cosmic_993

Hello

Im looking for new tires for my 18" on the 1996 C2 NB. 18x8 and 18x10. The Dunlop Direzzas I have are not giving me what I want in terms of handling, the car wanders too much up front and doesnt give me any sense of confidence.
Looking for something that has exceptional at speed directional stability, decent grip, excellent on center feel, and flexible at the limit. I dont want something too low in treadwear, stay above 200 utoq. 99% driven on street with about 2-3 auto-x a year. ( but Ill use the direzzas or that). wet traction not the most important, doesnt rain much here in San Jose Ca, and I dont drive this car in the rain much either when it does. also looking only at Asymmetric tires so that I can rotate them left to right, and also for better stability.

Choices narrowed down:

all the tires below avail in 225/40-18 and 265/35-18

Bridgestone RE760



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=

Bridgestone S0-4



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=


Michelin Pilot PS2



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=

Michelin Pilot super sport



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=

Sumitomo HTRZ 3



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=

Yoko Advan Sport



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=


what would you choose and why?

thanks!

BradB

I've been very pleased with the Sumis on my 993. My only complaint is they tend to temporarily flat spot when sitting for a week or so.

I have Michelin Super Sports on my Cayman S. They are excellent but very pricey.

deadhead1960

Why not consider 285's on the rear?

mcipseric

Darin at FD has some good things to say about a Falken set. I do not remember what model.... Darin?

Benton

I'm guessing it would be to keep the width difference between front and rear at ~40mm. To get that same balance with 285s, you would need 245s up front, which may or may not rub (not sure). Since OP is an auto-x guy, a quick-reacting, neutral (or even tail happy) car is probably more to his liking.

mcipseric

i am a big fan of 245 295 combo....
I have a good friend who is running 255/305 on a narrow body with 50/65 offsets RS ride height and PSS9s. I did not believe it til I saw it running on the track! no rubbing...

nile13

2-3 autocrosses a year means that I would concentrate on street qualities of the tire. Especially if OP likes Direzzas for autocross and plans to use them there.

I would suggest Direzzas in the first place. So before changing tires and possibly ending up with the same issue I would check alignment, specifically the toe setting upfront. Tire pressure would be checked even before that.

In terms of which tires to chose from this list... I'd chose none. Having said that, I don't have experience with SuperSports or S04s (but do with previous S0-2 and S0-3 and, of course, PS/2). The others on the list are nothing special in my book.

OP is also confused on what Asymmetric means. If he wants to actually rotate them left to right (why would I ever do that?) he needs the opposite of Asymmetric.

cosmic_993

alignment has been checked and this is not the issue. the problem is the tires. Tire pressures and even flipping the tires L to R ( backwards since the tire is directional) made little difference, some but it didnt solve the issue. these tires are just to soft /squishy at the center, not giving me the steering response im looking for.

there are other tires avail that are not in this list, but I ruled them out due to tests results and reviews about having the same softness in response and at center.

Dont want of need 285s in the rear, not necessary, street driven car, just adds cost. Also wider up front may just cause even more tramlining on the highway.

Asymmetric means one side of the tire surface is not the same as the other, in the tread design. this is the opposite of most Directional tires, which are very good a shedding water,as most designs are like a V, so they are symmetrical across the tire surface. Asymmetrical tires can be mounted in either rotational direction, giving you a little longer life if you rotate them left to right.

RonCT

Missing probably the best choice: Continental ExtremeContact DW. These are not the old Contis, this is something very new and very good (great value). Have had a set of DWS on my 330i for over a year and about 22k miles - amazing! Just look at the test results...

levtron

Got the V12's last year. With a semi aggressive rear camber set for AX and Street, they ;sat about 10k in the rear. I also DD during the summer/fall/spring (and today cause its so freaking' beautiful in New England/NJ this week).

For the $$$ they are great. I would buy them again.

Mike W

Just went through this - I have had PS2's too pricey and wear too quickly for me. I currently am running the Sumi's - great wear , mediocre grip, nice $.

I went with the AD08 based on the recommendations in this forum. Feel it's a good compromise price/performance - just my 2c

nile13

Umm... If Direzzas are too soft in the center (whatever that might mean, it's a mystery to me) I doubt you'll find a more precise tire. What you are likely feeling is tramlining that could be due to a number of factors. There are other causes for the car to twitch slightly. But if the tires are evenly worn and don't have broken cords that usually not it.

Asmetric tires and swapping side to side is more of am issue than i'm willing to type on iPhone. But explain to me in your own words why it would result in longer life, please.

cgfen

WOW
Direzza's have a good rep.
Are you sure chassis health and wheel alignment is correct?
What you are describing doesn't sound like a tire issue unless you have a bad tire (broken belt).
Bad front A arm bushings a possibility?

good luck

Craig

Kika

Everyone will have different objectives, so it there is no "one size fits all"
Personally my 993 is a street car, and it has Sumis HTRZIIIs now, which i like.
I voted Yokos, always been a fan of Yokohamas.

ABCar

I like my Sumi's...I have always had Michelins but in the interest of cost I went with the Jap tires. VERY happy at about half the cost. If you get Sumi's you will want 285s in the rear. They look and act like 265 Michelins. For some reason the Sumi 265s look really narrow.

I have the 285's and my car is quite low...still plenty of clearance.