tw2

I am just wondering what tires everyone is using and what levels of traction are realistic for our cars?

My car had brand new nankangs when I got it. They were terrible. I recently got a set of Bridgestone potenza's S007a which are their flagship summer tire replacing the S001 pole positions, I guess they should compete with the pilot sport 4's. Stock sizes, stock wheels, mild engine mods.

2nd gear on good roads in the dry is pretty much fine now. 1st is still a major problem. If I gently get into it, it is ok. Anything more is a burn out. Is this pretty normal with the exception of drag radials?

E55amg0220

I had nankings they suck suck SUCK!!!! I LOVED my continentals DWS but their pricey an wore fast. I liked my pilot sports and they had great traction in dry not so much in wet. Well recently i was getting new ones an my buddy at discount says i want ya to try the new generals and i have to admut for a midpriced tire they are by far my favorite so far!!! I have amazing grip in rain and dry an thats even in first. I mean i can break em loose if i floor if but i can go bout halfway an it just goes!! Highly recommend found out they are made by continental but their better than the DWS less than half the cost of the continentals and sk far are wearing amazing and quiet.

vincheung

Im starting to shop around for tires too and agree that the pilot super sport traction in the rain isnt great. What General tires did your friend put you on to? You've piqued my interest, traction wet&dry, quiet, reasonably priced,

E55amg0220

The general gmax as-05 great tires i got them for 121 ea and i promise you wont be disappointed!

drothgeb

Interesting, I had been looking at the hancook V12 Evos for a good budget tire next purchase. I'll have to check out those generals also.

E55amg0220

The hancook V12 do give good traction but they wore so fast i wouldnt recommend that one boss

tw2

Unfortunately I don't think we have General's here. I was thinking when the backs need replacing maybe trying the pilot sport cup 2 but I don't know how they do in the wet. Otherwise the pilot sport 4 are available in 275/35/18 but very few others seem to have that size. Whether 10mm even makes that much of a difference I don't know...

Are you guys having similar traction experiences? Time for a quaife?

E55amg0220

I was until i got the generals seriously one of the best tires ive used just saying and i have no skin in the game

drothgeb

I have a wavetrac and antares injen A1 tires which are cheap but good reviews. My first and second gear are completely useless.

MSG 55G

Heard good things bout Generals, so you're saying they're have good grip in first? You recommend for tracking as well? Also, what size are you running? I got 285 in rears and they still rubs with fender rolls.

drothgeb

Well crap. Turns out the AS-05 tire sizes are atrocious. Only available in factory 265/35 18, nothing wider available (except 275/40 18 wtf?) and if you have 19s like me, forget about it. 255/40 19 and 275/40 19 only options haha. Damn.

The General apparently also have the G Max RS which is a summer tire, also really good reviews, and comes in 295/30 19

Strigoi

I run Sumitomo HTR Z III tires on my E63 and ran them on my old W210 E55. Been using them for years with no complaints. They're cheap and and I'm happy with the performance.

E55amg0220

Yeah size limitations suck but the stock size is wkin fine for me even with over 500 whp lol. Sorry brother

E55amg0220

Im runnin just stock size as for trackin i drive mine everyday so idk bout the track takes corners better i can say tht

StarvingArtist

I've been impressed with the Michelin as3. Not their top summer tire, but the best grip I've had. Speaks well for the brand. My stock sizes are a little different though 285/30/19 and 255/35/19. I got a deal on some crazy expensive Yokohama's last fall to try out. 295/30 19. I've got to roast the rest of my Michelins off first though. Hate to throw away tread in the rear.

lvevo

For me the Hankook Evo 12 had bad traction and where loud tires. I had very bad traction under braking and I felt no confidence in the corners. Also runs narrow for the size to wheels/rim are exposed to curbs. Soft sidewall so comfortable ride and less steering response.

Sumitomo HTR Z III tires were good tires for the price. Decent cornering traction and from what I remember rain traction was ok, not great. They lack the overall performance of summer tires. I do remember they run narrow for their size so your wheel/rim will be exposed to curbs during parking. Soft sidewall so comfortable ride and less steering response.

Pilot Super Sports are a good overall tire. Pretty good wear for the performance (Like 30k miles) for me rain traction was good (Did not hydroplane easily but still managed to with 1/2" of standing water on freeway) and was not too loud. They do get louder with miles. Runs wide for the size to wheel/rim is protected from curbs. Stiff sidewalls so a bit of a rough ride but good steering response.

Federal 595 RS-R (Old Version TW 120 not the new TW 200 model) great cornering and decent rain traction not good. Wear was not good but the tread wear rating was low so not surprising. When new it was quiet, but with a few K miles they were very loud. They run very wide for their size so good wheel/rim protection. for example a 235 tire will be closer to a 255 size tire than a 245 size tire. Stiff sidewalls so a bit of a rough ride but good steering response.

drothgeb

Did you try the EVO 2 V12 or the original?

lvevo

It was the original. I don't think the newer versions of older tires are that much better. Usually just slight improvements of annoyances from owners. It is the new model that will have the big improvements. Just my opinion.

failboat

Running stock size michelin AS3+ With a 77mm pulley

first
gear is useless 0 traction , traction from rolls is pretty decent, the ride quality is great and they are fairly quiet compared to my old rubber

lvevo

One thing I forgot to mention is that if anyone is looking to get "extreme performance" tires for best traction, make sure to look at the tread depth. These highest performance street tires will start with less than 10/32" tread depth, which seems to be the standard passenger car tire depth. It will have less life for better cornering ability. When road race tires are shaved down for max performance they will be 4/32".

For example my old Federal 595 RS-R started with 8/32". Nitto NT05 start with 7.2/32". Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 7.2/32". So not only do they start with less tread but they are also softer compounds. So they will not last long.

MSG 55G

What do you recommend for 1/4 track and DD? I want to run 1/4 track once or twice only, nothing major.

lvevo

My favorite and my go to until something better comes along is Michelin Pilot Sport series. I have the older model Pilot Super Sports and like the fact that it is quiet, last relatively long, pretty good wet traction for my area (So Cal), and corners good.

That said I looked up the reviews of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S of Chevy owners and one Corvette with a supercharged LS3 and said the following:

"The car is Automatic 6speed with EForce Supercharger the car can pull 1.7 60' times with 32lbs. air pressure coming off the line at a idle."

Pricey tire but for me has so many things I like in a tire it's hard to buy something else unless the car is a weekend car.

CharlyE500

Try Firestone firehawk indy 500. They are renamed from Bridgestone Potenza.
Very beefy and good traction.

tw2

I ran these on the CLK55, unfortunately still had some traction issues but not as bad as the E55. I am currently running the potenza RE003's on the mr2 but that doesn't have much power, they certainly handle very very well though.

Oh well, sounds like my situation is normal. I might try the cup 2's next time if I can afford them and they come in the correct size, even just on the rear. I think any good quality summer tire on the front will be fine.

Munchy

iTrader: (1)

I just got some Michelin pilot sport 4s and before I had some cheap Yokohamas. The 4s feels amazing. I have to try to break them loose.