Need tire advice. You guys are the ones to ask...

[charlie]

Alright, I've had the same shitty Continental all-seasons since I bought the car. I had been planning just to move up to 18's but more important things came along. But,...now my tires are getting pretty low and it's definitely time for some new shoes. I don't want to be stranded on my long drive to Chi-town. Things that I need to consider...

1. I don't drift. (unless of course, it's a shopping cart or wheelbarrow)
2. I like to drive "spiritedly" from time to time.
3. I'm about to install Tein Flex Coilovers.
4. I'm about to move to Chicago where there's tons of snow and slush.
5. I need to keep my total cost (install, tax, etc.) below 6 bills.


The tire size is 215/45/17.

With all that in mind, I have a few finalists. Feedback?


1. Toyo Proxes 4



2. Falken Ziex ZE-512



3. Toyo Proxes T1-S



4. Falken GRB FK-451




These are just a couple that I have picked out. The last two aren't really very practical since they're summer tires but they are reasonably priced and I always have AWD helping out with the traction in the snow. They also both have lower treadwear ratings. Remember though, playing in the snow is fun when it happens once every five years in Georgia, but on the way to work every day in Chicago, probably not so much.

I also still don't know where I'm going to get them, so any vendor recommendations would be cool. I will most definitely appreciate any input. I'm probably gonna make this happen in the next week or so.

Thanks guys!

[Guhgtard]

Proxes 4 is a good all around tire. the T1R is an awesome tire, that's what I'm running, good in the rain and excellent in the dry. the Falken will get loud on you as it wears, good luck finding T1-Ss. 215 is a little short too, you should run a 225/45/17

[revel]

avoid toyo proxes like the bubonic plaque. worst tires i have ever had.

yokohama avid h4s all seasons, but still lots of fun to drive on.

[darkducati]

Falken and Toyo both make good tires. Be careful about summer tires though. I have the Kumho Ecsta MX on the RX8 and they are terrible under 50 degrees. They handle just fine when they're warmed up but they flatspot over night and it feels like you're driving on squares for about 20 minutes. Go with an all season and you'll be fine.

[andysapp]

I used to have a set of SP Sport Maxx's on my car (pre-sponsorship), and really liked them. I had these when I used to just drive in a spirited fashion, and not get (too) crazy in the e46. They lasted a good while. I'm not sure how they would perform in the snow... but they get my reccommendation.

[slidewaysgolf]

I use to use the Falken Ziex's on my car for street tiers, they do good in the rain to, not so hot at the outoX but good steet tiers. AVS's are also great tiers for snow/rain/dirt/dry, not to good wear but not bad either.

[K-groove]

I have the falken fk451's. Great tire, but like Greg said they are very loud. I've put about 15k miles on them and they have about 50% tread left which is really good considering how I drive.

[Silonius]

I have the Ziex on my Focus right now. They're grippy enough for "spirited" driving and have a nice gradual loss of traction. And they're okay in the rain.

Snow? WTF is that?