The ES100 seems to be a popular 'budget' tire. And I have been fairly happy with mine... but they are coming due for replacement and I'm looking for the something a little stickier without breaking the bank. (under $150 per tire)


Toyo T1s?

Falken Azenis Sports?

Goodyear F1 GSD3? (though this one might be pushing the price a bit)

Other suggestions?

 

I suggest looking into Kumho MX tires. They can be had for well under $150 per tire at Tirerack and offers great dry weather grip w/ above average wet weather handling.

-Soren

 

The reviews on the Kuhmo's seem to be all over the map... mostly good though. Andthe price seems about right. Some say they are very noisy? While that isn't a primary concern, it would count against them... any other comments? Anyone else replace ES100's with something better?

 

Maybe Falken Azenis ST115 or Falken FK451?

The Azenis Sports are living hell in the rain... at least, that's the general consensus.

 

Toyo T1s or the Kumho MX

 

yeah, the Kumho MXs are a good choice. AA traction rating! Very good in rain, all the dry grip you want. Very similar tread design to SO-3s. MXs may be a poor man's SO-3, or maybe the SO-3s are a fool's MXs? =)

I've had MXs for 4K miles and still find them a kick to drive. Not designed to do snow, ever. A little noisey at all speeds, most noticably at 35-50 MPH... go faster than that and you won't hear them over the WRX wind and engine noise. A little noise is no biggie to me, besides a lot of the max performance tires make some noise... just comes with the territory. I run them at 38 front and 36 rear PSI cold right now.

 

check out the Avon Tech M500 ..... alot more tire for about the same $$$

 

Luke, could you tell me more about those tires please? Or maybe a URL? Thank ya!

 

I had a really bad experience with Falken 451's, but those were OEM sized 16's. they had good grip, but the feel was screwy. and they wore out in under 20,000 miles. i had pretty much decided against falkens after that...

then, i got a good deal on a used set of 17's with some falken ST-115's. some say they are only decent, i love em. grip is extremely good, and they are very progressive at their limit. the previous owner put something like 5000 miles and 1 track day on them and the tread looked good when i picked em up.

edit: they rock in the rain too.