Rubber Thread

[blackwidow_dc]

Okay guys... tomorrow maybe rim buying day... may not be... either way i will be buying rims soon. Im looking for some good summer tires.

top two qualities

good in the rain
longer lifetime- im staggering so there will be no rotation...

[VeedUp]

I like the Kuhmos, I think they're excellent rain tires and they work well for me, and they are cheap, wait thats a bad word to use, they are less expensive, that sounds better. Just my opinion. If I could afford BF Goodrich g-force street radials I would use those instead, but I can't afford so never had any so really can't say.

[blackwidow_dc]

PJ has told me that the 712s are good. and the pricing seems decent too..


Im looking at skinning 2 18x8 and 2 18x9
anyone good with tire sizes?

[VeedUp]

yeah the 712s are the best bang for the buck I think.

[DuffMan]

https://www.condoms.co.uk/acatalog/Trojan-Magnum-XL.jpg

[v-dub mikey]

http://www.condomhall-condoms.org/durexenhancedpleasure.gif
maybe slippery when wet.

[DigitalGulby]

W-compound tires are pretty damn good... I have the Sumitomo HTR-Zii and they have lasted A LOT longer than my Kumhos (Ecsta 712 Supra). The 712s are grippier and stickier but the HTR-Zii's have served MUCH longer than I would expect them to and they perform quite well.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/579000-579999/579989_14_full.jpg
Here they are:

[v-dub mikey]

http://www.eclubvw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1123&stc=1
Dunlop FM901 sport V-rated from shayne.

[1sikJetta]

i'd recommend kuhmo, dunlop, or sumitono if you're trying to get decent tires without spending a fortune. im also most likely going with either the kuhmo 712s or MXs or the sumitonos pictured above. definately stay away from pirelli and bridgestone if you need something long lasting. great performers but way to soft if you want durability

[BRM10984]

[QUOTE=1sikJetta]i'd recommend kuhmo, dunlop, or sumitono if you're trying to get decent tires without spending a fortune. im also most likely going with either the kuhmo 712s or MXs or the sumitonos pictured above. definately stay away from pirelli and bridgestone if you need something long lasting. great performers but way to soft if you want durability[/QUOTE]

Please. Pirelli PZero Nero M+S are some of the longest-lasting high-performance tires that are good for all seasons, as long as the winters aren't too bad.

Both those and the Continental ContiExtreme Contact are damn good for what you pay. I'm not sure if you'll be able to find your sizes or not, though, and at least one of the two is almost guaranteed to be on international backorder since they're so damn good.

[1sikJetta]

have you actually used pzero neros? if you didn't realize it, I actually have them on my car. I also work for sears automotive and deal with MANY cars that have them. pzero neros were engineered to be performers as most pirellis tires are made. with a 220 treadwear rating, you really cant expect much of a life. they handle great as hell but i got ONE year and about 10k miles out of them. im still in college and for $120 a tire, I really need a little more life out them. I knew to expect a shorter life than the others but didn't expect it to be this low. after talking to other enthusiast(including vw owners), everyday drivers, and co-workers with past Pirelli experience, they've all had the same results: short life, awesome performance. if you don't believe me, ask any owners or go to a distributor's website like tire rack and read their reviews.

[simbone]

Speaking of tires, I just got a new set of Kumho MX's from the Tirerack today. 225 40 18's are $108 each. I usually get near 40,000 miles on them. This will be my third set. Haven't let me down yet. To me they are the best compromise in cost, performance, and wear. Decent in the rain and not too noisy for my liking.

For race rubber I'm going to try the Dunlop Sport Race. Putting them on this Friday for Sunday's Auto-X at the EVOP. If I don't like them, I'll save them for track days and get the Kumho Ecsta 700's again (they last a whole season).

[01wolfsburg]

[QUOTE=v-dub mikey]http://www.eclubvw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1123&stc=1
Dunlop FM901 sport V-rated from shayne.[/QUOTE]
dude do you have a side shot of those so i can se what they would look like on my car? also what size are they?

[1sikJetta]

yeah im really considering kuhmo mx's. i can get my size (215/40/17) for $87 each through my friend who has a commercial account with them. mount and balance free compliments of sears ;)

[BRM10984]

Nero and Nero M+S are two different tires, 1sik. In your initial post, you didn't specify what Pirelli, you just called out the entire Pirelli line. I was just setting things straight.

[BRM10984]

And the funny thing is, you mention TR's website w/ reviews. Well, the Nero M+S got rave reviews there...

If you bought just the Nero, you should have known that you were getting into a tire that wouldn't last long. It doesn't have a very high UTQG rating (treadwear). At 220, you can't expect much more than a couple times around the block. The M+S, with a 400, however, should show you a good 30k-40k miles depending on your driving habits and style.

[bigcfrmcinci]

it had one of the best ratings for treadwear I think..the Nero M+S that is.

[BRM10984]

Yep, right in front of the Continental ContiExtreme Contact.

I'd know- I researched tires for damn near six months before buying.

[runawayroger]

My OEM Dunlop SP 8000E tires lasted a long time and did well in the rain. I like my Toyo Proxes T1-s, which also did well in the rain, perhaps because they were a little narrow..quite a bit when compared to my wide OEM Dunlops.

I'm currently using the Dunlop FM-901's that came on the rims I bought. Eh...they're good in the rain, and they seem to handle well, but I will replace them with a set to Toyos or Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3.

