195/50/15 - Which would you buy?

HiTempguy wrote: Weird, I had them on my Swift GTi and thought they were gods gift to man. Decent grip, quiet, best riding low profile tire I've EVER experienced, and also ok in the rain. Were they the best? No. But they sure weren't bad, and definitely better than kumho 712s.

This, word for word. I liked them so much I bought another set for my next Swift GT. The camp seems to be quite split on the T1R's

The Comp2's are the track stars in that group. If you drive hard, that would be my pick.

Great thread. I am going to keep following this one as I try to wear out the current set of Hockey pucks that came with the car. They are some form of Toyo, I just haven't really looked hard at them.

My 924 is able to take a 205 and that is what i will be looking at but most of these tires look like they would come in a 205-15 size as well.

Regards;

nderwater wrote: The Comp2's are the track stars in that group.

Highly unlikely.

I also miss my Kumho SPTs.

In reply to Matthew Huizing:

Agreed. Almost everything I have read about the Comp2s says that they are a pretty dated medium-performance summer tire.

Hmmm... I also had SPTs... they were pretty good.... I had a set of the original Toyo T1, prior to the T1R... I thought they were total crap, and so I traded them for a 4AGE short block.

All of the extreme summer tires ( RE11a, ZII, R-S3) are all over $400, with the R-S3 on closeout would be the cheapest at $490 delivered. I'm not totally against them.... BUT

I'm hearing a lot of negative about the BFGs... and a few positives about the S-Drives... but the surveys show the BFGs to be superior to the S-Drives in EVERY catagory... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=UHP&width=195%2F&ratio=50&diameter=15&tireSearch=true&filter=y

Also if the BFGs are so dated... why do the S-Drives have 9 times the reported mileage?

The reason I don't just pull the trigger on the BFG's is the General Exclaims did well in their respective category too, and still turned out to be junk...

oldeskewltoy wrote: Also if the BFGs are so dated... why do the S-Drives have 9 times the reported mileage?

The Comp 2 is a new compound of a very old tread design. The old compound version wasn't horrible, but I don't think they were as good as SPTs. The S.drives are available in a billion odd sizes which probably helps their popularity (215/35R17, 175/50R16?)

The Federals are more performance proven than RE-11A, which probably belong in the next category down (Max=better tires for normal people). Kumhos are still a good very extreme tire--prices have risen again. I need to shut up about those. If you are look for a cheap more extreme tire, check out the GT Radials--stiff sidewalls, soft compound, fast wear. CR rated their dry handling as excellent while they rated the dry handling of the RE-11 as merely very good. Also the worst ride quality rating of their test, which might be a badge of honor.

Pretty mixed opinions in here!

I only listed the ones ive driven that are new enough to be at all relevant.

Oddly enough though, my best memories of a non-autoX-tire 195/50 or 205/50 were the old yoko AVS ES100s. I loved those things..

And i really want to emphasize how disappointed ive been in all 3 sets of dz101s i've owned. I bought the first set when they were brand spanking new and they were blah then. The next two sets just confirmed those feelings.

The BFG's are the 195/50-15 tires I have on the 15" wheels on my AE86 right now. They have served me well.

I really want a GRM "second shelf" tire test, with the off-brands, or the less extreme tires.

Well, this may or may not be 195/50/15 relevant but im planning to finally try a set of primewell pz900s in a month or so.

Matthew Huizing wrote: The Comp 2 is a new compound of a very old tread design.

Bingo - the tread pattern is a decade old, but the rubber is all new tech (hence 'comp 2'). The original G-Force Sport was a middling tire, the Comp 2 is a dramatic improvement in every performance category. BFG claims the G-Force Sport Comp 2 has 30% better wet and 8% better dry grip over the older G-Force Sport.

My. 02¢. I love the S Drives on my SAAB. I'm Using size 205/55/15.

No AX or track time so far, but lots of back road hooning. They are more than I could ask for at their price point, grippy, predictable and not scary when the road is wet.

Matthew Huizing wrote:

oldeskewltoy wrote: Also if the BFGs are so dated... why do the S-Drives have 9 times the reported mileage?

The Comp 2 is a new compound of a very old tread design. The old compound version wasn't horrible, but I don't think they were as good as SPTs. The S.drives are available in a billion odd sizes which probably helps their popularity (215/35R17, 175/50R16?) The Federals are more performance proven than RE-11A, which probably belong in the next category down (Max=better tires for normal people). Kumhos are still a good very extreme tire--prices have risen again. I need to shut up about those. If you are look for a cheap more extreme tire, check out the GT Radials--stiff sidewalls, soft compound, fast wear. CR rated their dry handling as excellent while they rated the dry handling of the RE-11 as merely very good. Also the worst ride quality rating of their test, which might be a badge of honor.

Interesting you brought up Federals.... I can get the newest[?] Federal 595 EVO for a VERY good price ($345 delivered)

How does the 595 EVO rank?

Federal 595 RS-Rs were used to take 1st and 2nd in B Street at the SCCA Dixie Solo National Tour a week or so ago.

Matthew Huizing wrote: Federal 595 RS-Rs were used to take 1st and 2nd in B Street at the SCCA Dixie Solo National Tour a week or so ago.

Interesting little tire test here - http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/839178-rs-3-vs-z1ss-vs-595-rs-r-vs-re-11-vs-z2-vs-rivals/

$320 delivered for a set.....

Hmmmmmmmm... I wonder... ow good are they in the rain??

I did a quick look on Tirerack.com and I kind of like how the Direzza's compare. I am leaning towards that next for the 924. We will see.

Regards; Mike Kirby

oldeskewltoy wrote:

Matthew Huizing wrote: Federal 595 RS-Rs were used to take 1st and 2nd in B Street at the SCCA Dixie Solo National Tour a week or so ago.

Interesting little tire test here - http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/839178-rs-3-vs-z1ss-vs-595-rs-r-vs-re-11-vs-z2-vs-rivals/ $320 delivered for a set..... Hmmmmmmmm... I wonder... ow good are they in the rain??

I actually intend to try the 595 RS-R on my Jetta. I hear nothing but incredible things, and the price is ridiculous. I think the EVO is a different/lower performance tire, for what it's worth.

I personally would buy the Sport Comp-2 tires of the group. I was about to buy the Comp-2's but then I decided to get a set of Continental Extreme Contact DW's for my Camaro.