I have the stock advan's.

i dont want to spend an arm & leg to replace two of them. at 360$ a tire isnt worth it.

the sidewalls on these tires are crazy stiff, like a runflat tire.

whats the best replacement i could get?

i was looking at sumitomo htrz-iii but not sure

 

You'll get a lot of recommendations for Dunlop Z1's (probably the most popular tire when replacing the oe Yokos), and Hankook's V12 EVO.

 

Neal, I actually work for Town Fair Tire (CT, you may know us)

To me, the V12 just doesnt have the stiff sidewall, and the Z1 *spec are oversized spec.

I have noticed that around here V12 is favored as well as the Z1*

 

V12

 

v12's arent even close. and what is oversize spec?

 

I guess that all comes down to what you expect out of a tire.

 

Z1* are not oversized. They have a wide tread arc.

DOT measurement is from the mid sidewall to mid sidewall. DOT does not mandate the tread width.

Evo 12s I've driven have been great DD tires. Z1* or any other Extreme Summer Performance tire is close to the stock Advans.

And testing sidewall stiffness buy purely grabbing and feeling the tire is not sidewall stiffness.

 

the V12 sidewall (on the 245/45/17) are really stiff (99y). If you choose the incorrect size, they are softer; that's why you should do your research instead of just assuming a blanket statement.

 

I'm asking for help based on sidewall strength not to lose the handling characteristic of the stock advan tires. V12, to me, workig at a tire shop seems like a flimsy sidewall like a Michelin

 

I am talking about the width of tire.

Since every tire is measured the same way, doesn't mean it's the same
Overall diameter as the rest.

The z1 "run wide" if you would see what I mean, as in yes it's classified as a 235/45/17 but the actual size is larger than the respective utqg and dot ratings.

 

I just went from v12 to stock advans and its like a night and day difference. Advans are so much more responsive its ridiculous. The v12s were super grippy though so no complaints in that department. I would buy them again if I had to.

 

Whats wrong with that? I see it as a good thing.

 

Automotive engineer here (in this field) - this is completely wrong.

Department of Transportation mandates how the industry measures tires. As I've said, tread arc and mid-sidewall to mid-sidewall are two completely different things. DOT mandates the latter.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=199

And re-read comment on hand testing a tire v. inflating and driving for sidewall stiffness.

 

I have the sumitomo htr z III's, had them on since 2010. Love them for economy, performance, and durability. I've used them for a few laps around on track days, and really are not a bad tire for the price. I use Hankook RS-3's for serious track days though. my2cents