So... here in California we generally get some great weather. But every now and then, like now... we start getting into our "Rain Season", and when it starts to rain, oh boy does it rain. So I was wondering, does anyone have any recommendation for some tires that have excellent wet traction? Considering our rain is normally seasonal, I wouldn't mind having a set of tires for the rain season alone. Either way.. I'm open to suggestions...

Anyone?

 

The best tires in the wet, that I have used thus far are for sure the Goodyear f1 gs d3.

I knew they were good and sticky, resisted hydroplaning and were overall awesome. Then I just got some new tires of a different brand which also have a AA wet traction rating. I just drove 100 miles in a down pour that CA has not seen in a while. Both time on the 101 and local twisties, then seem OK, but they are no f1 gs d3!!! Maybe they are not scrubbed in yet proper, there are only about 200 miles on them. If that is not the case, then I can really feel the difference between a $80 tire and a $150 tire... The difference I hope does not come more clear at the track in a few weeks....

Jasun

 

I second the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. I had them on my car for a track day in the pouring rain. Since I wasn't going to waste the track day I had already paid for, I ran all day. Parts of the track even had standing water to plow through. The F1s held better than I would have ever thought. I was probably the fastest car on the track, easily beating 4WD STIs. Not to mention that they are a great dry tire as well.

 

+1 GS-D3's. no questions asked.

 

well in the summer here in FLA it rains everyday so we are pretty use to wet roads, and so far the KDWs have been unbelieveable in the wet.

and you get one hell of a insane tread pattern to show off with.

 

another vote for the f1 gs-d3, kinda of expensive, but when it rains these tire really move water, the rooster tails are kinda ridiculous looking

i got .88 lateral g's in standing water, with stock suspension and these tires

only complaint i have is the sidewall is a little softer than i like in the dry, but i haven't seen a better performance in the wet from a street tire

 

GS-D3 performed best in the wet tests on the:

Car and Driver Tire Test

 

Yes! I knew I wasn't just thinking up notions... I remember the first time I drove them in the rain on the local tight 30mph twisties... I could not get them to break no matter what inputs where slammed into the steering wheel.

Also, a day at laguna seca started off damp/wet, and my MINI did not know the difference. I too was probably one of the faster cars at the time. When the track gets wet, it does not matter what type of R compound you have, 01's, 615's, RA1's, you name it... they will get smoked by a GSD3!

Damn, now you got me thinking I wish I would of gotten them again..

 

also, the goodyears last really long, i have had them for 2k and they look barely broken in, they were used for one MOTD, and few local twisties and a few autoX, other than that a really short commute and the car is stored in the winter

 

i see that my good friend LgEnf has already posted his vote for the KDW2's. i second his recommendation. excellent wet or dry (although a bit noisy). i have a fairly aggressive alignment (as does LgEnf) and wear has been good.

 

3rd on the KDW-2s...excellent in the wet, awsome in the dry...also have the kumho Ecsta MXs that are also excellent.

 

What wheel and tire size are you looking for?
Does it have to be long wearing?
What about comfort?
What about budget?
Are you going to use these only for street use and commuting?
How many miles per year do you drive?
Is there any chance of driving in colder weather or even some snow?

For wet traction the common choice with a variety of sizes is
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

Also from Goodyear but not for stock MINI wheels,
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...+F1+Asymmetric
Has 235/40-17 for 17x8 rims and good sizes for 18" rims. Full tests not in but seems promising. 240 treadwear.

But for those that want really good wet and dry performance and don't mind the price and faster treadwear then-
In Extreme Performance Summer tires there is
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R which is quite good in the wet or dry.
Check out the test results at tirerack.com

I don't drive that many miles each year so the RE-01R is fine for me and we get lots of rain. Comes in sizes that will fit 15", 16" and stock 17" rims.
205/45-17 and 215/45-17.

 

If I get rain tires then I'm probably gonna get other wheels just for them. My Daily wheels are 17's and I run 215/45R17 Dunlop DZ101 Direzza. I plan on going with a 15" wheel for Rain tires, I think. So probably a 205/60R15.

Long wearing is always nice, but I don't plan on doing anything stupid in the rain, I just want more confidence in the rain in case anything happens.

Comfort? What's that?

Budget is negotiable, but I generally get a good price on tires all things considering.

I use my MINI Daily gettin to and from work, so it's my commuter.

I drive a buttload of miles per year, but like I said.. these are just my rain tires for like 2-3 months out of the year (Woo Hoo, Go So Cal!!!)

I don't plan on driving in the snow... but I mean, anything is possible? I'm not a Snow person.

My dry tires are soon going to be Dunlop Direzza Z1's, that's what they're offering me for this year. The tread pattern is the same as the Direzza's, just with much bigger "patches" for better grip; that's going to effect the wet performance of the tires.

I was looking at these...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....le+ResponsEdge

I've driven with the KDW2's before.. and wet traction was pretty good, but I think I'd rather stick with Goodyear as to not **** off my sponsors. (Goodyear is Dunlop is Kelly is Fierce is Falken... yes... really.)

So.. we'll see.. Has anyone tried the Eagle Response's?

