Ok I think this is the tire that I'm going to go with to finally replace my run-flats. Other considerations were Hankook RS2's and RE01Rs. But I think the 01r's are a little too pricey for what I want to spend right now, and I had the RS2s on my S2000. They weren't bad, but it seems the Z1's are quite a bit better for not much more money.

My question is about sizing. I'm definitly going with a 215, but should I get the 215/40/17 or the 215/45/17. Price between the two is only $1 different. The 45's have a higher load rating, 1200lbs vs 1050, so I'm assuming stiffer sidewall and better turn-in response. The 40's show a larger section width 8.7" vs. 8.4" so it seems as though I might actually get more tire on the ground with the 40 series? Both tires weigh 23lbs, both will fit on my 17x7 et 48 R99 wheels...

I'm getting this tire for mostly daily driving, hopefully some AutoX's and probably a couple track days later in the summer. I'm also hoping for at least 15k miles out of a set with proper rotation.

 

Unless you've lowered (or plan to lower) car, substantially,I'd vote for the 215/45 X 17's Star Spec's.

I just put those tires on my '08 MCS JCW mounted on 17" X 7" Ultraleggerras,
and couldn't be happier.

Check the pix in my Gallery!!

 

+1. I've had mine on 16" RBs for about a week. Stellar.

 

I'm planning on getting a set of these as well. Not sure what size yet. I'm thinking I'll probably be going with 205/50/16 on 16x7s (either the ASA JH6s from my current MINI or maybe a new set of OZ ULs).

I'm toying with the idea of going with 205/55/16 to give me a little bit more sidewall and a little bit less wheel gap since I don't plan on dropping it more than 1/2 - 3/4" at any point in the future.

Do the sidewalls feel stiff enough to those who already have them to handle a 55 sidewall w/o rolling over at under 40 psi?

 

probably not the most useful data point, as i'm running 195/55-15, not 16s.

15x7 rims

street pressures (tested to 1g lateral) are 35 front, 40 rear

no roll over, and by gum they don't jar my preserves on the bumps as much...

i like these tires... yesterday i had the best day i've had in five years racing them (autox)

 

Ok good opinions keep them coming. As for lowering, I plan on TSW springs and thats it. So no lower then 3/4"

 

I run the non-star spec (I bought my tires less than a week before the star specs were released) on a 16x6.5 wheel.

I ran this combo on normal street pressures (~35-38, depending on my mood / ambient temp) through the mountainy backroads to / from / at the dragon last week. It doesn't appear than any roll over occurred (from visually inspecting the tire afterwards; I didn't use chalk or anything like that).

I'm very happy with these tires, even if they ride a little rough. I'll admit that they're capable of much more than I'd feel comfortable with on the street.

 

What's the offset of the wheels you plan to put the Star Specs on?

If 42mm, you might be OK (no rubbing in the rear); but, if 37mm, which come
further out of the wheel wells, you might be better off with 205/45 X 17.

 

The wheels are OEM R99's...from digging around on these boards I've learned they are 17x7" et48 (or +48 offset) and 21.9 lbs

 

I run the 215/45/17 on a set off SSR Comp 7.5" wide wheels with TSW springs and Koni Yellows. They will only rub in the rear barely when hitting large bumps/rollers in the highway at highway speeds. Nothing to worry about as just a nick in the wheelwell and could probably be trimmed if desired.

The Dunlops stick like fricken GLUE!!

 

I'm running the 215/45-17s on my 2006 MCSC. Just spent last week at the dragon and surrounding twisties (devil's triangle, Wayah Rd, etc) and I didn't get a peep out of them and they handled everything I threw and stuck like glue. And when the ride is soooooooooo much better than the RFs, its hard to quit driving.

 

Well, I bought the 215/45/17's...I let you guys know what I think of them in a few weeks. Will hopefully get them on either Friday or Monday