Dunlop SP Sport 8000 vs Yokohama AVS ES 100

Zef · Zef's Garage

Time to replace the shoes on my 84 Carrera...No track for me...just open curvy roads...I have two choice...Dunlop SP Sport 8000 and Yokohama AVS ES 100... (limited budget) Question is for the guys who ride these tires...not for the ones who say to use the search button...! Please give me some feedback on the performance of my two choice...Thanks a lot...

lfot · lfot's Garage

I have the Dunlops (on their last legs) and I cannot say I'm a fan. They're ok as a daily driver, puttin' around kind of tire. For sticky though, they take too long to warm up, and they seem to want to wander a bit.

On the other hand, they are pretty durable.

Just my opinion.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

I have the AVS ES100's on my 3.2 targa. I am pretty happy with them so far (500 miles or so), quiet, grippy enough, and pretty good on damp roads. I don't drive the old cars in the wet.
I had Kuhmos last time and will not be buying any more of those. Construction quality was lacking IMO, two of four fell apart in less than 4000 miles.
Not a big Dunlop fan,so I can't help there...

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

I just looked into tires, myself, and considered the Yokos, too. On Tirerack, opinions seemed to be pretty love/hate. Personally, I've got the AVS ES100s on my daily driver Nissan, and have really liked them. Not noisy (which a lot of people seem to complain about). Very good, predictable handling. Stickier than what I had before (Kumhos). And even were decent in the snow. I've had them on for about 15K miles, and they look like they've got about 70% tread left (and I don't baby tires).

Ultimately, though, I went for some Falkens (FK-451), as that (and some Avons--M500) were all that were available in my size. Reviews seemed to like them a little better, and they were actually cheaper than the AVS ES100s. Haven't even installed them, yet, so I can't give any feedback, yet.

I'm not much of a fan of the Dunlops I've got on right now (FM901), which came with the car when I purchased it. Not a lot of grip or feel, IMO.

RallyJon · 05-25-2007, 11:48 AM

I've driven both and wasn't impressed by either. Two better choices for summer budget performance tires: Bridgestone RE750 and BFG G-Force Sport.

And the Kumho MX is on sale right now at Tirerack. That's a very decent tire at a bargain price, but won't wear as long as the others.

1911Guy · 05-25-2007, 11:53 AM

I had the Dunlop SP-8000's on my 1983.

They were just OK - Now riding on Michelins and I really like them.

Don'y know about the Yoko's, but it seems lots like them.

Good Luck in your quest

Tcannon88 · 05-25-2007, 12:00 PM

I run the Yokos on my 88. I think they are good deal. I drive farily spiritedly on the street, with one or track sessions per year. They are predictable, if a little greasy on the track. Not bad in the rain, good grip for the street. I think they are fairly quiet (though others seem to disagree).

HTH.

GBStu · 05-25-2007, 12:04 PM

Here's what I ordered yesterday for my 911sc (Hankook RS2's):

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?c=1&cf=false&sw=false&cs=225&pc=11861&rd=16&ar=50&tc=FALHV4

$370 for all 4 inc shipping.

Cheers, Stu

mthomas58 · 05-25-2007, 12:13 PM

I've got the Dunlop SP 8000's on my car. I haven't driven on anything else so I can't compare.

Mine is a daily driver steet use only. My only complaint is that the tread pattern is a little loud on the hwy. I'm looking at going with a better quality and quieter tire like the Goodyear F1's next. Got lotsa tread left up front...rears are nearing their time.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Well...consensus seem to go with the Yokohama AVS...

David · David's Garage

I've run them both and given the choice I'd go with the Yoko's. They do have a more flexible sidewall than what I like, which makes turn in a little vague. I'd give Kumho a try if they're available in your size.

JBO · 05-25-2007, 01:19 PM

The SP 8000's last about 3k miles on the rear. The G-Force Sports are doing better. I have twice that now on the front SP 8000's and they still look good.

Dantilla · 05-25-2007, 01:21 PM

I had the Yoko ES 100s on my 944, and thought they were okay, so I bought a set for the 911.

Big mistake!

After only a few hundred miles, I got rid of them and bought some Bridgestones.

My vote is to stay away from ES 100s.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Dantilla
I had the Yoko ES 100s on my 944, and thought they were okay, so I bought a set for the 911.

Big mistake!

After only a few hundred miles, I got rid of them and bought some Bridgestones.

My vote is to stay away from ES 100s.

Interesting...and can you tell me why...!

Dantilla · 05-25-2007, 01:48 PM

I think they are made out of silicone. very dissapointed with the lack of traction. Too much wheelspin, they let go way too early when cornering.

I do drive the car pretty hard. If all you're going to do is cruise around town, they do a fine job of keeping the wheels from scraping the pavement.

Cdnone1 · 05-25-2007, 02:18 PM

I have the Dunlops
225 front 245 rear
I like them. They do tend to take a while to really warm up but on the track I found they gave plenty of grip for a street tire.
Living in So Cal wet and that is not an issue.
I don't drive overly spirited on the street so I am never needing everything the tire offers on public roads
They do give you plenty of warning when they are starting to let go
Steve

randywebb · 05-25-2007, 02:30 PM

yokos feel greasy when new

also when it's cold outside (cold = 55 oF)

that's my impression anyway

KTL · 05-25-2007, 02:34 PM

Sorry for the following track references, but IMO a street tire that performs well at the track is a great buy for a street tire.

THe ES100 is a good tire for the money. Good dry traction, good wet traction. Not great in either dept. but solid nonetheless. I don't think there's silicone in these tires. Maybe carbon-silica (which is a good thing- heat tolerant) is what Dantilla was thinking? I know you said track driving isn't your goal, but I can attest that these tires can withstand the abuse of track driving without a problem.

The Dunlop 8000 is old tech and overpriced in my opinion. I've seen a number of Dunlops suffer from dry rotting as well. I'd shy away from those not because of the dry-rotting but from the dated design. There's better tires out there that have passed this one by.

That being said, you can get some better tires than the ES100 for a little more money. Like others said, the Bridgestones RE750 are a solid tire and wear like iron. A friend has a set he uses at the track and he's fast and the tires just don't seem to wear down! He gets around in the wet at the track fairly well too. Can't say the same for the ES100. They're a bit dicey in the wet at the track. On the street i'm certain they're fine.

Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval is supposed to be a solid tire as well. There's a $100 cash card rebate for those going on right now at tire rack. A friend tells me ZO6 guys use these for track tires and have good things to say about them. The decent treadwear rating (320) and the AA traction rating leads me to believe they're a good compromise for wet/dry. A 205/55-16 at $104 becomes a $80 tire. That's my kinda discount!

Dantilla · 05-25-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KTL
I don't think there's silicone in these tires. Maybe carbon-silica (which is a good thing- heat tolerant) is what Dantilla was thinking?

The silicone statement was just a silly way of saying the tires felt like they came pre-lubricated.

I must say in the ES 100's defense, that my car has a better horsepower to weright ratio than most 911s, and with the 7:31 ring & pinion, it's easy to get wheelspin, even with the Quaife.

glewis80SC · glewis80SC's Garage

I have the Dunlops and I am happy with them. I track my 80sc with them mabey 8-10 times a year and they preform good for me. They are durable and have lasted, also to excess noise with mine.
Car is pretty much my daily driver, i would buy them again.
greg