star spec vs s.drive

imported_mega · 08-27-2009, 10:08 AM

235 $ out the door difference at my local shop, s.drive being the cheaper tire

there really much diff between the two for grip/life ?

649 $ mounted vs 884 mounted for 225/40/18 & 255/35/18 I have read good reviews on both tires

Excitmnt94 · 08-27-2009, 10:15 AM

yes...HUGE difference. you can check out a recent review done in car and driver magazine.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

Victory Road · 08-27-2009, 10:20 AM

I think paying for PS2 is a waste...paying for star spec is completely worth it imo

imported_mega · 08-27-2009, 10:26 AM

That c/d test is why I picked the yokohama s.drive

if you look at all of the result graphs, the s.drive is right there with the ps2 on every test, and less than 1 second a lap slower on the wet/dry autocross than the star spec

I'm no pro and that's pretty close for me

the one test it did not do well on was the skidpad dry, and that looks more like a fluke based on all the other test results and times

larryn · 08-27-2009, 07:16 PM

Star Spec doesn't wear as well as the S.Drive. Star spec has tons more grip though.. and 1 second difference in an autocross (with folks who know how to AX) is the difference between 1st and 10th place.

If you are not competing in anything, forego the Star Specs, IMO, as there are other tires that last longer. They freaking rock tho on the track and at AX. Closest I've felt to R Comps, but a wide margin.

ChrisK · 08-27-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

Star Spec doesn't wear as well as the S.Drive. Star spec has tons more grip though.. and 1 second difference in an autocross (with folks who know how to AX) is the difference between 1st and 10th place.

If you are not competing in anything, forego the Star Specs, IMO, as there are other tires that last longer. They freaking rock tho on the track and at AX. Closest I've felt to R Comps, but a wide margin.

+1

What he said!

imported_mega · 08-27-2009, 09:16 PM

I'll be doing more autocross and track days, but I will not be competing against anyone but my own times

WhiteOne · 08-27-2009, 10:00 PM

The Caranddriver review picked the Star Spec as the best track tire and the Hankook as the best street tire. One that rides good and one that doesn't. At least that is how I understood it.

RaceTime · 08-27-2009, 11:35 PM

Dunlop Z1 Star Specs are totally sick! I have 255's square for the track and they are full of grip! A must have, IMO!

Endre · 08-28-2009, 01:05 AM

How is the Star spec compared to Azenis? How about heat?
Im running R888 now for trackdays, but is thinking about something like Azenis next season until i have upgraded the suspension to handle the R888 better.

MadMan77 · 08-28-2009, 05:48 AM

You will trash a set of Azenis 615s in one track day. They also get very greasy when the the tires heat up.

Endre · 08-28-2009, 06:14 AM

Seriusly? Thats quite the opposite of what i have heard from the members who uses this at bmwccn trackdays here in Norway.

Neither the Azenis or Star spec is availible here in Norway, so we have to order both from US anyways.

ChrisK · 08-28-2009, 06:35 AM

I have the Yoko S-Drives and they are great tires.

Wet traction is downright amazing. Like Larry said, if you are going to track the car go with the Star Spec otherwise for the price - nothing beats the Yoko S-Drives.

larryn · 08-28-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endre

Seriusly? Thats quite the opposite of what i have heard from the members who uses this at bmwccn trackdays here in Norway.

Neither the Azenis or Star spec is availible here in Norway, so we have to order both from US anyways.

Star specs are so many magnitudes better than the Azenis. The 615's were teh hot tire 6 years ago. There are numerous tires better these days.

RaceTime · 08-28-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

Star specs are so many magnitudes better than the Azenis. The 615's were teh hot tire 6 years ago. There are numerous tires better these days.

I agree! Star specs are far superior! The only other tire that is close is the Yoke ad07's...they are great tires also. Both of the tires are very close to "R's".

imported_mega · 08-28-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

I have the Yoko S-Drives and they are great tires.

Wet traction is downright amazing. Like Larry said, if you are going to track the car go with the Star Spec otherwise for the price - nothing beats the Yoko S-Drives.

That's what I've heard great tire for the price

for someone like me that will do maybe 2 autocross a year I think it'll be a good tire

but if tire life is no better than the star spec, I may as well spend a little more

ChrisK · 08-28-2009, 08:36 AM

As far as tire life goes:

Yoko S-Drive: 300 AA A
Star Spec: 200 A A

Eddy@ApexWheels · 08-28-2009, 12:52 PM

Starspecs are an amazing high performance tire. The question is do you need that? Do you want to pay the extra 230~ for less life, harsher ride, and substantially more grip?

It's all a compromise.

Are you going to the track or autocross? If, so are you going often?

imported_mega · 08-28-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintpro21

Starspecs are an amazing high performance tire. The question is do you need that? Do you want to pay the extra 230~ for less life, harsher ride, and substantially more grip?

It's all a compromise.

