Summer tire recommendations

[audisarecool]

I tried searching but the only useful thread I found was from Feb 11'.. I know there's been some new entries into the market since then and I was hoping to get some advice.

I'm looking for a set of summer performance 265's to throw on VMR v710's that are 9.5in ET45.. I debated posting this in the wheel/tire thread but figured this thread can be used for a broader discussion comparing the different perf tires out there.

For the record I had nothing bad to say about the OEM sportmaxx tires..but I'm curious to what else is out there...

that said, any recommendations?

minor note: I'm lowered on H&R OE springs, if that makes a difference.. I know different brands can still vary in sidewall height/thickness...

Thank you![hail]

[1FastS4.Com]

I am running 265/30/19 Michelin pilot super sports. Awesome tire

[audisarecool]

I'm assuming the benefit of a x/30/x tire over a x/35/x is a shorter sidewall to reduce chance of rubbing? Will this lead to a noticeable difference in ride comfort/pothole vulnerability? Should I go with a 35 if I can fit it?

[helix139]

I'm assuming the benefit of a x/30/x tire over a x/35/x is a shorter sidewall to reduce chance of rubbing? Will this lead to a noticeable difference in ride comfort/pothole vulnerability? Should I go with a 35 if I can fit it?

35 will give you a taller sidewall than a 30. It will also be closer to (but about 1% bigger than) stock tire diameter, meaning your speedo and odometer will be more accurate.

Also, I'd recommend Michelin Pilot Super Sports or Hankook Ventus V12 Evo. The Michelins are more expensive but worth it due to their light weight, good treadwear, and stiff sidewalls. The Hankooks are a great value but perform better than tires significantly more expensive.

[tomh009]

I am running 265/30/19 Michelin pilot super sports. Awesome tire

+1 on the Pilot Super Sport. I'm getting a set for the summer, though somewhat narrower.


I'm assuming the benefit of a x/30/x tire over a x/35/x is a shorter sidewall to reduce chance of rubbing? Will this lead to a noticeable difference in ride comfort/pothole vulnerability? Should I go with a 35 if I can fit it?

What you need is the right overall diameter (OD). 255/35R19 is the stock size, I would not vary much from that or you'll throw your speedo off. I'm going 245/35R19 to ensure no rubbing with 19x8.5 ET32 but 265/30R19 is a fair bit smaller in diameter yet. I would personally suggest sticking with the stock tire size on your 9.5" wheels ... others may have different opinions.

[ianwpb]

I love my Continental Extreme Contact DW's. Great summer tire for a fraction of the price of it's rivals.

You may notice a slight difference in ride comfort with a 5% difference in side wall height going from 35 to 30 but the main difference would probably be your speedo reading a little high. What tire size do you run now? You want to find one that keeps a similar rolling diameter.

[audisarecool]

Thanks for all the input guys, seems like there are a lot of fans of the pilot super sports. I'm gonna check out some online reviews and see if its worth the $100+ per tire over the V12's, which seem pretty popular over in the wheel/tire thread.

I also noticed the stock sportmaxx GT's in 265 fitment run $684 on tirerack.. what the[o_o]

[ahcow]

The V12's aren't exactly performance tires per say. I have V12's, they work well for what I need them for and great in the rain. Wouldn't use them for any aggressive driving though...

[svander]

Hankook Ventus V12s haven't led me astray yet. Fantastic high performance summer tire with great traction and wet performance.

Suck in snow though :D

[RavinJetta]

I think I am going to bite the bullet and go with the Michelin SS over the V12's. I am sure the V12's are good tires but have read nothing but great reviews on the SS's and they have a 30k treadwear warranty which is unheard of in a performance tire.

[tomh009]

I think I am going to bite the bullet and go with the Michelin SS over the V12's. I am sure the V12's are good tires but have read nothing but great reviews on the SS's and they have a 30k treadwear warranty which is unheard of in a performance tire.

