Drag Radials Questions
 

Ok, got my tax return. Kind of limited on how much I can spend and what exactly I'm looking for as to what I want to get and what I need. It's all boiling down to "Needs and Wants".

Want: More power (who doesn't), 4.10 gears, Kenne Bell, 95 Cobra hood, etc. Well, the "want" list is just too damn big.

Need: My tires are shot. Being realistic, I have to go this route. My car is more show and less go. I'm fine with that. Always told myself if I replace the tires, I'm going with 315's purely for the looks. There is just something about a Mustang with 315 shoe'd with D/R's. Just need some info before I commit to buying. Wheels are 10.5 Bullitt to match the fronts.

My driving style: I just want to look like I'm going 100mph. Honestly, I drive my Mustang like an old lady. Puppy'd almost all the time. Burnouts - very few and far between. Not a daily driver and stored in winters. I say all this so we can establish tire longevity.

Right now my tires are on the bald side. Gives a real rough/vibrating ride quality. Never been in a car with D/R's. To me they look like brand new bald tires.

Questions: How is the ride quality on D/R's? Do they ride brand new like bald tires?

If I bought them purely for the cosmetic looks/tread pattern, first choice would be the M/T ET Street Radial II. Although I've read where people only get (average) 6k miles of life out of them. True? That's why I listed my driving style. Will they last longer if not constantly on the gas and roasting them? Second tire choice is the NITTO NT01. Nice look, aggressive tread pattern. Last choice is the NITTO NT555R (Seems to be very popular). All tire sizes are 315/35-17.

I realize tire ride, look, and longevity are not going to go hand in hand. I guess it's going to all boil down to longevity. I can't see spending $500+ on tires/wheels that will only last 10k miles or less.

Please let me know your experiences. Please include ride quality and longevity. I will make a determination on the cosmetic factor once I establish a overlook on tire life. Is there other brands I should be considering? Sorry to make this thread so long. Just trying to get it all out in one post.

Thanks guys for any help/info/advise. Much appreciated.

First choice: The M/T ET's http://http://www.americanmuscle.com...al-315r17.html
Second choice: NITTO NT01's http://http://www.americanmuscle.com...315-35-17.html
Third choice: NITTO NT555R's http://http://www.americanmuscle.com...315-35-17.html

Ok. I've dealt with Nitto extreme 555R drag radials which I know is a little different than the NT01 but it's still a Nitto drag radial. Those drag radials last about 15k miles and other than it being a softer compound I honestly didn't notice and difference in terms ride quality and sound. It was just a softer tire with some NASTY grip. When I punched it those suckers did a mini-chirp and than hooked real nasty. I'm not gonna lie, they look sexy as hell and on a rim like yours I would imagine even sexier.

With what you've said about longetivity being the key factor, I wouldn't consider a DR, nor would I consider a summer tire. Not sure of the selection of well-built all season tires available in 315 but that's what you should be looking for.

EDIT: forgot about your questions on DRs. I've had ET street radials. They performed flawlessly on the street, even on wet roads. Wouldn't now I had them on except for the decrease in spin under accleration. As far as longevity goes, I think I could've gotten 10k or so out of them without all of the burnouts at the track.

Since these tires will see street driving almost exclusively, I would opt for the Nitto555R. They are superior to the ET Streets in any kind of wet condition. They are grippier than base 555's, but will last a "reasonable" amount of miles as a DD tire. The price is a little cheaper as well.

I don't think you will notice any significant difference in ride comfort.

I have 555r's and unless kumho xs's come off of back order by summer I'll be buying another set. My driving habits are almost identical to yours, except I took my car to the track a few times and did burnouts every time, and I got somewhere around 12/13k miles out of them. These are the best all around dr for the street. They are excellent in the rain for what they are, the ride the same as street tires, and will give you some more traction.

Just be prepared if you go 4.10s with a kenne bell youll never see any traction at the drag strip or from a dig with a 315/35/17 tire.

+1, I was just going to post that

MT's or bust