Hi,
Time for my annual tire purchase and since I never asked advice last time, I am at the end of life for a set of kumhos in the 225 50 size on rear. The tires are decent in dry traction but not great,and suck in the least bit of rain. They are also rough and noisy to boot. the latter I can live with for great handling and traction.

In hopes of avoiding another year of misery, looking for advice on good summer tires. I live in fl so car will never see snow or mud.
I am not fixated on the 245 thing, but would like a nice wider than average 225 if only for aesthetic reasons if no other .
It seems star specs are the forum favorite, how wide and aggressive looking are they if I choose them? are they wider than the Toyo t1r's?
Price is important, but not primary factor since tires are the thing that keeps you between the lines.
Having spun at 80 on interstate after getting cut off and making too quick correction I realize this.
Thanks, Tom

 

in stock ap1 sizes there are only two sets of tires that combine the best of daily driving characteristics and great dry/wet handling abilities. Check out the continental extreme contact DW and the dunlop sport maxx tt. Both sets of tires are ZR rated and in the maximum performance category. Ive got the continentals and love them to death! I went through a HEAVY rain storm earlier in the year and the s2k handled the downpour like a piece of cake. Not to mention the dry grip that is available as well! The only downsides if you ask me but could really care less about is that both the dunlops/continentals dont look as "cool" in sidiewall appearance and tread design, but hey whatever works and performs best is fine by me!

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...earDiameter=16

Hankook v12 evo K110's are another option worthy of consideration.

The Sport Maxx TT's are great (I ran those rears with Star Spec fronts for a while), but apparently no longer available in 205/55-16.

 

those must be new, because when I was cross shopping tires those were definitely not on the list! But yes those are a great tire as well! Some people do complain that the car does tend to wallow during break in, but other than that its a great tire as well.

 

I run 225's on all 4 corners.. i went with bfg kdw2's, I have had them on several other cars, they work good and are cheap. They are GREAT in the rain as well. Probably not as good in the dry as a more expensive tire, but the limit is far higher than i'll ever see on the street so its ok in my book.

 

Thanks, I have been seeking input from other sources as well, and the BFG's are on my shortlist. How do the 225 on all 4 handle and look? Does it oversteer when you take a turn at speed?

Right now I have this list as my potential picks.
1) Yoko Advan AD08
2) Direzza Star Spec
3) Hankook (ventus 12 or R-s3)
4) Potenza RE-11
5) The General G Max also has my attention, but appears too new to have much feedback.

I also have a wild hair about possible buying a set of Yoko AO48's in 225 off EBay for the rears, and using the AD08 in front in the 225 size. My only fear is what it will do in the least bit of rain.

Other than the Direzza which there is plenty of good press about, any advice on the others? Obviously greatly discounting the last option unless someone has tried it

All of them only come in 225/205 sizes, so although I would like wider rears it won't happen until I upgrade wheels, which won't be in near term due to other needs.

I appreciate the advice on the Conti Extreme and Sport Maxx, I am sure they would be great options as well, but perhaps I understated the want for an aggressive look, that also performed like it looks.

 

I didnt really notice too much difference coming from a 205 in the front to a 225 in the front, the i broke my rear sway bar end link and it was very neutral with no rear bar and 225's all the way around

I have an 01 ap1 with completely stock suspension

 

now that you mention it, It seems like you should be adding the Hankook Ventus RS3 to your list if you want all out dry grip performance!

 

They are tied for #3 with the V12's, two different tires I know, but same manufacturer. Work has been a blur this week, so I haven't had any spare time to chase down price and avails on all these which will help nail down the decision.

 

What is your use - auto-x, track, daily driving, weekend driving, some mix there of?

If you want dry grip, the RS3 should be at the top and the v12 shouldn't be on the list...same with General, Sport Maxx, BFGs, etc. The Kumho XS is also a grippy tire.