BFG G-Force KDW
BFG G-Force Sport
Yokohama AVS ES 100
Dunlop SP 8000
Bridgestone Potenza RE750


All I care about is DRY traction and money. Never drive in the rain.

Also, now that i'm shopping for 245/50-16's, I can't even believe how few tires area availiable! Crazy that what used to be a "huge" tire (back in 'the '80's) is now too small to be considered for Ultra High performance.

-Tom

 

Yeah, all the Bling-Bling Knuckleheads going for the extremely short sidewall 17-18-19-20+ tires and wheels are really hurting all us Gearheads....

 

c'mon. Anyone used any of these tires or know how they compare?? Someone must...

 

Are you looking for personal opinion or hard scientific facts?

For scientific data, consult the UTQG ratings. All of the tires except the Dunlop 8000's have AA dry traction ratings.

My personal opinion given those choices for tires would be the RE750's. If you are on a budget (which you said you were), then go with the Yokohama's.

 

Thank you. Yes I am on a budget, but I'm not poor. What I mean by that is, if there is a significant and tangable benefit of a $150 tire over a $100 tire, I will buy the better tire. I autox and drag race, but I'm primarily interested in the autox performance. Tire life is not a concern w/in reason....I'm not going to be running DOT race tires on the road, but I only put about 2k miles on the car a year.

-Tom

 

I don’t know what “scientific data” youre hoping to get out of the UTQG ratings, they are just like any other mandated test… they test for very limited range of things that are not a great representation of what will happen in real life. I’ve gotten roughly similar mileage out of a set of tires that were rated 50 as another set that were rated 350 for treadlife, on the same car, same use… the traction ratings are just a measurement of their stopping ability under very specific conditions, have nothing to do with actual handling or acceleration.

 

^ I agree.

So yes, I am looking for personal opinions. Thanks again...

-Tom

 

Well, I just put a set of BFG-KDW's on my car after running a set of KDWS's into the ground. The KDWS's were good, so I expect the KDW's to be even better.

No real mileage on the KDW's yet, but I will be auto-xing them on Sunday.

As far as serious try traction with no concern for wet traction — I'd step up the BFG-KD's and be done.

 

With onlly driving about 2k a year I would highly recommend a set of Toyo RA-1's in a 255/50-16 (they do not make a 245/50-16).
The 255's are 26" tall where the 245's are 25.7". That makes for only a .15" higher ride height.

The 255's are made for an 8" wide rim and are 10.4" section width.

They have a 100 treadwear rating which will give you about 10,000 miles wear in moderate temperature and moderate driving on a 3rdgen.
A 220 TW will give about 20,000 and a 280 will give about 25,000 from my experience with tires on my 3rd gen. If you race them of course they will wear quicker.

 

Sorry, I never realized that the UTBQ traction test was mearly a measure of the tire's wet coefficient of friction with an asphalt surface during braking. I agree that it is a poor indicator of a tire's handling characteristics, dry or otherwaise. Overall, it seems the UTBQ ratings as almost worthless for comparing tires. I just learned something new for the day. Thanks.

 

these are the dry traction tires that I have driven with
Nitto 555RII
BFG G-Force KD
Both are very good, Nitto is the better of the two, but doesn't last as long but is cheaper than the KD.
If you don't drive in the wet, I'd recommend either.

EDIT: just saw your tire size, so scratch the Nittos, and I think the KD's as well.
KDW is your best bet, had a few sets of those and was very impressed, had the 245/50/16 and the 275/40/17.

 

So the nittos are a good handling tire? I'm looking for new tires for my C5 wheels 17x8.5 and 18x9.5. I was thinking either the Kumho MX's, the KWD's or some nittos. I am looking for the best handling tire, but would also like decent tire wear.

I only drive 1000 miles a year with 6 or so auto-X events.

What would be the best handling dot street tire, that will last a couple years of abuse?

 

For your C5 wheels, I would go with the Nitto 555RII's since you are only doing about 1000 miles/year and auto-x, miight as well get the best tire for the application.
These should last you at least 2 years.
I've got about 5000 miles on mine and 2 auto-x events and the fronts still have a lot of tread and the rears are about half way down.

There are drawbacks to these tires, the main one is the ride. Since it has sidewall stiffening, the ride is a rougher than a regular tire, it doesn't bother me since I like the cornering traction that the tire offers. surpisingly, they also feel pretty good in the rain.

 

I had some sp 8000's I didn't really like them compared to the bridgestone s02's I was coming from they really sucked

isn't the bfg g-force sport geared more for the import cars?

I go with the kdw's

 

I would but you can't get the KD in a 245 (or 255)/50-16.

Zephyr, I don't have C5 rims. I have stock, 16"x8" Iroc rims. Do you still stand by your recomondation?

Over all, it looks like the KDW is getting the nod. I sure WISH I coudl get the KD in a 245/50-16!

 

KDW for your wheels. I was posting to the guy above my last post with the C5 wheels.