Opinions on max performance summer tires?
#1
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Opinions on max performance summer tires?
Guys, what are your opinions on the various max performance (200ish treadwear) street legal summer tires?
Michellin Pilot Supersport?
Dunlop Direzza DII Star Spec?
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11?
Hankook Ventus RS3?
???
Any thoughts and opinions are welcome.
Michellin Pilot Supersport?
Dunlop Direzza DII Star Spec?
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11?
Hankook Ventus RS3?
???
Any thoughts and opinions are welcome.
Last edited by MRGTX; 2/23/15 at 06:29 AM.
#2
GT Member
The Michellin's are highly rated both by Tire Rack and actual users on various boards. I am sure you know that the Michellins aren't cheap. My question would be do you want a set of tires and wheels that you're only going to use for track days or stock class autocross or do you want something with good grip that you can drive everyday? I know that SCCA stock class autocross requires a minimum 200 treadwear rating. If you want a tire with good grip, but not a pseudo race tire, then that opens up other possibilities. If you check Tire Rack's tests you'll find that the Kuhmo SPT's score pretty well as do the 4X's. The SPT's are a summer tire with a 320 or 340 treadwear rating, can't remember which. The 4X's are an all season tire with grip nearly equal to a summer tire. The construction quality of Kuhmo's is quite good. It usually takes minimal weight to balance them and road force is generally very good as well. Price is generally pretty good too.
#5
Shelby GT350 Member
Just using on the street? All those options are quite good. In my opinion the michelins' biggest advantage is in the wet. They are incredible. But for dry performance all those would be good. Lots of guys use the star specs at the track (road course) with good success
Price obviously plays a big role as well.
Price obviously plays a big role as well.
#8
Shelby GT500 Member
Direzza II
For my money I would go this route because of the results that TireRack got in this comparison using a car that is around the same weight and sizes that we use. Autocross Taxi with Hotchkisssssssss suspension.
For my money I would go this route because of the results that TireRack got in this comparison using a car that is around the same weight and sizes that we use. Autocross Taxi with Hotchkisssssssss suspension.
#9
I'm faced with this very decision on my S2000 right now and have been trolling the forums (for information). Of course I'm more concerned with S2000 results and use of about 75% track 25% street.
I found this thread to be very useful, but I'd be careful with its advice because it's tested on an S2000 but I think it's stl valuable information.
http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/8391...__federal+rs-r
Here are some general observations from the thread and my other research.
1. Everyone loves the RS3 for primary track use. The sidewalls are soft though, so steering feel is softer even though grip is good
2. The 595 and Star Specs are also good track tires, you should consider them as long as you're fond of their particular characteristics which are beyond my skill level to understand. The 595s are about 30% cheaper than the others.
3. The Pilot Super Sport and the RE11 are excellent if you will do more street driving. Current opinions seem to favor the RE11 slightly.
So far I'm leaning toward the RE11 but only because I'm a track n00b. If I had more experience I'd try the RS3 based on how popular they are.
I found this thread to be very useful, but I'd be careful with its advice because it's tested on an S2000 but I think it's stl valuable information.
http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/8391...__federal+rs-r
Here are some general observations from the thread and my other research.
1. Everyone loves the RS3 for primary track use. The sidewalls are soft though, so steering feel is softer even though grip is good
2. The 595 and Star Specs are also good track tires, you should consider them as long as you're fond of their particular characteristics which are beyond my skill level to understand. The 595s are about 30% cheaper than the others.
3. The Pilot Super Sport and the RE11 are excellent if you will do more street driving. Current opinions seem to favor the RE11 slightly.
So far I'm leaning toward the RE11 but only because I'm a track n00b. If I had more experience I'd try the RS3 based on how popular they are.
Last edited by berzerk_1980; 2/24/15 at 01:15 PM.
#11
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
I'm faced with this very decision on my S2000 right now and have been trolling the forums (for information). Of course I'm more concerned with S2000 results and use of about 75% track 25% street.
I found this thread to be very useful, but I'd be careful with its advice because it's tested on an S2000 but I think it's stl valuable information.
http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/8391...__federal+rs-r
Here are some general observations from the thread and my other research.
