BEST tires??? 195/50/R16 size
 

Anybody have any opinions? The SP Sport 5000 that came stock are crap for rain/snow so I need new tires now and soon. ANY suggestions and opinions are appreciated.
Gagan

i just put kumhos 712 in the afternoon today. haven't really tested them out. but cornering and braking became tighter right away. big difference from my stock dunlops, but they did have 38,974 miles on them :)
so can't really compare the two.

does it really matter?
you click on "view new posts" and you see all posts anyway, doesn't matter which section they are. and by title you can see if you want to read it or not.

I heard the Dunlop FM701 are excellent for their price.

Well my stock dunlops have 50,000+miles on them so ya, hehe.
Has anybody tried out the Toyo TPT?
Gagan

just got a set of toyo tpt's
 

Compared to the stock dunlop, they feel pretty much the same. I think the dunlop has a bit more grip, but at $100+ per tire from the tirerack. I found a set of Toyo's for $90 a tire at a local tire store. The only problem I have with them is they make that faint groan in hard turns like the Dunlops did.

I would comment on how they are in the rain but after dealing with bald Dunlops in the rain for a month, the weather dries up after I get the new tires.:rolleyes:

Re: just got a set of toyo tpt's
 

personally when shopping for tires i look at the UTQG and price. I think the 712 had the best grade/price "combination".

Dunlop SP Sport 5000M
195/50VR16 83V SL 360 A A
Load 1074lbs.


Kumho Ecsta 712
195/50HR16 84H SL 360 AA A
Load 1102lbs.

looks like kumho wins in traction and the price $61 vs $108.
I liked dunlops a lot but running bald in the rain was scary.

I got 28k on my first set of dunlops before I got rid of my sedan and have 15k on my PR5 and the dunlops are around 1/2 gone. I can't see how you can get 50k on the sp 5000's or even 39k as Yellow MP5 has. My sister just got the dunlops replaced on her 01' sedan and it had 38K at that time. She is an easy driver though. Man, the dunlpos are sweet tires and hold the road well. There is no way I will get close to 30k and I don't drive that aggressively, but do drive them hard sometimes. I love the way the protege handles, especially with performance tires. They do suck in the snow from day one and in the rain when over 50% used. I use snow tires and rims in the winter.

-R

Couldn't have put it better myself.....

you are right, i didn't realize he is in Canada and is looking for tires to use in the snow. i'll "rework" my post ;)

like others said, get the kumhos or dunlops or anything else you want for that matter for the summer and a separate set of tires for the winter. you'll feel safe in the winter and have fun in the summer.

http://www.nokiantires.com/newsite/t...fm?cid=1&sid=3

Check these out. They don't list a 195/50/16 size, but it is a possibility that they have one available anyway. The 205/50/16 size will work. These would probably be one of your best bets if you want one set of tires year round that gives very good winter traction. Freinds of mine use the NRW (this tire's predecessor) as winter only tires. The 205/50/16 size is H rated, and these tires have a treadwear rating which is extremely unusual for a severe winter conditions rated tire (snowflake symbol).

If you think you can justify two sets of rims and tires, I would go with separate summer and winter tires.

Dale.

I work at a wrecking yard and took a set of 205-50r16 tires off a
New Beetle. I haven't noticed any difference in performance, although I don't usually drive it hard. I think they work great and were waaaaaaay cheaper. (My cost $40 US!) Compare that to 600 or 700 for new ones!!!:D

brand and model if you don't mind me asking?
curious what the UTQG on those is.