Extreme vs Max Performance Tires

tjsadler · 06-10-2008, 03:13 PM

Ok folks,
I have read a lot of reviews and threads here but I am wondering if anyone has directly compared some of these tire classes and can comment on the real world differences:
Extreme Performance:
Dunlop Z1 Star Spec
Bridgestone RE-01R
Falken RT-615
Hankook RS2
vs
Max Performance
Dunlop DZ101
Bridgestone RE760
Falken FK452
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval

I realize that as far as the performance while driving around every day the second group will likely be more livable and definitely last longer. I drive my STI an average of 1000miles per week and Autocross a few times a year. I need a tire that is livable and will last a reasonable time but i also want something that will be at least decent in an Autocross. I know I know you can't have it all. I realize this. What would the real world difference be between them for the Autocross times? Say on a 50 second course... 1 second? .5? Any? I am almost done trashing the cheap Generals the dealer put on before I bought it and need to make a decision soon on new. I don't mind paying bit more or replacing a little more often for great tires but I wonder how much difference they really make. Sorry for the long post.

**evilSTi7** · 06-10-2008, 03:46 PM

sounds like you want the rt-615. It's not as grippy as the re070's or advan's but it's pretty good and the price is right.

stretch · 06-10-2008, 03:50 PM

1000 miles per week? I'd say you're a prime candidate for owning two sets of wheels so you can have your high-mileage tires and your autocross tires separated.

TireRack invented this "extreme" term but I suppose it is appropriate. Most of those tires will last 15-30k miles depending on how gentle you are. Other summer tires can last quite a bit longer while being comfortable and quieter. I think if I drove 1000 miles per week, I'd get something like the Falken FK452- cheap, quiet, good in rain, and long lasting.

You will not be competitive in autocross without the stickiest rubber, though.

tjsadler · 06-10-2008, 04:02 PM

I know. I drive a TON. But in my STi it is always a joy! I wish I could afford two sets that would be great but my "accountant" is not likely to ok that. What exactly is not competitive? At my first ever Autox in April, driving on the Generals, I placed 4th out of 6 in STU and 39th out of 91 overall. I plan on doing more soon and am attending an Autox school in July. I don't plan to win any but I would like to be in the top half at least. how would the FK452 or one of the others do for that? I am generally easy on tires the rest of the time with a Lot of highway miles and regular rotations. Several people have said the RE-01R wears much better than the Falkens and is worth the extra money but it is a lot more money.

Crash1973 · 06-10-2008, 04:19 PM

I have the Falken FK-452's and so far so good. I have put about 4k miles on them and am liking the ride as a daily driver tire. They are much quieter than the 070's as well. as far as grip goes, believe it or not but they actually grip BETTER than the stock 070's. Response is where the 452's don't match the 070's. The 070's kind of feel like a go-kart when you turn the wheel, instant response. The 452's respond well but there is a definite lag there. All I did was alter the way I drive and now don't notice it as much..................the lag is still there though. I would recommend the 452's as a DD tire but I am unsure if I would recommend them for serious auto-X. Maybe the occasional Auto-X but not for if you are really serious about it.

T3h_Clap · 06-11-2008, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash1973

I have the Falken FK-452's and so far so good. I have put about 4k miles on them and am liking the ride as a daily driver tire. They are much quieter than the 070's as well. as far as grip goes, believe it or not but they actually grip BETTER than the stock 070's. Response is where the 452's don't match the 070's. The 070's kind of feel like a go-kart when you turn the wheel, instant response. The 452's respond well but there is a definite lag there. All I did was alter the way I drive and now don't notice it as much..................the lag is still there though. I would recommend the 452's as a DD tire but I am unsure if I would recommend them for serious auto-X. Maybe the occasional Auto-X but not for if you are really serious about it.

are you comparing fresh 070s to fresh 452s?

the 070s start to die off pretty badly after they get heat cycled too much and past their wear bars.

as for the OP if you're competing in STU you'll want to run a 245/40/17 tire and that isn't available from every company.

from the sounds of it your STU competition isn't super crazy and your main priority is having tires that last more than 2 months/8k miles + autox.

go with the FK452s in a 245/40/17 and see how you like them.

worst case scenario they fail miserably at autox and you convince the accountant you need a set of 17x9 +45mm Kosei K1TSs and some 245/40/17 Bridgestone RE01Rs for Autox (which would last at minimum 2 seasons if you didn't drive on them regularly) and some high mileage long lasters for the street.

