Hankook V12 Tires - Seems to suck!!! The car pushes through corners???

[Yukoncole]

Anyone have any thoughts?? I installed my 19' BBS CX-R wheels with Hankook V12 Evo tires last week and the car feels very ungrounded! It feels like these tires have zero traction in cornering!! Any thoughts or experiences with these? I am considering taking the damn things back for something different....maybe some Michelin's???

Thanks everyone!!

[aaron1085]

have you played with air pressure? Granted, I havent pushed it REAL hard since installing these, but they seem decently planted on my 19" wheels (2007 A4)..

[bigcanuck]

I just put 245/35zr19 v12's on and I think they're the best tires I've had in this price range

[Yukoncole]

What tire pressure are you guys running?

[ChrisF1]

Not a big fan of them and have used them on several cars including our A3, 335 and the Cayman S. Ended up taking them off the Cayman. Definitely play with pressures but that can only help so much. I don't think they are in the same league as the Sport Conti 3's (or whatever your OEM tire was). Personally, I prefer the Bridgestone RE-11, Michelin Super Sport or (if you want max grip) Hankook RS3. All have massive grip and much better steering, cornering response. The S4 deserves a good tire.

[Yukoncole]

I am coming out of a 2004 Acura TL A-Spec with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires, it would take the off ramp to my area at 58MPH, I damn near went off the road last night pushing the S4 to 55MPH with these tires.....That seems pretty F'ed up to me!!!

[Yukoncole]

Not a big fan of them and have used them on several cars including our A3, 335 and the Cayman S. Ended up taking them off the Cayman. Definitely play with pressures but that can only help so much. I don't think they are in the same league as the Sport Conti 3's (or whatever your OEM tire was). Personally, I prefer the Bridgestone RE-11, Michelin Super Sport or (if you want max grip) Hankook RS3. All have massive grip and much better steering, cornering response. The S4 deserves a good tire.

I have heard great things about the Michelin Super Sports and one other model. These are strictly a summer tire and I love taking corners fast so I need something with some grip! This car is suppose to handle like its on rails and I am not feeling that currently at all!!!

[Deckdout2]

For the price point this is a good high performance street tire in my opinion. I run these in autocross, and you are correct they do have quite the push. You just have to shift your driving a little to get it to not push so much. Brake late, and try not to come in too hot, then when you reach the apex, then start to move in on the throttle. I had to adjust my accel/brake points in order for these tires to cooperate. If I could get the NT05's, or the RS3's in 20's I'd be running them exclusively. However, for street tires again these are good for the price point. You have more options out there at a higher price, along with better grip if you have smaller wheels. Might have to just get me a set of dedicated track wheels and tires next season, but will still roll on these for daily driving and treadwear.

[ahcow]

Eh.. I don't have any problems with mine. Having said that, I am going with Michelin when I replace them.

[Deckdout2]

I am coming out of a 2004 Acura TL A-Spec with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires, it would take the off ramp to my area at 58MPH, I damn near went off the road last night pushing the S4 to 55MPH with these tires.....That seems pretty F'ed up to me!!!

What suspension mods do you have? I can take a 35mph banked sweeper at about 70mph on these tires and still be aware of the limits, but I'm pretty suspension'd out with just about everything that is available for the S4. If you're on stock springs, the weight shift and body roll will be more apparent and might contribute to feeling like you came into the corner a little too hot.

[Jimminez]

How many miles have you put on the tires? New tires will take a few hundred miles to wear down the outer layer of rubber before you get an accurate assessment of their ability.

[Yukoncole]

What suspension mods do you have? I can take a 35mph banked sweeper at about 70mph on these tires and still be aware of the limits, but I'm pretty suspension'd out with just about everything that is available for the S4. If you're on stock springs, the weight shift and body roll will be more apparent and might contribute to feeling like you came into the corner a little too hot.

Stock car!!

[Yukoncole]

How many miles have you put on the tires? New tires will take a few hundred miles to wear down the outer layer of rubber before you get an accurate assessment of their ability.


I have not put a lot on them but they have about 100-150 miles on them.....

[Yukoncole]

I looked at the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11's and those seems to have a pretty good review on them!

