Dunlop or Hankook? Need tire help

[sho-one]

just got my APEX-8 in on the group buy. 18x8.5 and 18x 9.5

Need some tire recommendations for a set to drive to the track and home.

I'm thinking for the value, either Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 star specs or Hankook Ventus R-S3s in 245/40 for front and 275/30 rear, stock suspension.

Any thought guys ?

[Trev]

I ran a mates E46 M3 with LS3 swap on star specs last year in SCCA AX. They are a very good tire. Good feedback, nice breakaway characteristics .

Treadwear is 200 vs 140 of RS3's. Both tires can be flipped inside to outside which is nice to even out wear on camber challenged cars. Based on Grassroots motorsport recent test Star spec are a better all rounder for wet to dry locations. When I last checked Hankook we're a little cheaper by about $100 a set.

This year I'll be on the RS3's 245/40 275/35. You might want to double check your rear size as written 275/30 is 6% rolling diameter different to stock, which is to much IMO.

[Kgolf31]

I have RS3s sitting in my garage waiting for this season. I'm running 235/45 and 265/40 on OEM wheels.

From research, the Hankooks beat the Star Specs in the dry, however in the wet it's the other way around.

Either way you can't go wrong IMO.

[Caddyshk]

Pretty much a toss up. I have the Direzza Star Specs on my OE wheels and I have 4 or 5 track days on them along with a couple of hardcore mountain runs close to the Dragon - no complaints. The R-S3's are on order from Tirerack for my new wheels (should come in a week or so - the 235/40/18's have been on BO for 3 months). I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[sho-one]

Originally Posted by Trev

I ran a mates E46 M3 with LS3 swap on star specs last year in SCCA AX. They are a very good tire. Good feedback, nice breakaway characteristics .

Treadwear is 200 vs 140 of RS3's. Both tires can be flipped inside to outside which is nice to even out wear on camber challenged cars. Based on Grassroots motorsport recent test Star spec are a better all rounder for wet to dry locations. When I last checked Hankook we're a little cheaper by about $100 a set.

This year I'll be on the RS3's 245/40 275/35. You might want to double check your rear size as written 275/30 is 6% rolling diameter different to stock, which is to much IMO.

Thanks for the help guys, Trev do you recommend 275/35 for the back instead? I bought some Morr VS8 19's used off the forum, and they came with brand new all seasons, so I decided to get some track wheels (apex) and tires for the 1-2 track events I'll be able to attend this year. Lol I would go R-compound but as we all know you can't fit four track only wheels in the M coupe and drive it to the track.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by sho-one

Thanks for the help guys, Trev do you recommend 275/35 for the back instead? I bought some Morr VS8 19's used off the forum, and they came with brand new all seasons, so I decided to get some track wheels (apex) and tires for the 1-2 track events I'll be able to attend this year. Lol I would go R-compound but as we all know you can't fit four track only wheels in the M coupe and drive it to the track.

Yea you need 275/35

Use this for anything future calc:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[Finnegan]

Take a look at this thread before deciding. Lots of good info in here on the next generation of tire technology by The Hack.

I have Star Specs, run them mixed street/track, and really like them. But there are other candidates out there now besides the two you mentioned. It comes down to price, longevity, and what you want out of the tire (again, see thread).

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Take a look at this thread before deciding. Lots of good info in here on the next generation of tire technology by The Hack.

I have Star Specs, run them mixed street/track, and really like them. But there are other candidates out there now besides the two you mentioned. It comes down to price, longevity, and what you want out of the tire (again, see thread).

X2$

[Trev]

Here's brief overview of the top SCCA street tire legal (treadwear 140 or above) possible sizes & combinations. Prices we're accurate a few months ago, HTH.

[kennyfrc]

Michelin PSS FTW!

[prodigal_m]

I ran Nitto NT05's last year and was happy with the performance on and off the track, They communicate well, offer tons of grip, completely worry free around town and are super cheap (at least they were last year)...not the best tire in the rain obviously but decent overall.

Honestly, for the price I think you would be hard pressed to find a better "dual" purpose tire. I'm take off R compounds in the dry this year; however, I'll continue to run my NT05's in the rain if needed.

