Need Tire Recommendation

[sickhonda]

I'm about to upgrade my '91 Honda Accord SE with new Chrome Wheels/Rims and know exactly which type to get. What I'm not sure of is the correct tires. I'm getting a 16" Rims, so not to go over board, and not sacrifice my riding comfort. All companies I approached, suggested the size 205/50-16 for my car application, but when it comes to tires they all differ from each other. Some suggested Falken, some Kumho but I'm leaning towards Sumitomo HTR Z2. I need tires that will perform to full potential, like very good traction on wet and dry surface. The most important is great traction on snow covered roads (being a New Yorker/currently residing at Pocono, PA.) It seems that all tires listed above are for performance and dedicated summer tires only, not for all season type. Anyone out there that can recommend the correct tires for me? Good TRACTION on wet, dry and snowy condition, still provides a QUIET ride and comfort.

[Dezoris]

Well IMO in the world of tires having the best of all worlds is not possible, due to physics, tread design, and rubber compounds, what is good for one condition is not for another in all cases.

So all we can do is point you in two directions.

1.)Summer Tire/Winter tire setups (best option if you have two sets of rims)

2.)Performance all season tire (winter performance will be iffy)

You already pointed out a great all season performance tire, but don't expect good snow traction, it just is not going to happen.

The other option is the Potenza RE950, great for wet, good for dry, and average in snow.

If you want great snow performance you are going to make dry grip suffer.

[CivicSiRacer]

Originally posted by Dezoris
Well IMO in the world of tires having the best of all worlds is not possible, due to physics, tread design, and rubber compounds, what is good for one condition is not for another in all cases.

So all we can do is point you in two directions.

1.)Summer Tire/Winter tire setups (best option if you have two sets of rims)

2.)Performance all season tire (winter performance will be iffy)

You already pointed out a great all season performance tire, but don't expect good snow traction, it just is not going to happen.

The other option is the Potenza RE950, great for wet, good for dry, and average in snow.

If you want great snow performance you are going to make dry grip suffer.

BFG has the KDWS which is Dry, wet, snow. I know people running this on their cars with some nice results.

[SilverY2KCivic]

I'd say go with the Potenza RE950's. I have personally tested a car with them mainly for wet handling performance, and those to me are tires that are at the peak of their league. They are supposedly pretty decent everyday (dry use) performance tires as well. I couldn't tell you how they'd do in snow though...

[sickhonda]

Originally posted by SilverY2KCivic
I'd say go with the Potenza RE950's. I have personally tested a car with them mainly for wet handling performance, and those to me are tires that are at the peak of their league. They are supposedly pretty decent everyday (dry use) performance tires as well. I couldn't tell you how they'd do in snow though...

Thanks for the recommendation, thought I have my problem solved, but unfortunately Bridgestone Potenza RE950 or the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDWS are not available for my size application (205/50-16.) What do you guys think of Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position? Any idea how the ride is (wet, dry,snow traction, noise level, and comfort?)

[Luke@tirerack]

The S-03 Pole Position is the best performance tire on the market but it is ABSOLUTELY USELESS IN THE SNOW. They are summer performance tires designed to offer the ultimate grip in the dry or wet at warmer temps.
For all-season performance tires here is a short list of the best performers (in order of performance)

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
Dunlop Sport 5000
Yokohama AVS DB
BFG G-Force KDWS

The RE950 mentioned earlier is in the High performance All-season catagory and the tires I mentioned are in the Ultra-high Performance catagory so, it will not perform as well as the ones on the "short list" I supplied

[sickhonda]

Originally posted by Luke@tirerack
The S-03 Pole Position is the best performance tire on the market but it is ABSOLUTELY USELESS IN THE SNOW. They are summer performance tires designed to offer the ultimate grip in the dry or wet at warmer temps.
For all-season performance tires here is a short list of the best performers (in order of performance)

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
Dunlop Sport 5000
Yokohama AVS DB
BFG G-Force KDWS

The RE950 mentioned earlier is in the High performance All-season catagory and the tires I mentioned are in the Ultra-high Performance catagory so, it will not perform as well as the ones on the "short list" I supplied

Luke,
It's your website (www.tirerack.com) that recommended the tire size 205/50-16 for my car application ('91 Honda Accord SE) and none of the tires you mentioned above carry this size. They do have 205/55-16...will this be another size option? Will the size clear my fender wheel well or the upper control arms, when turning and hitting occasional bumps, a normal road condition in some area here in Pocono, PA? I commute to New York City in a daily basis, that's a little over 2 hours one way. Now you understand why I'm looking for a good snow traction tires and still provide a quiet and good riding comfort.

[Luke@tirerack]

considering everything you mentioned you would be much better off using your 16" chrome wheels for the warmer months and getter either 14" or 15" steel wheels and dedicated winter tires for the cold months. This combo would offer you the best traction in all conditions and would be the safest for winter snow driving. Steel wheels only cost about $30-$40 each so you could easily have a set with winter tires on your car for $400.00 or less. If you must use an all-season tire get the P7000 Super Sport from Pirelli. I do not like this tire because of the noise levels it produces but, it is your only decent choice