Car and Driver Tire Test Shootout

I do know everyone raves the winner ( not going to spill the beans ) on the NSX chatroom.

 

FWIW, these results were published several months ago in the magazine.

I have the 2nd place tire on one of my cars and the last place tires on my Ferrari (which were highly recommended by Brian C. Stradale). I just ordered another set of the last place tires for the Ferrari, if that gives you any indication of what I think of these tires and when the secon place tires wear off on my other car, I'll probably replace those with the last place tires. They just drive very well. They communicate feedback well, they're not noisy, and they have a great response in corners. To each their own, I suppose.

 

No S03?

 

S03=old tech. Even the Ecsta MX is better now. Of course, the BFG KD is old tech, too.

I've worked with Spencer (the fellow that did the test) when he was at Michelin and he is great! The caveat for all of this subjective analysis is that in dry traction, the best tire did .95g and the worst .92g. Even the slalom and autocross runs were within a very narrow range. Most would be happy with any one of those tire choices.

-Peter (did the Grassroots, then Classic Motorsports vintage tire test...)

 

I didnt know people on NSXPrime loved the Goodyears?? I thought they went with them cause of price and good wear

anyway, I wouldnt put any faith in this test. They're high performance tires and the fools actually gave considerable weight to wet performance, tread wear, and PRICE. While I would love a cheap tire that would last forever, its up to the comsumer to determine if its too much for them or doesnt last long enough. Those things have nothing to do with determining witch tire is best, but rather which is best for you. And who drives their car hard in the rain???.....and doesnt crash it.

My NSX has amazingly grippy tires, that's why I buy them. They cost $1100 and the rears last 6-8k miles and fronts 10-13k, hardly good, but I dont care. Based on there tests the price and wear would make them at the bottom of the test when they are in fact one of the stickiest tires out there. Now if you dont wanna pay $1100 and want more milage then thats up to you, its not there place to say they suck.

Basicly this was a worthless test that they ran just to have some fun or promote a sponsor in there mag.

 

The AD07 is definitely the best tire in the dry.

 

Strangely the link doesn't work for me. Anyone cares to list what are the top tires in the test.

 

I have the googyears on my STI. Terrific tire for the street, grippy, quiet and good ride. Tremendously good in the wet. HOWEVER, on track days, it starts giving up chunks of tread pretty quick, so I do not recommend them for the track. I have S03's on my 328 and they have worked very well all around, track and street, including wet. My 430 came with Pirellis and they seem just fine. I have heard they are grippier than the Bridgestone option but have not seen any side by side results. They are quiet, precise and work well in the wet also. In the C&D comparo, it is clear the yokohamas are the best if dry traction and performance is what you want (and who wouldn't).

Dave

 

Thx for the info Dave. Use the Mich Pilot PS2 for both street and track and they seem to be VERY impressive. They do not chunk and, in fact, when warm and happy on dry at the track they really come into their own in a very impressive way IMHO. Sure a good R-compound dedicated track tire would be better, though some of use (at this time) have to run what we brung (read: drive car to the track, run it, drive it home).

 

I've tried a lot of tires, the result of going through them very quickly. After 30 years of testing I have settled on Pirelli as the best bang for the buck, and the best overall as well. While I don't have the luxury of testing all the latest tires every year, the P Zero Nero is the best tire I have ever driven. Outstanding grip, and it gives that grip without making any silly squealing noises. That's a HUGE plus for me. Some tires just start howling like kicked puppies at the least provocation. That's good for people who can't drive: it gives them an audible warning of impending disaster. Me, I don't need to hear it, I can feel it when a tire is approaching its limit. Heck, I'd run pure slicks if they would pass inspection. Of course you have to remember that rain in Dubai is as rare as snow in Tennessee. When it rains here I stay home anyway, just as people do when it snows in Tennessee.

So there you have it, Dubai Vol's biased opinion on tires: the brand that has been consistently the best over the life of my experience: Pirelli. YMMV

 

That is interesting. I found the Pzero to be one of the most mediocre performace tires available (which is not a bad thing, considering they are still better then most, and when price is factored in, a good deal).

I switched to S03's and the change was remarkable.

If PS2s are as good as most claim, then that change will be remarkable as well.

 

Just keep in mind that the P Zero name is applied to a wide range of tires. Nero, Rosso, Rosso Asymmetrico, etc. That's a big mistake IMO, because it confuses the issue: the various tires are designed for different applications but share the same root name.

I'm perfectly happy to entertain the idea that there are better tires than the P Zero Nero: tire technology is advancing very rapidly these days. And how amazing is that? After all these years, those round black boring things (which are just the single most important part of the equation) are improving by leaps and bounds!

My brand loyalty may be misplaced, but at least it's based on experience and not marketing hype. If you have good experience with a brand, I have no quarrel with that. I guess the bottom line is you have to hunt for a really bad tire these days. At least I hope so. Maybe that would be a more helpful thread, name and shame the tire! My nomination: Dunlop

 

Please try the PS2 and get back to us. They seem to not like being cold (under 50F, but most sports tires hate cold too), yet warm and happy on the track or normal roads i find them very good. i did have the Kumho Supra 712 or whatever they are called on the car previously and found them to be yawners AND ALSO tramlined a lot. The Mich PS2 seem to not tram much if at all.

 

Has anyone tried the Yokomahas mentioned in the test? What does the profile of the tire look like?
I am getting ready to put on a new set on my 550. I had Pirellis Rossos and they were great. I am in florida where rain is a non issue. I would love a stickier tire but I also want the tire to have the square edge, flat sidewall look that the pirelli does. Unfortunately, the Corsas are not made for my factory wheel.
I have read all the posts regarding PS2/ SO2/Pirellis. I am looking for an update from you guys regarding tires.
I have not heard from anyone running Yokohamas though.
So, for you PS2 guys, does that tire have the same profile as the Pirelli.
The increased wet performance does not matter to me.
Thanks
gary