Hankook Ventus R-S3 vs Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec

[CrazyB]

I would not be able to comment on hydroplaning much as i ran them in autox only but I would say about 60% of grip when wet and the bad part was no warning at all before it would let go. Also front plowed a lot more in the wet.

[dude8383]

Ya, I jumped on the Hankook wagon lol, I will only have hard info after my first event on June 20th. However, many things have changed since then so for me it will comparing apples and oranges....My Z1's were 195/55 and I was on H&R race springs, now 225/45 and full coilovers. So there will be many different variables going on at once...but will see, theres many positive opinions on them.

Just buy the rs-3s and if you end up not liking them just sell them and buy the star specs, from tirerack the rs3 come to $412 plus shipping, its so cheap for you guys:hitler: I paid $660 to my door, so stop worrying and just buy them:D...if they really turn out to be horrible get rid of them, its trial and error

LOL as much as I'd like to just wing it, I don't think its that smart to approach it that way. My first track event is coming in May, so I have some time to think about it. Besides, you and I both know that once tires are used, they're used and no one is willing to pay what you paid for them. I don't feel like spending $450 and automatically incurring a loss here...The most I'd get for them even on ONE track day is like $400 shipped. No one would be willing to give you what you paid because they can get them new for the same price.

My only concern is the grip in the rain, the Star Specs definitely have better wet grip. I intend to drive the car on the street too. I'll keep an eye on your thread for updates.

I love my rs-3 on 15-8 for autox. Ran them in cold rain once and that was interesting but as soon as the weather hits 70 or above this things come alive.

How bad was it in the rain? Lots of hydroplaning?

[Joe G]

im beginning to tire shop as well, but im running 16x7.5 SSR Comp C's and with the new motor im looking to get as wide of a tire as can fit on my wheels. Any suggestions?

[CrazyB]

I love my rs-3 on 15-8 for autox. Ran them in cold rain once and that was interesting but as soon as the weather hits 70 or above this things come alive.

[gverelli]

Ya, I jumped on the Hankook wagon lol, I will only have hard info after my first event on June 20th. However, many things have changed since then so for me it will comparing apples and oranges....My Z1's were 195/55 and I was on H&R race springs, now 225/45 and full coilovers. So there will be many different variables going on at once...but will see, theres many positive opinions on them.

Just buy the rs-3s and if you end up not liking them just sell them and buy the star specs, from tirerack the rs3 come to $412 plus shipping, its so cheap for you guys:hitler: I paid $660 to my door, so stop worrying and just buy them:D...if they really turn out to be horrible get rid of them, its trial and error

[dude8383]

noted.

[Bishop]

Ymmv

[dude8383]

I only started a new thread because my requirements are somewhat different. Thanks for adding the info though that is helpful for sure!

[Bimmerman325i]

here's his post in another thread:

I love em. Hands down, I love them more than the Dunlops, and I'll say that time and time again. I love the Hankook RS-3's.

I love the Hankook RS-3's.

I love the Hankook RS-3's.

I love the Hankook RS-3's.

Now, I went from 17x8 wheels, 235/40-17 star specs, to 15x8, 225/45-15 RS-3's... With the larger star specs I felt they really strained the car and I never really drove all that confidently. Also, it was very notable that the star specs don't talk to you... at all... They're quiet.... quiet.... quiet... scream and then let go... I hated this feeling.... The RS-3s made plenty of noise and were a BLAST to drive on! Instilled so much more confidence than the star specs ever did, felt like there was less strain on the car, and they talked, and talked, and talked, and then RIGHT as they let go (understeer) they got much louder, but were VERY easy to get back under control. I absolutely loved how my car changed... and yes, your mileage may vary, I don't care, between the two setups I've tested, I'd prefer the 15s w/ RS-3s over and over again. I just feel they were better and more fun... GAWD were they fucking fun... For those who wanna defend the star specs, go for it, that's your gig. I got to drive that M-coupe w/ star specs, as well as bimmerman's semi-prepped e36 m3, also on star specs, and pushing those cars I felt the same thing.... More power, still no noise... It wasn't confidence inspiring.. Now, I can't speak on Alex's behalf (cloudbase) but I can speak on David's since i don't think he chimed in, but he rode in my car and instantly said he preferred the RS-3s simply because of how talkative they were... It's nice being able to hear what the car's doing and he said he'd be buying a set of Hankooks when his 2 sets of start specs are dead.

Now, bitch if you want about my review, defend the star specs, etc. etc. etc.... This was my feeling, and I had a set of star specs on my STi as well was the e30 before switching to the RS-3.... Love me some Hankook.

/mini-rant

[Bishop]

Buy the RS-3s.

That's the simple answer if you've got $$ to burn and you track the car a bit... They'll probably wear fast, faster than the dunlops, but they're stickier. I ran 235/45-17 star specs, and am currently running 225/45-15 hankooks and I've posted in more than one thread my feelings between the two. Did you search, cause I feel between my thread recently + gverelli's thread, this could have been easily answered without a new thread lol. Verelli literally went from the dunlops in that size to the hankooks in that size.

[Bimmerman325i]

RS3. Ask Bishop, but RS3s are grippier and cheaper. WIN.

[dude8383]

Hm, we do get rain and its rather unpredictable...The Dunlops might be a better choice because of wheel size.

AND I can't really afford to have a dedicated set right now (i.e. 15x8 TRM's).

[race2win]

In the dry, no question the RS3 is the best choice, but if it's wet...& more importantly cold, the RS3s just don't work very well. So, if you live in an area where it rains often & it's a cooler climate, the Dunlops may be your best bet. If it's dry & warm-to-hot where you live, the RS3s LOVE heat & work great the hotter they get....up to 140+ tire temps IIRC. The RS3s also wear like iron....I think it was the 2nd place car in Street Touring at the SCCA National Championships a couple years ago that had RS3s with over 300 runs on them, & they just kept getting faster!

Unfortunately you will not be able to take advantage of the extra width on the RS3 with a 7" rim, they need at least a 7.5 to work properly & are best on 8-9" wheels. They will work on the 15x7s, but no better than a 205.

[dude8383]

Great advice guys.

I should have mentioned in the original post what I'd be mounting them on..15x7 Euroweaves

I'm not looking for R-comp's because this car will still see plenty of street driving so, I'm looking for something that can do handle both. I know there will be a compromise or two but I'm willing to deal.

So far the R-S3's seem to be the more favorable option.

Those two vid's were awesome man!

[e30pq]

Either tire would be fine for an intermediate level driver on the track, people who say that R-comps are only for experts are full of it. Street tires like the RS3 are approaching the grip levels of some of the lower-tier R-comps now anyways.

I agree. I don't think you are pushing your skill level if you just start with Nitto NT01's.

They provide noise at the limit (to tell you that you're getting to the limit)

Check these videos out. The practice session (splitter cam) are my 2 year old NT01's. They are faster than my newer set. You can hear the tires in both videos.

http://vimeo.com/21809894

I used my newer (3 races) set of NT01's for the race video.

http://vimeo.com/21678495