Tire tests ratings - Summary

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Tirerack / Car and Driver

Variables measured: dry, wet, price, treadwear

1. Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
2. Continental ContiSportContact 2
3. Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07
4. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
5. Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212
6. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
7. Pirelli P Zero Rosso Asimmetrico
8. Toyo Proxes T1R P225/45R17
9. Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
10. BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD
11. Kumho Ecsta MX

Overall score
Goodyear: 1050.4
Continental: 1031.9
Yokohama: 1027.0
Michelin: 1018.7
Hankook: 1015.4
Dunlop: 1002.2
Pirelli: 1002.1
Toyo: 999.7
Bridgestone: 993.9
BFGoodrich: 993.0
Kumho: 990.7

ConsumerReports

Variables measured: dry braking, handling, wet braking, handling, hydroplaning, etc

Summer UHP:
Michelin PS2: 85
Perelli P-Zero: 84
BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW2:78
Bridgestone Potennza RE 050 A Pole Position :77
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2: 76
Continental ContiSportContact 3: 76
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx: 76
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3:73
Kumho Ecsta SPT: 73
Toyo Proxes T1R: 68
Yokohama Advan Sport: 66
Nitto Invo: 59
Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR: 55

All Season:
Falken Ziex ZE-912: 85
Nitto NEo Gen ZR: 85
Yokohama Advan S4: 75
Falken Ziex ZE-512: 73
General Exclaim UHP: 73
Continental ContiExtremeContact: 72
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S: 66

EVO - British Car Magazine

Variables measured:
wet: laps, g's, hydroplaning, cornering, braking, subjective
dry: laps, g's, cornering, braking, rolling resistance, subjective

ranking:
Goodyear F1 assymetric 96.4
Vredestein Ultrac 95.3
Conti SC3 93.5
Bridgestone RE050-A 92.7
Michelin PS2 92.4
Pirelli PZero Nero 92.0
Kumho SPT KU31 88.7
Dunlop Sport Maxx 86.0
Yokohoma S.Drive 82.0

Grassroots Motorsports

Variables measured: lap times only

Street Tires:
1. Falken Azenis RT-615
2. Falken Azenis RT-215
3. Yokohama Advan Neova
4. Hankook R-S2 Z212
5. Kumho Ecsta MX
6. BFGoodrich g-force T/A KD

Track Tires:
1. Kumho Ecsta V710
2. Hoosier A3S05
3. Hankook Z214 C70
4. Yokohama A032R S
 
So based on the C/D test best dry performance tires are Yokahama, though not conducted on a mid engine car.

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/CandD_gy_f1_gs_d3/CandD_gy_f1_gs_ds.pdf

Budget tires for spirit driving with W speed rating on an NA1 for $250 shipping included all 4 Sumitomo HTRZ looks like its being discontinued on tirerack.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=25118

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...g=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minLoad=S

These test were not conducted on NSX but provide good info. I know OEM tires are best based on Alignment/design of the car. :) Those wet tire comparisons are IMHO not very relevent to a super car unless your planning to track it in the rain. My personal favorites would be the higher end Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli.
 

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I've used several of the tires on that list and so far my favorites are:

1. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
2. Bridgestone Potenza RE050

I'll probably keep the RE050 on the S2000 and try the GY F1 GS-D3 on the NSX the next time I need tires (though that probably won't be for another two years).
 
New addition - wow, wow, wow... new Sumitomo HTR Z III!!!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR+Z+III&tirePageLocQty=

Sumitomo HTR Z III (Max Performance Summer 225/45R17)
What We Liked: Overall road manners and decisive dry grip and handling
What We'd Improve: A small improvement in wet grip
Conclusion: A new tire worthy of being in the Max Performance Summer category
Latest Test Rank: 1st
Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Continental ContiSportContact 3 (Max Performance Summer 225/45R17)
What We Liked: Compliant ride quality and overall wet and dry traction
What We'd Improve: Sharpen steering response and a slight reduction in road noise
Conclusion: A comfortable Max Performance tire with excellent traction
Latest Test Rank: 2nd
Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Yokohama ADVAN Sport (Max Performance Summer 225/45R17)

What We Liked: Responsive road handling and wet traction
What We'd Improve: A slight improvement in ride comfort and ultimate dry handling
Conclusion: A capable Max Performance tire that delivers excellent wet traction
Latest Test Rank: 3rd
Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position (Max Performance Summer 225/45R17)

What We Liked: Overall handling and crisp steering response
What We'd Improve: Wet traction and handling
Conclusion: A solid performer in the Max Performance Summer category
Latest Test Rank: 4th
Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested
 
I've used several of the tires on that list and so far my favorites are:

1. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
2. Bridgestone Potenza RE050

I'll probably keep the RE050 on the S2000 and try the GY F1 GS-D3 on the NSX the next time I need tires (though that probably won't be for another two years).

I'm currently trying to find tires to fit my rear 16s on my S2000. Do you have 17s on yours?
 
Over at the BMW M3 forums, the users are raving about the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta tires. The general consensus is that they are better than the twice as expensive Michelin PS2s. Tests also confirm they are awesome tires.

They do come in NSX sizes for 18/19, haven't checked 17/18. The 19" 275x30 is only $174 on this website. However, they don't list the 215x35 18" tire which is on Vredestein's website. I'm sure they probably could get the tire if you called them up but looks like you can get a full set of great 18/19 tires for ~$600. These look like the tires to get...
 
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