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[Citizen Z]

What is the BEST value for money summer performance tire? I know its only mid February but summer tire weather is only a month away for many of us in the middle and lower latitudes so I figure its worth a thread.

I used a few different sources around the internet, selecting tires that will fit on the OEM wheels and deliberately excluding RFTs from my search. In my book, the top contenders in the 225/40R18 and 255/35R18 sizes are:

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
225/40ZR18 - $174 ea
255/35ZR18 - $233 ea
+shipping @ Tirerack.com

Yokohama S.drive
225/40ZR18 - $141 ea
255/35ZR18 - $177 ea
+shipping @ Tirerack.com

Nitto Invo
225/40ZR18 - $144 ea
255/35ZR18 - $183 ea
Free shipping @ Discounttiredirect.com

Toyo PROXES T1-R
225/40ZR18 - $169 ea
255/35ZR18 - $200 ea
+ shipping @ tires-easy.com

The Yokohamas are considerably cheaper than the Dunlops, but they are second place to the Star Specs. What are the thoughts from the audience? I've heard fantastic things about the Nitto Invo which are priced close to the Yokohama S.drives. Tire rack doesn't carry them, so I can't find too many comparison reviews. Any one know of some other excellent value for money summer tire which I'm excluding/forgetting?

[gtaday51]

Def not the OEM Bridgestones. What a $300 piece of garbage.

[M3R1]

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

What is the BEST value for money summer performance tire? I know its only mid February but summer tire weather is only a month away for many of us in the middle and lower latitudes so I figure its worth a thread.

I used a few different sources around the internet, selecting tires that will fit on the OEM wheels and deliberately excluding RFTs from my search. In my book, the top contenders in the 225/40R18 and 255/35R18 sizes are:

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
225/40ZR18 - $174 ea
255/35ZR18 - $233 ea
+shipping @ Tirerack.com

Yokohama S.drive
225/40ZR18 - $141 ea
255/35ZR18 - $177 ea
+shipping @ Tirerack.com

Nitto Invo
225/40ZR18 - $144 ea
255/35ZR18 - $183 ea
Free shipping @ Discounttiredirect.com

The Yokohamas are considerably cheaper than the Dunlops, but they are second place to the Star Specs. What are the thoughts from the audience? I've heard fantastic things about the Nitto Invo which are priced close to the Yokohama S.drives. Tire rack doesn't carry them, so I can't find too many comparison reviews. Any one know of some other excellent value for money summer tire which I'm excluding/forgetting?

I'm going to give Toyo R1R's a shot. They are basically the same price as the Dunlops, have an agressive tread pattern, are light weight, and run true to size so they will most likely not rub where others might. I will provide more info when I place my order this afternoon...

http://www.thetireclub.com/product/ProxesR1R

225/40ZR 18 - $181.40
255/35ZR 18 - $228.77

[Citizen Z]

Originally Posted by gtaday51

Def not the OEM Bridgestones. What a $300 piece of garbage.

I'm with you. I've never driven a new car who's tires weren't 1) Excessively expensive 2) Mediocre 3) Horrible value for money.

[MastaMind]

Personally, I've got my eye on the dunlops. Great reviews by many sources. Also, since you're putting them on the stock wheels, they look beefy since they don't have rounded sidewalls.

[ZIPNBYE]

When mine are shot (got two track days already lined up) it'll be Toyo Proxes T1-R's for me.

[Citizen Z]

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

When mine are shot (got two track days already lined up) it'll be Toyo Proxes T1-R's for me.

Hmm, good recommendation. I'm going to add them to my post at the top.

[Eddie_440i]

Michelin PS2 is the best

[Citizen Z]

Originally Posted by Eddie_125i

Michelin PS2 is the best

Yes but they are not good value for money. The smart buy is on a cheaper tire with extremely similar performance. I'm willing to give up 2% performance for a 20% reduction in price. After I compile some data I'll see which tire package offers the best performance/price ratio. It will be a little subjective but a good look none the less.

[Schneller!]

[quote=M3R1;4450694]I'm going to give Toyo R1R's a shot. They are basically the same price as the Dunlops, have an agressive tread pattern, are light weight, and run true to size so they will most likely not rub where others might. I will provide more info when I place my order this afternoon...

