In a sign that I'm getting old (or maybe the apocalypse is coming), I'm considering the comfort of new tires.

Shawn's Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s are wearing out, so I'm going to need new tires soon. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, I'd wander off the dealer and buy some more. I've had GS-D3s for about 40,000 miles and 3 MINIs. However, Goodyear discontinued the tire in the size (205/50-16) I run, and last year I won some Yokohama tires as a door prize I got S.Drives) and I'm very impressed at how much more comfortable they are. So I'm wondering if there's something which handles as well as the DS-G3s, but is also more comfortable.

In times past my criteria for tires have been something like:

1. Performance
10. Noise
20. Ride
100. Treadwear

I'd go for the performance and worry very little about the others. I'd be pleased if the noise or ride were better, but it wasn't part of the decision. I'll happily trade tread life for any other advantage (there may be a limit to that, but I haven't found it yet.)

But the S.Drives handle almost as well, or maybe better depending on your criteria as the DS-G3s do, but they're a lot quieter, and the ride is noticeably better. I was impressed that after an 8 hour drive to LA on the S.Drives, I was still feeling fresh. Usually I'd feel a bit fried.

So what tires are there which perform as well as a GS-DS, but are more comfortable, quieter is good, a better ride is a bonus. They need to be available in size 205/55-16 or 205.50-16. My list of possibles so far includes:

DS-G3
Yokohama S.Drive
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R

Anyone have actual experience with these?

The Dunlops are getting very good reviews, and the reviews usually note how quiet they are. They're looking very interesting.

The Bridgestones have a very good reputation, and according to Tirerack's reviews are quieter and more comfortable than the Dunlops, while only giving up a very slight margin of performance. Of course the RE-01Rs are now being discontinued, their successor the RE-11 is also looking very interesting, but I haven't seen many real reviews yet.

Of course I have the Yokos already, they're comfortable, but I'm not so sure of the performance.

I haven't seen any head to head tests of the DS-G3s or the Yokos vs the others so its difficult to compare the tires directly. If the tirerack ratings are the same across tests, then the Dunlops and Bridgestones are more comfortabel than the DS-G3s.

 

DS-G3
Yokohama S.Drive
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R

Wow your list is like the top performance street tires minus the Yokohama S.Drives. Only other tires missing in term or performance wise are:
Hankook Z212
Kuhmo XS

 

If I'm starting out on DS-G3s and don't want to loose much if any performance, there's not many tires worth considering. What surprised me was the noise and ride ratings from those tires. After driving the S.Drives, I think the performance may be acceptable (despite what reviews say), but the comfort sure is nice.The Hankooks rate significantly below the other 2 for comfort in Tirerack's tests. No tests on the Kuhmo's I've found.

 

I do have one problem with the DS-G3s which is part of the reason why I'm looking at other tires. I find I wear the shoulder off them when I drive on the track (as I'm won't to do). The R56s are pretty amazing in they're hardly wear the tires after a day on the track (compared to 2-4mm with an R53), but the shoulder takes a hell of a beating. After 2 track days the tread on the shoulder has dissapeared.

 

Sounds like you need more negative camber in the front to obtain better wear across the tire.

 

I'm thinking of tweeking that at the next track day. I'll find out if the limited adjustment available will make a difference to that. On the road the wear is fine, so I'd only do it for the track.

 

On another list I'm on a guy said he swapped GS-D3s for Star Spec Dunlops and the Dunlops were noisier. A bit dissapointing that. This was on a VW R32, and he says his coil overs make everything noisy.

 

Yes, I just noticed that this morning on mine on the front tires, rear were ok. The shoulder is nearly gone after only 130 miles and one very aggressive mountain run.

 

i'm considering the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec's as well..

they seem to be getting good reviews and have good wet traction which is great here in seattle...

 

Consider Nitto NeoGens. Excellent all around tire in your size.

 

^i know personally, I'm not looking for an all-season tire.

My stock alloys have snow tires, I put those on from late fall to early spring.

 

I have experience with Azenis RT615, Dunlop Z1s and Kumho XS, in that order. If you are after comfort, the Kumhos win hands down of these 3. My understanding is that ride quality of the Kumhos is similar to the RE01Rs, although price is not at all similar. If you have the coin, I'd say the Stones are probably the best tire for you out of this group.

 

Interesting, but they don't make the Kumhos in 205 width for 16".

 

Nitto don't admit to NeoGens as being very high performance. If I were to beleive what Nitto have to say, their Invo sound perfect, but they don't make them in 16".

 

I've decided I'm definitely going with the dunlops... but I will be going with 215.45.17's...

Now I just have to wait until Wednesday when I start moving into my new apt. to order everything up...

 

I decided to try the Dunlops, I'm getting them put on some lightweight wheels. If I don't like the way they ride I'll use them as track only tires and find something else to ride on.

 

You will not like the way they ride, but you will love them at the track.

 

Although for track-only tires, you'd like some RA1s a LOT more.

 

what's wrong with the ride?

 

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec are Extreme Summer tires and firm riding with good handling wet or dry. Well suited for the track and for some street use but they do wear fast and as they get old they can get a little noisy.

Overall for street use they are OK, but your ride comfort and some noise will vary with the size tire you choose. Lower profile and stiff sidewall tires are always going to be more firm riding and as a result likely a little noisy for street use. Not bad though unless you have rough roads and lots of potholes and bumps.

 

yea, well i'm stuck with the size, 215.45.17, just because that's what I think is my best option. Went 45 series to try and combat some of the huge potholes around here.

What makes the dunlops any different from the other high performance tires in the list above? They're all going to wear fast and be a bit noisier then all seasons. Or are the dunlops that much worse then the others?

 

In another thread someone suggested Michelin PE2s. Tirerack's test suggest they're quiet, quiter than S.Drives, and better performing. Sounds interesting.

The problem is I looked up Consumer Report's tires tests and they give the PE2s a worse noise rating than GS-D3s.

 

Nothing is "wrong" with the ride, but the Z1 sidewalls are very stiff and that gives you a relatively harsh ride on the street. Just sounded like you were looking for something on the comfortable side, and that would not be the Z1.

 

We can be honest, they get REALLY noisy.

The Z1 in 215/45-17 was a pretty harsh street tire for the Mini imo.

 

fair enough...

how do they stack up against the stock runflats with comfort? those things were rough and noisy.

edit... how about the Dunlop SP Sportmaxx?

same price point, better ride, still good handling?