I did a quick search and looked around but didnt see anything about there being a new version of the Z2 star specs. I only ask this because there are currently some on tirerack on closeout while there a bunch at normal price, and the normal price ones say new next to them. Thoughts?

 

The ones you saw on discount are actually the Dunlop ZII (not Star Specs), and the ones at regular price are the Dunlop ZII Star Specs. The ZII SS has a different compound but same tread pattern as the outgoing ZII.

 

^Correct, exactly what he said although I do believe the tread pattern is a smidge different as in just barely.

I've gone threw a few sets of the old Z1's and this past year had the Z2's and liked them a lot. With them being on closeout Im tempted to pick up another set and save some coin but I'd be interested to see how the new SS stack up. Does anyone have a link to testing comparing the two?

Given that they were released so late in the season I doubt many folks have track time on them but I would love to establish if there is a significant difference that would warrant the additional cost.

 

Ditto. The ZII's we are closing out to make way for the ZII Star Spec. Original ZII's are still a great performer, especially for the closeout price.

We haven't tested them against the ZII SS, but do have SS test results from late last year on our site here, Testing Extreme Performance Summer Tires: The Boys of Summer Are Here

 

Thanks Neal! I would love to see some tests between the Z2's and Z2 SS but I will have to be patient.

If I were to compete nationally I'd be inclined to pick up the latest and greatest but I'm planning on running 285's this year which are almost twice the cost of the 255's I've been running previously so what little brain I have is telling me to save the couple hundred bucks and go with the Z2's...

 

Off topic, but why are the Hankook RS-3's not included in the tests?

 

We did include the R-S3 (Version 2 with 200 tread wear rating) against the AD08 R, ZII SS, and Rival this past summer. You can see the test results here

Testing Extreme Performance Summer Tires: How Well Can They Handle the Extreme?

 

I notice AD08R are on close-out sale at tirerack.

Is there a successor in the future? Anybody have info?

 

What size as I don't show any of them marked close-out.

 

235/45-17 were marked as close-out yesterday. When I went back today they are marked as special at 161.00 - same price as yesterday but "special" rather than "close-out".

 

If you can get em on close out, I'd do it. Pretty good tires.

 

Still in production, just reduced in price a tad for reasons not explained to my pay grade