Guest jjohart Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 I've found only two summer only 14" tires to compare, the Tire Rack specialist Sumitomo and Toyo's TS-1. I'm pretty sure the Toyo is more than twice as much a tire, is unidirectional and slightly higher tech than the Sumi, but which is more appropriate for a street tire 280ZX, downgrading from 15" for better ride, but still wanting exceptional performance? Does anyone have experience w. either of these, in any sizing? Thanks John-83 280 ZXT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jjohart Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 Uhh, I didn't mention another 14" contender, the Falken Azenis 215? Anyone have them, or know about them...seems like they hydroplane a bit on wet roads. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I won't go into the whole story...I've done it too many times, but I use Falkens EXCLUSIVELY....you can't go wrong. Both my Z and my Z28 are running Falkens, and my wife's Volvo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jjohart Posted March 31, 2004 Share Posted March 31, 2004 Well, sorry, but I'm going with Toyo TS-1's for now, b/c of their higher speed rating, more conventional tread design (than the Falken 512S anyway), and better reviews/more info available. Seems to me the Falk is more of a budget tire, and spotty US representation/sales backing doesn't charm me. I'll probably try the 512's if I keep with 14" wheels, but I thought I'd try riding with the big boys toys for now, given that I am going down from 15" to 14" sizing anyway, I figure I need all the compensentory engineering I can get out of a 14". Thanks John P.S I found them for $75 each on OnlineTire.com(v.s $120 at my local dealer!). I hope they deliver w.o issues! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j260z Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 just remember that a higher speed rating doesn't really mean much on a daily driver street car. a 'Z' rated tire capable of sustaining speeds in excess of 160 MPH does you as much good as an 'S' rated tire if you're just driving around town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jjohart Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 I would tend to disagree with the last reply. Higher speed ratings go on tires for safety labeling, and a tire equipped to deal with higher temperatures is probably a safer tire to use under normal heat generating conditions, e.g sudden stops, evasive manuevering and general hard driving than compromise rated "all season" tires. Having a tire engineered as if it were the wing of a F-14 doesn't mean you'll have to go "flying" to notice its greater performance and design efficiencies, only that the trade offs are in fact that you might never need to test it to its limits (as well as its probably higher maintenance issues, in this case of faster tread wear, tramlining and kick steer tendencies). The same argument holds true, in general, towards all high performance vehicles as being safer than average commuter cars...a car with ABS brakes, skid/slip control and active four wheel drive power transfer may never be used to its limits..it sure as hell is nice to know you've got the extra fail safe engineering in it, at least for me. As for the other reply on 195 55 14 being a harsher ride tire/wheel combo than 205 60 15, well I have to say, wait and see! Seems to me the fat sidewall proponent doth profess too much into ride quality by larger diameter. There's the question of possibly lighter weight in 14" wheels and tires altogether, the issue of a narrower contact patch being less likely to produce vibration, noise and negative wear issues, as well as same said factors bumping up the fuel mileage b/c of less rolling resistance! So all in all, a larger sidewall and lower speed ratings are detrimental to ultimate ride/handling compromise with Z cars, IMHO John-83 I/C'D 280ZXT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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