My tires are what keeps me from crashing when shit hits the fan, so I'm willing to spend extra to get a quality set that will perform when I need it. I'll take quality and grip over cheap any day of the week. That's just me.

[runawayroger]

here's a pic of the Nov 2003 issue of consumer reports. they did some tests of high perf tires:
http://www.eclubvw.com/gallery/albums/userpics/Consumer-Rpts-tires-001.jpg

[runawayroger]

as you might have noticed, the prices aren't accurate anymore.

[blackwidow_dc]

thanks for all the info. i have to order these tomorrow or friday...

anyone good with the sizes or should i just call tire rack?

[DigitalGulby]

I dont trust Consumer Reports for any worthy data. Just my .02 They just seem to me like the kind of people who don't even really like cars, they're just doing the story because boss said so.

For performance driving in any season, I would NOT recommend all season tires. Unless its all you can afford, it's just dumb. For the enthusiast driver, a set of winter and summer tires is great. You can get away with all seasons for the winter, in fact that's what I use, but I won't next year.

Summer tires make ALL the difference.

[blackwidow_dc]

bump cause i need some help

[v-dub mikey]

originally posted by 01wolfsburg
dude do you have a side shot of those so i can se what they would look like on my car? also what size are they?

We have the same car. 16's
http://www.eclubvw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1119&stc=1


sorry the beest I can do. check out tirerack or dunlop.com

[VeedUp]

I would go with 245/35-18 on rear, and 235/40-18 on front.

[blackwidow_dc]

the size wheelmax tried to sell me with the package was 235/40/18 fronts and 265/35/18 rears...

[VeedUp]

With suspension lowing a car I think 265s may rub, but if you can find someone already using them on the same rear setup, and it don't rub go for it, it will deff look tite from behind w/ 265s, just check for rubbing issues, esp with suspension.

[blackwidow_dc]

[QUOTE=VeedUp]With suspension lowing a car I think 265s may rub, but if you can find someone already using them on the same rear setup, and it don't rub go for it, it will deff look tite from behind w/ 265s, just check for rubbing issues, esp with suspension.[/QUOTE]


thanks for all your help :)

i have stock suspension right now and only plan to drop about an inch when i do... im thinking the 265s would protect the lip a little more...

[VeedUp]

Only dropping an inch should be ok w/265s.

[blackwidow_dc]

good deal thanks :)

[1sikJetta]

i'd be scared going that wide. you might rub all day. your much better going with a maximum of 245 and stretching them over the rim. just watch how u drive

[blackwidow_dc]

[QUOTE=1sikJetta]i'd be scared going that wide. you might rub all day. your much better going with a maximum of 245 and stretching them over the rim. just watch how u drive[/QUOTE]

definitely dont want to stretch. i love the look but in this area stretching isnt practical.... i mean how often do i talk about pot holes and bent rims?

[VeedUp]

Then meet in the middle with 255s instead.

[blackwidow_dc]

well the good news is i have a no questions asked road hazard warranty for replacement for a year on the rims...

[runawayroger]

265 sounds reaaaal wide.

[blackwidow_dc]

im now torn... im thinking 235/40/18 front and 245/40/18 rear... but im still a little worried about rubbing...

[1sikJetta]

i really couldn't help you there. its gonna be tight but i know the mk4 has a good amount of space inside its wheel wells. i hate to say it, but times like these call for vortex where there's a lot of experienced people who should be able to give you a definite answer.

(hopefully i dont get banned:blow: )

[blackwidow_dc]

[QUOTE=1sikJetta]i really couldn't help you there. its gonna be tight but i know the mk4 has a good amount of space inside its wheel wells. i hate to say it, but times like these call for vortex where there's a lot of experienced people who should be able to give you a definite answer.

(hopefully i dont get banned:blow: )[/QUOTE]

thanks for putting yourself out there with that...

i posted there this morning... ive gotten more help here than there :)
one post over there...

no one seems to understand that its gotta be practical not just look good... thats the problem over there....

i even tried SCR... still more help here than there...

thank you guys!

basically at this point im searching the web for someone with 18x9s on their ride with 245s. I found a passat set up that way... but no jettas...

[blackwidow_dc]

after nearly giving up i found some info. seems this is uncharted territory here... guess i will be a poster child :p

this is 225/40/18 on 18x8 front and 235/40/18 on 18x9 rear
he says he doesnt have any rubbing issues....

whatcha think?

[DragonEye]

:D

[blackwidow_dc]

i take it you think they look good?

[runawayroger]

that 235 looks pretty tight. I really think 265 is out of the question.

[1sikJetta]

paula remember it depends on the wheels offset too. any idea what that jetta is using?

[Veedub2.0T]

sweet

[blackwidow_dc]

think the are using a 30
im going to call and double check my offset tomorrow.

[blackwidow_dc]

just called.... my offset is 35...

[1sikJetta]

yeah we knew that already. your factory offset is 35. same for me. the difference is you might want it to sit back a little more if you still have space between your tire and shocks or springs,which on a mk4, you should. if you go with such a wide wheel and the same offset, you can basically just add on the 2 extra inches to your factory on the outer side and you'll know how far they're gonna stick out

[BigGTI]

and Paula called me all bummed out.. I helped cheer her up....

[blackwidow_dc]

haha yeah :) thank you GodTuner!!

[repeelS]

Yo, P, did your tire look like this? from my 98 VR6 GTI

[runawayroger]

Yikes! watch out for those curbs!