[azndrgnkid]

Hi guys,

I've done some research about this topic and have an idea on my choice, but figured someone may be able to confirm for me before I throw some money just to find out I wasn't thorough enough.

I recently purchased a set of Volk CE28N Time Attacks (18x8.5 w/ 51mm offset). My car is stock height without any drop/lowering. This is a daily driver for me and I'm too lazy and am always in a hurry to want to worry about the troubles of a lowered car.

With that said, I was leaning towards tire size of 245/40/18. It looks like that's what most people recommend. Some have said suggested 255/35/18 because supposedly the former will rub slightly. But I think these comments are direct at those with lowered Subies. I don't think that'll be an issue since I have a stock height Sti. Can some one confirm my choice or make other recommendations?

Also my buddy is suggesting General Tires. He recently purchased a set and said for the price, it's a good set of tires to buy. I looked around and the feedbacks on various websites and the reviews all seem to be good. Has anyone on here had experiences with this particular brand? Pro's? Con's?

Any suggestion/info would be great. Thanks in advance.

[PuccasBad_STI]

Will, are you 100 percent sure you will leave the car on stock height?? I ran my on stock height and after 1 month I couldn''t take it anymore and lowered it with RCE yellows.. you can go with a more moddest drop and go with blacks... blacks only drop the car 15 mm in the front and 10 in the rear. I recommend 235/40/18s just in case u change your mind and decide to drop the car. As for the generals I have no experience with them.. if money is an issue go with Kuhmos Ecstas... they are cheap and decent tires.. I have Falken Azeni 615s now but these will not last long so I don't recommend them. Toyo1Rs are decent all season tires.. I had them on my old Lexus and I got great treadlife out them and they are decently priced. I hope this helps.. congrats on the wheels!!
Oh yea.. a drop makes those wheels look so much better as it will make the wheels look bigger and no nasty 3 inch front fender gap!

[05_GD7]

245/40/18 is too tall. You need a 245/35/18, or go with a 235/40/18.

I've never owned a set of General tires, but there are that group of tires that I would just stay away from because they aren't that established yet as a reputable manufacturer. Companys like Federal, General, Sumimoto (or whatever it is...)

Its cliche, but its true. The tires are the only thing that connects all of those fancy parts to what matters most, the road. Why go baller with Volk rims, then cheap out on tires?

The best bang for the buck, in my opinion, is the Falken RT615. I don't think you'll find anyone who is disappointed with those tires. I have a set myself and I'm very impressed so far.

[Maverick31]

+1 for not cheaping out on tires. That's one of the worst things you can do to your STi.

[Kylar27]

These tires are supose to be extremely good for the price. They were right up there with Kuhmo's and the dunlops they tested.

General Exclaim UHP

[Trevor K]

I was just thinking about purchasing the General Exclaim UHP tires (listed above) and they have good ratings on tirerack.com. I am looking for a tire which is better than the Potenza RE070 in the rain and considered the Potenza RE-01R.

[M.K. STI]

my brother drives around on 245/40/18 general exclaims and he absolutley loves them.so do i,he's dropped on tein s.techs which i also will be dropped on soon.im doing 235/40/18 with the generals.they truely are great tires for the buck.they grip so well and he hasnt had a problem with them since!!!

[azndrgnkid]

Hey Roger: Good to see you on this post. I may do a drop down the road, but it would be anything any time soon. I know it looks so much better, but using this car as a daily driver, it's just too much of a PITA to deal with. Plus living in California where cops are now beginning to harass you for even tinted windows let alone modified items, I really don't care for the attention from them. But we will see though.

In terms of General Tires, rom a lot of reviews I've read from various sources, it seems like people all have great things to say about General Tire (Exclaim model) - its good performance for the buck. My buddy that recommended it to me also said that General Tire supposedly is a subsidary company of Continental, so they do have experience. I will probably look into it a bit more. I'm being offered some Nittos for just slightly more money (like $40) so I may go that route. Thanks guys.

[Cr8zyJAP07]

i dunno about s-techs i heard they suck. and i would never go with general tires. go with RE-01r, toyo t1r, bfg kdw2. i hve re01r's on my stock rims they are great. and i have bfg g-force sports in 225/40/18 and they are pretty good also.

[dan avoN7]

"I've never owned a set of General tires"
"i heard"


Out of this entire thread there are only 1-2 reviews to consider as NO ONE else has actual experience with the tires. General exclaim UHP's are great tires for the price. They are very affordable and will offer great traction in the dry and also they handle surprisingly well in the wet. My only complaint is they get somewhat noisy when tread is low but this isn't too big of an issue. If you are on a budget then I would look in to them, they won't perform like a RE-01R, Advan Neova, etc.. but you can't expect them to when they are less than HALF the cost.

[Kylar27]

Originally Posted by Cr8zyJAP07

i dunno about s-techs i heard they suck. and i would never go with general tires. go with RE-01r, toyo t1r, bfg kdw2. i hve re01r's on my stock rims they are great. and i have bfg g-force sports in 225/40/18 and they are pretty good also.

The only thing is I think price is a factor with the OP.

The tires you have listed here are 2 to almost 3 times as much per tire......



These were rated real high and they are reasonable, Kumho Ecsta MX
Kumho Ecsta MX

Same with these, Hankook Ventus r s2
Hankook Ventus R-S2

These also tested really high up against tires costing twice as much it beat them in testing. Sumitomo HTR Z III

Sumitomo HTR Z III

The test

A New Name Challenges the Max Performance Summer Category=

[Cr8zyJAP07]

cost 2-3 times as much and performs 4-5 times better

[05_GD7]

The bottom line with tires is that its trial and error. Everyone has their own opinion with respect to grip, wet and dry, noise and wear patterns. The problem is when you buy a set of tires, you're pretty much stuck with them unless you sell them, or wear them out.

Buy what meets your budget, and try them out. Let us know how it works out.

[tjsadler]

I have the General Exclaim UHP. They were put on by the dealer before I purchased used. I have put about 25000 miles on them and three autocrosses. They probably have about a third of the tread left. They are great for just driving around and quite good in the wet. For real performance driving or autox they leave a little to be desired. They don't have the greatest ultimate grip and they howl like a banshee when pushed. I have to run about 45psi to keep them from rolling on the sidewall. When they wear out I plan to go with the Falken RT615, Hankook RS-2, or the Dunlop Star Specs. Will probably come down to what is available and on sale when the time comes.