[bigcanuck]

I have the rs3's on track car but wouldn't dream of running them on the street. Like I said best in price range all around. I find my mottos had better grip but terrible wet performance. Michelins nice but pricey to get something good and the life still sucks

[dparm]

What tire pressure are you guys running?

The manufacturer's recommended pressure.

[dparm]

I have the rs3's on track car but wouldn't dream of running them on the street. Like I said best in price range all around. I find my mottos had better grip but terrible wet performance. Michelins nice but pricey to get something good and the life still sucks


Agree, I had R-S3s as track tires on my old car and they transformed the car. Scary in the wet above 45mph.

[Yukoncole]

I have the rs3's on track car but wouldn't dream of running them on the street. Like I said best in price range all around. I find my mottos had better grip but terrible wet performance. Michelins nice but pricey to get something good and the life still sucks

My track is the streets between my house and my company everyday [:D] - Roundabouts, On- Ramps, Off-Ramps, 90 turns from 45 onto my residences street from the main road .....You know the typical spirited driver track HA

[Yukoncole]

The manufacturer's recommended pressure.

Me too dparm and I damn near took out a Marker reflector on the Off-Ramp last night while giving it a bit of a test which it horribly failed at!

[zcd2.7t]

I have not put a lot on them but they have about 100-150 miles on them.....

Patience, young grasshopper....

[Yukoncole]

Patience, young grasshopper....

Never been my strongest asset that's for sure!! lol

[MrFunk]

I have not put a lot on them but they have about 100-150 miles on them.....

I'm in the market for new summer tires and these are on the list. Through my research and reading reviews I've seen it come up several times that people caution these tires take 500 miles to break in - one guy said when they are new they are plain HORRIBLE, but once you get about 500 miles on them it's like a completely different tire. I've subscribed to this thread as I'd like to hear your impressions in a few more weeks once you've gotten them properly broken in.

[Yukoncole]

I'm in the market for new summer tires and these are on the list. Through my research and reading reviews I've seen it come up several times that people caution these tires take 500 miles to break in - one guy said when they are new they are plain HORRIBLE, but once you get about 500 miles on them it's like a completely different tire. I've subscribed to this thread as I'd like to hear your impressions in a few more weeks once you've gotten them properly broken in.

I sure do hope that is true!! They are nasty right now....The temps are starting to drop here in MI so I am not sure how much longer I have to test them either. It was 75 yesterday so Temp was not an issue. I will try putting some miles on them and Hope for a warmer day to test again.

[zcd2.7t]

I'm in the market for new summer tires and these are on the list. Through my research and reading reviews I've seen it come up several times that people caution these tires take 500 miles to break in - one guy said when they are new they are plain HORRIBLE, but once you get about 500 miles on them it's like a completely different tire. I've subscribed to this thread as I'd like to hear your impressions in a few more weeks once you've gotten them properly broken in.

I've run them on 2 different cars, and IMO they perform admirably CONSIDERING THE PRICE. They represented a better value before Michelin released the Pilot Super Sport, because the Pilot Sport 2, though a great tire, was WAY more expensive. The much smaller price difference between the Hankooks and the PSSs made me choose the PSSs.

The PSSs are hands-down, no question about it better tires than the PS2s, Hankooks, and the OEM Pirelli PZero Rossos that were on my car previously.

[gringoloco2000]

I had these on my R32 and will switch to them on the S4 when my Contis wear out. I don't remember the first 500 miles, but when I took the R32 to the track, they were very sticky and I found them great on the street and in the rain. They seemed to wear well also with all of my abuse. I had found them on Consumer reports where they ranked just a hair under Mich Pilot Sports.

[BillyG]

I am coming out of a 2004 Acura TL A-Spec with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires, it would take the off ramp to my area at 58MPH, I damn near went off the road last night pushing the S4 to 55MPH with these tires.....That seems pretty F'ed up to me!!!

Yukon,
I had a 2005 TL for 4 years before my S4, and I was very disappointed with the stock S4's handling, comparatively. I upgraded to Eurocode's Alu Kreuz, that was a bit better, then added their USS sway bars with the end links, and now it handles like a dream. I highly recommend trying the USS with end links ASAP. They're expensive, but very well worth it.

