OK, I've had it with the run-flats on my '05 MCS and I'm ready to move on - B U T I want to stay with a 16" AND I want to be able to use it year 'round, which includes some snow.
So I've been taking a serious look at the Toyo Proxes 4, and apparently lots of others here have too; it seems to get good marks. The sizes available are a slight concern since the 205/55 is a tad taller and I might lose some of the nice new gearing on the '05, while the 205/50 is shorter still.
The Kumho ASX caught my attention because its available in a 215/50, which almost perfectly matches the stock size, and I suspect wouldn't cause any problems on my stock suspension. Anyone out there have any reports on it?

 

Depending on your wheel offset you have have a issues with 215/50.

What would you like to know about ASX?

Alex

 

Thanks Alex.
Its looking more and more like the 215 may not work. Right now I'm still using X-lites and I realize that they may require 7" width. That being the case, whether to go for the /50 or /55 series 205-16 becomes the question. I realize the most popular choice has been the /50 but I'm uncertain how that will play with the '05s gearing change.
For the ASX, I'm looking for some real-world experiences. How they compare to other similar tires, like the Proxes 4 or the ____?____ .

 

For All season Ultra High Performance tires check out
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=UHPAS

Avon Tech M550 in 205/55-16 outer tire diameter 24.9" and should work with your '05 gearing. Do you have stock suspension? If so then you will be fine.
$80 each available 7/22/05 from tirerack.com

Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S $105 (in stock), 205/55-16

Kumho ASX in 205/55-16 on special right now $65 each
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tests/testResultsModel.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECST A+ASX

 

Going with 205/55-16 will mean slower acceleration because of the larger than stock diameter.

The Pirelli PZero Nero M+S is available in 205/50-16 and rated higher than the Kumho ECSTA ASX.

 

You bring up a good point.
205/50-16 is the better size in my book vs 205/55-16 (Avon Tech M550 doesn't come in 205/50-16). The 205/50-16 is a little lighter, and has a smaller outer tire diameter of 24.1" (0.8" less). It's a perfect fit for stock 16" wheels. Kumho ASX is also available in 205/50-16 at $80 each (not on special)

Pirelli PZero Nero M+S are $97 each in 205/50-16 at tirerack.com
(low stock)

 

Well, yes, Life is FULL of compromises.
Since the /50 are a tad shorter than the stock tires and the /55 are a touch taller, it appears that I must decide to either give up some of the '05s new gearing by going with the /55s -OR- go with the /50s and get even shorter gearing.

 

Well, maybe not.
According to the Avon web-site the Avon 550's diameter is actually 24.5", which is almost identical to the calculated size of a 195/55-16; that makes it .3" shorter than the calculated diameter of a 205/55-16.

PS Just checked with Alex and he reports the actual diameter of Avon 550 205/55 is 24.9 - too tall for me.

For anyone interested he also reports that the stock run-flat's diameter are: Dunlop 24.4 and Goodyear 24.6

 

I'll second Miniac's opinion of the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S. I've had mine on since the end of the winter, during a rainy spring, and now into a very hot summer and they've preformed well, with no noticable tread wear. Of course I haven't tried the other non-runflats, so I can't make that comparison, but loads better than the stock runflats.

 

Alex, it's time for new tires in the next few weeks, and since I want to stay with 205/45 - 16's, I don't have many choices. The AVS ES 100's have treated me well, but I'm thinking about trying the aforementioned Pirelli PZero Nero M+S.

The price is about the same (88 vs 82 dollars), the PZeros are a pound lighter at 19, but I'd like to know the tread width, which is not available in the online spec sheet. For the AVS ES 100 it is 7.9". I'm guessing that it is less, but I'd like to know how much so... If you know that measurement for the PZero, please do share. Thanks!

 

Its not listed in Pirelli's specs. The P Zero Aysemetrico that was produced in the size (since discontinued) Had the same section 8.2 inches, and a tread width of 7.6 inches.

Alex

 

Thanks Alex for the fast reply! If you happen to be around this tire, particularly if also near an AVS ES 100 of the same size, it would be very helpful to get a comparison and/or measurement. I understand if not feasible though. Thanks again.

 

This would be the case - on tirtes we dont even personally catalog data, like we do on wheels. We use manufacture's spec on tires.

Alex