paintballer419

iTrader: (3)

I had the Hankook ventus v12's installed on my car around June of 2009 at 40k miles. They replaced a set of azenis rt615. Going from the azenis, I noticed equal amounts of grip, very little difference in sidewall flex (both tires stock stize) with the v12's being slightly softer, and VASTLY improved wet traction. The wet traction is just phenominal, I NEVER had the car hydro plane with the Hankooks installed.

The Hankooks were removed December of 2010, and replaced with Sumitomo htr a/s p01's (very good all season for anyone interested) for the winter. My car had 69k when the Hankooks were removed, and I intend to install them again this summer, expecting them to last another 10k or so.

I daily drive my car, it has been to the blue ridge, many different enthusiast roads all over this part of the world, and has seen one auto-x all with the Hankooks installed. They have never feathered, chunked, or gotten greasy. They lose grip progressively, but they do not exhibit a lot of tire squeal. Very comforting tire.

Over all in my opinion the best tire money for the price, and for that matter better than many other tires in the next price tier. The Hankooks vastly exceeded my expectations, and when my current set is done, I will replace them with another.

Beebo05

iTrader: (25)

awesome i was thinking about getting these. great price too.

escodotcarter

iTrader: (16)

im picking up a set soon as well. every review i've read has been almost the same as yours.

Jim3142

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the review! I've been looking for new tires for a while now and I've kept pretty close attention to this particular set. Good to hear that they lasted so long as well.

06MREvo

iTrader: (90)

Thanks for the review...I was about to purchase these with my RPF1s...

05blue8

iTrader: (28)

I run these too. I agree with the grip being great but depending on power level I can get my car to slide around pretty easy. Also, mine only lasted about 20k, all city miles with rotations every 5k. For the price I got another set and still run them.

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (25)

Great bang for the buck tire.

escodotcarter

iTrader: (16)

Neal, Check your PM. Anything you can do for me ?

EVIL MR

iTrader: (5)

I just got my V12 Evo installed about a month ago, They are crap crap crap, very soft side wall to the point where i am going to replace them next week. I had the stock yoko , R615 and Nitto 555 and they were all much better the the V12 even the 555 was much stiffer then the V12. I got 40 psi in them and you can push the side wall with one finger !!! Not good if you want to corner faster then a ford escort.

Kracka

iTrader: (49)

Good review! I also have them and have been impressed so far (5k miles & showing minimal wear).

I have the A/S Sumis you mentioned on my wife's WRX and they are also a very good tire for their class/price.

escodotcarter

iTrader: (16)

wow really? i just ordered a set but this is the first negative review i have read.

Ryan.Kauz

iTrader: (11)

I also was less impressed with the V12 as opposed to the B-Stone z1 star spec.

I didnt find the cost difference to be enough to outweigh getting the z1's and their superior grip and side wall stiffness.

Compared to the Falken 615 though, they should be better (assuming you arent referring to the 615K)

paintballer419

iTrader: (3)

The Z1 is, in my opinion, is more akin to tires such as the ad08, re-11, and kumho xs. I dont think the v12's were ever designed to compete with those types of tires, other wise there would not be a market for the rs2/3.

As far as the sidewall being flexible, yes, the v12's do have a softer sidewall that other summer tires. BUT, they are not as soft as you seem to be making them out to be. In fact, I just had the opportunity to examine a set of nt555's (235/45/18's on Enkei GTC01) on my buddy's STi (back ups to his ad08's, ) and we both were astonish at the amount of sidewall flex compared to my Hankooks, and even the Sumitomos currently installed on my car.

I really don't want to get into the sidewall stiffness debate, but a stiff sidewall does not always mean better grip/handling. Would have to do more with the turn in response of the tire. As I said not trying to debate this.

FJF

iTrader: (18)

The question is, superior grip, where? In a competitive setting, sure. On the street, c'mon! The choice comes down to a quiet, longer lasting tire with superior wet traction and better overall response to environmental extremes, not to mention a significant reduction in rotational mass vs the promise of higher performance. As for sidewall stiffness, I've yet to understand how it, alone, is indicative of anything, really, other than sidewall stiffness.

Ryan.Kauz

iTrader: (11)

I auto-x/track my car..... grip matters. I dont have 4 sets of tires. I have 2 (Blizzak for winter, z1 for summer)

Also, your quoted comment above pretty much sums up why you think the v12 rocks. Sorry to be blunt.