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.

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.

Pilot Super sports



end thread

Pilot Supersports IMO.

For more info look at Consumer Reports November, 2013 issue which compares various performance street tires.

John

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.

Mike, I use drag radials on the street. However, I don't drive in rain or any form of precipitation. If you do, then pilot super sports :)

I have Mickey Thompson Street Comps. Less expensive than Michelin. Still very good.

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.

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.

Honestly I like the Goodyears that came stock so far, but I have no idea how long they'll last.

Otherwise: Michellin Pilot Supersport

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.

Thanks for the info. Bummer about the RE-11s, because I don't think I'd consider anything but the RE-11 and the PSS if the car was going to see much daily use. The 595s didn't come up for our car (sorry) but I was talking about the Federal 595 RS-R, a recommendation that came from my Honda mechanic who used to track his S2000. Not terribly easy to find either.

http://www.onlinetires.com/search/ve...ds/page_1.html

Have you compared them to the stock summer-only Pirelli that come on most Brembo cars?

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.

Oddly enough, my '13 Brembo convertible GT came with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires on it. Purchased new in July 2012.

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.

Thanks, I always wondered why mine had the Goodyears when everyone always talked about the Pirellis.