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Posted by: mskala Jul 20 2014, 09:12 AM

Basically, a tire guy talked me into Nitto NT450 'extreme performance' tire.
I put these on yesterday and the car feels like an old Caddy. It seems to
me the sidewalls are wimpy and with good stiff suspension, when you turn the
wheel first you wait, then the front end moves, then the back end moves, and
reverse the process coming out of the turn.

I don't want much from a street tire, I actually like having the high treadwear
rating (~300) because otherwise the camber I have (for the hoosiers) would
give a short life. Don't care about noise or ultimate wet traction. Just should
be responsive. I never had this problem with a couple older Bridgestone types
I've had.

Other choice in 205/55/15 is Yokohama S.Drive. Anybody run these?

Thanks

Posted by: michael7810 Jul 20 2014, 02:31 PM

I have 205-55-15 Yoko S Drives and have not had any issues with them. I only drive on the street other than a 1 day of DE last November. I'm not an expert on tires but for what I do they work great.

Posted by: John Jentz Jul 20 2014, 03:29 PM

QUOTE(mskala @ Jul 20 2014, 11:12 AM)

Basically, a tire guy talked me into Nitto NT450 'extreme performance' tire.
I put these on yesterday and the car feels like an old Caddy. It seems to
me the sidewalls are wimpy and with good stiff suspension, when you turn the
wheel first you wait, then the front end moves, then the back end moves, and
reverse the process coming out of the turn.

I don't want much from a street tire, I actually like having the high treadwear
rating (~300) because otherwise the camber I have (for the hoosiers) would
give a short life. Don't care about noise or ultimate wet traction. Just should
be responsive. I never had this problem with a couple older Bridgestone types
I've had.

Other choice in 205/55/15 is Yokohama S.Drive. Anybody run these?

Thanks

I had S-Drives on my Audi A4 Quattro. They had the same sloppy turn in you described, but after awhile you don't notice it. They were very good in the rain and stuck really well in the dry.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Jul 20 2014, 04:37 PM

S-drives.

Posted by: mskala Jul 20 2014, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the info, all.

I'm sure this is too subjective a thing to really hash out in words.

Complicated by the fact that the tire sellers are always going to say
that such a big tire on a 5.5" rim is going to be sloppy. But I never
had problems with the old Bridgestone RE730. Little did I know how
good we had it back when significant numbers of good 15" tires were
around.

Also possibly availale: Dunlop Direzza DZ102. Opinions on this one?

Posted by: Andyrew Jul 20 2014, 06:01 PM

S drives are a decent street tire. Used on my CRX and liked them. Not crazy grip, enough for sporty riding and they did well in the rain. Good budget street tire.

Posted by: struckn Jul 20 2014, 07:07 PM

I'm running Yokahama S-Drive 205/50/14's on Mahle's and love them. My 914 narrow body havs no problems with the fit and grip is stiff. I think they are not recommended for Winter Tires however.

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