Best place to buy the Avon 15" Cobra tires?

[saki302]

Hello,

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a place with a good price on the Avon 15" tires? (295 rear, 245 or 255 frt)

My indy 500 tires are getting old- they still look good but traction is.. interesting

Thanks!

-Dave

[strictlypersonl]

I don't think there is such a thing as a "good price" for Avons. Shipping can get expensive. Your nearest dealer is
Roger Kraus racing Ent. Inc. | Avon Motorsport

[ACHiPo]

You might consider Cooper Cobras as an alternative. I have them on both my Cobras and can highly recommend them. They replaced rock-hard BFG tires on the used SPF I bought, and the improvement in traction, handling, and ride quality was immediately apparent. Based on results with the first car, I spec'd them for my new ERA and am equally impressed.

Caveats: I don't track my cars, and I do not have experience with Avons (I've heard they are great tires, though)

Just a thought.

[vntgspd]

I bought mine from Sasco and found their service to be excellent. Shipping was slightly more than buying "local" but the tax savings easily overcame that.

I love them as they look the part and grip extremely well while still maintaining good road manners. They do throw rocks a bit though so if you are worried about your paint you might opt for the Coopers that ACHiPo suggested.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

You might consider Cooper Cobras as an alternative. I have them on both my Cobras and can highly recommend them. They replaced rock-hard BFG tires on the used SPF I bought, and the improvement in traction, handling, and ride quality was immediately apparent. Based on results with the first car, I spec'd them for my new ERA and am equally impressed.

Caveats: I don't track my cars, and I do not have experience with Avons (I've heard they are great tires, though)

Just a thought.

The Mickey Thompson "ST" tires are the same casing as the Coopers (Cooper owns MT and Avon) with a different tread pattern. We have delivered many SPF on the MTs and they get good reviews. The Avons are top in grip but are pricey. The MT ST tires are better in the wet than the CR6ZZ Avons.

[saki302]

Thanks!

A bit late to worry about rock chips on my car. Looks like it followed another cobra that had avons.. for 30k miles ��

[Jim Norris]

I had the same experience as you; my Indy 500s simply got old. Tread depth was great, but I worried about losing traction in a corner or while brakeing. I bought my Avons from Roger Krouse. I live close enough that I just drove down to Castro Valley and picked them up. I miss the raised white lettering of the Firehawks, but the Avons work great! I have loads of confidence in them.

[vntgspd]

Originally Posted by saki302

Thanks!

A bit late to worry about rock chips on my car. Looks like it followed another cobra that had avons.. for 30k miles ��

Good for you! A Cobra to be FULLY enjoyed.

[fastd]

MT's also better than AVONs when cold. AVON's are dangerous until they warm up imo.

[vntgspd]

Originally Posted by fastd

MT's also better than AVONs when cold. AVON's are dangerous until they warm up imo.

I'm from CA so maybe it's best to define "cold". I have found them to be just like any other tire in temps above 45*F. They have never felt remotely dangerous, but then I'm well past the age where I would do full throttle 1st/2nd gear pulls or late brake corners in the Cobra with any tire in sub-50*F weather.

[fastd]

i guess i should have said when the tires are cold, not necessarily when it's cold outside...but take special care when it's sub 50 degrees; that's my experience anyway.

also agree that the avon's are dangerous in any kind of wet conditions.

I had 2 separate incidents with Avon's and won't use them anymore as an all around street tire. They are a very good track tire under optimal conditions.

[saki302]

What's the next best tire after the Avons?

From what I've been reading theres a pretty big performance difference between the avons and the other tires.

[Ron Scarboro]

Originally Posted by saki302

What's the next best tire after the Avons?

From what I've been reading theres a pretty big performance difference between the avons and the other tires.

Those 3 are pretty much IT for your choices in 15in. You can go bias ply, it not as Street friendly as the aforementioned.

[fastd]

I've been satisfied with the Mickey Thompson SRs. They have a flame pattern though - I don't mind it - even like it when I notice it. They look good from the side. I've had them on track and they were fine - say 8/10 compared to AVONs on the track (10/10 - using this as the standard - obviously better tires than 15" AVONs but not that fit our cars)

[vntgspd]

Originally Posted by saki302

What's the next best tire after the Avons?

From what I've been reading theres a pretty big performance difference between the avons and the other tires.

saki -

Are you still in the LA area? How do you typically use your car and how aggressively do you drive it? This info might better determine the best tire for you.

[saki302]

I'm still in L.A. I have zero plans to ever drive in rain, so the Avons are my current top choice. With my usual mileage, they'll probably be age retired before they wear out.

They do look nice, especially with Goodyear eagle decals ��

[jjh]

I've owned my ERA street version with Avons for the last six years and live in the Boston area...never had a traction or ride issue in a wide range of temperatures here. Maybe anything seems better to me than the Goodyear Polyglas I had on the '69 Shelby I owned for 22 years before buying this car.

[GTBill]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

The Mickey Thompson "ST" tires are the same casing as the Coopers (Cooper owns MT and Avon) with a different tread pattern. We have delivered many SPF on the MTs and they get good reviews. The Avons are top in grip but are pricey. The MT ST tires are better in the wet than the CR6ZZ Avons.

I own SPF 2479 ( Great ) !
So ,what size MTs (ST) do you recommend for my 15" KOs. ?

Thanks,

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by GTBill

I own SPF 2479 ( Great ) !
So ,what size MTs (ST) do you recommend for my 15" KOs. ?

Thanks,

245/60 or 255/60 fronts, 295/50 rear. Some people think the 255s look "too tall" in front but we use as standard on the chassis' we deliver. There is a small difference in diameter between the 245 and the 255.

[saki302]

Just a late update- I did get the Avons. So far they're great! I expected them to pick up more road crap, but they're not bad. My old nitto nt555r2 was worse on the corvette.

You can actually floor it in 3rd and sometimes second gear now ��

I haven't come near the turn limits with these, no reason to try unless you're on a track.