Tires - Opinions, Sizing, & Mounting

[Grider]

Audi A4 1.8TQ Sport
Stock Size - 235/45-17

I need some new rubber for the Audi. I cannot get rims right now, so I need the stock size or near stock size. What are the opinions on these two tires:
Kumho ECSTA (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+MX&partnum=345YR7EMX)
Dunlop SP Sport 9090 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+Sport+9090&partnum=345YR79090)

The BFG KDW 2 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+T%2FA+KDW+2) is an option, but they do not come in or the Tire Rack does not have them in the stock 235/45-17 size. I am not sure about what size will work with the stock rims. A little helpenation would be appreciated.

Also, if I snag them from the Tire Rack, where in Auburn would you guys recommended getting them mounted and balanced? Anybody do high speed balancing here?

[VR4Rob]

Falken GRB FK 451 (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?sw=false&cs=235&pc=28654&rd=17&ar=45)

This is what I have, I've been very pleased with the tire over about 13K miles of use. Great grip, good ride, good price. I'd go for the BFGs if you've got the cash.

[Anderson]

Goodyear Eagle F1 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+F1+GS-D3)

This is my choice over the KDW. Its a great tire. I just got back from the gap on these things and all I can say is wow. I never stopped grinning the whole time I was hitting the curves, and the wet traction is simply amazing. :steering:

They are worth the little extra bit if you ask me.

[Matt Harris]

I love BFG tires, if you can find them in the right size, the KDW2's are about the best all around tire out there anywhere near its price range. I plan on getting a set for the mini first thing. (When I order the new wheels for it, probably have them about a month to 6 weeks after I get the car.)

[insert_car]

I've owned S03's, pilot sports, and KDW 2's

I can't say it enough, the KDW 2's are the best tire i've ever had. exellent traction and handling. i mean they really hold to the ground well.

i would bump up to 245 or down to 225

[Alex]

I liked the kuhmo 712's I used to have, especially for the price. I also like my goodyear eagle f1's a lot. Like Rick said the wet traction is impressive. And besides they look cool. :D

[insert_car]

And besides they look cool. :D

haha, if that is a reason for buying. i'd say the kdw2 's still got it!! :D to me the f1's look just like the pilot sports and many other tires of its kind. kdw 2's are very different.

F1
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/goodyear/gy_eagle_f1_gsd3_ci2_l.jpg

KDW 2
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/bfg/bfg_gforce_ta_kdw2_ci2_l.jpg

[Grider]

the KDW2s are 129 a piece from Tire Rack in 225/45-17 :thumbsup:

I have had shit luck with Goodyears in the past.

Think I will be ordering the KDW 2s.

Anybody got any idea on where to go to get them mounted?

[adam p]

KDW2s were the shizz on my stock suspension GTI. Oh yeah, and I got them mounted and balanced at Big 10 - they let you buy a lifetime rotate and balance also even if you dont buy the tires from them ;)

[Grider]

KDW2s were the shizz on my stock suspension GTI. Oh yeah, and I got them mounted and balanced at Big 10 - they let you buy a lifetime rotate and balance also even if you dont buy the tires from them ;)

Coolness. How much did they charge you for that?

[adam p]

Yeah um...I don't remember. :rolleyes:

[ActiveAero]

Check out eurotuners tire test. It has some good info.

[Alex]

Anyone know what a reasonable price is to get my wheels balanced? I'm getting a vibration at around 60 mph so I'm thinking that might be the cause.

[AadosX]

Should be about 5 bucks per wheel for balancing... and the same for mounting. If you want to pay less go to the place accross from the old Walmart on Opelika... and they treated me well when I had a problem too. Otherwise I'd say Big 10... but it costs a little more.

If you care much about these rims/tires and handling, etc... I'd go for KDW2s. BUT, since you're on stock suspension, and it seems that new wheels are in the mix in the near future, I'd save the cash and get the KUMHO Ecsta Supras (712s). They're great, inexpensive tires. Other than that, Yokohama AVS ES100's are GREAT tires but weren't mentioned here.

