Anyone have any experience with these?

Use case:

I've been running Pilot Super Sports (300tw), but my set is old and they don't make the rear anymore for my 255/35/18 front, 275/35/18 rear setup that I want to stick with. They are fantastic tires in every way, but kind of at the ragged edge in terms of grip at the rear for my power level. These will be STREET ONLY tires, I've have two sets of Hoosier-shod track wheels

What I want is the grip level increase of a 200tw tire, in the most road-friendly package, i.e.: I don't need ridiculously stiff sidewalls, or a compound that requires more heat than you'll generate just cruising around, or a bunch of noise like an R888 (which I hate).

These Dunlops reportedly lack the ultimate laptime capability, but I'm not going to autoX them so who cares? Likewise, wear isn't a huge issue because my street tires usually get hard/old before they burn through the tread. It's also rarely driven in rain (except by mistake really).

I was targeting like an RE71R, but they are discontinued, and other options are some combo of not available in those sizes, questionable brand, harsh AF, etc. The other thought is just stick with like a 4S. IMO, Michelin are the best tires available. My original plan was Sport Cups but they fucked all the sizes up on those.

 

I literally just had some mounted. I was about to go on the great tire spirit quest when I realized I really liked the Dunlop Z1's I already had on the car. Sticky, predictable, long-lived. For a street car, I didn't think I could do any better or know the difference.

I haven't had a chance to push the ZIII's and I know you go to the track. Hope you get some good input from harder drivers.

 

Peter, have you considered the Falken Azenis RT660? New tire that's getting very good reviews..... in the Extreme Performance Summer category on TireRack along with the ZIII Dunlops. Some good reading here:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=262

 

I have looked at the Azenas, but the reviews say they are loud and harsh.

 

I read some of the reviews on the ZIII's and they're pretty spot on, from my Dunlop star spec experiences. Good manners, predictable at the edge, a hair off pace. I'll take that trade.

 

I gotta buy a set of Hoosiers first, but these sound like a good deal.

 

Goodyear f1 supercar 3 tires seem to be an excellent choice. Our cars are mighty similar and I am considering moving up to a >200treadwear timeattack class until I am able to catch up with the pack aero wise. Downside is limited sizes which I am considering working around. Thinking of squeezing 275/35/18 square.

 

I know this is an older post, so disregard if you've already purchased tires.

The Falken RT660 are great tires, very sticky and perform well for auto crossing (I personally use them), but they have very stiff sidewalls and are jarring on the street.

The Yokohama A052's are supposed have more forgiving sidewalls and are probably more sticky than the 660's. With the A052's give up some transient response for ultimate grip and compliance, but they are always neck and neck with the 660's on lap times. They seem to wear more rapidly if you don't run a lot of camber, but that may be less of an issue if you're only using them on the street.

The only reason why I run the 660's over the A052's is because of my MacPherson strut up front. Because of the poor front camber curve, I believe they would wear much faster.

 

n-m, deleted

 

so I was going to recommend the Continental ExtremeContact Force, except missed that in that particular “Force” 200TW compound they didn’t offer the 255/35-18 size and the selection had changed to the lesser “Sport” 340 TWR compound.

However, if the fender space is available, in the Force compound there is a 275/35-18 for a square setup or with 295/30-18 for the rear to aid traction

the reason I was angling for this brand/model is the wet weather performance it has been known for and that I generally tend to prefer in a street use tire, but still up near the top for dry performance too.
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https://www.hoosiertire.com/tires/extreme_contact/

the other thing you’re hopefully aware of is that most if not all 200 TWR tires are not rated for cold weather use below 40°F. They’re very likely to crack or chunk if driven with the tire below the minimum designated temperature. Just seemed worthy to mention since you’re profile is indicating Virginia/DC.
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Thanks, I can't imagine too many conditions in which I'd have the car out below 40 degrees, as it wouldn't really get up to water temps anyway, or produce any cabin heat.

 

The A052 look like a great choice, though not available in my sizes. Also, this may seem futzy of me, but there's no rim protector bar, which I don't understand, and sort of make the tires look old fashioned.