Looking for your good ol' advice on tires...

[mlandof]

All,

I am a newbie to the site, yet want to say hi to everyone and thanks for putting together a killer site on the snake!

I am sure this forum topic has been here before, but was going to ask because I need the feedback.

I am in the market to replace the tires on my 2003 stock convertible. I still have the stock Goodyear F1 Eagles. I light 'em up RARELY and only squeezed about 18K on them. They started slipping quite a bit at 15K. Looking for something that will last me a bit longer. I only need em for street use. No track. And wet traction is not terribly important as I don't drive in heavy rain.

Anybody have any good recommends out there on tires they have purchased? (I have already done some consumer research on tirerack.com). Looking for the tried and tested feedback from you all.

BTW, I was looking at 2 models:
1) Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
2) Bridgestone Potenza RE750

Thanks!!!

-Mark

[ausie]

18k is damn good for a performance tire. :thumbsup: I have never been able to exceed 10k, but then again, I cannot rotate my tires due to size differences F to R. It also depends on driving habits. I barely let them rip too (sit and spin), but I do take my tires to their limits often. If you take turns at high speed (entrance ramps to highways) I would probably recommend the Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-03's. However, at low speeds (below 35mph) the fronts tend to wander or follow imperfections of the road surface, too much road feel. Michillin Pilot sports do the same thing but more. Tires with solid bands of rubber in the center of the tire will typically improve road feel and increase sensitivity to surface variations when mounted up front. The performance at speed will be phenomenal, but there are some nucances associated with them since the mustang does not have an overdamped power steering like most of the German vehiles (Audi, BMW). Nitto's seem to be the rage with most Mustang owners. Toyo Proxies are good too. I would do some more research on other brands of tires or at least compare reviews from another web site than just tire-rack. Tire-rack does alot of testing which is great! I just wish they carried more brands. Look for reviews on Nitto's and Toyo's (unfortunate that tire-rack does not carry these brand of tires). Look in the 4.6 forum under "whos rubber are you ridding on" for some remarks on these and other tires. Both of your choices are good tires. :thumbsup:

[beerkat]

I just put a set of the Nitto NT555 street tires on my '03. Ran a set of them on my Lightning and was very impressed by the llife I got out of them even having done several HPDEs with them.

25,000 + and still going 5 HPDEs and a couple of autox.:thumbsup:

[Mystic_Cobra]

Many of the members of the this club will tell you (as I'm suggesting) that the RE750 is a great tire. Price is really good from tirerack.com. I use them on the street in all seasons. I got 30,000 miles on a set.

[wrenchturner]

Some info for ya in this thread

http://www.svtcobraclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6403

I had the F1-D3's on my 01 all last summer. I loved them.. worked very well in the rain and i mean downpoors i had no hydroplaning at all.. and great grip in the twisties.. my car held them ok.. with spin if i wanted..i put 6000 miles on them over the summer and they are wearing awesome.... I would be running them again.. but they dont make them in the sizes i wanted now since i got 18's....


All,

BTW, I was looking at 2 models:
1) Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
2) Bridgestone Potenza RE750

Thanks!!!

-Mark

[96MysticSVT]

Mark, I just replaced my Bridgestone Potenza RE750's with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's, and I like the Goodyears so much more than I do the Potenza's. Both are a great tire, but since my car is a daily driver and sees wet and dry conditions the Goodyears are my choice for all-round driving conditions in TX (the wet traction is great). I've heard the Goodyears suck in the snow, but it never snows enough here to stick so that wasn't an issue.

[InfamousSVT]

When I upgraded the back two rims to the 10.5" I went with the Goodyear GS-D3's and I love them....actually I'm getting ready to purchase a set for the front in a couple weeks!:thumbsup:

I like the thread pattern too!:D

[gnxs]

I have the GS-D3s (also had them on my WS6) and LOVE them! :thumbsup:

[OBI ONE]

I have had three different F-Bodies, 2 WS6, and 1 Camaro SS. I learned real fast that the F-1s suck in wet wheather when it does rain here. I was never impreesed by the F-1s, and do not recomend them. I ran the Nitto 555 on the rears on my last 2 WS6 and they were decent. Again there is a better tire out there. Of course they are good for the price, but I think heavily overated. I ran the Toyo Proxies on my 03 Cobra and like the way they performed on the street alot. Not a track tire though. Right now my new tires will be installed on my new Boyds Monday, they will be wrapped in KDW tires, with the BF D/R for track purposes. I have heard good things about them but wont know my opinion about them until i drive on them. I do drive hard and fast. This is what I feel. F-1s suck, Toyo Proxies are good for the money but not my style, Nitto 555 are good but overated and every one uses them. Just make sure you get a tire that meets your needs and driving habits and abilities. Make sure you get the tire warrenty, cant say how many times I have had to use it. The tire store guy can be your best friend.

[Copperhead]

Well, I run Nitto 555 DRs on the back and Nitto 555r2s on the front. They will not last as long as the goodyears, but for handling the curvies, i love the combo.

The Nitto reps at CMP a month ago said that Nitto was coming out with a new HP tire in June. I am looking forward to seeing them.