Sumitomo Vs. Hankook

[phylo]

I just picked up some new rims and am getting need to get tires for them.. I have read good things about both, and the new consumer reports review of the new Sumitomo tires is excellent so I am leaning that way... But before I pulled the triger I wanted to get opinions from folks who have actually run the tires.

The price of the tires is the same so that wont factor in, its just the ride, traction and road noise that Im wondering about.

Like I mentioned, Consumer reports says that the new Sumitomo HTR Z III has excellent ride, traction and noise characteristics.

I have a 2003 2.5i with 18" wheels.
Im currently running bridstone run flats and hate them!!!

Thanks
Phil

[esqu1re]

You won't find many bad hankook v12 reviews here. It won't be as good as the PSS, but it is definitely a safe choice for the money. You could be different and get the HTR Z III and find that it suits your tastes even better. Did you factor in costs after any rebates? I know Hankook usually has a rebate.

[phylo]

Originally Posted by esqu1re

You won't find many bad hankook v12 reviews here. It won't be as good as the PSS, but it is definitely a safe choice for the money. You could be different and get the HTR Z III and find that it suits your tastes even better. Did you factor in costs after any rebates? I know Hankook usually has a rebate.

I haven't looked for rebates yet. Ill have to see if there are any right now, but that may definitely sway me towards the Hankook!

Phil

[phylo]

Cant find any Hankook rebates or coupons :-(

Phil

[Finnegan]

The Sumitomo HTR Z IIIs are a really good tire in the wet. I put well over 100 miles on them on my way home in a really bad storm last spring (very heavy rain) and no hydroplanning or other "excitement" to report. Back roads, curves, wet, no excitement either.

On dry roads they're pretty good, but no where near the PS2 or Star Specs. (Then again, you're not paying PS2 or Star Spec prices.) They're comfortable though, pretty quiet, and reasonably priced. Better IMO than the stock Contis that came on the Z4M. There's some tread squirm and the smaller tread blocks, which make it fairly well suited for the wet. (Tread squirm is typical of the V12s too when new IIRC.)

If you're not going to do extensive canyon carving or track work (or Autox) they're a pretty good tire (no word on wear, I had them on for under 1,500 miles). They are not suited to the track or AutoX at all. The small tread pattern is tailor made for squirm under those conditions. Even with pitting to check pressures (tried 38 and also 39 hot all around) they get very greasy, have poor (relative) lateral grip on the track, and get hot enough on surface to allow a finger to deform the tire. I had no such issues with the Star Specs.

[psygnosis]

Conti DWS

edit: Oh, your in Cali, nevermind

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by psygnosis

Conti DWS

edit: Oh, your in Cali, nevermind

If he lived near me that would be a good suggestion though. 30 minutes away there's usually a ton of snow. (Although maybe not this year. No snow at all in the Sierra and driest December on record.)

His area (Santa Cruz, especially the mountains) of typically gets a lot of rain and darn heavy fog. So wet weather performance, if this is a DD, is probably more of a consideration. That is if it ever starts raining at all out here.

[dubsesd]

hankooks ftw. i have the v12's on my lexus IS and run them from april till december. i hjave them on my mcoupe on street rims and they are great as well. very quiet too.

[tekmoe]

Been running the Sumitomo HTR Z III's in the rear for the past 1,000 miles or so. Great tires at an even greater price. I will def be replacing the stock Conti's in the front with the Sumitomo's for sure.

[3002 tii]

sumi's are ok for street, don't expect much on the track. v12 can handle both.

[Kgolf31]

You won't find rebates for Hankooks, they are cheap.

I have a set of Hankook RS3s for my autocrossing and track wheels. When my DD tires are chewed up V12s are going on them. I have nothing but positive reviews with Hankook

[phylo]

They actually had a few rebates last year for the Hankooks.. And PepBoys has one right now. Unfortunately there isnt a PepBoys anywhere near me.

I wont be taking these on the track either.. Just for street use.

Phil

[pokeybritches]

I've burned through a couple sets of the Sumitomos on my M and non-M. They are good all-around for a DD. Tread life has been great. I agree they aren't great tires for the track, and they really make a lot of noise at the limit. They are an unbeatable value and perform very well on the street.

[tikamak]

What tires would you recommend for high grip dry performance on shitty malformed roads?

The car is an M Roadster

[pokeybritches]

Lightweight wheels help grip on broken roads.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

I've burned through a couple sets of the Sumitomos on my M and non-M. They are good all-around for a DD. Tread life has been great. I agree they aren't great tires for the track, and they really make a lot of noise at the limit. They are an unbeatable value and perform very well on the street.

Good to know the wear is good. Great tire in the wet like I said. Good tires for a DD, and they're priced right.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by phylo

They actually had a few rebates last year for the Hankooks.. And PepBoys has one right now. Unfortunately there isnt a PepBoys anywhere near me.

I wont be taking these on the track either.. Just for street use.

Phil

Yea, don't get RS3s then. At most they are 10k mile tires...very sticky though

Rolling around the garage they pick up every little rock...they are like R-Comps!

[phylo]

Decided on the Sumitomo mainly because that is what they had in stock! They get mounted today.. Im so excited about having non runflats on my baby! I also got new Rims... Cant wait to get her back tonight!

Phil

[phylo]

Does $800 sound reasonable for the tires and the place to swap them onto the new rims, swap the TPMS and do an alignment?

Phil

[GammaZeta]

On my Z3M, I had Sumi's up front, and Hankooks in back.

The Sumi's had slightly better grip, but a much harsher ride and turn in.

The Hankooks were a little softer, had great great and turned in very well.

You can't go wrong with either one, but I would give the edge to the Hankooks.

[gatorfast]

I have the hankook v12's on mine. Just put my second set of rears on (took around 18k-20k miles to wear them down). No complaints at all. Great tire for the money.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by phylo

Does $800 sound reasonable for the tires and the place to swap them onto the new rims, swap the TPMS and do an alignment?

Phil

4 wheel mount & balance - should be around 125
swapping TPMS - should be of no add'l cost
proper alignment - expect to pay at least 150, upwards to 200. maybe more if dealer

so total for "service", call it 325. tires for 475? What sizes areyou getting? Check how much it'd cost for you to order tires directly from TireRack and Discount Tire Direct (DTD might charge more but offers free s/h)