I have been running Yokohama S-Drives for the last couple of years and don't have any real complaints but its time for new tires and I am looking for a tire that has more grip on track days.

I am considering either the Michelin Pilot Super Sport or the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110. I have read great reviews on both and the price difference is significant so I am looking for some first-hand experience with either or both of these tires. Are the Michelin's worth the extra cash?

I am running 215 45 R17 on a lowered 2004 R53. I do about 3 track days a year and drive in the intermediate class. I am looking for extra grip but the tires must also perform as my daily driver so I am looking for some decent tread wear.

Let me know what you think!

 

If you [plan on doing track days stay away from the Hankooks. I have a set and am not really liking them. They are a bit "squirrelly" under braking and they tend to wander at turn-in.

Another great option (one I wish I had taken) are the Dunlop Star Spec's. A bit more than the Hankook's but a lot cheaper than the Michelin's.

 

Just got My Hankooks, Installing tomorrow. $450 shipped from tire rack, plus you get $80 rebate.
looking forward to seeing the difference from the run flats.

 

MINI33342 Thanks for the input!

I thought about the Dunlops but after talking to Alex at Tire Rack, the tread wear is a concern. Alex figured the Dunlops, and the Hankook Ventus R-3S would be good for 5-6K miles. That kind of life is not going to work for me. I need a tire that will last at least 12K miles or so.

 

My last set of tires were the Hankooks, and while they are a great all around tire for the street, and even a few laps around the track, I noticed after a couple of track days that their performance really did degrade. As to the squirmy-ness, yes, it's there, but you get used to it. I'm on a set of Continental Extreme Contact DW's, and find that i like them better than the Hankooks and they didn't cost that much more.

 

the hankooks have a softer sidewall than some of it's competitors, but they're supposed to ride nicer, better balance I guess between an extreme performance tire and good daily driver road manners. The dunlop star specs are awesome from a performance perspective, but from a daily driver not so much, after 10k they get LOUD. Gone through 2 sets, both started to howl at about 10k mile mark in the 40-47mph range. Not too bad at highway speed, but the road noise is more noticeable than many other tires. I have a set of the hankooks mounted, but haven't put the wheels on the car yet. They are inexpensive, so might be worth a shot to try em out, if you don't like em burn em up and get something else, the michelins are kinda stupid priced imo. You might also consider the hankook RS3, I used to really like their predecessor the rs2 when i had them.

Also keep in mind treadwear ratings are not really comparable between brands, but a 280 should get approx 2x the mileage of a 140 of the same brand, but the same comparison can't always be made between brands.

 

Have you thought of getting an extra set of wheels and tires just for the track?That's what I do, that way you don't have to compromise.

 

That is a very good idea - And then you can also get very lightweight wheels just for the track and keep heavier more durable wheels for the street.

It is an added expense but people always complain when they buy winter wheels/tires, but don't realize their summer tires last longer.

 

Thanks for the suggestion of track only wheels. Believe me, I have thought about it but the expense is more than I can handle as I need tires now. I would need to buy, street tires, track tires, and track rims. Not likely, LOL. I will just have to compromise.

 

How about. The Hankook Ventus RS3? I do not have any personal experience with these but a lot of guys at the track run them.

Aaron

 

Hankooks are good. Pilot Super Sports are in a whole different league.

 

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is far better than the Kooks, the Hankook is a good street tire, not really meant for track days. The Kook RS-3 on the other hand is designed for the occasional track day as is the Pilot Super Sport. Best situ is get an extra set of wheels for the RS-3s and keep the Evo 110s for daily driving.