Topic: Dunlop Dirreza Star Spec Z1s Win Sportscar Magazine's Street Fighter Shootout

[GXPinKC]

With the top down, yes!

[LiquidPT]

They do, though usually not before my normal work day begins. Besides, a real snow like that is rare here. I drive to work well before sunup in the winter, so it's cold. Maybe not Washington cold, but cold.

I don't remember the exact temperature, but below something like 45F is too cold for summer tires to grip effectively.

[Uranium-238]

That's why I have all-season tires.

[2kwk4u]

The canadian winter tires video clip said 5-7 degrees celsius is where all-season tires become too hard to adequately grip.  Between the celsius temps and the hockey puck vs sponge analogy, they lost me (as an American)

[Uranium-238]

So, you're telling me all season tires are not all season?
 

The stock summer tires had noticeably less grip in the cold, but they were still driveable. So, I'm not expecting issues with the Falkens. Really, I doubt i'd have many issues with Dunlops in the winter.

[LiquidPT]

The canadian winter tires video clip said 5-7 degrees celsius is where all-season tires become too hard to adequately grip.  Between the celsius temps and the hockey puck vs sponge analogy, they lost me (as an American)

Right, so 45F is about 7C.

So, you're telling me all season tires are not all season?
 

The stock summer tires had noticeably less grip in the cold, but they were still driveable. So, I'm not expecting issues with the Falkens. Really, I doubt i'd have many issues with Dunlops in the winter.

Right. Watch the video... They are "compromise in all seasons".

Like I said, I had BRAND NEW Falkens last winter. Couldn't make it up the slight grade to my house. All of the enthusiasts drivers at work said if I had winter tires, I wouldn't have had an issue, and pointed me to this video.

There is NO WAY you should be running a summer tire in the winter. It's not safe and you're endangering yourself and others. Most people can "get away" with an all-season, but you have less control and they'll let go when you need it most.

I don't understand why so many people want to skimp out on the most important piece of safety equipment on your car. Tires are the only thing holding you to the road...

[Uranium-238]

Maybe because we're sick of being fed BS info about tires? Like with dynos, it's not like there are any real standards set up to gauge a tire's performance. One company says one thing, another says the complete opposite.

Based on my experiences with the stock summer tires being used in the winter, I'm not worried about the Falkens. Even with single-digit temperatures they did fine, and I wasn't holding back. The were still far better than the all-weather tires my Civic had.

[LiquidPT]

Maybe because we're sick of being fed BS info about tires? Like with dynos, it's not like there are any real standards set up to gauge a tire's performance. One company says one thing, another says the complete opposite.

Based on my experiences with the stock summer tires being used in the winter, I'm not worried about the Falkens. Even with single-digit temperatures they did fine, and I wasn't holding back. The were still far better than the all-weather tires my Civic had.

True, there is a lot of variation within classes. OEM tires are usually not the best. But no rubber compound will perform excellently at that wide range of temperature conditions... and you've bought a high performance sports car, but choose to use a compromised tire. (The car I used em on was a PT Cruiser. I was going to get summer/winter tires, but knew I was going to buy the Sol Coupe, so figured the Falkens were good for a year) Doesn't make sense to me.

[Bosch]

Based on my experiences with the stock summer tires being used in the winter, I'm not worried about the Falkens. Even with single-digit temperatures they did fine, and I wasn't holding back. The were still far better than the all-weather tires my Civic had.

Sorry dude you need if you do any kind of serious snow driving trust me, outfit it with winter rubber. We did the falken 912's last year the car sat for almost a week cause it couldn't get up the hill to the house. They fail when it gets around freezing. All it takes is that one day where you stuff it in a tree, another car or a snow drift.. Personally I would spend the 500-1000 on rubber than the couple grand you spend after an accident. Bodyshop time, rental costs, insurance increases, tickets and all that whatnot..

You spend 30grand at least on the car then refuse to outfit it with the gear it really needs to get through the harsh weather you put it through. Just like people who make a car fast or put big wheels on it but never upgrade the brakes.. You go fast you should stop fast and your tire has a lot to do with that.

[Uranium-238]

Even with good tires and the optimal conditions for them you cannot and will not prevent an accident, as I proved earlier today Things like that only help. It's like with motorcycles, true safety is an illusion. You can be safer, but you'll never be safe.

I'll play things by ear, if the tires are that bad in the winter then once they're toast I'll go with straight-up summer and winter tires.

[Bosch]

Even with good tires and the optimal conditions for them you cannot and will not prevent an accident, as I proved earlier today Things like that only help. It's like with motorcycles, true safety is an illusion. You can be safer, but you'll never be safe.

I'll play things by ear, if the tires are that bad in the winter then once they're toast I'll go with straight-up summer and winter tires.

Sad you don't think your life or car is worth an extra set of tires.. No you can't prevent every accident but it would suck to be hit by someone like you.. Think of it the other way around. You have the winter rubber and you get nailed by someone who couldn't be bothered..

[Treeman]

Sad you don't think your life or car is worth an extra set of tires.. No you can't prevent every accident but it would suck to be hit by someone like you.. Think of it the other way around. You have the winter rubber and you get nailed by someone who couldn't be bothered..

