Need Help Selecting Tyre

[PeNT]

Sorry guys,

Need tyres for the Rear of an R33, 255/40/17 and am on a tight budget

I have been searched the forums and selected some tyres and called heaps of places around sydney.

Am down to 4 tyres. Most preferred to least.

Khumo KU31 spt

Dunlop Direzza DZ101

Federal 595

GT Radial HPZ

I have KU31's up in the front and they are quite reasonable. I am looking at the Ku31s or the Dunlops. I am not sure on the treadwear on these tyres. Every tells me a different story. Maybe they are just trying to offload their stock.

Are the KU31's too soft for the rears. How do the Dunlops compare ? Will they last. My care is fairly stock.

thanks heaps..

[blitzxtr]

Sorry guys,

Need tyres for the Rear of an R33, 255/40/17 and am on a tight budget

I have been searched the forums and selected some tyres and called heaps of places around sydney.

Am down to 4 tyres. Most preferred to least.

Khumo KU31 spt

Dunlop Direzza DZ101

Federal 595

GT Radial HPZ

I have KU31's up in the front and they are quite reasonable. I am looking at the Ku31s or the Dunlops. I am not sure on the treadwear on these tyres. Every tells me a different story. Maybe they are just trying to offload their stock.

Are the KU31's too soft for the rears. How do the Dunlops compare ? Will they last. My care is fairly stock.

thanks heaps..

Go the feds they are great if ya can afford them.

[PeNT]

Go the feds they are great if ya can afford them.

Thanks. What is the wear rate on them.

cheers

[shepo]

deffinately the ferrals!

they got me a 1:26 around sandown

the wear really comes down to a couple of things, how good your wheel alignment is, and how you drive.

i have found them to be ok, given that my alignment is set up for wicked handling.

[siksII]

If you are really worried about the treadwear then consider at the treadwear rating:

KU31 - 320

DZ101 - 300

SS595 - 240/260 depending on aspect ratio

HPZ - 300

So looks like the 595s would wear the quickest, and the others would be similar.

Out of those I have only driven on the DZ101s and they are a good street tyre, in 255 on a stockish car you wont have any traction issues.

[PeNT]

If you are really worried about the treadwear then consider at the treadwear rating:

KU31 - 320

DZ101 - 300

SS595 - 240/260 depending on aspect ratio

HPZ - 300

So looks like the 595s would wear the quickest, and the others would be similar.

Out of those I have only driven on the DZ101s and they are a good street tyre, in 255 on a stockish car you wont have any traction issues.

thanks

I have front and rear camber kits installed. Where do you find the treadwear ratings. I could not see them on the manufacturer websites

[MrStabby]

blitzxtr & shepo - can you confirm you're not confusing the 595 with 595RS?

I used the 595 (or 595SS as they were known then) and they were just average on the track.

The 595RS are about double the price of the 595 but much better on the track. I run the Falken RT-615s which are similar to the 595RS.

[Abo Bob]

What prices have you got for your list?

[siksII]

thanks

I have front and rear camber kits installed. Where do you find the treadwear ratings. I could not see them on the manufacturer websites

I googled them before replying, I usually find the Aussie sites pretty lacking... often the US sites have more info so maybe try them in the future..

As Abo Bob says, if you are worried about wearing out, the price is pretty relevant too.. Im guessing the prices would be pretty different across those models.

[Munkyb0y]

Khumo KU31 spt

i have these on my rears. i'm very happy with them. they'd have to be the best value for money. especially on a street car.

go to tempe tyres, and get them to do you a good cash deal on a pair. i was very pleased with the price they did the 265/18's for.

[PeNT]

Khumo KU31 spt

i have these on my rears. i'm very happy with them. they'd have to be the best value for money. especially on a street car.

go to tempe tyres, and get them to do you a good cash deal on a pair. i was very pleased with the price they did the 265/18's for.

I got the following as of today.

KU31 - $175

DZ101 - $240

SS595 - $185

HPZ - $280

I am leaning towards the 595 or the Ku31... Since treadwear is similar, I am wondering what the noise is like. The 595 seems quite aggressive.. maybe a little noisy.. maybe I am getting old Which one would be better in the wet.

thanks

[scathing]

You might want to add the Falken FK452s to your list.

They'll be around the HPZ price I'd guess, but I've found them to be good in wet and dry and they've lasted me a reasonably long time (UTQG 300). My 255/35 R18s cost me $350 each, so a higher profile and smaller diameter rim should be noticably cheaper.

However, if I had to choose between them and the DZ101s I don't think I could split them on performance or life.

[Bullet32]

I got the following as of today.

KU31 - $175

DZ101 - $240

SS595 - $185

HPZ - $280

I am leaning towards the 595 or the Ku31... Since treadwear is similar, I am wondering what the noise is like. The 595 seems quite aggressive.. maybe a little noisy.. maybe I am getting old Which one would be better in the wet.

thanks

The Federal 595 isnt a "noisy" tyre when compared to some other UHP directional tyres on the market. You may find that you get a bit of a hum from them when cornering but overall they arent too bad, especially on Skylines.

