Tire Make/Model: Hankook K104
Size: 225/45/17
Review: Replaced my stock rims with 17x8 Flik's and put these tires on. This tire is used in Miami, Fl with mostly hot city driving and the sudden downpours that we get in the Summer. They will never see snow obviously.
Immediately I noticed how much more quiet these tires are from the stock BFG's. I mean, it's REALLY noticeable. That 40mph buzz is gone. My father used to think the car had bad axle bearings or something from the noise, but it's all done now. Second, the traction is great. My car is still stock (yes I know
) and I definitely notice more traction, both in acceleration and sideways grip. Probably also being influenced by the wider rim, but I think the tire works. Third, I was able to test them in the rain a few days after purchasing them and MAN what a difference. Car is much more assuring at highway speeds and it's easier to accelerate regularly from a light in the rain without spinning tires from giving it a little gas. And what really freaked me out and am totally pleased by it, MY MILEAGE IMPROVED. I commute about 30 miles a day in pretty much rush hour, city traffic. I'd say I averaged about 19-20mpg. My first week with the tires I filled up the tank and the mileage has jumped to about 22-23. I can only imagine what it will be like with highway miles. At first I doubted it and figured it might be a speedometer error because of the technically smaller tire to stock. But I tested it with my GPS, and after a 30 mile highway trip, the difference between the GPS and the Trip Odometer was only 0.2. So the speedometer is still accurate. Today I took the tires to an AutoX event and I was pleased. I played with pressures, albeit conservatively, but at 45psi in the front I did not roll the tire onto the sidewall. Stock tires needed to be at 47psi for me not to roll them. And traction was pretty solid. I was about 1.5 seconds faster than my former closest D-Stock competitor. This guy and I were always fighting each other for best time because we were so close, and he's in a WRX. I did spray the tires with water to cool them down after every run, and I think that helped reduce the wear a bit. After my runs I took a look at them, and they don't look as if they've been in an AutoX event. So I'm very pleased with the tire overall. I know the larger rim also helps, but I will definitely give this tire it's due. Definitely would recommend as an upgrade over the stock tire.
