New Wheels, New Tires

SteveGT · 08-31-2009

Hey Folks, I would like your input...new wheels arrived today...15" x 7" 4 x 100 of course but I would like input on what folks are running on GT's as far as tires..It looks like I will be running either 205/50/15 or 195/50/15 but am unsure of the brand I want to go with....what brand are GT owners happy with? which brand performs the best for your driving? Cost is a factor as I would like to stay around the $75.00-$90.00 each range

My area is quite hilly and curvy for the most part....Thanks in advance for your help!

SteveGT

RallyBob · 08-31-2009

205/50-15 is closer to the OEM diameter. Actually 215/50-15 would be ideal but that size is not that popular anymore.

The Kumho Ecsta XS is a very grippy summer tire, but tread wear is only 180. Costs about $88 at the Tire Rack.

BFG G-force Sport is another grippy summer tire, costs $85 and has a tread wear of 340.

Cheaper still is the Sumitomo HTR 200. About $69, treadwear 380.

SteveGT · 08-31-2009

Anyone running Fuzions...don't know much about them yet

SteveGT

jayhawkjesse33 · 08-31-2009

I am running 205/50/15's on mine, with 15x7 wheels. I have Toyo tires and couldn't be more happy with how they ride and the grip I get. They were about 85 each (installed on the wheels and then on the car) if I remember right.

DennisGardiner · 08-31-2009

Originally Posted by SteveGT

Anyone running Fuzions...don't know much about them yet
SteveGT

Have a set of Fuzion's on one of my cars. The tire wears well, but... they have lousy on-center feel and they roll-over under hard cornering.

The Yohahama AVS's on my GT are vastly superior.

Fusion's are made by Firestone.

Paul · 08-31-2009

Go to Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels They have an excellent tire raing system and customer reviews database. The is a MUST DO for anyone about to shop for tires. You will not find a better site for getting the real scoop on tires.

Paul · 08-31-2009

Originally Posted by SteveGT

Anyone running Fuzions...don't know much about them yet

SteveGT

Fusions dont rate very high in any of the performance categories Tire Racks lists...

Phoenix · 08-31-2009

I have the Fuzion HRis on my GT with the 14x7 inch Borbets. 195/60R14. Good daily tire for the price, recommend to me by a guy who worked for tirerack and had a Kamen Ghia. I don't consider them a performance tire but I do have trouble breaking traction with them.

Paul · 08-31-2009

Currently, I'm running Bridgestone RE960AS Pole Position 195/60-14 on 14 x 6-1/2" BBS wheels. These are classified as Ultra High Performance All Season tires by Tire Rack. They are priced at $64 each and are rated 2nd to only the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus in a class of about 30 other tires. Its an excellent handling tire and I love to push it hard in the corners. Its also great in hard rain. So far the outside edges are showing no signs of abuse... however, I am running 1.8* negative camber, so they will have to really roll over to wear outter blocks

Even with the heavy negative camber, they're wearing evenly across the tread face after 7,500 miles and 95 to 103*F summer temps...

I highly recommend these tires

Redskinsjbs · 08-31-2009

I have been looking at tires as well, and I noticed that TireRack is having a sale on these BF Goodrich tires:
BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S

(g-Force Super Sport A/S 205/50 R15)

I see these being beneficial for me because I can leave them on in the winter and I should be pretty safe. . . PLUS, they are only $65 at the moment.

OrangPeEL · 08-31-2009

I'm running Kumho Ecsta 205/50-15 on 15x7 wheels. I suspect 195/50 width may not provide much rim protection. Picture link here-

Konig Rewind wheels on 1973 Opel GT - Opel Photo Gallery

kwilford · 09-01-2009

They aren't on my GT, but I had Fuzion ZR-1's and now have BFG G-Force Sport's on my Lexus IS300. The Fuzions were quite inexpensive, but didn't wear well, and weren't NEARLY as grippy as the OEM Bridgestone RE-040's, which were sticky but wore out in about 10,000 miles. And from what I was told, the Fuzions are actually made by the Bridgestone side of Firestone/Bridgestone. I am much happier with the BFG's, although they are even worse for traction than the Fuzion's at the transition season when there's a hint of cold or snow, before I put on the winters (Michelin X-Ice Xi2's). If I do it again, I would have bought the BFG G-Force Super Sport A/S's as they apparently are a terrific compromise between a high performance tire and a "shoulder season" tire (NOT true All Season, as not so good in real snow)
JM2CW

opelwasp · 09-01-2009

I run Falken ZIEX 512 on most of my cars. I like how they handle and they shed water great in the rain.

Jeepsbeme · 09-01-2009

I'm running general Exclaim UHP's on both my GT and my daily driver and couldn't be happier. Although I'm sure they're are better handling tires available if you actually race your vehicle, for overall ride, handling and tread life I'm 100% sold on them. They even survive the abuse of Michigan potholes.

hrcollinsjr · 09-01-2009

There you go Steve, looks to me like you have a clear winner.

