NSX needs new rubber?

Dragonwing

Dragonwing

Contributing Member
Joined
14 May 2007
Messages
140
Location
in the bluffs
I would like some advice on getting new rubber for my 91 NSX. I have 17" fronts & 18" backs and have Perelli P7000 that seemed quite good. I would like to hear
from you if you've found something good and reasonable. Thanks.
 
burn sum'...

Some quick questions that might help narrow-down potential tire-choices for your NSX...

- any make/model preference?

- actual budget for tires only (excluding valve-stems/mount/balance/disposal)?

- exact sizes needed?

- anticipated goals (ie. max' dry-grip, dry/wet competency, avg' perf' - long treadlife, all-around achiever -> dry/wet/high-perf'/good-treadlife)?

- anticipated treadlife (ie. 5k miles, 10k miles, doesn't matter, etc')?


BTW, this web-site can help you w/ tire-size queries:

www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp
 
Last edited:
I got a quote from simplytire a while ago, but didnt feel the need to get new tires yet. Here are the prices installed, balanced, taxes in for 215/40/17 fronts and 275/35/18 rears.

$890.00 installed for the RT615.
$760.00 installed for the Sumitomo HTRZ3
$780.00 installed for General Exclaim UHP

I dont have first hand experience with these tires, but I *heard* the Generals are the best bang for the buck.
 
Last edited:
Re: burn sum'...

Osiris_x11 said:
Some quick questions that might help narrow-down potential tire-choices for your NSX...

- any make/model preference?

- actual budget for tires only (excluding valve-stems/mount/balance/disposal)?

- exact sizes needed?

- anticipated goals (ie. max' dry-grip, dry/wet competency, avg' perf' - long treadlife, all-around achiever -> dry/wet/high-perf'/good-treadlife)?

- anticipated treadlife (ie. 5k miles, 10k miles, doesn't matter, etc')?


BTW, this web-site can help you w/ tire-size queries:

www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp
Click to expand...

Up to $1500. Would be nice if it were less. 215 40 17" Fr. 265 35 18" Rear.
Good summer grip / safe in the wet. Decent tread wear / not noisy.
Thanks Jim
 
I have a 17/17 set up and have tried
Dunlop SP sport max
Goodyear F1 GSD3

Dunlops have superb dry and wet grip. Almost too much dry grip as when they give out it happens fast but they hold awesome till that point. Harsh ride but quiet. 8k and they were done but I have aggressive alignment.

Goodyears, substantially smoother ride and quiet despite the aggressive tread. Not driven in rain yet but I bet they are excellent.
Slightly less dry grip but a nice linear feel near the edge where they will slide nicely when pushed.
Bought both in the US on a yearly trip ( not in the NSX) where I can bring them back no tax or duties. Goodyears were slightly over $ 700.00 for the set delivered to my door down there from Tirerack. Fits nicely with the
$ 750.00 personal exemption.
 
suggestions...

Dragonwing said:
Up to $1500. Would be nice if it were less. 215 40 17" Fr. 265 35 18" Rear.
Good summer grip / safe in the wet. Decent tread wear / not noisy.
Thanks Jim
Click to expand...
Jim, my suggestions (as I've burned through a few sets of each of the following two)...

Primary choice...

Bridgestone Potenza RE50A Pole Position
205/45ZR17 ($169/each)
265/35ZR18 ($259/each)

* excellent dry-grip
* good wet-grip
* extremely rigid/stiff sidewalls (great turn-in feel/steering-response)
* ~10k rear-treadlife

Notes: 215/40ZR17 is not available in this make/model, but I have 205/45ZR17 on my 17x7 front, and it actually fits quite well; it seems just as wide or wider than my previous 215/45ZR17 from other manufacturers!

Secondary choice...

Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3
215/45ZR17 ($151/each) -or- 205/40ZR17 ($146/each)
275/40ZR18 ($282/each) -or- 285/35ZR18 ($272/each)

* great dry-grip
* great wet-grip
* rigid/stiff sidewalls (good turn-in feel/steering-response)
* ~10k rear-treadlife

Notes: 215/40ZR17 is not available in this make/model now, and I've only run the 215/40ZR17 on my 17x7 fronts in the past. I'm not sure how wide your front-wheel is...(?) Also, there is a $50-cashback rebate for qualifying Goodyear tire purchases.

{all sizes/prices above are from www.tirerack.com}


Those two (REO50A PP & F1 GSD3) are overall superior to...

- Continental ContiSportContact 3: good, but not great, and relatively expensive.

- Sumitomo HTR Z III: very inexpensive & very mediocre vs. it's counterparts, though lasts literally forever!

- Pirelli PZero Nero/Rossa: former is discontinued, latter is relatively expensive &0 needed size(s) are N/A.

- General Exclaim UHP: good performing budget tire for sedans.

- Michelin Pilot Sport/2: great performers, but quite pricey & no usable front-sizes available.

- ADVAN Sport & Neova AD07: great performers though expensive vs. others & desired front-size(s) is N/A.

- BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW "?": decent performer, but much better options for less money available.

- Dunlop SP Sport "___": I haven't kept up w/ their max'/high-perf' offerings since they were the OEM NSX tire in the late '90s, though they have great high perf' A/S offerings.


215/40ZR17 seems to be on the verge or extinction! Wassup w/ dat?!? :eek:


There are some relatively less expensive, but better dry-gripping tires available as well (though, the treadlife will be ~5k at most for NSX applications)...

Falken Azenis RT-615
215/40WR17 ($139.00)
255/40WR17 ($164.00)

[priced from www.discounttire.com, though less expensive @ VulcanTire, but their S/H & recent delays are less than acceptable; relatively short treadlife of ~5k miles]


Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
215/40ZR17 ($122)
255/40ZR17 ($156)

[priced from www.tirerack.com; very positive feedback from the very few who have them, and the jury is still out on their treadlife, but anticipate ~5k'ish for an NSX]


Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R
205/45ZR17 ($163) -or- 215/45ZR17 ($173)
255/40ZR17 ($220)

[priced from www.tirerack.com; overpriced (IMHO) but tenacious grip w/ very short anticipated treadlife of ~5k miles]


Kumho Ecsta XS
215/45WR17 ($124)
265/35WR18 ($245)

[priced from www.tirerack.com; relative newcomer, so the jury is still out w/ an anticipated treadlife of ~5k miles]


... and lastly, I miss you nsxtasy!
 
Last edited:
Re: suggestions...

Osiris_x11 said:
Jim, my suggestions (as I've burned through a few sets of each of the following two)...

Primary choice...

Bridgestone Potenza RE50A Pole Position
205/45ZR17 ($169/each)
265/35ZR18 ($259/each)

* excellent dry-grip
* good wet-grip
* extremely rigid/stiff sidewalls (great turn-in feel/steering-response)
* ~10k rear-treadlife

Notes: 215/40ZR17 is not available in this make/model, but I have 205/45ZR17 on my 17x7 front, and it actually fits quite well; it seems just as wide or wider than my previous 215/45ZR17 from other manufacturers!

Secondary choice...

Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3
215/45ZR17 ($151/each) -or- 205/40ZR17 ($146/each)
255/40ZR17 ($202/each)

* great dry-grip
* great wet-grip
* rigid/stiff sidewalls (good turn-in feel/steering-response)
* ~10k rear-treadlife

Notes: 215/40ZR17 is not available in this make/model now, and I've only run the 215/40ZR17 on my 17x7 fronts in the past. I'm not sure how wide your front-wheel is...(?) Also, there is a $50-cashback rebate for qualifying Goodyear tire purchases.

{all sizes/prices above are from www.tirerack.com}


Those two (REO50A PP & F1 GSD3) are overall superior to...

- Continental ContiSportContact 3: good, but not great, and relatively expensive.