You know - I think this is being a bit harsh.  First of all, the guy banged up his car today.  Give him a break!  Secondly, all seasons are all I have ever had in MD - they work just fine.  If I live in MI or the CO mountains it would be different.  And there are plenty of MD folks on this forum who say they have driven the summer tires in cold weather here.

[Uranium-238]

And frankly, with all the nuts on the roads here in MD my tires are probably the least of my concerns.

[redlinedude]

I read an article in Car & Driver and wanted to share it with you. I am personally going to replace my stock tires with the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo's due to the excellent wet/dry performance and the value. Their benchmark for this test was the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/tire_test_nine_affordable_summer_tires_take_on_the_michelin_ps2-comparison_tests

[elff]

It's like with motorcycles, true safety is an illusion. You can be safer, but you'll never be safe.

A truer statement hasn't never been uttered.
I always say, it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when you put a motorcycle down.
I can always tell when someone hasn't wrecked a motorcycle.
It's easy
They either don't wear a helmet, or they wear a brain bucket.

I went over the handlebars at 60mph.  I landed on my chin and was PROPERLY wearing a full face helmet and full leather.
The helmet was destroyed......BUT.... It held good enough and my face wasn't destroyed. 
Anyone with no helmet or a brain bucket would have died. 
That incident made me retire for 3 years from motorcycles. 

Due to my Sky, I recently sold my motocycle and this time I'm no going back.  In PA, with the other drivers, it's just too dangerous.

[lil goat]

I drive in the DC area all winter long on the stock tires, same area as U-238, I have had no issue's and the Falken's are much better tires. They are not meant for snow, neither are the stock tires. I drive my truck when it snow's. I have summer tires very good one's Bridgestone RE-01's and they suck below 45. I can drive them but I don't want to. I will change very soon. ANY tire is a compromise, and is best chosen for where you drive.

[Ben L]

Sad you don't think your life or car is worth an extra set of tires.. No you can't prevent every accident but it would suck to be hit by someone like you.. Think of it the other way around. You have the winter rubber and you get nailed by someone who couldn't be bothered..

I know U-235 as a good driver and a person who thinks and studies a lot before he makes a decision.  If you listened to what he said you'd understand why he won't be a hazard to anyone in the snow and ice:  He doesn't drive the Sky in those conditions.

Accidents can happen to anyone, regardless of what tires they are on.  I don't know what motivated this cheap shot, but its out of line, so lighten up, Ms. Holier-than-Thou.

[Ben L]

I've read that the Direzza Star Spec is noisy, particularly after the first few thousand miles.  I'm trying to decide whether to care about that.  For those of you who have these tires, is this the kind of noise that would only be annoying if you drove a luxury car?  With the top down in our cars it's difficult to hear the radio at freeway speeds, much less the tires.  Are a couple of decibels of tire noise a big deal in our cars?

I am not the right person to ask.  My standards on in cabin noise are informed by the other cars I drive.  I have to wear earmuffs or a helmet in the Daytona.

With Dunlops, there is a little tire roar at freeway speeds.  Not particularly noticeable to me with the top up; what I hear is the Solo Mach Shorty exhaust, not the tires, and wind noise almost cancels it out with the top down.  Given the level of dry-performance, its not even a factor as far as I am concerned.

[RufusMacblorf]

I am not the right person to ask.  My standards on in cabin noise are informed by the other cars I drive.  I have to wear earmuffs or a helmet in the Daytona.

With Dunlops, there is a little tire roar at freeway speeds.  Not particularly noticeable to me with the top up; what I hear is the Solo Mach Shorty exhaust, not the tires, and wind noise almost cancels it out with the top down.  Given the level of dry-performance, its not even a factor as far as I am concerned.

Thanks.  I've already ordered a set, so I'll learn first-hand pretty soon.

[Critterman]

I want you to know elff that I am in tears from the pain of restraining a wize reply to this statement!

It held good enough and my face wasn't destroyed.

But I have been there, done that, and still have the tshirt, because I was wearing leathers.

Okay, back to tires,  I don't have a winter set for the Solstice, instead I have a 4x4 I use 

[lil goat]

Dunlop is owned by Goodyear and Sumitomo, if the Dunlops were made in the US or Europe GoodYear made them, if in Japan or Asia Sumitomo made them. The Hankook's are partially owned by Michelin, so they are all intermingled.

[elff]

After doing further research on this and seeing loads of positve reviews on the Star Specs
Having previously used Dunlops on my Mercedes and thinking they were great tires
and taking into account BenL's awesome racecar and His passion for the Dunlops,
I ordered a set of Star Specs today they will be installed tomorrow.

I was also amazed that they are not too expensive for the stock size. 

I'll post a review after the National's AutoX

[Ben L]

I think you will not be disappointed. 

[kennysabarese]

I got them too and so far are awesome. Feel great in the rain

[elff]

I'm trying to decide if I want to do a Free AutoX this weekend on the dime of a Local Mini Dealership and drive their cars
or
break these bad boys in and pay $80
Decisions Decisions.

I'm actually giddy over these, I hit some powerslides with the stock rubber that almost got hairy.  Definitely need something stickier.