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[Mitch1er]

I know most people with say go for the Dunlop Star Specs, but i would like to know what you guys this of the following tires. I want the best summer performance AND cost of a full set. i'm not to concern about wet conditons as i rarely drive it well it rains, plus i live in so. Cal. All options are for 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear.

1. Falken FK452 $555.22

2. Hankook Ventus V12 - $499.76

3. Sumitomo HTR-Z 3 - $484.20

4. Nitto NT555 Extr. ZR - $445.66

5. Nitto Invo - $509.94

the Dunlop Star Specs cost $ 774.58. i want to know which option (1-5) is the best overall performance. thanks

[JohnL135I]

I've been pricing tires also. I've read some good reviews of the FK452's based on price and performance. I'm also in the market for an extreme summer performance tire at a good price. The V12's are also good, but I like the more rounded sidewall of the 452's for running the 255 size in the back.

[Mitch1er]

Originally Posted by JohnL135I

I've been pricing tires also. I've read some good reviews of the FK452's based on price and performance. I'm also in the market for an extreme summer performance tire at a good price. The V12's are also good, but I like the more rounded sidewall of the 452's for running the 255 size in the back.

yea i've heard good things about all these tires. i want some tires that will have a good inital bite while braking and accelerating

[JohnL135I]

any pics of your cls rims?

[Mitch1er]

i'll post some up tomorrow.

[JohnL135I]

Originally Posted by Mitch1er

i'll post some up tomorrow.

[emac08]

im running these as we speak:
2. Hankook Ventus V12 - $499.76 w/ the same exact tire sizes u mentioned above.. well actually not sure about the 18 part...

no complaints... i don't track my car or race it. i do speed and like to take my turns pretty hard. so far so good

[1013mm]

the falkens are alright.... I guess. for drifting.....

[foundonroad]

I had a similar post on this, and the consensus was Hankook. If you are going to the track, which I am not, then the Dunlop might be more suitable. It is also consensus that summer tires in general do just as well overall as so called "all season", and do equally well in dry and wet conditions. I also received a lot of good comments about the Sumitomo's.

[arrutled]

you should just call Gill and ask him.

[Esmallstii]

Car & Driver did a test recently and the Hankooks scored almost as well as the Michelin PS2's, and are 1/2 the price.

[M3_Dust]

out of your choices, I would go with the Sumitomo's for sure. you can find a comparison test somewhere that puts every one of those tires above every other tire on the market, reality is they are all cheap tires, based on the research I did before buying my tires, the Sumi's are going to be the best cost/performance/treadlife compromise, and they are made in Japan vs. the Hankook's which are made in Korea.

[tgxmike]

Car and Driver Tire test

I am going with the Hankook tires just because they are in stock at my closet tire rack location.

The Sumitomo's were out of stock last I checked tirerack.com.

Seems these are the best bang for you buck

[1013mm]

I have a feeling my falken rears will go out fast, even though they seem to have decent thread life on rwd but it struggles to get grip sometimes....

[Mike01ci]

If you wanted to try out some Pilot sports for awhile you could buy these off me for $120 shipped.... http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=351846

[miro2296]

So far I really like the Nitto NT555's. They are quiet, excellent dry grip, and also wet grip too(just FYI).

[Mike01ci]

Originally Posted by miro2296

So far I really like the Nitto NT555's. They are quiet, excellent dry grip, and also wet grip too(just FYI).

Also 2 thumbs up for the Nittos. I had them on the rear of my 335, and I have them on my SL. I can't say enough good things about the 555s. My brother has them on his 540 and complains that they haven't been gripping well lately (it is WINTER...). In my opinion they are the best bang for your buck...

[KingOfJericho]

Why do people insist on buying cheap tires? I've never understood why you would spend $40k on a car but skimp on the only part of it that touches the road.

[Mike01ci]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Why do people insist on buying cheap tires? I've never understood why you would spend $40k on a car but skimp on the only part of it that touches the road.

These are all good tires that he has listed, it is not like he has suggested anything too "off-brand." I can understand your argument if this was 1970 but there is a lot of competition in the tire market right now and there are options that do not cost an arm and a leg. Have you ever driven on the Nittos? They make a very good product and perform very well on the track.

[infinitekidM2C]

What does the King suggest?

[KingOfJericho]

I've been partial to Yokohama after having them on my old Exige but I also really liked the Michelin PS2 that came on my G35. Bridgestone Potenza S0-3 or S0-2 are excellent as well. I had Sumitomos on my C70 and while they would get very sticky they were also very soft and only lasted a few months.

In the spring I will probably be putting Dunlop Direzza Star Specs or Yokohama S.Drives on the 1er.

[Mike01ci]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I've been partial to Yokohama after having them on my old Exige but I also really liked the Michelin PS2 that came on my G35. Bridgestone Potenza S0-3 or S0-2 are excellent as well. I had Sumitomos on my C70 and while they would get very sticky they were also very soft and only lasted a few months.

In the spring I will probably be putting Dunlop Direzza Star Specs or Yokohama S.Drives on the 1er.

Love the SO-2s & 3s! Can you still find them anywhere?