Just picked up a set of snow tires for my stock rims and now on a search for my summer rims so im ready to go in the spring. Im up in the air between a few different tires so hopefully you guys can help me decide. Right now on Tire Rack i can get a set of the Hankook R-S2's for $99 a piece on closeout (seems like an awesome price), Sumitomo HTR III's for $112 or the Dunlop Z1's for $177. (235/40/18)

This is going to be a summer tire only, wont see any track days, some "spirited" driving on the weekends but mostly highway miles. Im really liking the R-S2's for the price but have been reading they wear VERY fast. I know the Z1's are the best tire for the money out there but not sure if I need to spend that much for what the car will be used for. Logically it seems like the HTR III's would be my best choice out of those 3. What do you guys think? Anything better I missed? Let me know...

 

If you're super strapped for cash, then go with the Sumitomos. If you're not, then you might as well do it right the first time and get the Z1 Star Specs. The grip is there when you need it, plus they're not too shabby in the wet either. It's a high performance car.

Don't get me wrong, I understand your concerns, as I was in that position... personally I was considering the DZ101s or the Z1 Star Specs, though I wasn't sure since I knew that the Z1s were the closest thing out there to the stock tire, though I mostly just commute to work and back so the DZ101s would be a better fit for something like that. However, I still went with the Z1 Star Specs, which should be mounted on my car within the next month or so.

 

If your going to be driving mostly on the highway you don't need a real aggressive tire like the Star Specs. I guess go for the HTRIII's or the DZ101's.

 

Khumo Ecsta XS have gotten many good reviews in the autox community.

 

Go to http://www.caranddriver.com, search tires, look at the most recent shootout and then have a mod close this thread. Z1's are good, but unsure if you would need to go that aggressive.

 

Does anyone know if the S2's are a steal at that price? Im pretty sure they used to be priced about $50 higher around my size but not certain.

I really want the Z1's but not sure if i can justify the price difference for what i personally will get out of them. Maybe Neal can chime in with some expert advice...

 

The Hankook is being discontinued thus the lower pricing at the moment (ever notice how those look a lot like the Yoko AD07?). All of those will last about the same really. The Sumitomo is a great tire for the little extra. It's giving the big dogs like Michelin etc a run for the money. My vote would be the Sumi then Hankook for price vs. perf.

 

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The Hankook is being discontinued thus the lower pricing at the moment (ever notice how those look a lot like the Yoko AD07?). All of those will last about the same really. The Sumitomo is a great tire for the little extra. It's giving the big dogs like Michelin etc a run for the money. My vote would be the Sumi then Hankook for price vs. perf.

 

The Sumitomos looks very similar to the Falken 912s. If they're anything alike, then they're a great dd tire with occasional spirited. Can't compare in traction to the Z1s though. I'd say, since this is a dedicated summer tires, get something really good, Ecsta XS or Z1 are great for the price. If you can find someone selling a set of RE-01, those are great tires too.

 

any specials coming up with the Sumitomos you know of? I have over 7 months until i need these tires so im in no rush. If not no big deal, ill just order them sometime over this winter.

 

Nothing I see coming up soon on those. In 7 months they will probably have something else out

 

Just to give you some other options, certain tires purchased through America's Tire/Discount Tire are eligible for discounts:

$40 mail-in rebate on any set of Yokohama or Pirelli tires purchased between August 17 and 22:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...ns.do?pgid=223

$50 mail-in rebate on any set of Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 tires purchased between June 1 and August 31:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...ns.do?pgid=215

$70 mail-in rebate on any set of Bridgestone tires (excluding Blizzaks, Run-flats, SE200s) purchased between August 9 and August 22:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...ns.do?pgid=221

$100 mail-in rebate on ANY set of tires purchased between August 9 and August 22 at their Jackson, Kalamazoo, or Traverse City area locations:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...ns.do?pgid=222

I thought these might help.