[helix139]

I've run them on 2 different cars, and IMO they perform admirably CONSIDERING THE PRICE. They represented a better value before Michelin released the Pilot Super Sport, because the Pilot Sport 2, though a great tire, was WAY more expensive. The much smaller price difference between the Hankooks and the PSSs made me choose the PSSs.

The PSSs are hands-down, no question about it better tires than the PSSs, PS2s, Hankooks or the OEM Pirelli PZero Rossos that were on my car previously.

I agree with this. I feel the PSS and the Hankook offer similar value per dollar, but it was worth it to me to step up to the PSS because of the increased absolute performance and better treadwear rating. Plus I got a pretty great deal on them. The Hankooks will perform as well or better than many (but not all) higher priced tires, but there is still an element of getting what you paid for.

[Yukoncole]

I agree with this. I feel the PSS and the Hankook offer similar value per dollar, but it was worth it to me to step up to the PSS because of the increased absolute performance and better treadwear rating. Plus I got a pretty great deal on them. The Hankooks will perform as well or better than many (but not all) higher priced tires, but there is still an element of getting what you paid for.

Sounds like I need to Get some PSS's on my car!!!

[Yukoncole]

Yukon,
I had a 2005 TL for 4 years before my S4, and I was very disappointed with the stock S4's handling, comparatively. I upgraded to Eurocode's Alu Kreuz, that was a bit better, then added their USS sway bars with the end links, and now it handles like a dream. I highly recommend trying the USS with end links ASAP. They're expensive, but very well worth it.

Car is on lease for business purposes so I can not modify it much!! My dealership here locally is not a fan of any ideas....I am doing a K&N air filter and the best damn tires I can and other than that I am pretty much stuck leaving her stock!!

[Yukoncole]

I will say though that everything I have been able to find (which is not a ton) about the Bridgestone RE-11's is very very positive! Anyone have any actual experience on these with the S4 compared to what seems to be a clear choice winner of the Pilot Super Sports??

[well_armed]

Take them to an old asphalt parking lot and go nuts, scrub them in good.

[ChrisF1]

The RE-11's only achilles heel is their weight; something the S4 does NOT need more of. Assuming you have to deal with rain occasionally, I would agree the PSS is the best tire. If not and you want max performance, RS3. Balance of grip and wear - stick with V12's.

[Yukoncole]

The RE-11's only achilles heel is their weight; something the S4 does NOT need more of. Assuming you have to deal with rain occasionally, I would agree the PSS is the best tire. If not and you want max performance, RS3. Balance of grip and wear - stick with V12's.

Yea they are heavier, the V12's fall right in the middle!

PSS's - 24lbs
V12's - 26lbs
RE-11's - 28lbs

[MrFunk]

I'm looking for 255/30/20's Seems on tirerack the PSS's are not available in that size. Is it just tirerack or do they not make these in that size?

For comparrison sake:

Hankook's in 255/30/20 are $179 each = $716 (they have an 80 rebate right now also) => $636
PSS's in 265/30/20 are$ 394 each = $1,576

The PSS's are more than double - heck almost 3 times the cost! - these two tires are nowhere near being comparible in price... seems the Hankook's just may be a no-brainer decision at that price... Unless they are complete garbage then I don't want to waste my time. I've bought cheap tires in the past and experienced bubbles and blow-outs and just plain terrible performance.

[bigcanuck]

I sure do hope that is true!! They are nasty right now....The temps are starting to drop here in MI so I am not sure how much longer I have to test them either. It was 75 yesterday so Temp was not an issue. I will try putting some miles on them and Hope for a warmer day to test again.

You'd better settle for something like the v12. My nt05's and rs3's can't be driven below 60 degrees according to manufacturer. If you do when they cool they'll crack.

[iceboss23]

I am really surprised no one is talking about the OE Dunlop Sport Maxx GTs. I have put 25,000+ on them, including 4 hard laps at the Nurburgring and a full track day at Summit Point and they have never disapointed. They are about ready to be replaced and Im debating between them and the PSS. What do people think of these?

