anyone run a 200 tread wear tire all the time

[TracAction]

I guess what I am getting at is does any one run anything like the AZENIS RT-615 all the time on their car

what I want to know is what kind of milage are you getting?
My situation I was about to order tires 2 days ago and now I am still stuck debating on what to do.

I have some nice aftermarket 18" rims with Hankook K106 tires (need replaced soon/down to wear bar) and a set of factory 17" rims with Falken ZEIX 512 practically new (going on wifes car)

so my big debate is

DO nothing just replace the K-106 tires as needed (cheapest method)

OR

Do I get the
225(235)/45/17
Potenza RE01
AZENIS RT-615
Hankook Ventus R-S2

this is cheaper but I will prob want to change tires for each event

OR

225(235)/40/18
AZENIS RT-615
Hankook Ventus R-S2
cost more than above but option but I get to use my nice rims and have a spare set of rims to do the next option later

OR

just put on some new K-106 when they wear out and get some
race tires to put on the factory 17" rims but that means I have to get a hitch and trailer or something to transport the tires too

My car is not a daily driver so if I can get atleast 12-18 mos on a set of tires for the 18" rims and not have to change the tires before every event I would be happy.

Aghh such a delima anyone have any thoughts?

[Alizarin]

I got really close to 25k on the RE-070's that came with my rims. They were tread wear 180, I believe. Charles runs the RE01's right now.

From what I've gathered from talking to some people on NASIOC, if you were to go with a set of (for example) Azenis on a different set of rims, swap them the night before and drive to the event with them on the car. The claim is that you will get better tread life out of them.

[rippin mazda]

I ran a set of RT-615's on my miata as every day tires. I got about 12k miles out of them before they were to the wear bars. But then again, I took alot of turns like a 21 y/o male in a sporty car. So you'll probably get more life then I did.

Also, there was a $100 rebate on RE-01's if you bought 4. But I dont know if they are still doing that promotion.

Ryan

[Anonymous]

Are your 18's the same size front and rear? Hopefully yes. If so, I would go that route. Just watch the edges of your tires and rotate the worn ones to the back as needed. I have a feeling that your car probably needs camber in the front and is going to burn the edges off tires.

12-18 months out of a set of tires is wishful thinking. After 10 months the tires are going to be dead anyway, even if they still have tread.

[Dave-ROR]

All my cars are using < 200 treadwear tires. Since I drive pretty docile on the streets, I still get 25-35k out of a set of tires.

[Loren]

I've been running 140-200 treadwear tires on my daily drivers for about 12 years now. Driving on the street in a "spirited" manner with very little highway driving, autocrossing at least once each month, and doing a track event or two each year, my tires last anywhere between 8 and 12k.

Keep in mind that the stickier a tread compound is, the quicker it's going to harden with age and exposure to the environment. Unless you rack up miles at a really high rate, the tires will "age out" before they ever get more than 15k on them. That is, the rubber will harden and they'll lose their grip.

With that in mind, you should plan on driving a set of "ultra-high-performance" street tires for about a year and half... 2 years max, and then replacing them. Regardless of how many miles are on them, or how much tread is left. They'll be "done" by then. Just accept that "tires are consumables" and have fun!

FWIW, the new Potenza RE-01's are a little better than the Azenis. Excellent tire. But, they're expensive... the Azenis is still by far the best bang for the buck. The Hankook's are almost as good as the Azenis and are also a good value.

[Native]

This may or may not help, but I'll throw it out there as another data point.

I just finished up a set of RS2's that I did nothing but autocross on once a month. They lasted not quite two years tread-wise (with occasional front to back rotations) but as has been said above, had gotten hard and took longer to heat up and stuck a little less than when new.

On a side note, and not completely hihacking the thread - my DD needs new shoes - the old Toyo T1-S are done. I was looking at the K106 as an option. What are your thoughts on that tire?

[TracAction]

the k106 tires are actually pretty nice and if I drove my car as a daily driver and could only pick one set of tires I would prob go with them as my only set.

good value
good feel
low road noise (or quiet german car)

And I may just run them a little longer since my office tv bit the big one tonight and wife said i could either get a new plasma tv for my room or tires BUT not both.....

the jury is in deleberation