Advice on tires to purchase 235/35/19's

[VBS4]

I'm getting some 19X8.5 rims and I could use some advice on tires.
I'm looking for a decent tire at a decent price, good all around handling characteristics(summer tires) and preferably (not mandatory) a stiffer sidewall to give more protection to the rims.
Weight is not a huge priority but it does factor in somewhat.


Here's what I'm looking at so far (all tires 235 35 19's).

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A PP
26 lbs $217

Bridgestone Potenza RE750
25 lbs $160

BFG
28 lbs $189

Kumho Ecsta SPT
25 lbs $136

Yokohama AVS ES 100
23 lbs $171

These tires can all be found at
www.tirerack.com
I would love to hear first hand experience with the above.
Opinions/advice welcome

[Doc@tirerack]

I've had a chance to drive on all but the RE750's. and can offer the following;
RE050a PP: about the best tire in wet, fairly quiet, nice responsiveness
ECSTA SPT: very balanced tire, not as strong as the best, but a great value......
ES 100: older design and tech, decent traction but a little noisier than most
KDW2: decent traction wet and dry, even noisier than Yoko

Depending on your needs, I'd go Kumho (best dry) or Bridgestone (better balance wet and dry).

We normally do a 245/35R19 for S4 ... but that's at stock ride height.

[b7cruiser]

I'm getting some 19X8.5 rims and I could use some advice on tires.
I'm looking for a decent tire at a decent price, good all around handling characteristics(summer tires) and preferably (not mandatory) a stiffer sidewall to give more protection to the rims.
Weight is not a huge priority but it does factor in somewhat.


Here's what I'm looking at so far (all tires 235 35 19's).

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A PP
26 lbs $217

Bridgestone Potenza RE750
25 lbs $160

BFG
28 lbs $189

Kumho Ecsta SPT
25 lbs $136

Yokohama AVS ES 100
23 lbs $171

These tires can all be found at
www.tirerack.com
I would love to hear first hand experience with the above.
Opinions/advice welcome

RE750s - A little hard but very driveable (compared to BS S03s and Yok AVS). Tires have a rib that will extend past the lip of the rim. If you can deal with it, worth getting for low profile wheels. Gave a little more protection on my RGRs (E39 540 with 19x9 245/35-19 and 19x10 275/30-19) from all the road junk that flies around on the freeway.

[dans]

I'm in the same boat, i really like the reviews on the RE050a PP but they say "NA" in all the snow/ice categories. Anyone know how bad they are in these conditions? I'll probably get snow tires but i dont want to be in a bind if it snows unexpectidly.

Thanks!

[Doc@tirerack]

Summer compounds get very skittish below 40 degrees, so we don't ask for winter weather reviews. Rubber will harden up to the point where it feels like you are riding on the bare wheels, and the tire cannot flex or grip the road for any substantial wet traction.

[VBS4]

ECSTA SPT: very balanced tire, not as strong as the best, but a great value......
.

Just spoke to Doc on the phone. The above was meant for the ECSTA MX not the SPT. He said the SPT gets really good reviews.