245/40/17 summer tire recommendations needed

[Byebye]

I got BFG Rivals, 245/40/17 on 17x9 +45 RPF1. Used for Auto X once by me and was very sticky. DD'd for few hundred miles and was extremely happy with the grip and comfort.

I'm also on Coils.

[neurokinetik]

Originally Posted by OICU812

I've read again and again the praise of RS3 and Rivals in regards to auto x tires, how are they for road comfort and noise though? Also decent in wet conditions? Tire Rack reviews on those two are all over the place..

The claims that the Hankook RS3s are "bad" in the wet or the cold are greatly exaggerated (though the auto-x times really do suffer at 50 degrees or lower). Last year, I kept mine on through the fall when the temps got down into the low 40s and high 30s (but absolutely no snow). They still had way more grip than the Blizzaks. What is not greatly exaggerated is the noise. At highway speeds, they are by far the loudest thing about my car, and that is with an aftermarket exhaust. The ride isn't bad, it's about what it should be on a car like ours.

Oh, and they do wear fast, as would be expected. I got I think about 8000 miles out of mine (not completely gone, but just to the wear bars), with about a dozen or so auto-x events (and since my local regions tend to be very efficient, we probably get about twice as many runs at one of our events as most locals - on about a 45 second course).

[lp87]

while we're on this topic can anyone verify if the v12's run wide? Wondering because I have 245/40r17 coming for my 17x9.5 wheels and don't really want anything more than a very slight stretch. I've seen quite a few 245 wide setups on 9.5 wide wheels and they don't look as stretched as some other 245's ive seen. For reference, this is 245/40 on 18x9.5 wheels:

[Squishy]

Surprised no one mentioned the Bridgestone RE-11A.
- Unidirectional
- great dry/wet traction
- good noise levels
- extreme summer tire and cheaper than PSS
- wears well after a weekend track HPDE at TWS and I daily drive these
- I run -1.6 to -1.7 degress camber all around
- got them at $164 each at Costco
- I run on 17x9 +35 RPF1 square setup

[Leonardo]

Michilen pilot sports are awesome! I bought some 245/40/17s yesterday. They look soooooo much better than my 225/45/17 pilot sport A/S!


245/40/17 on 7.5 I thought it would look pinched. I like the way it looks.


I need to wash my car.

[Vracer111]

I'd look at the Max Performance summer tire category as that is where you will find the best wet/dry tires, Extreme Performance summer tire category is more about dry grip at the expense of wet grip...

Personally I'll be going with Kumho Ecsta Sport LE's in 205/45-17 size when it's time to replace the Primacy HP's...they have a slightly wider tread @ 7.7", fitting nicely on 7.5" width wheels. I have the Sport LE's on my Tacoma (205/55-16 on 16x7.5 Kosei K-1s), and they were the best overall tire I ran on it, which included wider Hankook RS-2, BFG KDW's, and Kumho Ecsta MX's (from 225-245 width). Phenomenal wet handling and dry handling that is better than the Primacy HP's. Same weight as the Primacy HP's but with a higher load rating and only costing $80 each... And there's a $50 rebate offer now.

[neurokinetik]

Originally Posted by Squishy

Surprised no one mentioned the Bridgestone RE-11A.
- Unidirectional
- great dry/wet traction
- good noise levels
- extreme summer tire and cheaper than PSS
- wears well after a weekend track HPDE at TWS and I daily drive these
- I run -1.6 to -1.7 degress camber all around
- got them at $164 each at Costco
- I run on 17x9 +35 RPF1 square setup

+1, I forgot about them as well, and they do merit consideration.

[whataboutbob]

As much as I love my Z2s for AutoX, I went and bought 225/45ZR17 Pilot Super Sports to mount on my factory wheels for DD today.

[OICU812]

Thanks for all the great comments fellas, I've decided I will flip a coin between two choices, at this point either rivals or MPSS for these wheel and their purpose. I truly appreciate everyones feedback. Now just to make some final other thoughts on camber and stuff and a street wheel setup to make up my mind on camber etc... thanks again!

[Squishy]

If street is the focus - I would stick to the MPSS. Rivals can be driven in rain but I would put them up there with the RS3's in the wet. Can be done, but wouldn't if I had the choice.

[OICU812]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Good wet and dry will be a compromise in the highest performance street tire category...my suggestion? Go down one category and get yourself some Pilot Super Sports. Excellent wet grip for what they are (sticky summer tires). Non-directional and long-lasting from the reviews I've read, but I've only about half a year's worth of miles on mine.

How are they for road noise and comfort to what you've had in past? Turns out these and RE-11A are now easiest to get for me. Not in rush but these are what's "quickest" to get.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by OICU812

How are they for road noise and comfort to what you've had in past? Turns out these and RE-11A are now easiest to get for me. Not in rush but these are what's "quickest" to get.

My previous tires from this category were BFG KDW2 which had amazing wet traction, but terrible noise in the past. The sidewall on the two is comparable in stiffness and you WILL have road noise from the PSS, but I don't think it's terrible or bad. As I said, comfort is relative to the rest of the tires in this category as the sidewall IS stiff, but with the 45 series sidewall and my suspension setup I don't find bumps or cracks to be anymore uncomfortable than stock.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by OICU812

I've decided I will flip a coin between two choices, at this point either rivals or MPSS for these wheel and their purpose. I truly appreciate everyones feedback. Now just to make some final other thoughts on camber and stuff and a street wheel setup to make up my mind on camber etc... thanks again!

Originally Posted by OICU812

How are they for road noise and comfort to what you've had in past? Turns out these and RE-11A are now easiest to get for me. Not in rush but these are what's "quickest" to get.

RE11A seems like the best choice for you anyway, more street/wet-oriented than the Rival, and more track-oriented than the PSS.

As for camber: as much as you can get within reason. IMO ~2.5 negative is a reasonable street/track compromise.

[jeebus]

I absolutely LOVE my Rivals. I shaved around 5 seconds off 100 second AutoX lap times with them and they are insanely comfortable and capable on the street. In the wet they work, but I wouldn't drive them as hard as PSS or Conti DW in the wet. Those tires SUCK for AutoX though. Not sure if that matters to you.