[Shotimes] Re: Tires...tires....tires...

[Neno Albert]

This happens to be the Dunlop "plague" as some may call it. Although they do perform decently for
the price to performance ratio, they are a very sensitive tire. In fact, all the Dunlops I've come
across are this way. The SP Sport A2 is a very good tire, but is also known for a short life span
along with severe cupping and becoming rather loud after aging. 

I'd say the best boat to float would be to dig a bit deeper in the wallet and get yourself a set
of winter and summer tires if you live in the 4 season region. Optimizing for the seasons is ideal
for the best performance. Winter tires are becoming cheaper and have longer life spans year after
year. Dry/wet traction rated tires are much better performers then mud & snow rated tires that are
used all year round. Although choosing a tire seriously matters on your budget, I still very
HIGHLY recommend Goodyears GS-D3 series Eagle F1. They're not cheap, roughly $150 a tire for a 225
55 16, but the performance and quality is untouchable, IMO. I've installed them on quite a few
SHOs, MTX and ATX, and have had nothing but happy customers that repeatedly reported their yays
tire rotation after tire rotation. As far as cheaper tires, I can't really bash the Kumho Supra
712, even now, because of it's unbeatable price. I'm not very fond of the 750 Bridgestones,
though. I've test driven several of cars with that specific model tire and haven't really been
impressed with them yet. For ~$125 a tire, though, they definitely aren't the worst, but I would
pay the extra $25 a tire without thinking twice for the GS-D3s. I just felt the 750s aren't
responsive enough in turns and wet pavement braking has proved to be somewhat a handful of
feedback. Nothing extreme, but definitely somethign I'd get picky about esp. when they are priced
as they are. Finally, I must take my hat off to the Bridgestone gang and their S-03s. Superb
traction in dry and wet, handling in both conditions is of ease, but tire wear is definitely not
thrilling. They are also roughly $150 for a 225 55 16.

hope this somewhat helps

Neno