[bigcanuck]

Car is on lease for business purposes so I can not modify it much!! My dealership here locally is not a fan of any ideas....I am doing a K&N air filter and the best damn tires I can and other than that I am pretty much stuck leaving her stock!!

APR tune with program switching and they'll never know

[IanVr6]

The difference in price between the V12 and the PSS is huge compared to the difference in performance from what it seems like.

I need new tires soon and I'm still undecided between the two.

[zcd2.7t]

The difference in price between the V12 and the PSS is huge compared to the difference in performance from what it seems like.

I need new tires soon and I'm still undecided between the two.


Easy: If you can/want to afford the PSSs, buy them - you will not be disappointed.

If you can't, the Hankooks are a solid choice.

[MrFunk]

Would you guys say this review is accurate?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ffY1Dp-_-7A

[helix139]

I am really surprised no one is talking about the OE Dunlop Sport Maxx GTs. I have put 25,000+ on them, including 4 hard laps at the Nurburgring and a full track day at Summit Point and they have never disapointed. They are about ready to be replaced and Im debating between them and the PSS. What do people think of these?

The OEM Dunlops are ok, but they are very heavy and don't wear as well as the PSS. The PSS also has stiffer sidewalls so they are a bit more responsive, and they seem to grip better to me

[UmIsThisThingOn]

APR tune with program switching and they'll never know

You're kidding, right?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/476564-More-TD1-info?

[UmIsThisThingOn]

I got a killer deal on the V12's through discounttiresdirect.com w/ free shipping and $180 rebate so I couldn't resist buying them. I Love 'em for spirited driving around town. I'm not a track guy, so I don't know they're full capabilities, but they're good for now :)

[MeteorS4Ti]

Easy: If you can/want to afford the PSSs, buy them - you will not be disappointed.

If you can't, the Hankooks are a solid choice.

This.

The V12s aren't bad (have them on mine) but aren't "great"

I will probably be going with PSS's though in the future.

[Yukoncole]

You're kidding, right?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/476564-More-TD1-info?

I was being polite by not responding but there is no way in Hell I am messing with anything that is going to void a warranty on a 60K car that is known for 14K trannys dropping out!!

[Kem]

I am coming out of a 2004 Acura TL A-Spec with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires, it would take the off ramp to my area at 58MPH, I damn near went off the road last night pushing the S4 to 55MPH with these tires.....That seems pretty F'ed up to me!!!

Something is not right, the V12 is not a terrible tire. However in a budget performance tire test at tire rack it had the worst rating with the Dunlop Sport Maxx being the highest rated:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=149

I had the sumitomo HTR Z III on my previous S4 and really liked them (came in close second

[B8 S FOR]

This.

The V12s aren't bad (have them on mine) but aren't "great"

I will probably be going with PSS's though in the future.

^This I have had the Hankooks V12s on for about 6K miles and they are not great. They feel very soft in cornering. I love to drive hard into corners but these tires have spoiled the party. I will be switching out for the Michelin PSS's in the future also. Going from a P-Zero Rosso to these is a world of difference in my opinion but I will add for the price it's worth it if you mainly do highway and just spirited driving. I will not be purchasing the V12s ever again. The Tire Rack Review was spot on in my opinion.

[S4_Phantom]

Just last night I installed the 19" Ti wheels with some Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tires. Weather was rainy and crappy all day from Hurricane Sandy but so far they handle great and look very agressive as well. Only about 100 miles since install but so far im pleased. Cornering is stable, seems to be great in the rain but they are some of the priciest tires you can get in this size.

I, too, almost went with the V12s and even thought about the Michelins but got a sick deal on the Dunlops. Reviews seemed almost comparable to the Michelins so I went with them.

[iceboss23]

I, too, almost went with the V12s and even thought about the Michelins but got a sick deal on the Dunlops. Reviews seemed almost comparable to the Michelins so I went with them.

Care to share where you got said sick deal?

[S4_Phantom]

Care to share where you got said sick deal?

Got them locally at a dealer in South FL. Not much help to you in VA. [:)]

[Leor604]

I have been very happy with the stock Dunlops that my car came with. Excellent dry and wet grip and they have worn quite well considering some "enthusiastic" track use. However, they are very heavy (29 lbs) and expensive to replace.

