Lude Generation

I need 2 new front tyres on the lude. My tyre size is 215 40 17 87W. Currently I have Falken ZE-914 tyres all round. I inherited these off the previous owner, while they seem ok I was thinking of changing them to Toyo Proxes.

So far the cheapest I can find them is £67 a tyre, with free delivery, that's £134. I will get them fitted at my local tyre place I use. I prefer to do it this way as always works out cheaper. However, the toyo proxes on balck circles differ to the site I have found them cheaper on:

BlackCircles: 215/40 R17 W (87) XL - apparently the XL stands for re-inforced?
Oponeo: 215/40 R17 W (87) ZR - what does the ZR stand for?

I am open to suggestions on other tyres. My lude is a daily but I don't want to stick budgets on there. Something midrange with good grip is what I am looking for, hence the Toyo's.

The XL should stand for Extra Load in reference to the stiffness of the sidewall. I don't know what ZR means, maybe the Toyo website can explain.

Edit - I think the ZR is still a speed rating, even though the W is stated ZR means over 150mph (which is sub-devided into Z, W & Y).

If you're going 40 profile then get the XL sidewalled tyres. Lots of people prefer to run 45 profile for extra confort, but that does throw the speedo out a little. 215/40/17 is the same rolling radius as a stock 4th gen wheel/tyre setup.

W & ZR are both speed ratings.

Car tyre speed ratings
S 180km/h or 112mph
T 190km/h or 118mph
U 200km/h or 125mph
H 210km/h or 130mph
V 240km/h or 149mph
W(ZR) 270km/h or 168mph
Y(ZR) 300km/h or 186mph
ZR Above 240km/h or 149mph

There, twice confirmed

Slightly cheaper here from tyre leader.co.uk

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres-215-40-17/?m=7

Ive been looking at tyres recently albeit in 15" sizes and you could also consider Khumo KU31, Bridgestone Potenza RE002, Vredestein Sportrac 5.

More to 45 profile and reep the benefits.

RattyMcClelland wrote:More to 45 profile and reep the benefits.

can't really as the rears dont need changing and I have found the 40 profile to be ok.

vanzep wrote:Ive been looking at tyres recently albeit in 15" sizes and you could also consider Khumo KU31, Bridgestone Potenza RE002, Vredestein Sportrac 5.

I think the bridgestones will be more than I want to pay but I will check. I have heard Kumho tyres being referred to as ditch finders on more than one occasion

Khumos are similar to Toyos in that performance drops off a fair bit once your down to 4-5mm
Bridgestones and Vredesteins should be a bit better than the Khumos and Toyos but a bit more expensive
Ive tried the Khumos and Toyos and want something a bit better