Better than A046? - Page 2

Solo II Evo · Aug 21, 2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k270kmh

I'm including R-comp tires because I came to the conclusion that there is not any tire with a stiffer sidewall and any tire that can compete with the A046.

I prefer to drive 5k or less miles safely and with a hard feeling sidewall that allows me to drive in my style than 50k with a soft sidewall feeling

Well, i've competed on street tires for a while.

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec > A046 in every way.

Tahoe55 · Aug 21, 2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k270kmh

Unfortunately the Z1 star spec, RE50A, RE-11, S03, Kumhos, Nittos to name a few are impossible to get. Not available in my area.

The other options would be: PZero, T1-R, AVS, PS2, Z1 V101... but based on reviews here, they are not up to the task, I mean, not as stiff as A046.

Tirerack.com is a viable option. I think they have all the ones you "can't" get except the nittos.

skyblas · Aug 21, 2009, 02:33 PM

AD08 is your best bet

TxEvo8 · Aug 21, 2009, 02:38 PM

R-comps on the street will be like driving on ice, they would never get up to their optimal operating temperature.

k270kmh · Aug 21, 2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo II Evo

Well, i've competed on street tires for a while.

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec > A046 in every way.

Did you drive both back to back? same size 235/45/17 vs 235/45/17?

Btw, Do you have some experience with AD08?

I think that AD08 and Z1 star spec are in the same category, but Which one has a stiffer sidewall?

pao · Aug 22, 2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahoe55

AD08 have better grip than A046 and better wet traction. Consider Dunlop Direzza star spec Z1 as well they are nearly as good but cheaper. Some like Kumhos but they have poor wet traction and that is an issue here in the NW where I drive. You can also look at Nitto Nt05. They have a loyal following here in the NW. I run 17x8 rims. My advans are 235/45x17

What he said ^^^^^ and just about everyone else had. AD08's are your best bet and from the sounds of it you're a pretty aggressive daily driver more so than actual auto crossing so unless you have really deep pockets you'll be burning through the r compounds very quickly.

At the moment I'm using AD07's and the sidewalls are slightly softer compared to the A046's but there's considerably more grip with the AD07's - personal testing by driving the car in circles in an open lot until tires started squealing...

I still have the A046's sitting in the garage and with 6k miles on them. Lately I've been running with Bridgestone RE960AS from the previous winter and now using up my AD07's.

boostedwrx · Aug 22, 2009, 10:13 PM

I REALLY like the Star Specs - after they broke in I couldn't believe how close the were in terms of grip and cornering to the 046. A lot quieter too and better in the wet.

ODUB · Aug 23, 2009, 01:13 PM

i'd say A048's. as for the "you can't drive on A048's on the street," that's not true because the lotus elise comes stock with A048's. there are also plenty of EVO's on this site running those tires on the street. they will work, they just won't last long and won't be very good in the rain.

k270kmh · Aug 23, 2009, 08:52 PM

I like high speed corners like 110mph~120mph... at this speed the rear tires must hold your car like rock, it is acceptable to lose the car in a stable way(no tires flexing/body roll) just a slide with four wheels that you can fix/control with the steering wheel or less/more gas depending on the situation...
With the A046 I could slide my car with no worries, it gave me a safe feeling to test its limits...

I think that this feeling is caused by the super stiff sidewall, that I do not want to lose with a new tire

Lukelis · Aug 24, 2009, 02:16 AM

Going on streets with A048 and its amazing for me

pao · Aug 24, 2009, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODUB

i'd say A048's. as for the "you can't drive on A048's on the street," that's not true because the lotus elise comes stock with A048's. there are also plenty of EVO's on this site running those tires on the street. they will work, they just won't last long and won't be very good in the rain.

Correct - OE tires for lotus elise

Two buddies of mine are running A048's and they absolutely swear by them.... in the pseudo dry weather the state of Washington blesses us every now and then with. I got a chance to test drive them on a friends S2K with the pavement surface barely wet from the morning mist and the tires were very finicky (IMHO) - better put, the slip angle/speed was difficult to judge - we were testing a few other tires in an empty lot driving in circles at the time.

RaNGVR-4 · Aug 24, 2009, 10:21 AM

A046's are outdated and less grippy compared to any high-end street tire nowadays. You will be impressed with nearly anything comparatively.

k270kmh · Aug 24, 2009, 05:09 PM

I will give the AD08 a try

k270kmh · Sep 15, 2009, 09:19 PM

I read many good reviews about Z1 Star Spec at tirerack.

I can do a special order(1 month delivery) on the Star Spec at a local Store.
So, the final decision is: AD08 or Star Spec 235/45/17??? same price.
Which one would you go?

boost247 · Sep 16, 2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k270kmh

I read many good reviews about Z1 Star Spec at tirerack.

I can do a special order(1 month delivery) on the Star Spec at a local Store.
So, the final decision is: AD08 or Star Spec 235/45/17??? same price.
Which one would you go?

Same price? Wow. At TireRack, in that size, the AD08 is currently $73 more per tire. I'm a big fan of the Z1* in terms of value, but for the same price, I would try the AD08. Does your deal apply to other sizes too? If so, you should at least consider 245/40/17 instead of the OEM size.