Best bang/for buck (Autocrosser who has to live with the tires he buys.)

[shorthand]

I'm going to need a new set in a month or two. See below for car and mods.

I run the Si Rims, and intend to Run 205/50R15's on them.

I am basically down to two cost-effective options:

- Kumho Ecsta Supra 712
- Falken Azenis RS

The Kumho's should perform well in the wet, be relatively quite by many reports, and generally be easy to live with while holding their own on the autocross course.

The Azenis are reportedly awesome in the dry, but are likely to not live up to their 200 treadwear rating and may be loud and may hydroplane easily.

Cost is an issue here, and I realize that we're talking about cost/mile.

I have three questions, and I know that since Luke doesn't carry the Falkens, he won't be able to answer all of these.

1) How hard are the Azenis to live with? How do they do in the wet? How loud are they?

2) Is there a difference in grip between the V and Z rated 712's? I notice that the Z rated have a UTQG treadwear of 280 compared to 340. Is the compound softer and grippier? If so, how much?

3) Is the price difference worth it to go for the Azenis? Though they aren't as expensive as the name-brand ultra performance tires (Bridgestone S-03's for example), the effective cost/mile is still twice that of the V rated 712's.

I am eager to hear any other suggestions you may have.

[Luke@tirerack]

You will be thoroughly disappointed in the autocross performanc eof the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's. You might want to consider the Potenza RE73 or the Sumitomo HTR ZII's

[shorthand]

Any comments on the livability of the tires you listed, Luke?

One last question: Will I actually gain anything by going to 205's over the 195's or will the contact patch be the same size on both?

[Luke@tirerack]

I ran the HTR ZII's on my car for a couple of years with quite a few trips to the track ..... I liked them for about 35,000 miles

[shorthand]

Luke,
Its too bad that Sumitomo doesn't make the HTR Z II for my 15" rims. Any impressions on the HTR Z? It looks like a very loud tread pattern. I certainly hope to see TireRack carry the Falkens at some point in the future.

[mantic6t9]

I'm wondering the same thing. I've droped the kuhmo 712 off my list and now am down to the bridgstone SO3s and sumitomo HTR 200s. I need good tread life out of them. I looked at the reviews on tirerack and it seemed to perform fairly well. I need 195/50/15 and you have them for $44 each seems good to me but are they as good as the review says on the website?

[Tomhonda]

I'm in the same position but with 16s, here are my final 3 let me know which one I should go with guys

Sumitomo
HTR Z
Size:225/50WR16

Dunlop
SP Sport 8000
Size:225/50ZR16

Bridgestone
Potenza RE730
Size:225/50ZR16

All from tirerack.com.