- Sumitomo HTR Z III: very inexpensive & very mediocre vs. it's counterparts, though lasts literally forever!

- Pirelli PZero Nero/Rossa: former is discontinued, latter is relatively expensive &0 needed size(s) are N/A.

- General Exclaim UHP: good performing budget tire for sedans.

- Michelin Pilot Sport/2: great performers, but quite pricey & no usable front-sizes available.

- ADVAN Sport & Neova AD07: great performers though expensive vs. others & desired front-size(s) is N/A.

- BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW "?": decent performer, but much better options for less money available.

- Dunlop SP Sport "___": I haven't kept up w/ their max'/high-perf' offerings since they were the OEM NSX tire in the late '90s, though they have great high perf' A/S offerings.


215/40ZR17 seems to be on the verge or extinction! Wassup w/ dat?!? :eek:


There are some relatively less expensive, but better dry-gripping tires available as well (though, the treadlife will be ~5k at most for NSX applications)...

Falken Azenis RT-615
215/40WR17 ($139.00)
255/40WR17 ($164.00)

[priced from www.discounttire.com, though less expensive @ VulcanTire, but their S/H & recent delays are less than acceptable; relatively short treadlife of ~5k miles]


Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
215/40ZR17 ($122)
255/40ZR17 ($156)

[priced from www.tirerack.com; very positive feedback from the very few who have them, and the jury is still out on their treadlife, but anticipate ~5k'ish for an NSX]


Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R
205/45ZR17 ($163) -or- 215/45ZR17 ($173)
255/40ZR17 ($220)

[priced from www.tirerack.com; overpriced (IMHO) but tenacious grip w/ very short anticipated treadlife of ~5k miles]


Kumho Ecsta XS
215/45WR17 ($124)
265/35WR18 ($245)

[priced from www.tirerack.com; relative newcomer, so the jury is still out w/ an anticipated treadlife of ~5k miles]


... and lastly, I miss you nsxtasy!
Click to expand...

Thanks for all your reasearch. Looks like Potenza's win. Your the 2nd. guy to
recommend them.

Thanks again
 
coiler said:
Goodyears, substantially smoother ride and quiet despite the aggressive tread. Not driven in rain yet but I bet they are excellent.
Click to expand...

The Goodyear F1 GSD3's are by far the best wet handling tires I've had on the NSX. I think I've tried about 7 or 8 different brands/types over the years and this is the one I'm going to stick with for now. I would characterize it as reasonable treadlife, mid-range pricing, great dry performance, amazing wet performance.
 
Im also very happy with the D3s. My rears are now very badly worn (got them 12 months ago - probably 7k km worth of driving, mainly NSXPO 07 and Est Fest). Im going to replace them in the spring with the same.

Im using 225/285s
 
Arshad said:
The Goodyear F1 GSD3's are by far the best wet handling tires I've had on the NSX. I think I've tried about 7 or 8 different brands/types over the years and this is the one I'm going to stick with for now. I would characterize it as reasonable treadlife, mid-range pricing, great dry performance, amazing wet performance.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's something to think about. Any thought on the best place to get them?
 
Dragonwing said:
Thanks. That's something to think about. Any thought on the best place to get them?
Click to expand...

Call me Monday with your final choice and sizing and I'll see if I can get them from Toronto Tirecraft for you - it gets close to US prices with no hassle and they actually know how to lift up a low car without damaging it.
 
i have a set of Brand new RA1 forsale 17/18
its better then all the tires you guys mentioned above!
with the RA1, you will be faster at the track too!
pm me!
 
BioBanker said:
He is looking for STREET RUBBER.

RA1s are track rubber that are really only usable on the street when 1)its warm and 2) when theyre newish.
Click to expand...

Trust Dave - He's an expert in rubbers - he says he uses LOTS of them to keep him safe:wink:
 
Re: suggestions...

Osiris_x11 said:
Jim, my suggestions (as I've burned through a few sets of each of the following two)...