06-10-2008, 03:13 PM	#1
tjsadler Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 29 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Extreme vs Max Performance Tires Ok folks, I have read a lot of reviews and threads here but I am wondering if anyone has directly compared some of these tire classes and can comment on the real world differences: Extreme Performance: Dunlop Z1 Star Spec Bridgestone RE-01R Falken RT-615 Hankook RS2 vs Max Performance Dunlop DZ101 Bridgestone RE760 Falken FK452 Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval I realize that as far as the performance while driving around every day the second group will likely be more livable and definitely last longer. I drive my STI an average of 1000miles per week and Autocross a few times a year. I need a tire that is livable and will last a reasonable time but i also want something that will be at least decent in an Autocross. I know I know you can't have it all. I realize this. What would the real world difference be between them for the Autocross times? Say on a 50 second course... 1 second? .5? Any? I am almost done trashing the cheap Generals the dealer put on before I bought it and need to make a decision soon on new. I don't mind paying bit more or replacing a little more often for great tires but I wonder how much difference they really make. Sorry for the long post. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-10-2008, 03:46 PM	#2
evilSTi7 The Hoff Fan Club, member #001 Car: 05 WRB/Gold Fav Mod: Hood Scoop Homer Location: Where ever The Hoff is! Posts: 10,318 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Extreme vs Max Performance Tires sounds like you want the rt-615. It's not as grippy as the re070's or advan's but it's pretty good and the price is right.

06-10-2008, 03:50 PM	#3
stretch Silver Member Car: Aspen 2005 STi Fav Mod: TurnInConcepts.com Coilovers Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 1,809 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Extreme vs Max Performance Tires 1000 miles per week? I'd say you're a prime candidate for owning two sets of wheels so you can have your high-mileage tires and your autocross tires separated. TireRack invented this "extreme" term but I suppose it is appropriate. Most of those tires will last 15-30k miles depending on how gentle you are. Other summer tires can last quite a bit longer while being comfortable and quieter. I think if I drove 1000 miles per week, I'd get something like the Falken FK452- cheap, quiet, good in rain, and long lasting. You will not be competitive in autocross without the stickiest rubber, though.

06-10-2008, 04:02 PM	#4
tjsadler Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 29 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Extreme vs Max Performance Tires I know. I drive a TON. But in my STi it is always a joy! I wish I could afford two sets that would be great but my "accountant" is not likely to ok that. What exactly is not competitive? At my first ever Autox in April, driving on the Generals, I placed 4th out of 6 in STU and 39th out of 91 overall. I plan on doing more soon and am attending an Autox school in July. I don't plan to win any but I would like to be in the top half at least. how would the FK452 or one of the others do for that? I am generally easy on tires the rest of the time with a Lot of highway miles and regular rotations. Several people have said the RE-01R wears much better than the Falkens and is worth the extra money but it is a lot more money.

06-10-2008, 04:19 PM	#5
Crash1973 Junior STI Driver Car: 07 Subaru WRX STI Fav Mod: The key, in the ignition. Location: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 143 Join Date: May 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Extreme vs Max Performance Tires I have the Falken FK-452's and so far so good. I have put about 4k miles on them and am liking the ride as a daily driver tire. They are much quieter than the 070's as well. as far as grip goes, believe it or not but they actually grip BETTER than the stock 070's. Response is where the 452's don't match the 070's. The 070's kind of feel like a go-kart when you turn the wheel, instant response. The 452's respond well but there is a definite lag there. All I did was alter the way I drive and now don't notice it as much..................the lag is still there though. I would recommend the 452's as a DD tire but I am unsure if I would recommend them for serious auto-X. Maybe the occasional Auto-X but not for if you are really serious about it.