An Examination of 11 High-Performance Tires by Car & Driver

[jhubs]

Here is the web site that has the Tire Test: The Quick and the Tread - Feature
"We test 11 of the big names in street tires."
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/best_worst_lists/tire_test_the_quick_and_the_tread_feature/(page)/1

FYI for those that are looking for some good information about tires...a good read.

Very quickly, here's the results:

Eleventh Place: Kumho Ecsta MX
Tenth Place: BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD
Ninth Place: Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
Eighth Place: Toyo Proxes T1R
Seventh Place: Pirelli P Zero Rosso Asimmetrico
Sixth Place: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
Fifth Place: Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212
Fourth Place: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
Third Place: Yokohama Advan Neova AD07
Second Place: Continental ContiSportContact 2
First Place: Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

The tests were conducted on a BMW 325i.

Jerry

[Quicksilver]

The online article mentions graphs and then says that they list the raw data so you can make your own decision but that info is nowhere in the 12 pages on the site.

I assume that means that they published that in the print magazine. Can anyone confirm that?

[450knotOffice]

Right off the bat, I don't see the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R, their top street tire. Considering that they have the Advan AD07 and the Goodyear F1 GS-D3, I have to wonder why they picked the lower-rung Potenza to include in the test.

[jhubs]

I noticed that two other brands had their top tire not picked or rated also. Maybe Tire Rack had some input as to the 11 that were selected. I don't know if all tire models were available to them when they tested.

Jerry

[RWebb]

Here are the criteria they mention:
1. Street tires, not race or race + drive to track tires
2. "Max Perf. tires" is the category all were selected from
3. no snow usage
4. some rain usage - 3 dry tests + 3 wet tests

In addition [a] price and [b] longevity (treadwear rating) were figured into the point totals.

On other threads, people have noted that a relatively stiff sidewall is key to performance on our cars (esp. the rear tire). Anyone know about that on these tires?
The tires were tested on a BMW 325, so the drive wheels will have a fairly low load on them, compared to a 911.

[911st]

I suspect of you go to the Tirerack.com, on the left side of the web page, select Brand, go to the brand, then the tire. On the top of the tire page, pick tests and it should link you to the data.

I have spent way to much time looking at all the data.

I was boing to pick the Hankook's great price, lots of sizes(245/225's), one of the best dry track tires in the test.

Went with the new Dunlop "Star Spec" as it was the only one that said it was for track use. (225/205/16's) Should be a good dual use autoX . TT tire. Bet it is aimed at the Yok's that have been the fastest autox tire but don't run our sizes.

[RallyJon]

The reason today's top tires are missing is because the article is from 2005.

** Tire test! **

[450knotOffice]

Ah ha!

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by RallyJon

The reason today's top tires are missing is because the article is from 2005.

** Tire test! **

Exactly. I was shopping for new street tires for the 911 when it came out and went with the Goodyears as a result. Subsequently, I also got a set of the Advans which were great at first, but seemed to wear much more quickly, but then again, the 928 isn't a light car. I didn't drive it too easy either.