I have two track days next weekend (Quattrofest 2012) at which point they'll be done, so am then picking up some PSS's while in Portland (no tax). PSS's seem to be the best tire right now and are 5 lbs lighter, less expensive and have a higher treadwear rating than the Dunlops so the choice was simple.

I notice many people justify tires like Hankook, Kumho, etc as being "pretty good for the money". IMO, tires are the LAST place where you want to compromise performance. Just doesn't make sense to me to try and save a couple hundred bucks on the most critical performance item for a $50k car. If you drive enthusiastically you need the best, not the best for the money.

[jdwk]

I've had RE-11's on my C6 for the past 3 years. They are just about done. They are a fantastic tire for both the street and the track and will keep up with the AD08 and NT05. However, the outside edges have worn severely from my track usage suggesting that the sidewall is not as stiff as it could be. I've played with various tire pressures and negative camber but it hasn't helped much.

I'd be a little reluctant to use them on a daily driver because of the cost, as you'd probably only get 10-12k miles out of them. I have RE760's on my daily and they are a good mix of perf, comfort and treadlife. I previously had KDW2's and loved them. They definitely had more grip, and the grip increased with loading, so my FWD Protege would actually oversteer on occasion. The only real negative was the road noise, which was awful which is why I switched to the Bridgestone's.

BF Goodrich has a new tire in the ultra performance category called the Sport Comp-2 that I will be trying on my S4 when it gets back to the states, since I plan on putting on aftermarket rims right away. If it is anywhere near as fun as the KDW2, I'll be happy.

[dparm]

The RE-11A is coming next year, FYI.

[ilspazzaneve]

I've taken a lot of flack here before for saying how terrible Hankook v12s are. Anyway, they are, if you don't drive your car aggressively you won't care, though.

I have RE-11s on the car, they are fabulous, but sure, they won't last.

Continental DW is a great tire if you're in sticker shock over the PSSs. It's only $30/tire more than the Hankook and I find they handle aggressive driving very very well.

You won't be able to tell if your tire weighs 24 or 28 lbs...don't even worry about that.

[dparm]

You won't be able to tell if your tire weighs 24 or 28 lbs...don't even worry about that.


Tons of people here would disagree, though I'm on your side. Sometimes it's placebo.

[ilspazzaneve]

Tons of people here would disagree, though I'm on your side. Sometimes it's placebo.

Yes, exactly. I'd be surprised if 4 lbs/wheel they were worth a tenth (in which case I could improve to an 11.9, tune and race gas only). Can anyone tell the difference, seat of the pants, in the car between a 12.08 and an 11.98? Not bloody likely.

And coming from someone that hits the track, I'm much more concerned with resistance to chunking the tread than unsprung weight, which the PSS has done in the hands of a few on this board.

[Yukoncole]

Yes, exactly. I'd be surprised if 4 lbs/wheel they were worth a tenth (in which case I could improve to an 11.9, tune and race gas only). Can anyone tell the difference, seat of the pants, in the car between a 12.08 and an 11.98? Not bloody likely.

And coming from someone that hits the track, I'm much more concerned with resistance to chunking the tread than unsprung weight, which the PSS has done in the hands of a few on this board.

The bonus to the Extreme Contact DW is it only weights in at 21lbs !!! I know these tires come on a few Porsche models.

[ilspazzaneve]

The bonus to the Extreme Contact DW is it only weights in at 21lbs !!! I know these tires come on a few Porsche models.

24 lbs in the size you need for your 19s.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW&partnum=535YR9ECDWXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tab=Specs (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW&partnum=535YR9ECDWXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tab=Specs)

[Yukoncole]

24 lbs in the size you need for your 19s.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW&partnum=535YR9ECDWXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tab=Specs (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW&partnum=535YR9ECDWXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tab=Specs)

Whoops - I was looking at 245/35/19 - Although that's what I pulled all numbers from so these in theory are still a very light tire! I appreciate the correction though.

Is anyone else running these or have Input comparison against the Michelin PSS's