[BIMMERGUY91]

I like the Z1 Star Spec but my favorite tire is the RE-11

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by prodigal_m

I ran Nitto NT05's last year and was happy with the performance on and off the track, They communicate well, offer tons of grip, completely worry free around town and are super cheap (at least they were last year)...not the best tire in the rain obviously but decent overall.

Honestly, for the price I think you would be hard pressed to find a better "dual" purpose tire. I'm take off R compounds in the dry this year; however, I'll continue to run my NT05's in the rain if needed.

+1 great bang for the buck

[sho-one]

Thanks guys, especially Trev for the spreadsheet pic. Hmm I never considered NITTOs, I just might now. I don't think Tire Rack carries them so I'll have to do a search.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by sho-one

Thanks guys, especially Trev for the spreadsheet pic. Hmm I never considered NITTOs, I just might now. I don't think Tire Rack carries them so I'll have to do a search.

Discounttire.com has Nitto NT05. Looks like they come in the sizes you're looking for.

[sho-one]

yep thats where i found them too, lol the tread looks almost like slicks ! Gonna wait till this weekend and then pull the trigger.

[zubydafa]

i made a similar thread on another forum. i wanted NT05's but everyone convinced me into springing for the michelin PSS.

supposedly it's THE tire now. better than ps2 and will last longer. if i were only tracking, i would opt for the NT05's where they would grip better when warmed up.

[prodigal_m]

Originally Posted by zubydafa

i made a similar thread on another forum. i wanted NT05's but everyone convinced me into springing for the michelin PSS.

supposedly it's THE tire now. better than ps2 and will last longer. if i were only tracking, i would opt for the NT05's where they would grip better when warmed up.

I can't fault the Michelin Super Sports and I loved the PS2's on my old coupe but there is a pretty significant price differential between the michelins and the nt05's

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by prodigal_m

I can't fault the Michelin Super Sports and I loved the PS2's on my old coupe but there is a pretty significant price differential between the michelins and the nt05's

it is about a 250 dollar hike in price for a set of 4 in the size i'm looking for (245/35/19 275/30/19) other people's reviews have said to just spend the extra cash on the PSS because the longevity of treadwear would offset the price. and the michelins come with a 30k promise plan of sorts which i've been trying to grasp and see if i can legitimately get new tires from michelin (prorated or not) if i'm under 2/32nds in under 30k miles or 1 year AND they cannot attribute it to misuse

fat chance.

so the only negative your saying is its characteristics in the rain? what size were you running? another reason i'm leaning towards the PSS is because the comfort is supposed to be top notch for a performance tire...which i value because i'll be lowered on coilovers and running 19" RGRs.

decisionss..

[beta]

For 245/40/18 tires, getting the pricing from tirerack.

PSS is $258 for 300 treadwear
Hankook RS3 is $177 for 140 treadwear

So if you're going for value PSS might be a better deal. If you want more track oriented tires RS3 or StarSpec are both great choices.

Oh and my favorite tire calculator is tiresizecalculator.info because it shows you all sizes within a % you specify of rolling diameter.

[prodigal_m]

Originally Posted by zubydafa

it is about a 250 dollar hike in price for a set of 4 in the size i'm looking for (245/35/19 275/30/19) other people's reviews have said to just spend the extra cash on the PSS because the longevity of treadwear would offset the price. and the michelins come with a 30k promise plan of sorts which i've been trying to grasp and see if i can legitimately get new tires from michelin (prorated or not) if i'm under 2/32nds in under 30k miles or 1 year AND they cannot attribute it to misuse

fat chance.

so the only negative your saying is its characteristics in the rain? what size were you running? another reason i'm leaning towards the PSS is because the comfort is supposed to be top notch for a performance tire...which i value because i'll be lowered on coilovers and running 19" RGRs.

decisionss..

When I was looking at tires last year the price difference was almost double between the NT05's and the PSS (in the sizes that you are getting.) I figure that I'm going to go through a set of rubber every year anyway so I typically go for more of a track oriented tire.

If I was also driving my car on the street on a regular basis the Michelin's would be a no brainer as the NT05's wear quickly, are loud and kind of suck in the rain (they are pretty much a track tire afterall.)

[sho-one]

I got another set of rims and tires for everyday driving, this set will be to drive to and from the track. Tires ordered, THANKS GUYS!

815$ out the door at Discount Tire