Yes, I know this question has been asked a million times; but tire companies are always tweaking their designs and a 5 year old thread about this probably isn't relevant today.
What's your go-to summer tire for a stock 16" rim (I typically go 205 tread width)?
I don't care about tread wear, wet traction or even cost. I'm looking for the most aggressive summer tire with respect to dry grip and handling. I've been partial to Contis and have been impressed with Michelins too. I was running Avon many years ago and loved them but can't get them anymore.
What do you like and why?

edit: I'm asking about DOT tires, not racing slicks

 

The only "summer category" tires I've owned, however I remain delighted with my Michelin PS4S but in 215/45R17. Perhaps like you, tread wear wasn't a decision factor, since annual miles driven is relatively low. OTOH, just now checked - not available in 16" sizes...

 

215/45/17 Firestone Indy 500’s, best bang for your buck, loved them so much these are my 2nd set.

 

If you're looking for a good handling tire that also is extremely quiet, I highly recommend Hankook Ventus V2 Concept 2.

 

Greetings folks! I'm brand new to the R53 S world (Owned/restored lots of R56s); what's widest 17" tire I can install without rubbing?

 

Are we talking 200 TW since you don’t care about wear or wet grip?

 

I'd be fine with a 200 wear rating. The car doesn't get driven much, the tires that are on there now are 13 years old and still have tread left.

 

+1 on the Firestone Indy 500's- my size is 205/50/16.

 

The OP was looking for 205 width & 16" diameter.
The Dunlop Direzza ZIII is an excellent extreme performance 200 treadwear summer tire, and its available in both 205/50-16 and 205/55-16.
While it is intended for "dry" conditions, it is a certainly competent if there's a little moisture on the ground.

 

I’ve run the best summer only tire offered by Michelin since 2006? Now on Pilot 4s - all have been 215/45/17. I ran 15 inch snows. I would go 17 inch for summer, and put snows on those 16 inch rims.

Almost any 215/45/17 Summer only tire will make you happier than a run flat.

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I spent a lot of time going down a rabbit hole of reviews and after weighing your input alongside that I ended up ordering a set of Bridgestone RE-71RS. Sounds like this tire is built for speed without compromises - I let you know when I've had a chance to put them through the paces.

 

I just put a set of 225/50-16 RE71RSs on my race wheels and swapped my worn (but not dead yet) Proxes R1Rs to my summer wheels. The R1Rs have good grip, but they are slow for AX use so they are now my summer tires and I'll AX on the RE71RSs.

 

I got the RE71RSs slapped on this past weekend and gave them a break-in run. I can't make a full assessment based on this alone but initial impressions are that it's a very sticky tire with decent ride comfort and noise levels.
I was not impressed with overall steering feedback. They seemed to go numb on tight hairpins and the car felt a little weird accelerating out of high speed sweepers (it couldn't decide if it wanted to understeer, oversteer or 4 wheel drift - it sort of meandered between all three, not unsettled or unstable, just indecisive).
I also realized that switching over to white rims was a huge mistake. Here's 15 minutes of driving. Hawk HP+ pads have been on the car a while (now discontinued I think). They bite hard but makes lots of noise and dust.