Dunlop Direzza Star Spec or Hankook Ventus R-S3? Going on 18 x 9.5" wheels. Intended use is mainly street driving, occasional track day, rare autocross.

 

Not exactly a new question, but it's been a while, so I'll bite. First I say that I prefer R-S3s when it's hot and dry; later someone from, say, Seattle, will say that they prefer StarSpecs. Then I agree that the StarSpecs are better when it's wet and/or hard to get heat in the tire. Then someone else comes along and suggests some third tire that doesn't belong in the same category as the two you asked about (which really are the best two available, it seems). Then a mod comes in and cleans and locks the thread.

The only difference is that now I'm the mod.

Short answer: R-S3s for dry autocrossing; StarSpecs for light rain.

 

Star specs were created for auto x situations and perform well since they heat quickly. In a track event they get gresy and overheat.

Rs3s were meant for track use and they do shine.

I daily on rs3s and i love them but since its been raining ive been careful

 

Agree that the Z1's work best as a heavy driven street tire and occasional auto-x. Better than the RS-3 in the wet also. Probably not the best pushed on a track as I've seen them overheat when pushed and wear pretty bad. The RS-3 is more track worthy, but not as practical for every day use. If the majority of what your doing is street driving the car, then the Z1's would be your better bet.

 

What about the offerings from Bstone, Yoko, Toyo, Falken, Kumho, Continental and Cooper?

 

Bridgestone Potenza S-02 or Kumho Ecsta XS, maybe, although the latter doesn't have enough sidewall stiffness, I'm sure. And, IMO, Potenzas aren't worth the money.

Maybe Mike will notice this thread and set us straight.

 

They still sell S-02s? I've seen the S-04s are out and look nice... No feedback on those though. Yes, the s-02s are/were pricey but damn they were good! I went through two sets before going a wallet friendly tire choice.

Great feel, low noise, great traction and pretty decent wear characteristics.

 

S-02's??? I didn't even know they were a choice, ever since the RE series came out. (Currently: RE-11)

 

Keep in mind that I haven't been serious about pavement for several years. I should probably keep my mouth shut or else I'll start suggesting Kumho MXs.

 

Lol @ the MX.......When you want to go somewhat fast for cheap and don't care about rain traction at all.

 

Funny you should say that. In the first few years of STX (in which I ran a 2G DSM), the Kumho MX was considered to be one of the better 140+ treadwear tires for autocrossing in the rain. Better than the more popular Azenis, at least.

 

Was it only the XS that had the poor in the rain reputation? I could've sworn that it was both the MX and the XS, but I'm probably mistaken.

 

I am on my 3rd set of RS3s and see no reason to change- yet- until something new and faster comes around.
This tire works as well in the rain- seeing as we do drive an EVo X.....
The Z1 is marginally better- if you saw only rain days.

Most drivers will not be able to see a difference on the track, so in the end, its a question of price and availability that will sway you choice.

 

Since you said "mainly for street driving", I'd suggest michelin pilot super sports. They are a much more livable tire than the rs3 or star spec as far as noise and wear are concerned, yet give up little in dry performance and are even better in the rain. Give them a look.

 

Why Extreme Performance Summer for a daily driver?

I would expand the search to include Max Performance Summer.

Rain driving is apart of daily driver. Z1 or hold off for ZII that will be in the US soon for good all around performance in EPS. RS3 for more track days and less wet traction.

In MPS, Goodyear Asymmetric 2 (OE on Porsche and Focus ST) and Continental DW. Both good all around tires that can and do well in AX (I've tested both). I got 20k with AX, Track, and daily driver use on the DW in a longer term test. Both weigh in at 25 lbs (lighter than RS3 and Z1 by 3 lbs a corner). And cheaper.