I am going to take the original tires off the car and was wondering if anybody has any thoughts on what to replace them with? I know the choices are limited due to the size, I have looked at the Tire Rack website. I won't really drive the car very much in the winter, but I will drive it if the roads are dry. Thanks-------

 

I tried the Dunlop Direzza ZII in 215/40 R17. Fantastic grip, but the firmness and increased tire noise were too much of a compromise for use as a daily driver. So, swapped over to Michelin Pilot Super Sports, 205/45 R17. Had them on my 2006 GP as well.

Here are a variety of reviews, all put the PSS at the top of the list. I also plan for limited winter use, only on dry roads.

Car and Driver: http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

Tire Rack: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=MP

Consumer Reports: http://www.consumersearch.com/tires/best-summer-tires

 

Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 R. They are incredible.

 

I was wondering if Michelin PSS 215/45/17 will fit on Gen 2 GP? I was told there was enough room to in the wheel wells that they would fit so I ordered a set of 4 from Discount Tire Direct to replace the hard flats Cont. I have my suspension set at medium and do not ever anticipate changing that. I know that 205/45/17 is the recommended size but I wanted a wider tire and Discount Tire Direct showed that the 0 fitment size was 215/45/17. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

It will fit, I've seen others who posted pics with PSS in size 215/45 17 on their GP2.

 

The factory Kumho's are 215/40

 

+1 it will fit

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The Michelin PSS are currently available in 205/45 and 215/45, but unfortunately not in 215/40 17. Options are limited in the OEM size.

I went with 205/45 on my GP2.

 

I replaced my low mileage Conti run brick tires (205/45/17) with the Michelin PSS 215/45/17 yesterday and my initial impressions is some good & some bad. The PSS are a much better tire as far as overall grip, handling of road noise & bumps, and torque steer/bump steer. The car feels so much more planted than before. However, the GP has lost some of the characteristics that makes it so much fun to drive such as its agility and quick steering response. Overall the steering does not feel as pinpoint or as responsive as before. I am wondering if going to the larger diameter 215/45/17 PSS tire size is the main factor or perhaps an adjustment to my shock settings which are at medium or an alignment could help bring back that fun factor in the GP? I am thinking of returning these tires in favor of the 205/45/17 PSS or making the jump to the Dunlop Direzza Star ll or Yokohoma Advan AD08R tires. Since this is not my daily driver and I live in FL my importance level is (1) handling, (2) road noise, (3) tread wear. Any thoughts or feedback would greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays!

 

I have the exact same question as GP4me. About to buy some PSS tires but unsure whether to go with 205/45 or 215/45. Any help appreciated.

 

Go with 215/45/17 since they are less $$$ than the 205/45/17 and really make the car planted. I paid $600 delivered to my local Tires Plus dealers installed. The difference between the PSS and run flats is night and day. No road noise, hard bumps, or terrible grip. Just make sure your PSS tire pressures are set from the recommendation on your cars door jam and not on the tire. It makes a hugeeee difference. The only other problem is now my wife wants the PSS on her Mini S as well and she has brand new run flats. Oh well.

 

Excellent thanks 215s for me then. I called around yesterday and there's a special at a store here in my town called Bosleys where I can get them around 640 installed and out the door. They only have three in stock so they are ordering in the fourth and should be able to install them for me Tuesday. So excited to see if the ride is a bit softer, many Wichita streets are horrible. Hoping I can get a smoother ride without sacrificing performance too much. And hopefully I don't make acquaintance with any nails. I have AAA and MINI roadside asst. so if a flat happens maybe between the two options I can work something out. I might try to sell the Conti run flats that came on the car here in the marketplace because I assume they are no good for the track. I should have just kept the Kumhos on it from the dealer that way I'd have some track tires in the garage for track days :(

 

That is a great price installed. You will not be disappointed! The ride with the PSS is definitely a little softer with less road noise but an increase in grip. I drive on the track at Sebring, Daytona, and Barber regularly for DE events so I have a good feel for handling,etc. The PSS should meet all of your needs for some time to come. If you are concerned about getting a flat just buy a small compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter and some fix a flat. This is what Porsche does! Do keep in mind the Kumhos V700 are a 50 tread wear tire that would probably last 2 days at a track and really test the cooling capabilities of your GP brakes since they are not drilled/slotted. I have read that some people have had cooling issues with their brakes at the track so I would stick with the PSS and learn to drive those to the max and then purchase a second set of track rims/tires (Dunlop Star 2) that you can drive to/from the track . The more turn key the process is the more you will truly enjoy it. Trust me I have been down that slippery slope before which is why I am now karting with a Birel competetion kart. Karting is much less expensive and tons more fun. The best part about karting is it is all about the skill level and not about how much money you have to buy the fastest car. Plus you have to be physically fit to drive a competition kart due to the demands it puts on your body. My driving has improved dramatically so give it a try if you have a chance.

 

Wow cool so the PSS' are good for the track too?? I've been thinking about another set of wheels and tires for the track, plus it would be nice to have some in the garage I can run and grab should I get a flat on the streets. There's a guy in town here selling these http://wichita.craigslist.org/pts/4272778948.html but I'm still researching to see if they would fit and trying to decide. Hell if the PSS' fine for both use cases I might just stick with them and replace them often if I tear them up. I'm a n00b at the track so its not like I need anything top notch (or top dollar) until my track skills improve.

 

PS- never heard of karting, sounds like a ton of fun though. Another topic I will be researching...

 

You will lose some of the quick turn in when you move away from WF's. WF's have very stiff sidewalls(steal band) that can support the weight of the car when flat. That is why they also ride very stiff and give some traction because they don't flex as much as a regular tires. The Conti WF's are total garbage but the Dunlop's are actually a very good tire but expensive. I have a set of track rims that will be available in a couple months. Run Nitto NT01's on them. They only have a couple of sessions on them. For street I am running the Conti D/W which is the best wet tire I have found. Coming from Seattle that is a must have. Might street set up is exactly the same as my wet day track set up. Makes for a lot of fun on the street. They do give up some stick on the street when on it hard but no issues running them hard in the dry. Race tires when its dry. I can also fit everything I need for a race weekend into the MINI including parts, tools, jack, stands, and for mounted race tires! Best commuter track car you can get that you don't need to trailer to the track if you want tools and tires.

 

I have run the Nitto NT01 Tires on my Boxster Spyder and they are great inexpensive tires for the track. I would definitely prefer the NT01's to the Kumhos since they will last longer and are very consistent on their grip at a good price. For a noob I think the Michelin PSS will be fine since it is best to learn the capabilities of the car with the tires giving feedback (noise) when you are at the tires limits which a R compound tire will not do. If you can do some karting before going to the track it will definitely assist you with the learning curve. There is a reason why the top drivers in the world (Vettel, Schumi, Hamilton,Wheldon, Kanaan, Gordon, Stewart) all started in karting and to still kart on a consistent basis to keep there reflexes sharp. Karting is much more difficult than driving on the track both mentally and physically. http://ekartingnews.com/2013/12/06/t...es-in-karting/

Since the GP is a giant kart this will really assist you in your daily and track driving.

 

Cool got it NT01s for the track. And you can fit four wheels and tires in the back of the GP plus tools?? That is great news I was wondering if wheels and tires would fit back there. What all tools do you need/bring with you?

And GP4me how cheap can I get a decent kart? I'm betting that won't fit in the back of my GP