Primary choice...

Bridgestone Potenza RE50A Pole Position
205/45ZR17 ($169/each)
265/35ZR18 ($259/each)

* excellent dry-grip
* good wet-grip
* extremely rigid/stiff sidewalls (great turn-in feel/steering-response)
* ~10k rear-treadlife

Notes: 215/40ZR17 is not available in this make/model, but I have 205/45ZR17 on my 17x7 front, and it actually fits quite well; it seems just as wide or wider than my previous 215/45ZR17 from other manufacturers!
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i272834_flirt.gif
[/URL]
Click to expand...

How's the treadlife of this compared to the old S0-3? Mine are bald and I've got to order rears. Also, is there just nothing good available in 215/40 17 anymore? I did some quick searches and it seems finding something that matches with a 265/35 18 is near impossible.

Also, when you change to a 215/45, does the tire look and fill out like the old 215/40?
 
215/40's gone w/ the do'do...

comquat1 said:
How's the treadlife of this compared to the old S0-3?
Click to expand...
I *personally* never owned a set of Bridgestone Potenza S0-3's for the NSX, though I have driven on them (in someone else's NSX). The RE050A Pole Position is just as good, if not better (subjectively, remember). I recall the S0-3's generally gave less than 10k miles in terms of treadlife, but more than 6k-7k miles. The RE050A Pole Positions should give you at least 7k-8k miles, and around ~10k miles for the most part, if not more.

comquat1 said:
215/40R17?
Click to expand...
Seems like the only offerings relevant to the NSX (as-in non-A/S/touring/budget makes/models) would be the extreme high-performance tires which are generally as close to R-compound a street-tire can get, but at the cost of treadlife. Max' high-performance summer-tires all seem to have dropped/discontinued the 215/40R17 size as of late (ie. Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3, Bridgestone Postenza RE050A Pole Position, Pirelli P-Zero Rossa/Nero, etc').
comquat1 said:
Also, when you change to a 215/45, does the tire look and fill out like the old 215/40?
Click to expand...
215/45RXX will be too tall & rub upon turning, period. And possibly further rubbing-issues when going over bumps or sharp-cornering depending on the suspension application/specs' & ride-height/wheel-offsets. I'd rather go w/ 225/40R17 as opposed to 215/45R17, myself. It's closer to the actual specs' of 215/40R17 than even the 205/45R17, but a wider-wheel is required (7.5"-9"), and I only have a 7" wide rim in the front.

So, it also depends on how wide your front-wheels are (whether to go w/ 205/45R17 or 225/40R17 when 215/40R17 is N/A). . .

205/45R17 in the RE050A Pole Position seems to be just as wide as the 215/40R17's from F1 GSD3, when mounted, again subjectively speaking from visual perception.

For reference:



(www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp)
 
Last edited:
Well with 2.5/10 of an inch on sidewall height i guess that won't change the look all that much. That made the decision much easier....
 
rubbing, and not in a good way!

comquat1 said:
Well with 2.5/10 of an inch on sidewall height i guess that won't change the look all that much. That made the decision much easier....
Click to expand...
... and the decision is?

I didn't realize you were speakin' of a '91 NSX (original OEM front-size: 205/50R15), I assumed you had an '02-'05!

Anywayz...

This popped up when I posted the '91-'93 specs' vs. the aforementioned (3), as that's the proper baseline to compare other sizes to...

Warning! When changing tire sizes, we recommend staying within 3% of the diameter of the original tire. Any more than this and you face the risk of brake failure.
Click to expand...

'91-'93 OEM 205/50R15 vs. 215/40R17 - 215/45R17 - 205/45/R17...

 
Last edited:
Bumping this as I'm looking at needing 17 inch fronts. To confirm if I can find 215/40 17's, that's what I wart correct? I got kumho ecsta le for my rears a year ago and it's time to match the fronts. They still are showing this as an available size.
 

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