 

Any thoughts on the Goodyear F1 all seasons? Tire rack doesn't seem to carry the F1 GS-D3 in the 205/45 17's

-Mike

 

For GS-D3 choose 215/45-17

F1 All Seasons good if-
need longer treadwear
need stock tire size
need blend of handling and comfort (a little firm riding)
need to keep tires (without having to change) in cold weather and some snow
Not going on the track

Overall not quite as good for wet handling as the GS-D3.
A good All Season tire overall.

 

I'm hearing so many good things here on NAM regarding the GS-D3's. Will definitely have to check them out.

 

Eagle ResponsEdge is a comfortable Grand Touring All Season tire- it's not that strong for handling and especially not in the wet. Good comfort and long wearing.
See tests-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=86
195/60-15 or 205/60-15 is possible
Or if 16x7 rims then 205/50-16

Better than the ResponsEdge in wet would be Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2
Ultra High Performance Summer tire
Tests
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=54
Good in dry and especially in wet. 240 treadwear
For 15x7 rim 205/55-15 $116 each 20 lbs
For 16x7 rim 205/50-16 $136 each 20 lbs

The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 isn't bad for wet in Extreme Performance Summer tire class. 200 treadwear
Tests
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=100
Might be worth just trying that in the wet months and see how it does.

In Max Performance Summer tires
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
For 16x7 rim use 205/50-16 $119 each 280 treadwear 22 lbs
Also comes in 205/55-16 $135 each a bit tall at 24.9" tire diameter 23 lbs
Not much in sizes for 15" wheels, only 195/50-15

 

I'm up in Sacramento, CA, and have to say the stock Dunlop 205/45/17 runflats have been surprisingly good in the heavy rain that's been coming down the past days....could also have something to do with all my suspension mods though.

 

GOODYEAR F1 GS-D3 AMAZING WET TIRE, EXCELLENT IN DRY TOO, NOT R TIRE REALM BUT BETTER THAN MOST ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE SUMMERS. I KNOW THERES ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIRES PERFORM BETTER DRY, BUT IF IT RAINS THOSE OTHER TIRES ARE GONNA GET THEIR ***** HANDED. STRAIGHT SMOKED IN RAIN.

THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINI'S OEM CHOICE OF TIRES
I KNOW I'M HELLA JOCKING THEESE TIRES, I AM NOT SPONSERED BY THEM OR SELL THEM JUST THEY LEFT AN IMPRESSION IN WET WEATHER SITUATIONS.

 

+1

NO BS WET WEATHER TIRE, ALMOST LIKE DRIVING IN SUMMER,
YOU COULD DRIVE 80MPH ON FREEWAY IN THIS TORRENTIAL RAINSTORM AND WONDER WHY EVERYONE IS GOIN 45-55MPH. OFF RAMPS AT SAME SPEED AS DRY.

 

I just wanted to say that the dunlop runflats that came on my 06 were HORRIBLE in the wet. I had more than my fair share of scares in them, and would not recommend anything but cautious driving in them...note scott48 here is on the newer runflats on an r56.

 

215-40-17 DUDE YOU'LL GO DOWN MT. MADONNA 152 IN THIS RAIN AT 40-55MPH (25MPH SPEED LIMIT) IN THIS RAIN TO THANK ME,

 

According to the Tire Rack...

Pirelly P Zero - 8.33
Michellin Pilot Sport PS2 - 8.11
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 - 8.09
Yokohama ADVAN Sport - 7.84
Continental ContiSportContact 3 - 7.84
Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season - 7.48
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS - 7.31
Dunlop Direzza Z1 - 7.16
Dunlop SP Sport Signature - 7.04

Those are the Highest Wet-Ratings I can find... unfortunately none of those have any good 15" sizes. I have 17's... I don't want another set of 17's...

 

See below *** for 15" sizes.

Pirelli PZero - 8.33 (only one 17" size 225/45, rest are larger)
Michellin Pilot Sport PS2 - 8.11 (235/40-17 or larger)
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 - 8.09 (195/50-15, 205/50-16, 205/55-16)
Yokohama ADVAN Sport - 7.84 (225/45-17 or larger)
Continental ContiSportContact 3 - 7.84 (215/45-17 or larger)
Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season - 7.48 (205/55-16, 205/45-17, 215/45-17)
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS - 7.31 (185/65-15, 195/60-15, 205/60-15)***
Dunlop Direzza Z1 - 7.16 (195/55-15, 205/50-16, 205/55-16)
Dunlop SP Sport Signature - 7.04 (205/55-16)

Other tires in High Perf All Season-
Pilot Exalto A/S (195/60-15, 205/55-15, 205/50-16, 205/55-16)
Yokohama Avid V4s (205/55-16, 205/55-16)
BF Goodrich Traction T/A H&V (185/65-15, 195/60-15, 205/55-16)

You can use smaller than stock sizes like
195/50-15 or 195/55-15 but load ratings are low or lower than stock so it's not for hauling heavy stuff or four people all the time. Small diameter tires also result in some speedo and odometer error. Wheel gap will be slightly larger.

 

I'm probably going to go with the 205/60HR15 from the looks of it.