posted
How about some feedback regarding tires. After 20K worth of hard cornering, my Eagles are all gone. Have looked at the new Eagle F1, G-Force KDW, and Yokohama AVS. I'm ready to buy but could use some input...
Posts: 11 | From: Beaverton, OR | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
i've heard nothing but good from the AVS sports...was really considering them, but might be too high sinc ei have to buy 4 new tires as well this spring. A lot of owners on here like the BFG KD's adn I'm personally looking at the KDW's since they're cheaper and have the best performance out of any tire rated around that price. If money was no object I'd probably get the KD's...Is this a daily driver and will you be driving it in the rain? Snow? I run winter tires on mine now (see sig.)That's just all my opinion. Gotta see what others say. I'm probably in the same boat, wanting to spend under $200 a piece.
BTW- i put about 12-14 k on my orignals before i need them replaced this spring! That includes replacing 2 last april because of an accident.
-------------------- 2004 Cavalier LS Sport Coupe Manual,Sunroof,16" Chrome, Zaino!!! http://community.webshots.com/user/pazbich3 Used to Drive: 2001 Camaro SS #3220 Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Thanks for the input. This ride is garaged when it's wet outside. It seems to find the pavement when I have the need for speed... I have talked with two people that run the AVS. Both like the way the tire corners. Need to hear from the KD group.
Posts: 11 | From: Beaverton, OR | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
I've heard a lot of good feedback about the KDWs. I am going with the KDs since I don't drive it in wet weather.
The AVS may be a good tire and I know it's a little anal but I don't like the way they look - just my .02.
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
Now you've got me thinking. I saw the AVS on an 01' Cobra. They looked really good on a Ford! (hehe) Posts: 11 | From: Beaverton, OR | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
I have had the KDW's for about 8000 miles and they are great all weather tires. They don't do quite as well in dry traction/cornering as the KD's from what I understand but since I do drive in the rain I need the extra water channeling of the KDW's.
I would definitely buy these again. And I like the way they look too. The new KDW's have a cool tread pattern.
Posts: 942 | From: Santa Barbara and Ventura, CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I have the KD's. They are great in the dry and the one time I got caught in the rain (on the way home from SLP NH 2001) I went easy and was fine. They are slick in the rain.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by SSCamaro2001: How about some feedback regarding tires. After 20K worth of hard cornering, my Eagles are all gone. Have looked at the new Eagle F1, G-Force KDW, and Yokohama AVS. I'm ready to buy but could use some input...
Sorry to confuse the issue here for you, but it might not hurt to research the Firehawk SZ50 EP tires, depending on your priorities. I am currently on my 2nd set and I'm of the opinion that there isn't a better all-round tire out there for our cars that works as well on the road course as it does on the street. If you track your car, I would recommend this tire very highly Dry traction is superb and it does not get slippery/squirmy on the track when hot. I find the tire reacts more quickly to steering inputs than my original F1s did. I will also concede (from experience)that the BFG KDs react even a bit more quickly than the Firehawks to these inputs. However, I have not heard good things about the KDs in the wet. This may or may not be a priority for you. The KDWs are better in the wet, but give up some dry traction in the trade-off. I rarely drive the car in the wet, but I can tell you in all honesty that the wet weather traction of the SZ50s is nothing short of phenomenal! Again, this applies to the track as well as on the street! Passengers in the car are simply amazed at the grip afforded by these tires in the wet. (I'm used to not having to change my driving style in the wet with these tires!) I get reasonable mileage out of a set of them, given what I do with the car. (4-5 lapping days, 4-5 autocrosses and a few days at the dragstrip every season gives me about 16,000-18,000 miles on a set). They also retain their grippiness right down to the bitter end of their lives. On my first set, I was astounded to see the tread down to the wear indicators during a rotation. Given the way the tires were still gripping, I thought I had lots of tread left! Hope this helps!
posted
I've used the KDWs and Nitto 555s as well as the Firestones. The KDWs were on my '99 SS and I liked them. I live where it rains all the time and the KDWs definitely slid a lot less than the 555s do. Granted I only have the 555s in the back on my '02 (still running the originals in the front). I had the Firestones on my '69 and was very impressed with them. Like the previous poster said, they perform in the wet as well as the dry. I never felt uncomfortable or like I was on the edge of their performance. I'm a very aggressive driver and like to push the car to its limits. I was pretty amazed a few times when I thought I had gone into a corner a little too aggressively. My next set of rears will either be the KDWs or the Firestones.
Posts: 58 | From: Vancouver, WA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Spent a good part of the day hands on looking and pricing. Wear ratings are best for the Firehawk @ 340 to worst for the AVS @ 180. Will have to price the Firehawk tomorrow. This neck of the woods has the KD/KDW @ about $220 ea. on the car.
posted
I would also like to echo a few of the above comments regarding the Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP's. I replaced the stock F1's with these and the difference was like night and day, including substantially increased wet and dry traction. I love the grip and feel that it is possible that the limits of the tire may be higher than the limits of the SS. I purchased my set from a local Firestone dealer, after they matched the price from Tirerack.com. I would suggest you try the same, as the dealership was charging $150/tire over what tirerack was charging. They may reduce the price just to get your business. In addition, I can get them rotated, replaced, or fixed at any firestone. Definitely a good deal.