1. Everyone loves the RS3 for primary track use. The sidewalls are soft though, so steering feel is softer even though grip is good
2. The 595 and Star Specs are also good track tires, you should consider them as long as you're fond of their particular characteristics which are beyond my skill level to understand. The 595s are about 30% cheaper than the others.
3. The Pilot Super Sport and the RE11 are excellent if you will do more street driving. Current opinions seem to favor the RE11 slightly.
So far I'm leaning toward the RE11 but only because I'm a track n00b. If I had more experience I'd try the RS3 based on how popular they are.
I found this thread to be very useful, but I'd be careful with its advice because it's tested on an S2000 but I think it's stl valuable information.
http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/8391...__federal+rs-r
Here are some general observations from the thread and my other research.
1. Everyone loves the RS3 for primary track use. The sidewalls are soft though, so steering feel is softer even though grip is good
2. The 595 and Star Specs are also good track tires, you should consider them as long as you're fond of their particular characteristics which are beyond my skill level to understand. The 595s are about 30% cheaper than the others.
3. The Pilot Super Sport and the RE11 are excellent if you will do more street driving. Current opinions seem to favor the RE11 slightly.
So far I'm leaning toward the RE11 but only because I'm a track n00b. If I had more experience I'd try the RS3 based on how popular they are.
The other trick is trying to find a tire that both fits your needs/wants...and is available in your desired size. That's a bit tricky on the Mustang side but I suspect you might have more variety with the Stook.
What are the "595s" you're referring to?
The Direzza Star Specs are in the lead for me as they're available in 275/35/19...which are suitable (barely) for the stock Brembo wheels...and while slightly shorter than stock, it will help my 3.55 axle car and not look totally absurd after my car is lowered (which is happening as soon as the snow is gone ).
RE-11s seem pretty great and they tend to be a bit cheaper than the MPSS...but not available in any useful size with the stock wheels.
The Ventus RS3---I had a set of these (or were they RS2??) on my turbo'd/coilover Miata and I really liked them but I do recall thinking they did indeed have soft sidewalls.
#12
Good insight here.
The other trick is trying to find a tire that both fits your needs/wants...and is available in your desired size. That's a bit tricky on the Mustang side but I suspect you might have more variety with the Stook.
What are the "595s" you're referring to?
The Direzza Star Specs are in the lead for me as they're available in 275/35/19...which are suitable (barely) for the stock Brembo wheels...and while slightly shorter than stock, it will help my 3.55 axle car and not look totally absurd after my car is lowered (which is happening as soon as the snow is gone ).
RE-11s seem pretty great and they tend to be a bit cheaper than the MPSS...but not available in any useful size with the stock wheels.
The Ventus RS3---I had a set of these (or were they RS2??) on my turbo'd/coilover Miata and I really liked them but I do recall thinking they did indeed have soft sidewalls.
http://www.onlinetires.com/search/ve...ds/page_1.html
#13
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
I've heard that the Goodyears are more compliant in the sidewall and don't have quite as much grip (which may not be a bad thing, depending on how you're driving).
I got 23,000 out of my Pirellis (which is better than a lot of folks do)...but any of these performance oriented tire models will live a pretty short life with 400+hp and 3600+lb curb weight.
#15
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Also when the Brembos became available with automaics (2013?) I believe that the Goodyears were the standard tire there too.
I'm sure Ford had their reasons...neither tire is bad but neither tire shows what these cars are really capable of.
#16
Super Boss Lawman Member
I don't think that's odd. I'm pretty sure that all Brembo/Convertibles came with the Goodyears.
Also when the Brembos became available with automaics (2013?) I believe that the Goodyears were the standard tire there too.
I'm sure Ford had their reasons...neither tire is bad but neither tire shows what these cars are really capable of.
Also when the Brembos became available with automaics (2013?) I believe that the Goodyears were the standard tire there too.
I'm sure Ford had their reasons...neither tire is bad but neither tire shows what these cars are really capable of.
Thanks, I always wondered why mine had the Goodyears when everyone always talked about the Pirellis.
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