Cheap R-Compound Tires

[blinkwatt]

I was killing time this morning and was looking at R compound tires. Since a lot of people on here use Kuhmos hopefully someone could get a good deal.

Kuhmo Ecsta V700

225/40ZR18 $235/each
265/35ZR18 $225/each,closeout for $99/each

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareTireResults.jsp?loadRank=2&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&vehicleSearch=true&startIndex=0&autoYear=1999&frontRatio=40&autoModClar=&frontDiameter=18&rearWidth=265%2F&rearDiameter=18&frontWidth=225%2F&autoMake=Porsche&rearSortCode=54300&minSpeedRating=V&frontSortCode=53650&autoModel=Boxster&rearRatio=35&performance=C&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&RunFlat=All

[steve00s]

At checkout they say they are no longer available. Oh well.

[CJ_Boxster]

Where do you get "R-compound" from? if your referring to the R that comes after Z, as in 265/35 ZR 18.... R just stands for Rim as in Z-rated Rim size 18. Its on nearly every Z tire i've ever seen. Even the cheap stuff

[blinkwatt]

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

Where do you get "R-compound" from? if your referring to the R that comes after Z, as in 265/35 ZR 18.... R just stands for Rim as in Z-rated Rim size 18. Its on nearly every Z tire i've ever seen. Even the cheap stuff

My mistake,don't know where I got that idea from. I guess they are just track & competition tires.

[blinkwatt]

Wait,what exactly are R-compound tires? I thought any tire designed for track & competitions but driveable everyday on the street is a R-compound tire

european car has opted to classify everything that falls between the minimal D.O.T. certification and the top of the line Max-grip tire as an R-compound tire.

http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/0408ec_performance_tire_guide_r_compounds/index.html

[CJ_Boxster]

Are these R-compound, i dont see any R anywhere but they are street/summer legal and race ready

http://www.costco.com/Tires/Product.aspx?IV=true&YW=1998&MA=PORSCHE&MD=Boxster+w%2f17+Inch+Tire+Opt.+(Rear)&SP=0&MN=11419&cat=3961&lang=en-US&MNo=0&Prodid=11237875&Aspect=40&Diameter=17&Speed=W&Width=255

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Wait,what exactly are R-compound tires? I thought any tire designed for track & competitions but driveable everyday on the street is a R-compound tire

european car has opted to classify everything that falls between the minimal D.O.T. certification and the top of the line Max-grip tire as an R-compound tire.

http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/0408ec_performance_tire_guide_r_compounds/index.html

mmm..you can't really drive an R-comp everyday. Puts allot of strain on the drive train. Also, I'm not sure if heat cycling is an issue--you may end up with Flintstone's wheels, too hard.... and there is standing water to deal with as well.
The "R-Comp" usually have the bare minimum tread to pass for DOT. Not what you want in a daily driver but during rainy track events it doesn't seem to be an isssue.

R-comp was a tire industry reaction to some grassroots formulas banning slicks in favor of DOT approved tires for their events. They basically took the sticky slicks and carved out tread for wet weather. But now some sereis require not only DOT but a certain minimum tread wear.

[boxstar]

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

Where do you get "R-compound" from? if your referring to the R that comes after Z, as in 265/35 ZR 18.... R just stands for Rim as in Z-rated Rim size 18. Its on nearly every Z tire i've ever seen. Even the cheap stuff

R=Radial (nearly all car tires are radial)

the OP is correct, these are R-compound tires. Decent, but no longer competitive.

[Sboxin]

Cheap R compound tires ==
You might want to look at the Falken Azenis RT615 -- not R compound but cheap and sticky. Look at Discount Tire web site:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireProductCategoryDetailBrnd.do?rcz=85028&rc=AZRINT&tpc=FALHZA&tp=Passenger%2FPerformance&tc=FALHZA

The TOYO Proxes RA1 is a very good track tire and some of people drive them on the street. But, they are more expensive!

http://www.toyo.com/docs/tires/tires.asp?lpid=18968&name=Proxes%20RA-1%99&category=sport

As always, it comes back to how YOU use the car

Take care,
Ed

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by Sboxin

Cheap R compound tires ==
You might want to look at the Falken Azenis RT615 -- not R compound but cheap and sticky. Look at Discount Tire web site:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireProductCategoryDetailBrnd.do?rcz=85028&rc=AZRINT&tpc=FALHZA&tp=Passenger%2FPerformance&tc=FALHZA

The TOYO Proxes RA1 is a very good track tire and some of people drive them on the street. But, they are more expensive!

http://www.toyo.com/docs/tires/tires.asp?lpid=18968&name=Proxes%20RA-1%99&category=sport

As always, it comes back to how YOU use the car

Take care,
Ed

I've seen a lot of cars at autocrosses running the RT615 and doing very well. I found them at a great price at the following site.

http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm

I will probably stick with R compounds for autocrossing; however, these seem like a great alternative if you don't want the super sticky ultra low treadlife stuff.

I have never bought from Vulcan Tire, just found their pricing to be very good.