Ask the Car People.SM


Acura TSX Tires and Wheels

143 messages,  Last post on Sep 14, 2010 at 7:47 PM

You are in the Acura TSX Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TSX, Tires, Sedan

Messages Page 13 of 15

#114 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [isk79] by fedlawman

Nov 13, 2006 (10:26 pm)

Replying to: isk79 (Nov 13, 2006 3:37 pm)
I've heard good things about the Yokohama's (I don't know about the Avon's, sorry), but if you're on a tight budget and want another outstanding option, you should definitely check out the Kumho Ecsta ASX.
 
Kumho's are VERY popular with the enthusiast/racing crowd, and for good reason - they make outstanding performance tires. According to Tire Rack, the ASX is very close to the Pirelli's in both wet and dry performance, and they go for $86 each in the OE Acura TSX size!
 
I actually went back and forth in my mind for weeks between the Pirelli's and the Kumho's, but ultimately chose the Pirelli's because I wanted a "no compromise" all-season tire and the PZero Nero M+S is closely related to the highly regarded summer only PZero Nero (they have identical tread patterns). I also got a good deal on them from my neighborhood tire shop.
 
Read the attached review and see how close the Pirelli and Kumho are to each other in performance, and then consider that the Kumho costs $43 less per tire!
 
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=52
 
I don't have personal experience with the Kumho Ecsta ASX, but based on the Tire Rack test results, I'd say it's a no-brainer. Kumho's are getting more popular every season and I bet they won't be bargain priced for much longer (remember how inexpensive Japanese cars used to be?!?!).
 
Good luck!
 
Brian

#115 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [fedlawman] by johnny420

Nov 15, 2006 (8:46 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 13, 2006 10:26 pm)
Fedlawman, can you post the name of the tire store you bought from? Thanks in advance.

#116 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [johnny420] by fedlawman

Nov 15, 2006 (9:16 am)

Replying to: johnny420 (Nov 15, 2006 8:46 am)
You bet. I got them at Discount Tire in Federal Way on Pac Hwy (around 312th, I believe). I paid $107 each for 215/40-17.
 
They stored my wheels for me while we waited for the tires to be delivered, where very careful handling my polished lips, dealt with my spacers and hubcentric rings with no problem, and hand torqued my lug nuts to 80 lbs in a criss-cross pattern as I requested.
 
Good group of guys over there.
 

#117 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [fedlawman] by johnny420

Nov 15, 2006 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 15, 2006 9:16 am)
Sweet. Right around the corner from my house. I'll give 'em a holler. Looks like my only option is the 225/45's on the OEM wheels.

#118 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [johnny420] by fedlawman

Nov 15, 2006 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: johnny420 (Nov 15, 2006 12:31 pm)
For the Pirelli's I'm afraid so. You still have a somewhat limited selection in the TSX's original size. Of course, I wouldn't complain about adding 10mm of tread width - it'll only improve grip.
 
I'd like to drive your car again after you get them. Turn-in is awesome - they will utterly transform your already nicely modified TSX.

#119 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [fedlawman] by johnny420

Nov 15, 2006 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 15, 2006 3:46 pm)
I'll let you know when I get new rubber. I've added a Progress RSB since you drove my car, another incremental step up in handling, and I'm interested to see what tires will do. Understeer was nicely reduced with the RSB, but now the tires are squawking louder than ever - time for them to go. Seems like improving suspension components only does more to expose a given tires weaknesses.
 
My only real concern with the 225/45's is the lower profile, and the bigger wheel gap I'll likely get. Not a big deal, and probably not that noticeable.
 
I like that you think the tires "will utterly transform" the car. That sounds really good. I'll probably look at the Kumhos also (OEM size), but Tirerack really liked the PZeros.

#120 of 143 Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up by fedlawman

Nov 15, 2006 (8:36 pm)

Profile won't change with the new tires because the sidewall number is a factor of the width of the tread. In other words, a 225/45 tire is virtually identical in sidewall height to a 215/50 tire.
 
Here's a great link to help you calculate tire profiles and speed corrections...
 
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

#121 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [fedlawman] by johnny420

Nov 15, 2006 (10:22 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 15, 2006 8:36 pm)
Thanks man.

#122 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [fedlawman] by johnny420

Feb 26, 2007 (11:05 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 15, 2006 8:36 pm)
Hey, Brian, based on yours and jogee's recommendation, I finally broke down and purchased a set of the PZero Nero M&S's this last Saturday from Discount Tire in Federal Way. They had the tires in stock, and I was out of there in about an hour. As usual, the service at Discount was very good, and they matched the Tirerack price of $129/tire (down from their price of $154). I got the 225/45 17's, and this switchover comes with 21K miles on my TSX.
 
Initial impressions are good. I watched while they installed the rubber, and was immediately taken by how much more agressive the tires looked that the OEM Michelins. One thing I learned quickly though, is that new tires do have a bit of a run-in period. I asked the kid who gave me my keys if there was anything I needed to do to break the tires in, and he said no, just get in the car and go. Wrong answer. I headed down to Dash Point road to test 'em out, and nearly spun the car out in the first turn I took, at like 30mph.
 
I've been taking it easy ever since
 
I also went back to Discount and told them they should watch what they tell people. That could get them in trouble. No biggie. VSA saved my bacon!
 
One other thing, the sidewall size is similar (4 versus 4.2 inches) but not the same as stock. Some of the hard-earned wheel gap reduction I gained with the A-Spec suspension is lost. Not a lot, but noticeable.
 
As for driving, turning and turn-in are better, and ride and noise are similar to what I had. Wet performance isn't as good so far, but the tires only have about 45 miles on them, hardly any of those miles on dry roads. I'd be interested to hear opinions on how many miles are needed on new tires before their full performance is realized.
 
Will post more as I get the full impression of these tires. Fedlaw, you're welcome to drive the car, which now has A-Spec suspension, 22mm RSB and new rubber, just let me know.
 
I am done with suspension mods!

#123 of 143 Re: Pirelli PZero Nero follow-up [johnny420] by fedlawman

Feb 27, 2007 (7:57 am)

Replying to: johnny420 (Feb 26, 2007 11:05 am)
Yeah John, they should have warned you.
 
There is some kind of coating on the rubber (kind of like a semi-gloss armor all), which wears off almost immediately, but the little nubbies sticking up won't wear off for a few miles.
 
Running Dash Point Rd with brand-new tires on a rainy day is just asking for trouble. Glad you had the nanny protecting you.
 
Give it a couple hundred miles and try again. I would very much like to drive your car again with the new tires - maybe we could meet up in Federal Way, trade cars, and do Dash Point Rd at 8/10ths?

Messages Page 13 of 15

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement