What are the best tires for the 15"rims

[cobrak]

I know the best thing to do for performance driving is to get he 17" rims with the sticky low profile tires, but I just don't like the look. So.......What are the available tire choices for 15" rims and which are best. Any help would be greatly apreciated.

CobraK

[John Annie]

Dear Cobrak,

I struggled with the same question almost two years ago. My situation was that I would be driving my Cobra on the street with no drag strip or race track visits. I wanted to keep the original profile look of the Cobra, so I went with the 15 inch rims.

The brands I looked at were Dunlop, Yokohama, BFG and Goodyear. These brands could provide both front and rear tires in the sizes needed (235/60R15 front and 295/50R15 rear). I did extensive searches on Club Cobra and other sites to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each brand. In the end I chose the Yokohama’s. I’ve been very happy with these tires. On the down side, they are only “T” rated tires. (One of the advantages of the 17 inch tires are that you can get “Z” rated tires).

My tire installer had no trouble balancing the tires. They run smooth, my steering is rock solid and they don’t throw up road debris. I purchased the Yokohama’s from Tire Rack. I don’t know if they are still available or not.

John Annie

[Stentor]

Without a doubt, the 15" Avons (CR6ZZ) are among the best high-performance radial tires at this time for Cobras (V rated).

I have a pair for my car and they handle great. The primary downside is that they cost substantially more than many of the other 15" tires that guys use for their Cobras.

Do a quick search on "Avon tire" and you will find a few threads with additional information (e.g., other folks' experiences, where to purchase).

Good luck.

Stentor

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[ERA-FIA]

I recently went with the new Avon’s and consider them to be the best tires (15”) I’ve tried to date. High grip rating by Roger Krause (sp), radial, V speed rated and DOT. My last tires were large lettered Goodyears.

[Calbullet]

recent change to AVON's, I only can comment on the Goodyears, smoother and handles alot tighter. tires a alot softer in compound.

[Fred Z]

I have had the issue you are having.......and decided to go with BFG Radial TA's. Only reason........it was to be only temporary. the best tires are the Avons.......with out a doubt!! I am planning on getting them........but hoping they may come out with White lettering ones......those are your choices!
If you go Drag radials........you can do good.......but now over all good tires.....for every type of driving.
fred z

[Rickd]

The Yokohama Avid S/T's are an excellent road tire, very high quality, very true (as in round and balanced). I had Dunlop's on my Unique FIA and could never get the front end shimmy to disappear. Switching to the Yoko's made it go away completely. OK for the track but not a "racing" tire. I just bought a set for my new ERA FIA, Very budget friendly at $56 for the 235 * 60 * 15 (via Summit) and the 295 * 50 * 15 at $100 from Tire Rack. I believe Tire Rack is discontinuing these sizes in 15". Good luck (the Avon's look like a good, albeit somewhat more $$$ option. RD

[SPF1061]

Avon CR66ZZ are hands down the best 15" performance DOT tire available for our cars at this time. Despite what initially looks like a high price - based on the mileage I am getting and the huge improvement they make to the car's handling - I consider them a good value.

[Calbullet]

SPF1061/Steve, got the AVON's mounted. don't know why I waited so long to get them. (actually ordered the in May) . smooth ride, like you said in an earlier thread, not as greasy feeling in corners. I do hear more noise from the fenders (not rocks, just road grime) might have to line the fenders with something. need to GPS the speedometer now, I don't think my speedo is off to much, just want to know where I stand on it.

[TerrysSPF]

ERA-FIA: Which "large lettered GoodYear" tires did you have (Kraus offers a couple different models)? I'm interested in the Avons but would like to know how they compared to the GoodYears before I decide to purchase anything.

[Stentor]

Originally Posted by TerrysSPF

ERA-FIA: Which "large lettered GoodYear" tires did you have (Krause offers a couple different models)? I'm interested in the Avons but would like to know how they compared to the GoodYears before I decide to purchase anything.

I suspect he was referring to the Goodyear Billboards. I have a set of both tires (Avons and Goodyear Billboards) for my car and there is a night and day difference between the two. The Billboards look awesome, but they are a non-DOT, bias-ply tire. Their grip is good, but they will get flat spots from sitting (they go away after the tires warm up) and they have a tendency to wander on rougher roads (some people love them, but their performance is quite different from the Avons; although, it's hard to beat their "old-school" look on a Cobra).

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[Trueoo7]

Anybody have a picture of the Goodyear billboards on a BDR?

[MaSnaka]

Thanks for this thread...I have been weighing my options too. It is a hard choice with so many opinions and brands to choose from. I am now thinking the Avons despite the higher price will work. I was leaning toward the Big letter Goodyears but the DOT rating and non radial bother me. I am strickly street so far. I may change my mind again when I finally pull the triger.
John

[Rick Parker]

Here are some 15" Blue streak G-7's. Not for everyone, but they stick!
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[decooney]

Stentor,

Do the new Avon radials hunt the road (at all) or like the Big Letter Goodyear Bias Plys do?

Considering a good alignment - I'm also wondering how smooth they are, and if you can let go of the steering wheel at speed and do they stay on track or sort of veer you off the road?

Obviously the Yok's are nowhere near as sticky as the Avon's (or as it would seem by comments), but I'm still amazed at how smooth and straight as an arrow they are for such a cheap tire. I may try the Avon's next myself down the road.

[Stentor]

Originally Posted by decooney

Stentor,

Do the new Avon radials hunt the road (at all) or like the Big Letter Goodyear Bias Plys do?

Considering a good alignment - I'm also wondering how smooth they are, and if you can let go of the steering wheel at speed and do they stay on track or sort of veer you off the road?

Obviously the Yok's are nowhere near as sticky as the Avon's (or as it would seem by comments), but I'm still amazed at how smooth and straight as an arrow they are for such a cheap tire. I may try the Avon's next myself down the road.

My Avons do not hunt the road at all. I can let go of the steering wheel and the car stays laser straight. I have been very pleased with them so far--very smooth ride and nice and sticky.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by Stentor

My Avons do not hunt the road at all. I can let go of the steering wheel and the car stays laser straight. I have been very pleased with them so far--very smooth ride and nice and sticky.

Thanks for the update - great news, Stentor.

Sure seems the great disappearing 15" peformance street tire mystery has been solved. If they can just get the price down a bit, the manufacturer would then need to prepare to sell 3x as many!

[cobrak]

What is the price of the Avons?

CobraK

[John Annie]

Here's a link to Roger Kraus Racing:

http://www.rogerkrausracing.com/Avon/AVCR6ZZ.shtml

Per his site:
245/60VR15 ==> $312.00 each

295/50VR15 ==> $365.00 each

John Annie

[cobrak]

These tires are more exspensive then I thought. Is there a good second choice?

CobraK