Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Gimlet]

I've run the 'Kooks - good less expensive tire. They get pretty "greasy" towards the end of their life, and of the 2 sets I owned, neither made it past 10k (rears). Probably a great tire at stock power levels, but they weren't nearly as grippy once I started modding - the power would overwhelm them. They do have a softer sidewall as mentioned which lends to a "floaty" kind of feel at first, but you get used to it.

I ran a set of the Goodyear F1s on my Mazda - they were phenominal in both the dry and wet. At the prices you mentioned, that would be my suggestion.

As an FYI, I just moved to the Michelin PSS, and they might be the best tire I've had. Tons of grip in the wet and dry...only got about 500 miles on 'em so far...Haven't done a track day yet so we will see -

[mbintx]

I'll dissent. I've had the v12s on my 135i because previous owner put them on. Can't stand them. Soft, squishy, sloppy. Recently replaced them with Pole Position S-04s and the difference is night and day.

[John_01]

Originally Posted by mbintx

I'll dissent. I've had the v12s on my 135i because previous owner put them on. Can't stand them. Soft, squishy, sloppy. Recently replaced them with Pole Position S-04s and the difference is night and day.

I haven't tried the hankook v12 but I tend to think the same thing about the Michelin PSS being soft and squishy. Any proper sports tire will have firmer sidewalls. I think the previous generation Goodyear F1 was pretty nice for road use.