My 04 6sp has almost 30k on the factory 18 inch Dunlaps, and it's time to upgrade. The factory tires have been just OK, and I'm thinking about:

Toyo Proxes 4, Cooper Zeon 2xs or Handkook K107.

It's a Socal car, no snow/little rain driving, and I want to get more than 25k out of a performance tire. More freeway than street driving, and I'm a little aggressive, but not out of hand (there was that one time I hit 133 mph, but that's another story). Could anybody weigh in about my choices, or suggest another way to go.

I'm just about to go to the forum sponsor to look at tire reviews, but thought that I would access "hive knowledge" first. Thanks, RM

 

I just put the zeons on and i absolutely love them!!!!!!!! I got them for 150 installed and balanced. I also had the dunlaps and they cant even start to compare to the zeons. From looking at it though, i dont kno how well it will prevent hydroplaning.

 

What do they cost?

 

I got quoted for 195 for the proxies and 150 for the zeons, both installed and high speed balanced

 

I'm gonna look at cost second, but have my tire guy says "pretty equal $". I figure I'll focus on the tire, and then shop it. And thanks, kid, on your comment re the zeons and cost. FWIW, the zeons and the Toyo's were the salesguy first picks.

 

Same here, but with the price difference, it was an easy pick for me and i have absolutely no regrets

 

I just put 25k miles on my Kumho Ecsta MX's and they are still going though probably for not much longer. I have had a couple of track days on them as well and live in Long Beach.

These are great tires though I think I am going to try the Falken St-615 next.

 

Thanks neighbor, I'm partial to Performance Plus tires on Cherry, you?

 

No preference at the moment as I am not really sure what is good in the LBC. I went to a shop I know of in Orange but would much rather do something local. Where can you get a decent alignment in the area?

 

Dunlap? Handkook??

 

I have the Cooper Zeons and I dont really like them. Dont feel as good as the stock tires. I have them on Volk LE37T. I mean I guess they are okay but nothing great.

 

I got Toya Proxes 4, didn't like them until I got about 1,000 miles on them. Seemed like they rolled or sidewall flex, not as responsive as summer tires. I don't feel it much now 5,ooo miles later, probably a combination of less depth to the tread and getting used to them. It is wearing very well compared to the stock Bridgestone and less noise. I would buy them again paid $119 each installed.

 

I have the Toyo P4s as well. Way better than the potenzas, suprisingly they gave me a much softer ride too. I got them for 580$ shipped, paid local shop 60 bucks to install.

 

I have the Falken FK-451's with about 15000 miles on them and have not hit 50% gone yet.
I like the way they handle on dry and so far in the rain they have been exceptional.
Can't get them to slip in corners. I could but at that speed in the rain no one want's to slip.
I have the 245/40-zr18's
I will more than likely get another set when these are worn.
Price is about 140.00

 

Why Proxes 4's instead of the T1R ? The Proxes 4 makes a better All (3) Season high performance tire, but if it is strictly for So. Cal. (but you still want good tire life then I would look more towards the T1R than Proxes 4.

 

ive got the T1R's in 245/40, & love them. quiet, great traction, good wear... definitely fit for a socal car.

on the other hand, i have the coopers on my e36 m3, & they are great as well. i dont think you can go wrong with either, but i will probably put the toyos on the m3 as soon as the coopers wear out. good luck.

 

I'am looking at the Bridgestone RE 750's or the Nittos 555, I like the design on the Bridgeston Re-01 but they don't have them in the size I need....

 

I picked up a nail in my old tires, and since I only had a little tread, I decided to replace all four about 750 miles before I anticipated.

Four Zeno’s all in, including taxes and lifetime rotation, $640.

However, when I checked out they only charged me for two tires, $320. But, because I only believe in stealing large, I corrected the mistake….Maybe I’ll get into Heaven.

I’m very pleased; a big improvement over the factories. Drove from Long Beach to Lompoc in the driving rain and they handled superbly, and the 24 mpg set a record.

And, fwiw, I was at the Long Beach Drifting races last weekend (one guy’s running a RX-8) and one of the Cooper hotties tossed my a free Cooper shirt…is this a great country or what?

Thanks everyone who shared their thoughts.