HarryD

Hi All,

I am looking at replacing my old tires. Based on several recommendations I have narrowed it down to Yoko ES100's or Dunlop SP Sport 5000's. Pricewise they are close enough.

I drive mostly street but a little (4-6 times a year) AutoX thrown in for fun. I want to try to do 1-2 track days/year as well.

Any thoughts?

Now before you tell about some of the more popular Michelin's etc., remember I am running 15x6 wheels and need 205-55/15 tires. As many of your are aware, this does limit my choices but then again with my little T and the driving I am doing, I do not need ultimate performance tires either.

All comments are welcomed!

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Harry:

The ES100's are superior to the SP5000's,.....

r911

Do you drive it in the winter? Some say the ES100's get a lot more squirrely below about 60 oF. I had some on a car I sold, tho I never got past break-in they felt squirrely with Tair in the low 60's...

There are threads on Pelican to take a look at...

No experience with Sp5000's - I did like the SP8000's (or something like that) that were on that same 911 tho.

HarryD

Steve-When reading the reviews of the Yoko's at Tire rack, a common theme seems to be issues at around 10,000 miles. I like the added performance so that does make the Yoko attractive. Jeff was the guy that suggested the Dunlop SP 5000 after noting that the SP-8000 was not available and the SP-9000 does not come even close to my size..

Randy-I do not drive very much in the winter unless the roads are clear and dry. I have heard good things about he SP-8000 expcept they are no longer made..... I have seen the threads on Pelican and there seem to be mixed reviews of the tires but with a favorable current. Mostly along the lines you are alluding to about cold weather performance.

I spoke with a fella at Tire Rack today and he suggested I look at the BFG g-Force Sport. Any thoughts?

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Harry:

As you can imagine, tires are one of the biggest tradeoffs on the entire car. One has to compromise grip for longevity.

I've found the SP5000 sidewalls to be too flexy for me and I do not like their "feel" on 911's. To each his own, though.

I really like SP-8000-SP-9000's but they are not made in your size (diameter/aspect ratio) so its not an option.

G-Force Sports might be OK; I've not used them due to past QC issues with BFG products.

r911

Yes - look at it. THe ES-100 is a top performer for the price. For the 911 that I kept, I went with S03's. I would make a list of the top tier tires (that's t3...) from each manf. for the sizes that you need. Then work you r way one way or another inside of that "parameter space" - i.e. is noise an issue? cost? etc.

pgrunwald

Intersting discussion here: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=172552

BTW - I am very happy with my 16" Kuhmo 712 Z-rated. I got them for $80 each installed at Discount Tire local, essentialy the same as TireRack w/ shipping and mounting. ES100 was my second chice but the few comments about loundness and $20 a tire steered me to the Kuhmo's.

I also had Falkens on a Pontiac GTP and they were very good as long as it was dry.

Paul

------------
'87 Targa

HarryD

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the lead. I am looking at the Pelican Thread as well.

This sure is confusing. I keep going back to the Yoko's as the best Performance bang for my buck. I am runnign Toyo M&S tires that are wearing like iron but off little int eh way of sprited eprforamce. I have a little concern about noise (do not want to sound like a off road truck) and the Yoko's behavior in colder and wet weather as I drive my car year round and we do get close to freezing for most for the winter and I do live in the Nortwest.

I probably should just listen to Steve as he has yet to lead me down a wrong path. But I guess itis the stubborn part of me that gets in the way....

r911

OK - here is another way to look at the problem:

If you buy the Yoko's and don't like them, then you are out less $$ than if you bought the S03's. You could sell them and get the S-03's.

But really, you aren't going to be able to compare new versions of these tires w/o help from a club or some friends. What you really want to do is to buy 3 sets of new tires and sample each in summer and winter. Not many individuals are gonna do that...

So I think you are left with advice from those who do sample (in some way) many different tires - and that's Tire Rack -- pick your two closest categories and size and take the top two from each manf. Compare those in their information. Winnow down to 3-4 tires and focus on those.

My bet is that the S-03s will be in the final four - after that it is perhaps only a cost issue.

Or get 17" wheels and run PS2's

HarryD

Well all, after much agonizing and comparison shopping (thanks for the shove in this direction Randy), a few minutes with my neighbor (Steve Weiner) on the phone, I decided the Yokos offered me the best value. They will be here on Thursday and Jeff will be mounting them up next week.

Gost

Good choice Harry. My ES 100's are amongst the quietest tires I've ever ran. They are still fresh and I don't know what miles clocked will reveal but I am very happy with them thus far. They also give you plenty of warning before they finally let go which I like! Got mine at Pep Boy's with a price match and included install and balance which blew away everybody's numbers.
Enjoy them.

HarryD

Gost,

Be a pal and let me know how you feel about them in a few months. We'll compare notes!

HarryD

Here's my car with its old tires (205/60-15):



Here's my car with its new tires (205/55-15):