That bites no good sizes in the Kumho XS for my 18x7 GP wheels or 17x8 Motegi Tracklites. Come on Kumho!

 

Here's a newer comparison test published by Car and Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

 

I remember reading this article when it was originally published. Has anyone been running the Dunlops? I'm curious because I'm in the market for new tires and am curious as to if they are just that much better than the S.drives and the KDWs.

 

Better in what regard?

As was pointed out earlier in the thread we're mixing apples and oranges a bit.

I ran the Z1 Star Spec all last year in competition, and recommend them highly. They were the first tire to pull over 1g on wet pavement for my setup.

UIf you are seeking longevity however, I would not suggest the Z1. Like most of the tires aimed at ultimate grip, the tradeoff is mileage.

 

Based on the C&D test results, they (Z1) were #1 vs #5 and #6 for the KDWs and the S.Drives. So that is what my basis is. The Tirerack tests had the Z1s in 3rd, with the RE-11s in first barely over the AD08s (which haven't been mentioned as the go to Yokohamas from what I've read). The Z1s appear to be about the same price as the KDWs and the S.Drives ($20 or so difference a tire), while the RE-11s are running about $50 more a tire.

Longetivity isn't a huge concern to me as these tires are much better from a performance standpoint than the runflats and will last about the same mileage while being approximately 1/2 the price.

 

There are so many choices and styles to choose from it could take too long to find the right tire. I will most likely close my eyes and pick one off of a wall.

I do not track my Mini because I drive waaaaayyy too much as it is (400 miles/week). I just need a tire that will last greater than 50 - 55k miles, will not leave hot tire marks, will be quiet on the road and is able to withstand the Az. heat (in the summer its gets so hot you can literally cook an egg on a rock - think about how hot a tire gets at 80 MPH for 2-3 hours).

That sounds simple enough....right?

 

I've been looking at 17" Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec for my MINI.

I don't track, do many miles, or drive in a hot climate... so treadlife's not a big concern.

I am looking for razor sharp handling, tight quick steering response, and being able to pull higher Gs than OEM tires.

I hesitate because it rains a lot here and I'm concerned about wet performance and hydroplaning. This is my daily driver.

On TireRack surveys they say Sport Z1 Star Spec are awesome in the wet... but is that compared to only to other Extreme Performance Summers? That is would just an average set of Ultra High Performance Summers be safer on the street in the rain?

Then as the tread wears quicker on Extreme Performance tires their wet grip would likely drop off faster too?

Is this the right tire for me, or should I step down a performance level, and go with a tire that is a little less track ready... maybe a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2s?

Thanks for any advice.

 

The Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 are supposed to outperform the Star Spec in the rain, and are a little more civilized. They are close competitors in the dry.

It is difficult to compare tires that weren't in the same test on TireRack. Sometimes the cars are different, and the conditions are probably different. Hard to know whether their rating numbers relate to tires of different categories.

It appears that the PE2 do not out perform either the Star Spec or Potenza RE-11 in the wet, but can't be sure.

 

Go with the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2s. I'm about to get my third set of them. They are awesome.