Also, i'm sure you already have, but if you haven't, check out Tire Rack for good info, reviews, as well as the comments of other drivers. There, the firehawk's got the highest "would you buy again rating", 9.2 vs. the F1's 6.4 out of 10. Just something to look at for more info.
NiravSS
Posts: 156 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I've still got my F1's on at 20K miles. They are okay for going to work everyday, but I plan on goiong to Portland this year and hitting the track.
Seattle and Portland are wet!! So, I'll probably go w/ the KDW's.
Can we put 315's on the back w/ no problems and on stock SS ZR1 wheels? I love that look, but don't want to have ANY rubbing on the car.
Ryan
-------------------- I bought an 03 Mustang Cobra!
Used to Have: 2000 Camaro SS #4038. Onyx black / Ebony leather. 6 speed with all GM factory options. Y2Y package; Bilstein, dual/dual, ZR1 chrome wheels, plaques,mats and synthetics. Stock Dyno: 309rwhp 328rwtq Posts: 149 | From: Seattle, Washington | Registered: Feb 2001
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quote:Originally posted by RHT: I've still got my F1's on at 20K miles. They are okay for going to work everyday, but I plan on goiong to Portland this year and hitting the track.
Seattle and Portland are wet!! So, I'll probably go w/ the KDW's.
Can we put 315's on the back w/ no problems and on stock SS ZR1 wheels? I love that look, but don't want to have ANY rubbing on the car.
Ryan
Ryan, That'd be awesome if you made it down here for a track day or two this year! Are the ZR1 wheels 17x9 like the stock SS wheels? If so, I wouldn't go with 315's. As it is, most tire manufacturers recommend a 9.5" wheel for their 275's (an 11" wheel would be better suited for 315's).
Posts: 1143 | From: Portland, OR | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
I am definately going to make it down to Portland this year. I'd like to make it all 4 times, but we'll see.
I was all set to go last Aug. but did not get accepted to the school until the night before...too late by then.
Thanks for the advice on the 315's. I did a lot more reading on LS1tech last night (addicted)! I agree I need 11 inch wheels and I'm not sure I want all that mass back there. My goal is to keep a very ballanced car for the street and road course....a little drag too, but not as much.
Ryan
Posts: 149 | From: Seattle, Washington | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Awesome! I'll be lucky if I make two of them this year so hopefully ours will coincide at least once. If you want to keep your car balanced, then you may as well forget about the 315's...understeer is already too pronounced as it is.
Hope to see you at the track! Cy
Posts: 1143 | From: Portland, OR | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
I'd put my money on the KDW's any day. I really liked my 555'S, and really wanted the AVS's, but price was a factor. My room mate works at Discount Tire. He attended a ride and drive with all three tires the KDW's really did the job that day. So much so he put them on his 00' Z the next week. I replaced mine after tring them out. Niether one of us have been disapointed with the choice. Just a note Discount will match outher addvertised prices.
posted
after a lot of research, I went with the Firehawk SZ50Ep's. I got them from Tire rack shipped to me, then my dealer installed them. Total cost was about $212 installed.
posted
As I have said in previous posts, I've been running KD's for 33,000 miles! That's pretty good for street tires that are as sticky as these. I missed out on the eBay auction where DaddySS got his set for a great discount. I would like to know if any other dealers have "blems" from BFG. I obviously don't have to worry about snow and there is very little rain here, so I use the kd's on Black Beauty, my daily driver. I'll probably buy another set, even if I have to pay Discount Tire's price, which is $1150. installed!
-------------------- 2000 SS #31, SSOA M00-0031, Cal. plate 00 SS, Ebony black T-Top coupe/onyx black leather, DG Motorsports carbon fiber grill insert with SS logo, power seat, Monsoon CD, M6, !CAGS, Lou's Short Stick, Mobil 1 with engine plaque and filler cap, Whisper Lid, K&N filter, ASR, Bilsteins, BMR shock tower brace, Auburn high torque diff, SLP cat-back dual duals, SLP Y-pipe, chrome ZR-1 5-spoke wheels with SS inserts, GT Cross-Drilled Rotors, B.F. Goodrich G-Force KD's, RS Front Skirts, chromed hood insert, SS mats, cover, dash plaque, key fobs, SSOA car blanket, SLP silver logo plaque opposite SS logo on rear fascia, custom pinstriping on hood scoop, "Camaro" and #31 on rear fascia ...plus Zaino clean! Posts: 350 | From: Chula Vista (San Diego), CA USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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