[Grider]

I ordered the KDW 2s, but fucked up and told them (Tire Rack) what car I was putting them on. So they called and said they could not sell me the tires because the load rating was too low for my application. Asshats.

They got the sale anyway, because I need some tires like whoa. The Kumho Ecasta MXs will be here in the morning. Hopefully they will be mounted in the afternoon. Thanks for the ideas/opinions.

[VR4Rob]

Hey Grider what does the QMS mean in the 1.8TQMS? Q I'm assuming is quattro... little help?

[Grider]

Hey Grider what does the QMS mean in the 1.8TQMS? Q I'm assuming is quattro... little help?
Quattro
Manual
Sport Package

There are all kinds of short hand for Audi specs.
5000CSTQ = Audi 5000 CS Package Turbo Quattro, Old schoo heavyness.
Russells would be a 04 1.8TQ6MU for 1.8T Quattro Manual 6speed Ultrasport.

For a your car it would be a VR4-Cat for VR4 Catapiller SteamRoller :)

[VR4Rob]

Quattro
Manual
Sport Package

There are all kinds of short hand for Audi specs.
5000CSTQ = Audi 5000 CS Package Turbo Quattro, Old schoo heavyness.
Russells would be a 04 1.8TQ6MU for 1.8T Quattro Manual 6speed Ultrasport.

For a your car it would be a VR4-Cat for VR4 Catapiller SteamRoller :)
Hahaha gotcha

[Jess]

Anybody got any idea on where to get them mounted?

On the wheels you idiot!

LOL AM I RITE?!??

[Grider]

On the wheels you idiot!

LOL AM I RITE?!??

Negatory, going to mount them on the pistons. 4cyl, 4 tires, hooya.

:)

[Grider]

They got the sale anyway, because I need some tires like whoa. The Kumho Ecasta MXs will be here in the morning. Hopefully they will be mounted in the afternoon. Thanks for the ideas/opinions.

Update:
Tire Rack and UPS are a bunch of fargin iceholes :mad:

Tire Rack swears up and down that they shipped on Tuesday morning the 5th. UPS left them sitting on a trailer for two days until they decided to move them tonight and now they are saying the tires will not be here till Monday. Aparently the April 7th is the new April 5th and April 11th is the new April 8th. Change your calendars appropriately
<img src="http://img202.exs.cx/img202/8107/screenshot0362if.jpg">
Fucking pricks. :redFU:

/ :emo:

[AadosX]

Hrmm, I've always had good experiences with tirerack shipping very fast.

[Grider]

Hrmm, I've always had good experiences with tirerack shipping very fast.

I know, everybody else I have talked to has been amazed that I did not get my tires yet. I just wanted the tires so I do not have to drive my GF's Durango to South Alabama this weekend.

UPS pisses me off on a daily basis. The company I work for only spends about 10 grand a week with them, you would think that we would get some bennys besides the super low rates. I get all this stuff shipped to my office because that is where I am all the time.

heh, sometimes that Ups account number comes in handy when I want it here ASAP too. ;)

I should not blame Tire Rack, but I am because for all I know it could have been sitting on the door at their warehouse waiting to get a full trailer before they called UPS.

[WiggiE]

UPS always waits till the last day to ship your product. I've seen something sit in CA for 4 days, then it went from CA to my door (in Ohio) in a day and a half.

If Fedex is not much more, I always pay the extra.

[AadosX]

Yeh, on that other hand, UPS does suxors.

[surfstang]

Ive had awesome service with DHL. Ive had stuff arrive 2 or 3 days early on several occasions. It sucks that DHL is foreign, but maybe the competition will whip UPS and FedEx into shape.

[SK VR4]

I like DHL.

Ive been to tirerack, that place is BIG. They are, however, a bunch of toolbags.