The Kumho would most likely be slightly better for wet weather traction as it has smaller tread blocks, circumfrential grooves and more siping (small cuts in the tread for water evacuation) but due to the smaller tread blocks it would probably not provide as much dry traction as the 595, however I find the 595's to be very predictable and progressive in wet and dry.

In my experience I would say that the 595 is designed more for high dry grip and cornering as it has larger tread blocks (meaning more rubber in contact with the road) and a slightly softer tread compound than the KU31, but the Kumho would most likely be better for wet weather and slightly longer life... Although I have managed to get just over 30,000kms from my 595's and I have a pretty heavy foot

Both are very good tyres for the price.

I hope this helps with your decision.

[PeNT]

The Federal 595 isnt a "noisy" tyre when compared to some other UHP directional tyres on the market. You may find that you get a bit of a hum from them when cornering but overall they arent too bad, especially on Skylines.

The Kumho would most likely be slightly better for wet weather traction as it has smaller tread blocks, circumfrential grooves and more siping (small cuts in the tread for water evacuation) but due to the smaller tread blocks it would probably not provide as much dry traction as the 595, however I find the 595's to be very predictable and progressive in wet and dry.

In my experience I would say that the 595 is designed more for high dry grip and cornering as it has larger tread blocks (meaning more rubber in contact with the road) and a slightly softer tread compound than the KU31, but the Kumho would most likely be better for wet weather and slightly longer life... Although I have managed to get just over 30,000kms from my 595's and I have a pretty heavy foot

Both are very good tyres for the price.

I hope this helps with your decision.

Thanks my friend. That sums it up perfectly.

Another question. I noticed that there a two tyres on the federal website for 255/40/17

1. 255/40/17

2. 255/40Z17

They have different specs such as RIM width and max coldpsi, UTQG etc.

Not only that, the US website has the same two tyres but the specs don't match the AUS site.

I have sent an email of to the guys.

According to the AUS website the max size is 9 " rim.. My rears are 10".

US site says 8.5-10"

Do the specs differ for different countries

cheers

[Bullet32]

Thanks my friend. That sums it up perfectly.

Another question. I noticed that there a two tyres on the federal website for 255/40/17

1. 255/40/17

2. 255/40Z17

They have different specs such as RIM width and max coldpsi, UTQG etc.

Not only that, the US website has the same two tyres but the specs don't match the AUS site.

I have sent an email of to the guys.

According to the AUS website the max size is 9 " rim.. My rears are 10".

US site says 8.5-10"

Do the specs differ for different countries

cheers

Youre welcome,

The difference between the two listings in 255/40R17 is the speed rating - one is V rated (240kmh) and the other is Z rated (300+kmh), the only difference in the two tyres is in the tread compound / construction...

Basically if you have a vehicle which comes out of the factory with Z speed rated tyres you must replace them with Z speed rated tyres, if the vehicle comes out of the factory with H or V rated (H is 210kmh) you must replace them with H or V rated tyres or higher.

For your Skyline you will only need the V's (unless you plan on travelling at over 240kmh).

The 255/40R17 595's are recommended for rim widths of 7.5 - 9 inches, there is no difference from what is sold in USA and what is sold here... Sometimes details can get mixed up in translation.

You would be better off looking at 275/40R17's if you have 10" wide wheels.

[PeNT]

Youre welcome,

The difference between the two listings in 255/40R17 is the speed rating - one is V rated (240kmh) and the other is Z rated (300+kmh), the only difference in the two tyres is in the tread compound / construction...

Basically if you have a vehicle which comes out of the factory with Z speed rated tyres you must replace them with Z speed rated tyres, if the vehicle comes out of the factory with H or V rated (H is 210kmh) you must replace them with H or V rated tyres or higher.

For your Skyline you will only need the V's (unless you plan on travelling at over 240kmh).

The 255/40R17 595's are recommended for rim widths of 7.5 - 9 inches, there is no difference from what is sold in USA and what is sold here... Sometimes details can get mixed up in translation.

You would be better off looking at 275/40R17's if you have 10" wide wheels.

If I go 275/40 thats 20 mm overall bigger diameter than standard, right ? Probably upset the current camber setup and cost more per tyre as well. Sounds tempting

Might stick with the kumho's then since the specs reckon a 10 will fit for a 255/40

thanks

[Bullet32]

The O.D difference is actually 16mm...

According to Australian standards - 255/40R17 passenger tyre (in any brand) is legally approved for use on 8 - 10 inch wide wheels.

So you dont have to go to 275's if you prefer 255's.

[shepo]

blitzxtr & shepo - can you confirm you're not confusing the 595 with 595RS?

I used the 595 (or 595SS as they were known then) and they were just average on the track.

The 595RS are about double the price of the 595 but much better on the track. I run the Falken RT-615s which are similar to the 595RS.

they are just the 595. alot of it is down to the wheel alignment. my gtr has a rather agressive wheel alignment, so it would probably handle well no matter what tyres are on it. thats why i cant wait to get my hands on a set of "R" spec tyres.

[PeNT]

thanks for your help guys. I will stick with the 255/40s

[Cain]

i have been really happy with the grip my ku31's gave on my 320+rwkw 350z.

as i have to much camber i only managed to get 3500km out of a set of 275/35/18 :'(

But when they are new the grip was awesome, even hitting boost on 2nd wouldnt really light up the tyres at all.