...definitely let us know what you think of the Toyo tires. I have had nothing but Toyo tires on my RSX and I loved 'em. Great grip/ride/low noise...

[joe black]

I got these in yesterday from Gill. 225/40 and 245/40. DForce Empower 18x8.5 should be here by the weekend. I'll post pics as soon as I get everything together and on. Tires look very impressive - just as their reviews have been. Sorry for camera phone quality.

[ssabripo]

I'm very interested in the Yokohama S drives.....supposedly they have 95% of the Star Specs performance, at a good 20% less price.

but haven't had any real feedback from trusted sources.

[Gary@TireRack]

Based on value you should also consider the Sumitomo HTR Z3. It tested very well against some of the better tires in the max performance category.

Front $111
Rear $169

The Goodyear F1 Asymmetric is the hands down winner right now in the max performance category but they are very pricey. Their wet traction levels are unreal.

The Dunlop Z1 Star Spec is a superb value as an Extreme Performance summer tire. It's the most grip you can get for the least amount of money but, of course, it will be a fast wearing tire.

Gill

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

I'm very interested in the Yokohama S drives.....supposedly they have 95% of the Star Specs performance, at a good 20% less price.

but haven't had any real feedback from trusted sources.

Sorry to rain on the parade but the S-Drive, though a very good tire, is no where near the Star Spec in any type of performance measurements.

[Citizen Z]

Originally Posted by Gill@Tirerack.com

Sorry to rain on the parade but the S-Drive, though a very good tire, is no where near the Star Spec in any type of performance measurements.

Thats a pretty broad assertion. Tirerack.com's own review puts the S.drive at 99% of the Star Spec. Where does it fall short?

[M3R1]

I updated my post with Toyo R1R pricing.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

Thats a pretty broad assertion. Tirerack.com's own review puts the S.drive at 99% of the Star Spec. Where does it fall short?

Do you have a link for that? That would be an interesting read.

[arok]

Originally Posted by drmacole

I got these in yesterday from Gill. 225/40 and 245/40. DForce Empower 18x8.5 should be here by the weekend. I'll post pics as soon as I get everything together and on. Tires look very impressive - just as their reviews have been. Sorry for camera phone quality.

GL bro, you'll be the 3rd member here with the EmPowers (after berk and me). You will probably get rubbing even with the 245's in the rear. Let me know hhow the tires go! I will probably get a set when I hit up the track.

[Citizen Z]

Originally Posted by Gill@Tirerack.com

Do you have a link for that? That would be an interesting read.

Wups, I guess its Tirerack.com's survey for the S.drive, not a full test that I was referring. The Test Summary earned it 3rd place. The Dunlops earned 7.8 points average in the test drive which apparently makes them about 11% better than the Yokohamas. Thats compared to a 21% price differential.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....1=yes&place=57

From the review summary, the Dunlop got 100% and is the review leader, with the S.drive at #2. That makes the S.drive the better value for money of the two, considering the $180 price differential for the staggered four tires.

[Gary@TireRack]

Unfortunately, that comparison is apples and oranges since the tires are in much different performance categories and not compared head to head. I've participated in every test done on both tires and I can honestly say there is no comparison between the two. The Dunlop is a hands down winner.

That does not mean the S-Drive is not a good tire, or a good value. It simply means they are judged differently due to their performance levels.

I'm sure there are many others on here who've driven both and can echo my sentiments. If you're ever able to drive both of them head to head you'll be able to see the great differences between the two.

[riguy]

Gil, I was interested in the S-Drives as well. In what performance metrics do these not do well in? To be honest, I might be looking for a tire that gives up some handling to improved noise reduction and ride comfort. I'm thinking the BMW chassis will shine through, regardless.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by riguy

Gil, I was interested in the S-Drives as well. In what performance metrics do these not do well in? To be honest, I might be looking for a tire that gives up some handling to improved noise reduction and ride comfort. I'm thinking the BMW chassis will shine through, regardless.

Actually, they do pretty well in all measureables. They are a very good value for ultra high performance summer tires. Compared against other UHP tires, these rate out fairly well and have a lower price point than most.

Above, I was trying to help with a comparison involving this Yokohama and the Dunlop Star Spec, an Extreme Performance summer tire. In this head to head comparison the Yokohama would not stack up very well when judged on levels of wet and dry grip.