evilsunburst

I've been lurking on several forums for a while now. Even though I've seen many discussions on this topic, I'd appreciate MT opinions on all five tires which seem to meet the criteria for street performance with 14 inch rims. I know there are many more choices with 15s, but I'm sticking with my 14x7 28mm RPF1s. Shaikh tuned the FCMs to the light unsprung weight with 425/300 coilovers, and I love the feel. Tried my old Daisys with Sumitomo All Season 185/60 14 this winter, and the ride sucks. Only a few pounds more, but bumps feel like sledgehammers to me.

Problem, of course, is performance tire choices. I know I could switch to 15s, but I want the 14s. Here is how I see the choices, and I'd appreciate input. 92 NA is a daily driver. Once a month I go for "spirited" (read "aggressive") runs with a group of fast drivers. Track days 4-5 times a year. Not worried about noise, ride quality, or tire wear.

Direzza ZII, 185/60. Stretched a lot on 7" rims. The lightest possible combination, but it just doesn't look right to me. Will ignore the look if it works the best. Function>Form

Falken 615k, 195/60. Wider, not so stretched. However, looks too tall to me. Diameter more than stock, might be less "lively" feel than lighter smaller ZII.

Nitto NT01, 205/55. Best look as far as size goes. Diameter is same as stock. Light weight. Great stickiness, obviously with R compound. Not so great in rain, maybe. High wear? Heat cycle?

Toyo R888 205/55. Similar to NT01 in many ways. Same advantages, same problems?

Toyo R888 225/50. Meaty. Wide. Maybe too wide for 7" rim. Should be crazy sticky, though. Prone to chunking in heat? Will it work OK on track, or is it just too wide?

Any other ideas? Summer's coming and I want to be ready for the next run!

ahlun

I find 615ks wear out very quickly. Weak side walls as well.

Hear the NT01s are great and best bang for the buck; will be getting these myself for the summer.

rikaro

If noise, ride quality, or tire wear are not an issue, I'll personally stick to r comps.

If it doesn't rain a lot I'll go for nt01, r888 if it rains occasionally.

The biggest problem using r comp is the chance of getting them hard (no homo) before it wears? I don't live in an area with hot weather so may be people who lives in the same climate as you would be better help.

I'm in the northwest so ideally the zii is what I would go for. I'm currently on star specs and am doing hell of a good job in both wet and dry.

evilsunburst

I agree on the ZII for sure if I had 15s. Problem is the ZII in 14 is 185/60, narrower and taller than I would like. Used to have Toyo T1R in 195/55, the perfect size for a 14x7 rim in my opinion, but they are no longer available. Also wasn't really happy with the grip - I think they were tread wear 300 or so.

rikaro

hmm I don't think the size would be a problem. Some of the miata guys in japan run on a 14x.6.5 or 14x7 with 185/60/14

evilsunburst

Yea, I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem but they really do seem "overstretched" to me. Would still look better that the all-seasons I have now.

etikoner

iTrader: (1)

Azenis are fine for daily driving/ occasional spirited runs. They're heavy though (around 28lbs on my +19 rpf1) I love the look and tall side wall though, the ride is nice and the tires have enough grip for me.

I'd love a set of star specs, but I don't like the tiny sidewall on 14" wheels.

R888s look so cool, but they'd mostly be a waste unless you track them.

imo just stick with dunlops.

Seefo

iTrader: (5)

I would say run the NT-01s on track/whatever spirited driving you do. Otherwise, get something cheaper and longer lived for daily driving.

silvermazda

iTrader: (1)

THis is what's keeping me from going to the 14" rpf1's. too serious tires or too lousy. I was going to use 195/45 to zip from one side of town to the other. But I guess everything is discontinued. Boooo

evilsunburst

Agreed on choices, but the 14" looks so good and is so light I'm willing to accept the tire compromise. Still haven't pulled the trigger but it will be the 205/55 R-comp. Too serious? Looks awesome, performs great and acceptable compromise for me. Just zipping across town a few times? Why worry about tire wear?

2ndGearRubber

185mm is 7.2 inches. Ill be running the ZII in Street Tire ES at the next event.


I wouldn't even consider anything else on that list. The old star-spec was THE 14 inch tire; I'm waiting to be very impressed by the ZIIs.