I've "narrowed" my selection down to:

Sumitomo HRT Z III UTQ 300-ish $120/ea installed
Kumho SPT UTQ wayy the hell up there $118 installed
Kumho MX UTQ 220 $145 installed
Toyo T1R UTQ 280 $156 installed

please don't suggest any more... i've been mulling this for a week. I can get the Azenis for ~$125, but i ruled 'em out (just like i ruled out Bridgestone RE050) cuz of "fake" 200 UTQ. yes, i want performance, but i'd like a bit of longevity too... (which... i think applies to sex as well?)

 

KhumoMX

 

out of those i can only say that the MX is decent, doesnt mean the rest is not, i just dont have any hands on experience
id say go with the MX

 

What size are you buying in, those are expensive tires.

 

255/40/17

a $100 tire (Sumi HTR Z3) outruns a $200 tire (Bridgestone RE050, onsale for $150):
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...irePageLocQty=



FRICK! i gotta order the tires by 3pm Pacific to get the tires by t'row. ugh!

 

I dont know but I urge you to consider the Bridgestones REo1rs.
I know 200tw blabla, but I shaved mine for autocross to 3/32 and they still last more than 120runs. The Azenis didnt last a lot more than 100 runs (and they were not even shaved). The Bridgestones are just amazing, there is nothing street legal that can even come close to their performance. Trust me, you wont regret it. I talked to a guy from the tire rack that used Reo1rs and his pontiac solstice and they lasted him 12000 miles, being abused every day + 3 track days.

 

mx or t1r. MX will last significantly longer.

 

I install tires for a living. I run Toyo T1R and I love them. They have the best build quality out of your choices. They are not molded like a clam shell, but rather in sections. They also always have the yellow valve stem dot for the best balance.

We refer to the other options as low level. Meaning we get alot of them coming back for sidewall problems, chopping or premature wear.

I personally have never used any of your choices but the Toyo, so my opinion isn't the greatest. For all I know the people who come to us are shitty drivers. Just letting you know what I see on average.

 

thanks a LOT! guys.

my gut instinct was to go w/ the MX cuz of tire wear vs weight.

however, i just talk to my tire hookup and he gave me a KILLER friggin bargain on the HTR Z3 (a really new tire, hasn't been out for 6 months, etc.). they weigh the same as the MX and performed better than the RE050s which should make 'em basically the same as the MX, at 75% the price and (relatively) 50% more tread life.

Out the door installed (cash n carry) price: $110, that's right, cheaper than Tire Rack.

SoCal guys, if you want a tire hook up, PLEASE call these guys in San Gabriel:
Donald / Central Tire
626 - 698 - 1182
5132 Walnut Grove
San Gabriel, CA
open Saturdays.
Falken/Sumi/Kumho/Toyo
tell 'em Tony w/ the s2k referred you.

across these 4 brands, they easily beat Tire Rack & Edge, etc.

 

Discount tire/(americas tire in some parts of cali,oregon,and washington) Will beat any price on any tire of the same quality. Plus you get all the great service and 700 locations accrossed the united states.

 

^ not even close.

my local Chinaman hookup OWNED Discount Tires. Discount tires always talk isht like: bring in the price, we're "match it". bitches, just OFFER ME THE BEST PRICE on the first go around.

and they want a grip just to mount / balance. no thanks.

 

95 percent of the time we are the cheapest but if you happen to find a cheaper price we'll beat it not match it.

"and they want a grip just to mount / balance. no thanks" What???

 

well walmart guarantees the lowest price, but that doesn't mean they're going to sell it for the lowest price or they'd be making less money. You tell them you saw it for sale at so and so somewhere and they bring out a 5" binder full of adds and beat the price.

 

lets us know how those tires hold up.. and snap some pics

 

Dude, the proper nomenclature is asian american, please.




if you don't get it, check Big Lebowski