panties are in a bunch.

dude chill the hell out, this post is about performance tires. obviusly you DID NOT have good luck with the futura's and went and spend a few extra bucks for better tires.

i work for the stupid company and thats why im sayin a few things here. the only "performance tire" we car is the Ultra-Z, we also carry Ventus tires which are like the Ultra-Z's but directional and much more expensive ( i think).

also if you notice how many differnt tires have been listed, you'll see how many differnt people these tires have worked best for, not all the tires will work best, just comes down to money and what you choose.

As far as a good autocross tire Ive Heard that falken azenis sport will corner so hard it will make your ears bleed. No that being said from a autocross/rally SCCA buddy of mine. Hes into imports and says that with them tires and some heat in them they will lift the inside rear tire off the pavement in steep corner. They are limited in sizing but come in a 245-45-17 from http://victoriatire.com for 110 dollars. they are soft and may get 12,000miles out of them.
I would like them on set of chrome iroc 17". for summer only and he says are not that bad in the rain.
I am not a tire expert but a i work at a tire store and try to find out about the good stuff everyday.
I also want a set of Continental Extreme contacts on my 16's now but when i bought my new BFG Traction t/a's the conti's wernt in stock. But I wanted my tires that day.
I like the ones i got but the tread pattern and sidewall look so cool on the Exreme.
My boss with a 97 c-5 says the Michelin Pilot sport A/S are little soft capared to Goodyear F-1s on the back but he has to have run flats. And i think hes buying new rears soon hes are bald.
But mine would be to if i had a 6-speed and 300hp at wheels or so.

any one know of using the Pirelli Pzero Corsa wheels?? and how they compair to the other track tires?

You should find a different place to work because they suck. Find a job at a performance shop instead of a wannabee autoparts store with a horrible tech service.