Gramma_Benz

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/tire_test_nine_affordable_summer_tires_take_on_the _michelin_ps2-comparison_tests

Tire Test: Nine Affordable Summer Tires Take On the Michelin PS2 - Comparison Tests
The unusual suspects: Could any of these affordable summer tires have possibly knocked off the expensive Michelin PS2?


Benchmark: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
Ninth: Ling Long L688
Eighth: Nitto Invo
Seventh: Falken Azenis RT-615
Sixth: Yokohama S.Drive
Fifth: BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW
Fourth: Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
Third: Kumho Ecsta XS
Second: Hankook Ventus V12 Evo
First: Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec


It took only a matter of seconds on the dry autocross to realize the Dunlop Star Specs were strong tires. Both the Dunlops and the Kumhos felt head and shoulders above the other tires, including the benchmark Michelin PS2s. We were impressed with how the Star Specs have huge grip that is available immediately, even before they warm up, which lends credence to Dunlop marketing them as autocross tires.
Although 0.3 second behind the Kumhos on the dry autocross, the Star Specs create a reassuring connection between the tires and the steering wheel. Geswein summed up their predictable and planted feel by saying they were “rewarding to drive hard,” and the Star Specs also excelled while transitioning from braking to cornering to accelerating, which left us with satisfyingly smooth laps.
After the staggering dry performance, we were shocked that the Star Specs didn’t sacrifice much in the wet, knuckling down to produce the best lap time—just a 10th off the PS2s’—despite being a touch peaky.
The only flaws we could find with the Dunlops were slight: above-average noise and a slight ride penalty, things we are regularly willing to sacrifice for performance when it comes to cars. The star graphic on the sidewall evidently designates more than just its name.

Zeppelin

I will "stick" with my Nitto NT-05 summer tires

Quicktwinturbo

I dun even know why V12evo is in the same class as Direzza or PS2... S1 evo should be the right class for this comparision..

V12 Evo < S1 EVo....

Korean tire manufactures really stepped up their games... I was skeptical about them (n I'm Korean) but I'm going to get S1Evo for my next set.. (Currently KDW2)

Gramma_Benz

Actually, I don't think they make the Ventus R-S1 anymore, I think it was replaced by the R-S2 and R-S3 and they addressed the R-S3 here, plus they had a $140 price cap for this test.

“Deceptively quick” is a good summation of the Hankook Ventus V12 Evos because they often didn’t feel as strong as they actually were, particularly in the dry. Their fourth-place autocross time wasn’t spectacular, but they did outlap the benchmark Michelin PS2s. Geswein said the Hankooks felt “somewhat soft” and “imprecise,” although they were forgiving, yielding consistent laps with no surprises. Despite that feeling of softness, the V12 Evos somehow managed a second-place skidpad run of 0.93 g and were above average in braking. Hankook just launched a new extreme-performance Ventus R-S3 model, which wasn’t available in time for this test but likely has sharper dry responses.
In the wet, however, the V12s were as sporty and connected as they come, with grip second only to the PS2s’ and the best braking. The Hankooks were extremely consistent, likely because they were so well-behaved, which made them easy to drive quickly. Subjectively, they felt the best around the track, even though their time trailed slightly behind the Dunlops’.
With above-average wet and dry performances, and tying for quietest on the street loop, the V12 Evo is an impressive and well-rounded summer tire. And, at $106, it’s a bargain, too.

FrankW

the V12 evo replaced the S1 evo.

eclipsed

I had some notes in the tire section. The EVo 12 are frkn solid tires and quiet. I will try to find the link. Better than my pilot sports and cont's under 475.00 with mounting and balance and a 50.00 rebate kicker.

https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...pressions.html

TemjinX2

i have the evo 12 and the kdw's. the evo12's in my opinion is a better tire and its cheaper compared to the kdw. The evo12 feels like it was a better turning feel.

of course the ps2 and dunlops are going to be better but they also go for around $300 a tire when the evo 12's go for $150 a tire.

I just bought two hankook evo 12s for $150 a tire in a 235/35/19. If you look at value, the evo 12's are better. if you want the absolute best, of course you get the ps2's.

Quicktwinturbo

Are you sure?? Here in korea, people think S1 Evo is far suprior tire than V12 EVO.. like V12Evo is a downgrade model for S1evo...

TemjinX2

i think franks right...tire rack has them on close out. You sure the s1's are better? i heard they changed the compound with the evo12's thats why they been performing a lot better in recent tests.

FrankW

i'm pretty sure. there was a article on it when V12 EVO came out.

S1 Evo is pretty old now. it came around 2003 I believe. V12 EVO just came out last year. although you can still get the S1 Evo at most places.

Chazz

I just put two V12's on the rears. Fantastic tire for the money.

$83 bucks a piece.

http://www.onlinetires.com/products/...+k110+98y.html

Biscuit

Just put the V12's on my car all the way around. I had goodyear eagle f1 gs-d3's previously and so far I love these v12's. Especially since they are less than half the cost. Pretty tough to beat!

MRAMG1

When will people learn " Friends don't let friends buy Michelins"

By the way, I recently tried Nitto 555's on my S600. A darn good tire for the money. I would rate them as just a hair behind the Goodyear GS-D3, and two hairs behind the Bridgestone 050 PP's

Overall, a VERY good tire for the money, aka under $200 for a 275/40/18

c32AMG-DTM

I'll be the first to agree that Michelin's tire lineup is overpriced vs. most, if not all, of it's competition. That said, PS2's and MPSC's are the respective benchmark tires for their categories for a reason... they consistently deliver the goods, as is typically shown by objective test data and owner reviews.

Bang for the buck, I'd look to brands like Toyo, Nitto, Sumitomo, and Hankook. Your "performance per dollar" ratio simply doesn't get better than these guys, IMHO.

If you're willing to step up in pricing for an incremental performance improvement... Dunlop, Bridgestone, and Michelin should (and likely would) be in the running for your purchase.

FrankW

PS2 is great, but overpriced indeed.

running on Toyo T1Rs...they're not bad, but initial turn-in still suck like when I first tried it. only run it because I had to run it. lol

travis_s

Just bought RS-2's for $76/$78 per tire at tirerack, on closeout. Haven't driven them much yet, but at that price couldn't resist.

Quicktwinturbo

Yea.. S1Evo is prolly the most popular choice for performance cars here..
Evo12 is cheaper too..

FrankW

i've heard the S1 is better also, but the V12evo is quieter or something like it. you win some you lose some. lol

advans

I had PS2s, now I'm using the Ventus V12 Evo, I LOVE IT. it's one of the best tires I've driven on.