Harold

08-31-2009	#6 (permalink)
Paul Member 1000 Post Club Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ft Smith, Arkansas Posts: 1,481 Provided Answers: 1	Go to Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels They have an excellent tire raing system and customer reviews database. The is a MUST DO for anyone about to shop for tires. You will not find a better site for getting the real scoop on tires. __________________ Paul

08-31-2009	#8 (permalink)
Phoenix Trouble Maker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Snellville, Ga Posts: 1,970 Real Name: Tony Holcomb Provided Answers: 2	I have the Fuzion HRis on my GT with the 14x7 inch Borbets. 195/60R14. Good daily tire for the price, recommend to me by a guy who worked for tirerack and had a Kamen Ghia. I don't consider them a performance tire but I do have trouble breaking traction with them. __________________ Needs a 2dr Ascona, everyone else has one.

08-31-2009	#9 (permalink)
Paul Member 1000 Post Club Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ft Smith, Arkansas Posts: 1,481 Provided Answers: 1	Currently, I'm running Bridgestone RE960AS Pole Position 195/60-14 on 14 x 6-1/2" BBS wheels. These are classified as Ultra High Performance All Season tires by Tire Rack. They are priced at $64 each and are rated 2nd to only the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus in a class of about 30 other tires. Its an excellent handling tire and I love to push it hard in the corners. Its also great in hard rain. So far the outside edges are showing no signs of abuse... however, I am running 1.8* negative camber, so they will have to really roll over to wear outter blocks Even with the heavy negative camber, they're wearing evenly across the tread face after 7,500 miles and 95 to 103*F summer temps... I highly recommend these tires __________________ Paul

08-31-2009	#10 (permalink)
Redskinsjbs Opel Intern Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington DC Posts: 513 Logbook Entries: 1 Real Name: Jay Provided Answers: 3	I have been looking at tires as well, and I noticed that TireRack is having a sale on these BF Goodrich tires: BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S (g-Force Super Sport A/S 205/50 R15) I see these being beneficial for me because I can leave them on in the winter and I should be pretty safe. . . PLUS, they are only $65 at the moment. __________________ J Swift Sincerely Flickr photos Videos Last edited by Redskinsjbs; 08-31-2009 at 04:58 PM.

08-31-2009	#11 (permalink)
OrangPeEL Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Salem, Oregon - country roads through blooming iris crops is great Opel driving here! Posts: 167 Real Name: Dan	Kumho Ecsta 205/50-15 I'm running Kumho Ecsta 205/50-15 on 15x7 wheels. I suspect 195/50 width may not provide much rim protection. Picture link here- Konig Rewind wheels on 1973 Opel GT - Opel Photo Gallery __________________ Result driven. Daily blessed.

08-31-2009	#4 (permalink)
jayhawkjesse33 Opeler Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Terre Haute, Indiana Posts: 134	I am running 205/50/15's on mine, with 15x7 wheels. I have Toyo tires and couldn't be more happy with how they ride and the grip I get. They were about 85 each (installed on the wheels and then on the car) if I remember right.

09-01-2009	#12 (permalink)
kwilford Über OpelGT.com Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,087 Real Name: Keith Wilford Provided Answers: 4	They aren't on my GT, but I had Fuzion ZR-1's and now have BFG G-Force Sport's on my Lexus IS300. The Fuzions were quite inexpensive, but didn't wear well, and weren't NEARLY as grippy as the OEM Bridgestone RE-040's, which were sticky but wore out in about 10,000 miles. And from what I was told, the Fuzions are actually made by the Bridgestone side of Firestone/Bridgestone. I am much happier with the BFG's, although they are even worse for traction than the Fuzion's at the transition season when there's a hint of cold or snow, before I put on the winters (Michelin X-Ice Xi2's). If I do it again, I would have bought the BFG G-Force Super Sport A/S's as they apparently are a terrific compromise between a high performance tire and a "shoulder season" tire (NOT true All Season, as not so good in real snow) JM2CW __________________ Keith Wilford working on my '71 GT and '75 SportWagon Last edited by kwilford; 09-01-2009 at 12:52 AM.

09-01-2009	#13 (permalink)
opelwasp Non Civilian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Between Chico and Sac, CA Posts: 1,596 Provided Answers: 1	I run Falken ZIEX 512 on most of my cars. I like how they handle and they shed water great in the rain. __________________ Arguing online is the same as racing in the Special Olympics; no matter who wins, you're both still retarded.

09-01-2009	#14 (permalink)
Jeepsbeme Opeler Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 67	I'm running general Exclaim UHP's on both my GT and my daily driver and couldn't be happier. Although I'm sure they're are better handling tires available if you actually race your vehicle, for overall ride, handling and tread life I'm 100% sold on them. They even survive the abuse of Michigan potholes. __________________ Brian B - SE Michigan My "Fun Fleet": 1973 Opel GT - Completed 1976 AMC Pacer - Completed 1970 Jeepster Commando - Under Construction 1952 Willys M38 - Completed

09-01-2009	#15 (permalink)
hrcollinsjr 2200 Post Club Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chapel Hill, TN Posts: 2,263 Real Name: Harold Collins Provided Answers: 14	There you go Steve, looks to me like you have a clear winner. Harold

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