Originally Posted by brandondan1

It's often recommended to run as big a tire as you can, but I've seen some hardcore track cars running a slightly stretched tire(probably to retain steering response and minimize sidewall deflection). 225 SSZ1 on stock AP2 fronts visually bulge, and along with softer sidewall construction than the RE050, it's gonna translate into more deflection and vagueness in the steering.. (255s on the rear don't seem to bulge, strangely enough)

This article explains: http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/letter...me-of-the-time

I'm really curious how those PSS stack up to Star specs and RS3s in dry grip.

Originally Posted by MMisencik157

^^^ Those test results are misleading to say the least.

Originally Posted by brandondan1

Thanks for the info. I'm running in stock class SCCA so I can't change the wheel width. If I go with SSZ2s I'll be sure to go with 215s this time.

Originally Posted by MMisencik157

It really isn't alway better to run as big of a tire as possible... Ive heard of some auto x guys pinching a 255/40 on the stock front 17x7 and that is flat out stupid. Stretching a tire on the biggest recommended wheel size will not only improve response and increase feel and communication... It also squeezes every last drop of mechanical grip out of the tire. A wider tire pinched on a narrow wheel will want to fold under the wheel during hard cornering making the contact patch you "think" you have much smaller when you need it. To go as fast as possible you need to pick the tire size or sizes you wish to use and stretch them on the widest wheel that is safe.

Originally Posted by s132nr

Is there any draw back to running a 215/45 255/40 combo instead of a 225/45,255/40 which I know most people do? I've had 255/40's on all 4 before wasn't to crazy about the handling then went back to oem sizes 215/45,245/40 and I like it a lot more but I wouldn't mind having the rear grip of the 255/40 and the sharp steering reponse of the 215/45 up front.... Any input???

Originally Posted by bronxbomber252

What ZDAN said!

I will add that when you talk about tire performance as it applies to spirited driving on the street, autox is the best test, it is done without the tire warm up time a road course offers, at speeds similar to what you do on the street and with maneuvers that closely approximate tight corners on the street and emergency avoidance maneuvers.

So, in order to more precisely word my opinion. Star specs are in the same realm of performance as the RE-11 and AD08 and arguably perform better on the s2000 than the RE-11 or AD08. The evidence i have to support my statement is that at upper level autox competition, the Dunlops are more popular with people who care strickly about performance and do not regard price. This is a valid comparison point because autox performance is the best objective measure of tire perfomance for the street because the condition most closely approximate spirited street driving. Further, although some people argue that the RE-11 or AD08 are better on a road course, No one is going to say that the three tires are not in exactly the same realm of performance regardless of what conditions you refer too.

If you want this level or performance but cheaper, and don't do much rain driving, also consider the Hankook RS3, When its hot out they grip better than the D1SS, and in the 65-80deg range they are about the same, below that the D1SS grips better and the D1SS is much better in the wet.

Regarding your "reasonable price" comment, yes S2000 tires are expensive compared to 13in early 90's eco car tires. BUT look at the prices of all the non-junk tires in S2000 sizes, none of them are "cheap" if you want to be spending less than 500-700 plus installation for tires, you have the wrong car.