Are you going to the track or autocross? If, so are you going often?

daily driver, 2-3 trips to the dragon tail a year, 2-3 autocross a year, probably never do the track as it costs too much

08-27-2009, 10:08 AM	#1
imported_mega Colonel 122 Rep 2,199 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	star spec vs s.drive 235 $ out the door difference at my local shop, s.drive being the cheaper tire there really much diff between the two for grip/life ? 649 $ mounted vs 884 mounted for 225/40/18 & 255/35/18 I have read good reviews on both tires __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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08-27-2009, 10:15 AM	#2
Excitmnt94 Detailer & Fitness Freak 23 Rep 514 Posts Drives: '09 135i ///M Sport Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	yes...HUGE difference. you can check out a recent review done in car and driver magazine. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests __________________ 135i coupe...Alpine White // Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim // Heated Coral Red Leather Seats // M-Sport Package // I-pod // PDC // 6-Speed Manual
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08-27-2009, 10:20 AM	#3
Victory Road Major 113 Rep 1,323 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (6)	I think paying for PS2 is a waste...paying for star spec is completely worth it imo
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08-27-2009, 10:26 AM	#4
imported_mega Colonel 122 Rep 2,199 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	That c/d test is why I picked the yokohama s.drive if you look at all of the result graphs, the s.drive is right there with the ps2 on every test, and less than 1 second a lap slower on the wet/dry autocross than the star spec I'm no pro and that's pretty close for me the one test it did not do well on was the skidpad dry, and that looks more like a fluke based on all the other test results and times __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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08-27-2009, 07:16 PM	#5
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Star Spec doesn't wear as well as the S.Drive. Star spec has tons more grip though.. and 1 second difference in an autocross (with folks who know how to AX) is the difference between 1st and 10th place. If you are not competing in anything, forego the Star Specs, IMO, as there are other tires that last longer. They freaking rock tho on the track and at AX. Closest I've felt to R Comps, but a wide margin.
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08-27-2009, 09:16 PM	#7
imported_mega Colonel 122 Rep 2,199 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	I'll be doing more autocross and track days, but I will not be competing against anyone but my own times __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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08-27-2009, 10:00 PM	#8
WhiteOne Major 28 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	The Caranddriver review picked the Star Spec as the best track tire and the Hankook as the best street tire. One that rides good and one that doesn't. At least that is how I understood it.
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08-27-2009, 11:35 PM	#9
RaceTime Auto X'er 3 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2009 Space Gray 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northern Colorado iTrader: (0)	Dunlop Z1 Star Specs are totally sick! I have 255's square for the track and they are full of grip! A must have, IMO! __________________ 2009 135i SGM, Premium, Sports, Nav. Dinan Stage 2 software, Injen intake, RR Oil Catch Can, H&R Pro-coilovers and springs, H&R front sway bar, Vorshlag camber plates, Vorshlag comp studs, BMW strut brace, BMW performance pedals, G-Force harneses, BMP tow hooks, Breyton GTS-R wheels with 255-35R18 (square set up) and custom axel back exhaust with muffler delete.
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08-28-2009, 01:05 AM	#10
Endre Lieutenant 17 Rep 420 Posts Drives: E36 M3 3.2 (321hp) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Molde iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 120d [10.00]	How is the Star spec compared to Azenis? How about heat? Im running R888 now for trackdays, but is thinking about something like Azenis next season until i have upgraded the suspension to handle the R888 better. __________________ 120d, M-sport, H&R springs,Remus Exhaust, 135I kidneys, 18"BMW performance with Toyo T1R.(summer) 17" style 207 with Michelin Xice(winter), 17" M3 replica with Toyo R888 (Track), Hardwired H/K GPS 810. SOLD! Now driving E36 M3 3.2 (321Hp) Track and Autox
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08-28-2009, 05:48 AM	#11
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	You will trash a set of Azenis 615s in one track day. They also get very greasy when the the tires heat up. __________________
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08-28-2009, 06:14 AM	#12
Endre Lieutenant 17 Rep 420 Posts Drives: E36 M3 3.2 (321hp) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Molde iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 120d [10.00]	Seriusly? Thats quite the opposite of what i have heard from the members who uses this at bmwccn trackdays here in Norway. Neither the Azenis or Star spec is availible here in Norway, so we have to order both from US anyways. __________________ 120d, M-sport, H&R springs,Remus Exhaust, 135I kidneys, 18"BMW performance with Toyo T1R.(summer) 17" style 207 with Michelin Xice(winter), 17" M3 replica with Toyo R888 (Track), Hardwired H/K GPS 810. SOLD! Now driving E36 M3 3.2 (321Hp) Track and Autox
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08-28-2009, 06:35 AM	#13
ChrisK Major General 4449 Rep 7,594 Posts Drives: '19 M2C Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [7.00] 2015 Porsche Macan S [0.00]	I have the Yoko S-Drives and they are great tires. Wet traction is downright amazing. Like Larry said, if you are going to track the car go with the Star Spec otherwise for the price - nothing beats the Yoko S-Drives.
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08-28-2009, 08:36 AM	#17
ChrisK Major General 4449 Rep 7,594 Posts Drives: '19 M2C Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [7.00] 2015 Porsche Macan S [0.00]	As far as tire life goes: Yoko S-Drive: 300 AA A Star Spec: 200 A A Attached Images
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08-28-2009, 12:52 PM	#18
Eddy@ApexWheels 444 Rep 1,658 Posts Drives: E30 M3, F10 M5 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (6)	Starspecs are an amazing high performance tire. The question is do you need that? Do you want to pay the extra 230~ for less life, harsher ride, and substantially more grip? It's all a compromise. Are you going to the track or autocross? If, so are you going often?
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