Hi, I need some advise on tires. It will be time to buy a new set after a few more track days. My vehicle is a 2011 GT, with some light mods for the track (suspension, brakes, wheels/tires). Mine is a daily driver, with low miles (only 5k/year). I do track my car 3-4 times per year (road course). I do not use a separate set of track-only wheels/tires. I'm lazy and cheap, so I run my street set-up at the track. My sizes are F 19x9 255/40, R 19x10 285/35. I started with the Conti DW, and they were good on the street, lousy at the track. Now I spent more $ and I have the Michelin Super Sports, and they ride poor on the street, and IMO are very good at the track, but not 'great!' like so many reviews, plus they are showing wear very fast. So, I've collected some info and prices for the tire sets below. Please give your opinions, and share your experiences, but remember how I use my car, as stated. I'm looking for that perfect combination of good price, good ride on the street, good grip at the track (road course), and good treadwear. All help is greatly appreciated, thanks.


* Sumitomo HTR Z III, $750, with a 300 treadwear rating.


* Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position, $900, with a 280 treadwear rating.


* Continental ExtremeContact DW, $935, with a 340 treadwear rating.


* Mickey Thompson Street Comp, $990, with a 300 treadwear rating.


* Nitto Invo Ultra-High Performance, $1180, with a 260 treadwear rating.


* Michelin Pilot Super Sport, $1250, with a 300 treadwear rating.

 

We had the Nitto Invos on our 2013 GT500. They lasted about a year, 10,000 miles with street only driving.

 

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Thanks, wow that is fast wear. How did they perform? Road noise? Ride quality? Sport feel? Steering response? Would you buy again?

 

My latest tire is the Toyo proxe T1 Sport. They are summer only 240 treadwear. I use them for both the track days and Street driving.
They are a bit expensive $350 on average, but I got a killer deal
They have been wearing really good at the track. Better than Pirelli pzero Summer tires and Mickey Thompson Street comps.

 

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Interesting, thanks. What size(s) are you running? How is the ride on the street?

 

I run 275 35 19 on the front and 295 30 19 on the rear. I think the ride is pretty good on the street, but I'm used to a pretty firm right anyway. My car is prepped more for the track

 

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Thanks. What are your wheel widths, F & R?

 

Same as yours, 9 inch front and 10 inch rear

 

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Hi redonblack - any chance you can post up some close-up pictures, please? I would like to consider going wider, and I want to see how it looks. And I'd like to see those Toyo Proxes. Thanks.

 

I'll post up some pictures tomorrow when it's not dark. I took some pictures while it was in the garage after sundown, but they didn't turn out so good.

 

 

 

 

Here are a few pics from this afternoon

 

How are they Toyos in the rain? I loved my MPSS tires, they handled great on the street and in the rain and wouldn't hesitate to get another set. I may try the Potenza R-11's though as I hear they are sticker than the MPSS but don't have as good of rain manors.

 

I'm not sure how they handle in the rain. I live in Southern California and it rarely rains here. I've had my car 4 years and it's only been in the rain twice.
I would imagine like most high-performance summer only tires they aren't that great in the rain. Brand-new tread depth on the rears are 9/32

 

Thanks for the pics, redonblack. Those look good. The sidewall deflection is okay? Is that your track set-up, too? Or street only?
Sean - I find my MPSS take at least 1-2 laps to get heat in them, every session. The overall dry grip is good. But I'm thinking too much $$ to go with them again. That's why I started this thread, for cheaper options.

 

I've had three track days on these tires with minimal street driving. They are surprisingly holding up quite well and are very sticky on the track. My last set of Mickey Thompson Street comps didn't last very long as the heat cycles of tracking my car made the front tires chunk and come apart.
Only time will tell if these tires hold up better over time at the track. I'll start tracking my car again in March.

 

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Thanks for the info. Three track days already?...these tires look new! My MPSS have half-tread on the outside blocks of all four tires after three track days. That's why I'm questioning these MPSS tires durability/value. Toyo is now on my list, thank you, sir.

 

You're welcome. Definitely shop around to get the best price.