[downest]

I need to get some tires for the winter, the RT-615s are a little hairy even in cold weather. I'm looking at Falken Ziex ZE-512s, Hankook Optimo H418, and Yokohama AVID H4S, in either 185/60-R14 or 195/60-R14.

I've used the ZE-512s on my stepdad's EM1, and a few of my friends have them. The only complaint I hear about them is that one of my friends destroyed them autocrossing in his 3000+ pound Audi 200 on 15s. A friend of mine has the Yokos on her teg, but she isn't much help, I think all tires seem fine to her. Stef has another line of Hankooks on his CRX, but they are the sportier ones, and don't have many miles. It seems like Hankook is a newer company, I don't know anyone else running them and I haven't heard much about them. Right now I'm leaning toward the ZE-512s, just because they are the only ones I know more about.

I'm going to run the tires all winter, and probably as an alternative to the Azenis in the spring/summer so I don't wear them out as fast on longer trips. I've been looking on Discount Tire Direct and on Edge racing, where else should I look (TireRack doesn't carry Falken) for the best prices?

 

[jfrolang]

I don't know where to look for the Falkens, but skinnier tires are better for winter, so go for the 185s. Skinny tires cut through snow and slush easier to grip the asphalt below. They'll also provide better traction on ice, as the smaller tread area increases the pressure and thus the grip.

 

[downest]

I was debating the size still. They are going to be used in the other seasons as well.

 

[SETI20]

There is no such thing as a good all-round tire.
So whatever tire you decide on, it's probably going to be mediocre at best in either condition.

 

[Dodo]

For the winter, you should get winter tires. Other then four wheel drive, there's nothing beter in the snow then a good snow tire.

I just went out saturday and bought two of the brigdestone blizak in the 185/60R14 size. There coming in hopefully wedensday otherwise id tell you if they were good.

 

[bobski]

I've got a set of Avid H4s in 195/60 R14 on my 'rex. They're quiet, wear well, the grip has been decent wet or dry and have been predictable in the snow, but I have to admit that I've never owned a set of summer tires so my experience is limited.

 

[fireant]

For the winter, you should get winter tires. Other then four wheel drive, there's nothing beter in the snow then a good snow tire.

I just went out saturday and bought two of the brigdestone blizak in the 185/60R14 size. There coming in hopefully wedensday otherwise id tell you if they were good.

Though I dont ever see snow and rarely slush, I agree with what Dodo says... get some crappy steelies and real snow tires for safety.

Now for a general all-around daily driver tire I cant say enough good things about my Sumitomo HTR200s. They are great daily tires and freaking dirt cheap.

 

[SETI20]

I've tried some tires here and there...

Not counting the ones on my car, and 2 more sets I have at the shop.

 

[downest]

Bas, what are those, like 35/100-R16?

 

[GSRCRXsi]

look like 195 or 205 to me

 

[daveb91]

Bas, what are those, like 35/100-R16?

Maybe on the bike!

 

[mattminerDOTcom]

Ive had good luck on mine and friends cars with Ecsta ASXs and the Ziex 512s. I rocked the Ziex 512s on my 17x9s on my truck and the stock 16s on teh 2.5RS. ASXs are on the battle wagon (WRX) and my GSR fat fives (were on my GSR, now on my buddies EM1). For alot of people, they are all teh tire you will need.

avid h4s I hear are good, but dont know for sure. HTR200s i thought sucked....i had them on the EK coupe on a set of del slow wheels....

whil ei agree, there is no gret all around tire...some all weathers are much better then others. the ASXs handle decently, and dont feel like im going to die in the cold/rain like my old pole positions, BFG drag radials, or T1Rs

also vulcan tire is where i get my falkens from...

and no need to get steelies...what else are del slow/crx si/other stock honda alloys good for but this?

[email protected]

 

[SETI20]

Bas, what are those, like 35/100-R16?

215/50/R16 Falken Azenis on the slipstreams.
All the others are 195/50/R15. I have some for "fun", racing and winter. And 2 sets of general purpose tires.

 

[SETI20]

d'oh...I just got it...

 

[downest]

:rolleyes1:

 

[CRXBart]

I have Super Swamper Iroks for the winter. 37-13.5-15, and for the summer Toyo RA1's, and my DD rocks Hancook optimos all year round. IF it's ever too bad, I drive the vehicle with the IROKs.

 

[downest]

I ended up ordering the ZE-512s in 185/60-R14. I paid 170 shipped from Vulcan. After talking to Matt, I looked into the Kumho ASX's, but unfortunately they don't make them in 14". Looks like I'm rocking falkens all year now...

 

[Dilbert]

After driving a CRX for half a winter and writing it off... I now will ONLY use actual winter tires on a vehicle I own. Its not worth the 'save some cash' to end up f'ing up your ride because the guy in front of you can stop faster.

I bought a set of Walmart winter tires installed and balanced on a set of rims I provided for like $300cdn. This will be my 3rd winter on them now. Seriously, day and night difference.

PS. I've got a set of the 512's for my 'summer' tires as nobody could get the 615's... ... But the 512's are still only an all season which means they suck in the snow.

 

[SETI20]

All-weather is relative...

It's fairly simple.
A certain rubber compound only works optimal in a certain temp range.
This means that you either have no grip in winter, or you're burning them up in the summer.

Giving an "all weather" tire a good beating, and having a proper heat cycle going will usually result in a really greasy tire.
Ihis caused me to crash into a tire wall a while back (on a track) because they simply just gave out. And that was only after about 5 laps of pushing.

That's like...15 minutes of mountain driving before you go off the edge. :rolleyes1:

 

[jfrolang]

But the 512's are still only an all season which means they suck in the snow.

I have no direct experience with the 512s, but all-season tires are not inherently bad in the snow. Not as bad as dedicated summer tires anyway.

I'll give you a short story: I bought my car in 2001, with 13" steel wheels and some BFGoodrich all seasons. I drove it every day, and it actually did very well in snow and slush that winter. In summer 2002, I bought the wheels I still have, with some Kumho Ecsta Supra 712s. In January 2003 I had to make a trip to the store, and there was a light covering of snow on the ground. Not even half an inch. I figured if all seasons could do so well in heavy snow, summers could handle a short trip on very light snow. I slammed a curb on two consecutive corners that day, and came away with a flat and two scraped wheels. My car was parked for the remainder of that winter, and the following year I bought a set of dedicated winter wheels and tires.

Actually, I'm not sure why I put that whole spiel in there now. Anyway, all-seasons should be able to handle all conditions, but they are ultimately a compromise, and will not perform as well in any condition as a tire optimized for specific conditions.