Recommendations for tire that balances performance and wear

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

I've been using Star Specs on my '98 M3 as a daily driver, and with the miles I drive the darn things don't last very long, even with flipping. Next, I tried the Dunlop Z101, which had more tread but only lasted about a year as well.

Yes, Tire Rack has a bunch of stats on tires, and I have gone through them, but if you want to share a recommendation or online review I'd appreciate it. Specifically, I want a tire that:

1. Balances performance with tread wear.
2. Can be used year-round in NC.

Thanks!

KouroshNeshat · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:07 pm

Buy a 90's ford escort.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:16 pm

Is it even wear?

Have the rear RTABs been replaced?

Alignment have 0 toe all around?

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

KouroshNeshat wrote:

Buy a 90's ford escort.

I'm fairly certain those won't fit on my rims.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

My winter tires for the STi are a set of Bridgestone RE960's that I bought used from Chuck Branscomb. They are the perfect all-season performance tire. Stiff sidewalls, crazy grip for an all-season (way better than the RE070's I used at the Sanford autox a couple of months ago), and I've done some WRC-style driving on tarmac and gravel in the mountains, and can't tell much difference in the tread depth.

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

Looks like the 960s are discontinued in favor of the 970s :-(

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:08 pm

I've been running the DZ101's on the Civic and IS300 (same size coincidentally) for about a year and a half and they're decent, but I just switched to the Hankook V12 Evo's (270 TW versus 300 on the 'Lops) and I really like the smoother and less noisy ride and a little more grip athough I wouldn't say they are a street tire autocross contender by any means. They're pretty cheap too and if they last as long as the DZ101's it's a score.

Basically, V12 Evos, so far so good in a 225-45-17.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Why not 2 sets? Get some cheapie all-seasons to use 9 months out of the year, save your Star Specs for autocrosses and a few months in the summer. Most of the $90-110 tires (225-45-17) in High/Ultra-High Performance All-Season seem to be pretty well reviewed.

I've been pretty happy with bargain-basement falken 512's on the WRX for street use.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:46 pm

I found over the years that except for snow, the most important things for a "performance oriented driver's" daily driver tire are:

1) Good crisp "feel" such as we've had with Bridgestone RE 950 and 960 all seasons on our Mustangs (not the world's best steering feel cars)

2) Relatively long lasting tread for hydroplane resistance at freeway speed

3) Decent off the line and braking traction (kind of important with a V8 Mustang)

4) Money left over to buy another set of wheels and dedicated real snow tires. All seasons didn't work for rear wheel drive cars on Raleigh ice/packed snow even with gutless cars, let alone high powered cars. (I know nothing about fwd or awd) Summer tires are hopeless. Our current Mustangs both use the same wheel size so I have a choice regarding which one to be a target in on icy days that I don't work from home.

5) Money left over for what ever level of "track" tire is needed for your goals. That way you don't have to worry about screwing up either type for the other application. Better yet, get a dedicated competition car but that is a different thread.

If I was buying new tires for my Mustangs I probably would get the Conti DWS all season over the current Bridgestone equivalent since they are NOT directional and they are less expensive. For my daily driving there is too much Play on right turn freeway ramps and be quick around right turns on surface streets and it would be nice to be able to swap tires side to side. Per the Tire Rack tests they seem to meet the criteria above.

Dick

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

So far, I'm very happy with my Continental DW tires that we have on the MINI. They make an all season version, the DWS, that is very well reviewed.

Chris Halweg · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:34 pm

We have Conti DWS on the bimmer wagon and Mich Pilot Exalto AS on the Volvo wagon. Both are highly rated for AS tires. Conti DWS should have a better price point and the bimmer guys seem to like them. Having >1 set of tires would probably be the best solution though.

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

Chris Halweg wrote:

We have Conti DWS on the bimmer wagon and Mich Pilot Exalto AS on the Volvo wagon. Both are highly rated for AS tires. Conti DWS should have a better price point and the bimmer guys seem to like them. Having >1 set of tires would probably be the best solution though.

I'm considering a second set of wheels-- what's the going rate for the 17" wheels for an E36 M3?

Ryan Hill · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:29 pm

I also agree that the Continental DWS are a good tire, I use them on my Subaru, they have a bit of a soft sidewall though. You can also check out BFGoodwrench G-forces they have both summer and AS versions.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Michael Czeiszperger wrote:

Chris Halweg wrote:

We have Conti DWS on the bimmer wagon and Mich Pilot Exalto AS on the Volvo wagon. Both are highly rated for AS tires. Conti DWS should have a better price point and the bimmer guys seem to like them. Having >1 set of tires would probably be the best solution though.

I'm considering a second set of wheels-- what's the going rate for the 17" wheels for an E36 M3?

About $400 for a decent set.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pts/2509586009.html

Chris Halweg · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:28 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

Michael Czeiszperger wrote:

Chris Halweg wrote:

We have Conti DWS on the bimmer wagon and Mich Pilot Exalto AS on the Volvo wagon. Both are highly rated for AS tires. Conti DWS should have a better price point and the bimmer guys seem to like them. Having >1 set of tires would probably be the best solution though.

I'm considering a second set of wheels-- what's the going rate for the 17" wheels for an E36 M3?

About $400 for a decent set.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pts/2509586009.html

Possibly with some tires as well for $400:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... ?t=1702778

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Recommendations for tire that balances performance and wear

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