Hi, Some mixture thereof, car is used for daily driving, with auto-x in the planning horizon.

My daily is mostly highway for approx 30 miles each way. Live in Florida, so looking for a tire with amazing dry grip, that will also handle a bit of rain. Keep in mind that I don't mind taking it easy in the rain, since pretty much everyone else does (and you can't pass on the shoulder in the rain).

Current tires are Kumho ASX in stock sizes, and although I like them in the dry, they are piggishly unpredictable in the rain, worse so after 10K miles. They are also very sensitive to the least pressure difference, in that at normal pressures, it feels like the car is floating at times, which is exagerrated in the rain. At about 36-38 PSI, they handle well, but the ride and noise are unbearable. If I hadn't upgraded the stereo years ago, I am not sure I could hear the stock unit at this point. This is the second set of Kumhos, last were the XS, which were great for 6000 miles, and then became unpredictable at times.

So, I have pretty much limited the Kumhos off the list. The R-S3s are high on my list, but unless I have them shipped, no one (nearby) has them in stock. I really want to hear someone's firsthand experience before having a set shipped.

 

I'm almost through my second set in 8 months. They're my favorite auto-x tire for my conditions - dry, warm, multiple drivers. They do not like the cold weather. For the money, I can't beat them.

 

At the most recent Wake The Dragon one of the guys I drove around with a lot had just put RS-3s on his and loved them by the end of the trip. I myself have StarSpecs but I really wanted the RS3s, which are cheaper but weren't yet available in one of the AP1 sizes.

They will provide you with the most dry grip for the money. Apparently they don't last as long as the Star Specs and aren't as good in the rain but I feel like as long as you drive easy in the rain, the difference should be negligible.

 

Well, after a long debate and much consideration I pulled the trigger on a full set (4) of Hankook R-s3's. I debated the dry performance over what may be questionable wet performance, and decided that I already drive pretty cautiously in the rain, and since every one else slows down anyhow, what does it matter.
I am sure that it can't be any worse than the Kumhos I have been sporting for the past year.

I will make sure and post a thorough review of these tires as they break in and wear.


Thanks for all the insight and advice.

 

Just a quick thread update, I have finally received and installed the RS-3's on Saturday. All I can say so far is that I am extremely impressed and happy with this choice. My first impression was over how sticky these tires seem to be, you can hear the small pieces of gravel hitting the fenderwells for at least 1/8 mile after driving through any unpaved road surface (although I try to avoid, it happens).
They were really blocky feeling for about the first 50 miles, but after 100, they have smoothed right out into really nice feeling tires.

They really dig itno the road well, and I have noticed that they seem to push my suspension a bit harder than any other tires I have had on this car, you can literally feel the suspension working for a change which is something I have not experienced previously. Although at 116K, it may be time for some renewals and upgrades in that area.

Supposed to rain later this week, so I will have my first chance to review in those conditions.

Will review again in a month or so after they get well broken in.

special thanks to Jim @ tire rack who really helped me get the back ordered front tires and worked with me on having them shipped from a dfferent hub to expedite. I will definitely purchase there in the future.

 

I've had 2 sets of the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec's and probably will buy another set next month.The OE sizes are good enough for my DD 03.

To reduce rear wear,I had the rear camber set at the min spec.

I got 20k from the rears and about 30k from the fronts.

\rlr
carolina

 

I have heard great things about the Star Specs, but really liked what I heard about the RS-3s on this and other forums, plus they look really aggressive compared to other tires in these sizes. Supposed to start raining here tomorrow for several days, so will see how they handle the puddles. I always slow way down when it rains, so as long as they aren't worse than the Kumhos I had in past (which would be near to impossible), I will be happy.

 

Toe is way way way way way more important than camber as far as tire wear goes. I get even wear at over 2deg camber in back, 1.3 front.

I recommend zero toe front, .2-.3deg total (.1-.15deg per side) rear. Much above .3deg total and you begin to pay a price in terms of tire wear, and get zero (negative, actually) benefit in terms of stability/twitchiness.

 

Good luck
I gave up on 16"
Too hard to find decent tires
Impossibl eto find 245/45-16
And my 16" wheels are the BBS Forged JDM 6-spoke
I'm now rolling on 17" CR wheels
215/45-17 and 255/40-17
I love the feel of the extra tread width

 

Still a great selection of tires in oem sizes.

Not important. For track work, still options for going 225/245 on the stock wheels in R-comps.