Comtemplating Tires.....

[Zacm829]

My Azenis are about to cord on my car so I'm looking for a reasonably priced summer tire that has decent tread life. The car is my daily driver, but I do not require a comfortable or quiet ride (straight pipes). I auto-x every few months so that is also a factor. Have looked at RS2 and more Azenis but stumbled upon these and wanted some opinons or any experience you may have. Feel free to suggest your favorites.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR%20Z%20II&partnum=045WR6HTRZ2

-Zac

[Danny]

Dunlop Dirreza Sport Starspec Z1.

I swear by these tires.

[IsItElectric?]

Bridgestone RE750s. Summer rated and they stick very well. Probably the best tread life you'll find for summer tires. I have been using these or their predecessor, the RE730, for years.

Not THE BEST autox tire, however, but everything is a compromise.

[Erick]

Dunlop Dirreza Sport Starspec Z1.

I swear by these tires.

I second that notion. Amazing tires to drive on.

[Slick92GS-R]

I second that notion. Amazing tires to drive on.

i'll go third on the notion
i'm on azenis now and i've had a blast .. but i've seen these Direzzas at Auto-X and i'm impressed.

[JGood]

My Azenis are about to cord on my car so I'm looking for a reasonably priced summer tire that has decent tread life. The car is my daily driver, but I do not require a comfortable or quiet ride (straight pipes). I auto-x every few months so that is also a factor. Have looked at RS2 and more Azenis but stumbled upon these and wanted some opinons or any experience you may have. Feel free to suggest your favorites.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR%20Z%20II&partnum=045WR6HTRZ2

-Zac

I've been on all three, and in my opinion, either the Hankook or Azenis would suit your needs best. They seem to offer similar all around performance and tread wear, but the Hankook is known to have softer sidewalls, so although you'll get better ride comfort, you loose some turn-in feel. One other thing to consider is the Hankook will probably have better hydroplane resistance.

The HTRZ II, I wouldn't recommend. They did not perform as well as the other two in any catagory for me. Also, I think I got more miles out of Azenis then I did out of these, which is NOT supposed to happen.

The starspec Z1 that every is recommending is a great tire if you are running 16's or 17's.

[nando]

Bridgestone RE750s. Summer rated and they stick very well. Probably the best tread life you'll find for summer tires. I have been using these or their predecessor, the RE730, for years.

Not THE BEST autox tire, however, but everything is a compromise.

Not the best? they barely pass for mediocre. an ok street tire with average dry grip, but I wouldn't reccomend them for autox at all - they are just too hard, all you will end up doing is scrubbing a bunch of tread off them. They are also not that great in the rain.

i'm still pissed they discontinued the KDW in 15". damnit!

[Erick]

I've been on all three, and in my opinion, either the Hankook or Azenis would suit your needs best. They seem to offer similar all around performance and tread wear, but the Hankook is known to have softer sidewalls, so although you'll get better ride comfort, you loose some turn-in feel. One other thing to consider is the Hankook will probably have better hydroplane resistance.

The HTRZ II, I wouldn't recommend. They did not perform as well as the other two in any catagory for me. Also, I think I got more miles out of Azenis then I did out of these, which is NOT supposed to happen.

The starspec Z1 that every is recommending is a great tire if you are running 16's or 17's.

16s have poor tire selection on Z1s. That's why I'm using DZ101s (since I have 16s). If I were to make a move to 17s, then helloooooo Z1s :D

[IsItElectric?]

Not the best? they barely pass for mediocre. an ok street tire with average dry grip, but I wouldn't reccomend them for autox at all - they are just too hard, all you will end up doing is scrubbing a bunch of tread off them. They are also not that great in the rain.

i'm still pissed they discontinued the KDW in 15". damnit!

Well, he did say the car is his DD, so my answer was largely based on tread life.

I find they're great in the rain. Not as good (in rain) as Yoko ES100's, IMO.

It's tough to find tires that have both good tread life AND you can autox with.....those two criterion are sort of opposites. Hence the compromise comment. I think it's the best for autocross to have a 2nd set of wheels / tires.....no compromises!

Yeah, KDWs are great.

[JGood]

16s have poor tire selection on Z1s. That's why I'm using DZ101s (since I have 16s). If I were to make a move to 17s, then helloooooo Z1s :D

Yeah, my point was they don't have any good sizes that fit e30's besides 16" or 17".

Actually though, I think they might have a 195/55/15...

[nando]

well if you think ES100s are good in the rain, that pretty much says it all :p

and there are definitely other tires that are a decent compromise between DD and autox. the KDW was one of them. :(

[JGood]

Well, he did say the car is his DD, so my answer was largely based on tread life.

I find they're great in the rain. Not as good (in rain) as Yoko ES100's, IMO.

It's tough to find tires that have both good tread life AND you can autox with.....those two criterion are sort of opposites. Hence the compromise comment. I think it's the best for autocross to have a 2nd set of wheels / tires.....no compromises!

Yeah, KDWs are great.

Do you do some of the Susquehanna SCCA events? I think I've seen your car before.

[IsItElectric?]

well if you think ES100s are good in the rain, that pretty much says it all :p

and there are definitely other tires that are a decent compromise between DD and autox. the KDW was one of them. :(

ouch.

Hey, it's only my opinion based on several e30's over the past 8 years and many many many thousands of miles without any accidents or close calls. Rain, snow, whatever condition, I've always equipped my car for driving safety and the best grip without breaking the bank.

Each to his own!

[guibo09]

as said before, tire size is unfortunately one of the most imortant factor for picking tires if you are not running 17". the only competitive auto-x street tires are:

- dunlop z1 star specs
- stone re-01r or the new re-11 replacement
- yoko ad04
- khumo XS (also new)

from the above list, the yokos are the long reigning champions but cost way too much, the Z1's are probably the 2nd best performers at a very good price and the re-01r's are the most civilized for DD use. the other two tires are too new still.

anything not on the above list, will not be a front running street tire.

[IsItElectric?]

Do you do some of the Susquehanna SCCA events? I think I've seen your car before.

Yep, and likewise. Sent you a PM so the thread isn't hijacked.