End of 300 utqg Experiment with Michelin SS

[twistedwankel]

One season. 3100 lb vette. Severe personal preference alignment. Toe out front and a smidgen of toe in at the back.

3000 miles almost exactly 2996 if you are a stickler for accuracy.
24 events sometimes with dual drivers. Be generous 150 runs. Not too shabby.

The last 6/32" went faster than a one armed paper hanger on caffeine. The first 4/32" went pretty slowly. About 2000mi. That last 1/8" down to the wear bars these tires stuck like glue!!!

There is still 1/8" left on most of the tires but today on my last run I melted part of the outer right front skin about 3" long and 1/2" wide exposing the cords but not harming them. The left front is starting to show signs of cord now too on the outside like asbestos pipe sort of. The rears are great with the wear bars saying hello soon so they are skins too.

Bottom line is that a really good every day rain or shine 300 utqg tire doesn't last anymore than a 140 or 200 utqg tire does for me at least.

It all comes down to price. I'm looking at my options but have a new set of Conti DW's on the RX8 so not a biggie.

When it's not a Sunday maybe I'll call a couple people and see what they can do for Santa?

Merry Christmas to all you Elves. May your parts stockings be filled to the brim.

[Loren]

I'm buying the cheapest name-brand tires I can find for my truck. Sumitomo HTR-Z II. Actually have the same tires on the truck right now... and awful shocks aside, it doesn't feel like it's lacking for grip in spite of the fact that the tires are 7 years old and show signs of dry-rot!

245 and 275 width tires are expensive. Good thing I'm autocrossing the Festiva on 185's.

[twistedwankel]

Sumitomo HTR-Z II are on my wife's 2000 Vette. I think they cost $400 from Tirerack delivered at 1.5 years ago. Been on a couple long trips and still look new. Like Loren said they are pretty grippy. A good all around pick.

AND this from TireRack:
"Note: Sumitomo reassessed the HTR Z II line's UTQG ratings in 2009. This resulted in tires featuring the same design, materials and manufacturing methods previously rated 220 AA A to be assigned UTQG ratings of 360 A A. Sumitomo has confirmed that regardless of the branded UTQG ratings, all HTR Z II tires are fully compatible and may be mixed individually or in pairs as necessary."

[AScoda]

I put those on my wife's last car and am soon ordering a set for her current one. Good all around tire for cheap(for a big size).

[aw614]

Sumitomo HTR-Z II are on my wife's 2000 Vette. I think they cost $400 from Tirerack delivered at 1.5 years ago. Been on a couple long trips and still look new. Like Loren said they are pretty grippy. A good all around pick.

AND this from TireRack:
"Note: Sumitomo reassessed the HTR Z II line's UTQG ratings in 2009. This resulted in tires featuring the same design, materials and manufacturing methods previously rated 220 AA A to be assigned UTQG ratings of 360 A A. Sumitomo has confirmed that regardless of the branded UTQG ratings, all HTR Z II tires are fully compatible and may be mixed individually or in pairs as necessary."

I thought the HTR ZIII were better and newer, but also cheapish? I was happy with their performance on my GTI at brooksville, wish I got a run count of them, but I did a fare share of events with them and put 9k+ miles on them.

[twistedwankel]

[
I thought the HTR ZIII were better and newer, but also cheapish? I was happy with their performance on my GTI at brooksville, wish I got a run count of them, but I did a fare share of events with them and put 9k+ miles on them.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... code=34613

You bring up a good point. The ZII is slightly cheaper and is rated 360utqg Ultra High Perf 11/32" tread. The ZIII a few bucks more is rated 300utqg Max Performance. The biggest difference is the II has a radical tread design and the III is a traditional tread design 10/32" and weighs 1lb more in the 17 size I checked.

For me the ZII is the only one that comes with factory fitment for my 17, 18" front rear bastard sizes. You are right that the ZIII should have a somewhat softer tread and being only 10/32" should have less squirm out of the box.