Best tires for aggressive street driving?

[Fendamonky]

Hey all,

I've never been a huge tire nut, so my back-pocket knowledge is, unfortunately, lacking when it comes to rubber.

What is everybody using and how do you like it?

I've heard very good things about the new Dunlop Z1 Star Specs, anybody have experience with them?

[RXtacy]

Originally Posted by Fendamonky

Hey all,

I've never been a huge tire nut, so my back-pocket knowledge is, unfortunately, lacking when it comes to rubber.

What is everybody using and how do you like it?

I've heard very good things about the new Dunlop Z1 Star Specs, anybody have experience with them?

The star specs are good from what I have heard as well. I'm running yokohama ADVAN AD08's they are phenomenal.

[j9fd3s]

star specs are good. if you were looking a little more race than street the toyo R888 or nitto nt05 (same compound, different tread) might work for you.

[Redshft]

Is the NT05 the same compound as the R888? I know the NT01, and RA1 and R888 are all supposed to be the same.

Anyway, we've got Star Specs on the MazdaSpeed Protege. Phenomenal dry grip, seem to have good characteristics at the limit with predictable breakaway, enough wet traction that you won't die, but not ideal commuter tires for big miles in all weather.

[josh18_2k]

go with RS3s, of the cheaper good tires, theyre best in rain. dunlop jacked up their prices so screw them.

[Fendamonky]

My only concern with going more "race" specific is that I'm not 100% on their optimum heat range as far as performance goes.

Granted, I'd love to go to the track (I've been holding off until my car is "ready" in my opinion) but the majority of my time is spent on the streets and back country roads.

I'd rather have something that is going to grip better at a lower temperature, than something which is going to need to be heated up and taken to the brink in order to really shine.

You know what I mean?

Also, I figure if/when I *do* get hardcore into tracking the car than I'll probably just have the track specific tires mounted to my second set of rims.


Mike - Thanks for the heads up, I'm running the Advan's right now. They are about 3-4 years old by now They are good tires, but I was able to break them loose at speed pretty easily with only 340-350whp, I'd really like something that may grip better than them for when I go up to the 18-22psi range.

Originally Posted by Redshft

Anyway, we've got Star Specs on the MazdaSpeed Protege. Phenomenal dry grip, seem to have good characteristics at the limit with predictable breakaway, enough wet traction that you won't die, but not ideal commuter tires for big miles in all weather.

How much power are you putting down on the MS Progege, if I may ask? Have you ever noticed any issues with grip changing depending on how long/hard you drive (assuming road condition stays the same)?

[Redshft]

Originally Posted by Fendamonky

How much power are you putting down on the MS Progege, if I may ask? Have you ever noticed any issues with grip changing depending on how long/hard you drive (assuming road condition stays the same)?

The MSP is my better half's nice-day toy, and is fairly stock. Upgraded the intercooler and the hard pipes, and that's about it as far as power. So, nothing near your power levels. That being said, the car has a very good chassis, so my opinion is coming form a handling perspective. I have no input on how well they will grip for burnouts are 2nd/3rd gear roll-ons. But, with the car being front wheel drive, it probably alters things a bit from how the power gets put the ground, and these tires don't spin, the car just goes.

I've had 2 sets of Pilot PS2s on my RX8 now. The Star Specs won't last as long, and probably a little (but not much) worse in the rain. They have more road noise when new than the PS2s, but certainly have more dry grip. I've never done any track days with her car (vs. with my 8) so I can't comment on behavior at the absolute limit, but "agressive street driving" on the Star Specs has been very positive. No issues with having to get heat into the tires to get them to grip. They are a "cheater tire" for Autox etc. but they are not a race tire and I don't find they have the characteristics of them. For Autox you need grip from the first corner.

My Pilot Sport Cups I used to use for track days on the RX8 were streetable (they had more than just a couple of grooves) but you could certainly tell they were not happy until they got a few miles worth of heat into them. The Star Specs don't behave like that and their grip seems to be there from the time you pull out of the garage.

Don't get me started on the Goodyear slicks on my FC.. need about 3 laps of the track before they stop throwing some wacky slip angles at you...

[RCCAZ 1]

Originally Posted by Redshft

...My Pilot Sport Cups I used to use for track days on the RX8 were streetable (they had more than just a couple of grooves) but you could certainly tell they were not happy until they got a few miles worth of heat into them...

Considering the Pilot Sport Cups for street use and was hoping to get everyone's opinions. Dry use reviews that I've read have been outstanding. Just wondering if they can handle ANY road moisture whatsoever or would it be like driving on ET streets??

[RXtacy]

Originally Posted by Fendamonky

Mike - Thanks for the heads up, I'm running the Advan's right now. They are about 3-4 years old by now They are good tires, but I was able to break them loose at speed pretty easily with only 340-350whp, I'd really like something that may grip better than them for when I go up to the 18-22psi range.

You're on AD08's currently? The AD08's have only been out for about a year, so if you are running relatively new AD08's then I don't think you are going to see much improvement going to the Star Specs.

[Fendamonky]

Originally Posted by RXtacy

You're on AD08's currently? The AD08's have only been out for about a year, so if you are running relatively new AD08's then I don't think you are going to see much improvement going to the Star Specs.

No, I got my current tires in late 2007-early 2008. I have no idea which, specific, variant they are. I am fairly certain they are advans though.

I'm getting new tires partially for performance gain and primarily due to age and mileage.

[RXtacy]

Originally Posted by Fendamonky

No, I got my current tires in late 2007-early 2008. I have no idea which, specific, variant they are. I am fairly certain they are advans though.

I'm getting new tires partially for performance gain and primarily due to age and mileage.

I can guarantee you the AD08's will be a lot better then the advans your on now.

[Fendamonky]

Originally Posted by RXtacy

I can guarantee you the AD08's will be a lot better then the advans your on now.

Oh, I don't doubt that in the slightest. I know that either the star specs or the AD08's will blow what I currently have out of the water.

It's just the question of which one is, ultimately, better and which one I want to get.

If I had my (complete) other set of rims in the states (my rears are still sitting at a friends place in England! ) I'd probably get a set of both just for shits and giggles

[josh18_2k]

all the 140+ treadwear tires dont really need heat. their first autox run may be sub-optimal, but driving on the street or whatever they'll be fine.

[JhnRX7]

Dizerra Star Specs or Advan AD08.... cant go wrong either way.

[Fendamonky]

Cool shit, thanks for the input guys!