Any experience with BFG Radial T/As????

[orange260z]

Hi All,

I recently bought my '74 260, and the tires on it are about 20 years old and cracking (although they are almost new in terms of tread).

I'd like to upgrade to 16" Panasports at some point, but I actually really like the 14x7 wheels that are on the car (I believe they're called "Hotwires"??), and would like to take a bit of a breather before blowing money on wheels and tires (maybe next year).

So far the selection of 215/60R14 tires seems pretty weak - no more Yokie AVS-i or even A509s available, only all-season crap.

I've come across a good deal on a set of BFGoodrich Radial T/As at Canadian Tire - clearout at CAD70 each. Anyone use these tires? How are they? How are they for autocross/track use?

I plan to use the car for some Sunday driving in the twisties, some autocross, and some lapping at large racetracks like Shannonville, Mosport, and Tremblant. Can these tires take that kind of abuse?

Even if they are shot after a season or two, it's ok...

cheers,

Ayan

[2ManyZs]

I don't have any experience with the Radial T/A's you are talking about, I've got a set of 15 inch Comp T/A's sitting in the garage waiting for my car to be finished.

Here's a few other alternatives if you are interested in browsing....I didn't check on the exact sizes available in 14 inch though.... the Bridgestone seems to have a pretty good feedback.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE950

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Avid+H4S

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+GT-HR

This one says it's available in 14 inch, but the Tire Rack doesn't give a price.. this one looks the best IMO.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+Supra+712

Of course, you could also look into the Toyo Proxxes, they are available in 14's, and they wear well for an R compound tire.

Depends on how much track use versus street use you are planning.

[orange260z]

Hey 2ManyZs,

Thanks for the reply. WRT Toyo Proxes RA1s, have had several sets on other cars and they would be my first choice, but I believe the largest 14" tire is a 205/55R14, which is a fair bit smaller than stock - they will really look small in the fender, thow off the speedo significantly, etc. Although the shorter gearing would be a plus for autox. I'll likely get RA1s again when I buy 16" wheels.

I know that the GY Eagle GT II, Yokie Avid H4, and a few other all-season tires are available, but they are going to cost me double the price of the T/As, and are likely not to be significantly better.

I'm wondering if there are any cheap, off-brand tires that are surprisingly good. For example, last winter I bought a set of "Motomaster M+S" tires for the Pathfinder. These are Canadian Tire's home brand, and are usually pretty crappy. However, these tires turned out to be the bargain of the century! They have been awesome both off-roading and in snow & ice. Couldn't ask for more, especially at 2/3 the price of BFG All-Terrain KOs, and less than half the price of Goodyear MTRs.

All to say, maybe there's a Sears or Wla-Mart tire that is really cheap, but surprisingly good and worth a try...

cheers

[sblake01]

For a knock-around basic use tire, check out the Kumho 732 Touring Plus. I bought some for my Z (2056014) from Tire Rack last summer and the have held up very well. I will soon, however, be putting the Yokohama A-509's (2256014) I bought from MistressMotorsports (Mike) on it.

[seerex]

I had some expierence with them and I was not impresssed , recently I got a set of Kumos which were very good and just last month a set of Falcons and I am very happy with them , my faves without a price limits still are the Yokes and michelins but I still have a checkbook to balance as well good luck

[2ManyZs]

I think he means the Falken Azena's, right seerex? I forgot about those earlier....:stupid:

[seerex]

yeappers , damn I must be tired

[2ManyZs]

Well, seems they are having supply problems with the Falkens in 14 inch... backorders...oops.....

These look interesting, and cheap too in 225/60-14, but by the treadwear rating, they'd be a hard tire, maybe not so good for track days.

http://www.vulcantire.com/ze502_6_t.htm

[240Z4me]

Has anyone ran 215/60/14 on a stock 240Z. I am going to put these tires on a new set of 14x7 rims with 4" backspacing. I want to make sure these will work and not leave a huge wheel well gap

[Birkl]

HI!

Im running BFGoodrich 215/60/14 in the front on 6inch 280zx rims

and 225/60/14 in the back.

Works well an never scratches anywehere...

Car is lowered 1,5inches. (Can lower more without scraching)

I Bought them for the looks for my car, oldshool look...

I was afraid that the handling would be lousy with these tires

but they work well on street..

Has not tried to autocross with them yet.

Check my gallery for pics / Henrik

[orange260z]

Thanks for all your responses. Thanks also for the link to Vulcan Tire, they still carry the Falken ZE502 in 225/60HR14. I may pick up a set of these instead of the BFGs.

On that note, does anyone have problems with 225/60R14s on "stock" 14x7 wheels on their cars? (I don't know what the offset is on these wheels). I may be lowering the car by 1-1.5" in the next couple of weeks.

[2ManyZs]

As long as the wheels have close to a zero offset, the 225/60's will fit just fine.