And as great a value as the V12s are ... we didn't buy our S4s just for its good value, and I think that a $50K performance car deserves a $300 tire.

[Norm_S4]

And as great a value as the V12s are ... we didn't buy our S4s just for its good value, and I think that a $50K performance car deserves a $300 tire.

+1

[Seinsmeld13]

I agree with Tom don't cheap out on your tires. V12's however, are a good tire. I suggest you check Tire Rack. There you can get pricing and feedback on each. Might steer you in the right direction.

[Psalm40]

I just purchased a set of Hankook Ventus v12's for my summer tires. I debated between them and the PS2's. They don't make PSS's in 255/30/20 and the PS2's were easily $1000 more than the V12's. The V12's have very good reviews from both consumers and the 2009 car and driver test. I won't ever track my car on 20" wheels anyways....

[zerinA4]

Another vote for Pilot Super Sports here. LOVE these tires.

[RavinJetta]

Also at about $300 more for the SS over the V12's I will probably make most of that up on the extra wear I will get out of the SS's.

[Norm_S4]

I'm in the predicament of having to change my edit"summer tires" and I've always been satisfied with anything Michelin does (happens to be the cars felt good with them on) and although the Hankook looks promissing, I dont mind goiung the distance on budget.

Although I see a lot of thumbs up for the PSS, I'm also lookin gat the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position.

Any thoughts/experience with those out there?

[1FastS4.Com]

http://img.tapatalk.com/aeebc6c6-a79a-bae7.jpg

[tomh009]

Although I see a lot of thumbs up for the PSS, I'm also lookin gat the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position.

Any thoughts/experience with those out there?

The S-04s have relatively small market share, so there aren't enough to have a survey number at Tire Rack. The 10 individual reviews are OK but not great:
http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?additionalComments=y&commentStatus=P&tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+S-04+Pole+Position&fromTireDetail=true&tirePageLocQty=

I has a set of S-02s that I was unhappy with once they wore down a bit so I didn't even seriously consider the S-04s. (The S-02 reviews are rather on the poor side on Tire Rack as well.)

[Innovator]

And as great a value as the V12s are ... we didn't buy our S4s just for its good value, and I think that a $50K performance car deserves a $300 tire. Except for the fact that most drivers would never exceed the performance limit of the V12. I put them on my 996 turbo when I went to Limerock for lessons,and my driving instructor scoffed at them and told me it was an insult to the car. But after 15 fast laps, he was shocked at how well they performed and held up. They lack the steering response the top tier tires have, but they have similar lateral traction the Pilot sorts have. I proved that at Limerock. They are in the same league as the Conti DWs IMO.

[tomh009]

Except for the fact that most drivers would never exceed the performance limit of the V12. I put them on my 996 turbo when I went to Limerock for lessons,and my driving instructor scoffed at them and told me it was an insult to the car. But after 15 fast laps, he was shocked at how well they performed and held up. They lack the steering response the top tier tires have, but they have similar lateral traction the Pilot sorts have. I proved that at Limerock. They are in the same league as the Conti DWs IMO.

Maybe not. But the Pilots also are rated better for ride comfort, noise and treadwear. And I'll notice the ride and noise every day on my commute to work as well.

[Innovator]

Really? I did not realize that the Michelin were quieter. According to the Tire rack survey they are pretty close. The V12 are usually pretty quiet and ride well. I sell a lot of them, and never had a noise or ride complaint as long as the alignment was good.

[Retrospect]

35 will give you a taller sidewall than a 30. It will also be closer to (but about 1% bigger than) stock tire diameter, meaning your speedo and odometer will be more accurate.

Also, I'd recommend Michelin Pilot Super Sports or Hankook Ventus V12 Evo. The Michelins are more expensive but worth it due to their light weight, good treadwear, and stiff sidewalls. The Hankooks are a great value but perform better than tires significantly more expensive.

Yup. Super sports for the win!