I'm looking to spend anywhere from 400 - 600 bucks for a set of new tires for my car. What are some good Z rated tires with black walls that will still get a lot of mileage? I have the 17 inch rims that came with the 2000 SS. Thanks.

 

z rated high mileage is an oxymoron

 

When it comes to tires...you get what you pay for.

In your price range, popular tires I've seen from this board include:

Kuhmo Ecsta
BFG KDW
Nitto NT 555

If you want to step up a little over $600 a set, these seem to be popular:

Goodyear GS-D3
BFG KD

Funny, I hardly see anyone on this board running the Michelin or Bridgestone performance tires. Personally, I like the Goodyear GS-D3s, but I haven't run the other ones on this list, so I can't speak for them. Firestone Firehawks SZ50s were great value for price when they were still being made.

As for mileage....hmm...like Zack said...

You can "help" your mileage from how you drive....but soft/sticky tires = low mileage.

Good luck and let us know how your new tires ride...always good to get "real life" test results from actual F-body drivers.

 

.....what they said.

get something not Z rated. From experience and friends cars, Michellins last a long time, but NOT cheap either. Kuhmo 712s are like just over $100 each from Discount Tire Direct...but don't count on more than 25k out of them. Then again, they are about 1/2 as much as the Michellins

 

I've been running Ecsta 711's on my Z28 for almost 30K km's,so roughly 18K miles if i worked it out right.The tires are starting to show wear on them.I should make 2 seasons out of them...They are the 340 tread wear rating.I dont mind they because they are cheap to buy,but the ride quality isnt the best.They are noisy,and seem very stiff(mind you they are a 40 series tire).And in those 18k Miles i'm not babying them the whole way.On friday and saturday night i'm out and "sometimes" some spirited cornering occurs,so i know they are taking the abuse pretty well.

 

711's are h-rated, so longer mileage than z-rated is expected

 

So far I really like my Sumitomo HTR Z IIs. Nice looking too.

http://www.porteighty.biz/uploads/DSCF12050001.jpg
http://www.porteighty.biz/uploads/DSCF1277002.jpg
http://www.porteighty.biz/uploads/DSCF1267004.jpg

 

Well, I ended up with some Hankook something or others. Z rated, the tires look okay from the picture, and they get better mileage than a few of the other expensive ones on the website. Discount tire direct. I didn't really have too long to get tires, since the ones on my car are about to explode and all. Anyway, I'll put up some pics if you guys want to see them?

BTW, what speed is H rated at?

 

pirelli P zeros...I love em

 

I like my Yokohamas AVS-ES100s. Its a good middle of the road in price. I should get 30k out of mine with no problem.

 

Personally, I'll run a cheaper tire like a Kuhmo or a BFG KDW in the front and either a Nitto or BFG drag radial in the back. This keeps me right around the five hundred range or a little less. My friend just installed the Goodyear Eagle GS-D3s on his LS1 and he is very happy with them. They hook pretty decent considering what the mods. he has done to the car.

 

Kumho 712's (aka Ecsta Supra) are not good tires. They're average at best. I have them and regret the purchase and can't wait until they're ready to be replaced. They plow in the front, spun easily in the rear, track in grooves easily, and are very out of round. They took more weight to balance them than my KDs. Their only redeeming quality is that they don't hydroplane.

What are you wanting out of your car? If you want a drag set up, ya, go with cheaper tires up front and soft tires in back. If you want good handling and braking, get good tires all around. You can only take off as quick, corner as sharp/fast, and brake as hard as your tires will allow. This is NOT the area to skimp.

 

es100s are garbage. i have them. they suck,. this coming from a guy thats supposed to have all postitives to say about EVERY tire. lol

30k is VERY optimistic.

they dont even get 20k on civics that are way underpowered compared to ours