Performance Summer Tire Recommendations

[timbo]

I've had a few sets (going on 80k miles).  There is 1 question though: what size?  Might be a moot point if someone suggests a tire that is not available in your size.

We're lucky that the 20" tire size is the exact same as almost every large performance car (Camaro, Challenger, Charger, etc), so there is a plethora.  I'm on my 4th set:

1.  Eagle F1 Supercars: good at first.  Not anything to call home about.  Harder than most, but overall decent.  Lasted about 20k miles.

2.  Cooper Zeon RS-3S: Great tire.  Excellent grip, very little noise and lasted about 25k miles.  When I first got them (early 2013) they were in the $130 range, now they are over $200.  Quite ridiculous if you ask me.

3.  GoldwinsomechinesecrapIboughtinabind: absolute crap.  Noisy, went against my own preaching of not skimping on tires.  No grip.

4.  Pirelli P-Zero:  Good grip, quiet, awful treadwear.  I rotate at 5k with my oil changes.  Front tires are nearly 1/2 gone.  I'll be lucky to get 10k from these before they are useless in the rain...not optimal in the panhandle of FL.

If I could do it again, I would get the Coopers.  I got the Pirelli's on sale this summer for about $170 per installed, so I had to do it.  Right now, looks like it was not worth it. 

If you know of a place to install them, I would go with discount tire direct.  They usually have some deals going on and if you get their little credit card, it'll save you even more (usually in the form of a Visa Gift Card).

 

[SHOdded]

Go Cooper!

 

[NoCallNoSHO]

Good topic. I just scored some craiglist summer tires w/ 50 miles on them for $110 each: Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 245/45/20 

"good at first" - timbo

 

[Brucelinc]

Has anyone tried Nitto tires?  It seems the Mustang guys think they hook very well - much better than P zeros.  I realize Mustangs and SHOs are entirely different animals but I was just wondering if anyone had ever tried these.

https://www.nittotire.com/passenger-tires/nt555-g2-ultra-high-performance-tire/

 

[TimmyATL]

I run Nitto NT05 in the warmer month (this is a 200 treadwear tire that sticks good) this tire is noisy compared to a normal road tire due to the tread design so just be aware of that. In the colder months and on trips I run Nitto Invo (this is a 260 treadwear tire that rides nice is not noisy and also you can cross rotate tires since they are not directional). 

 

[avidmotion]

I really had good luck and loved the gmax 03 on my G8 gt rwd, so I was going to do the Gmax 05, then I got the ok from the wife to go summers.....I think i will do 245 45 20 with the new GMAX RS summer tire, word is they are awesome. Walmart online 135 shipped for the 245, 360 AA A
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/game-changer-new-g-max-uhp-breaks-pricegrip-barrier/
Also found a 70 dollar rebate on 4 generals until 4-15-18, form on general site

 

[avidmotion]

Gmax rs summers very light tire also picked by Saleen for his mustangs. Price is right. I really liked the Cooper Zeon a/s, the stuck like summers and lasted forever. Local mustang club runs the Cooper Zeon summers....

 

[mjhpadi]

Lots of tires out there. You will spend less $$$ and get 90% of the Michelin's qualities.

My experience is that both Michelin quality and customer service is terrible.  My Primacy tires were cracked on the side walls and suffered tread separation at less than 10K miles.  Michelin acknowledged that there were defective tires and my batch number was the defective ones, still neither Michelin or the local Michelin dealer would do anything to warranty the tires.  When complaining to Michelin they totally blew me off.  So the tires had to be replaced at 26K miles.  I would NEVER recommend a Michelin product or purchase another Michelin product. They have been the worst auto related company I have ever had experience with when it came to warranty issues.
Replaced my tires with General G-Max and have been very happy with them.  They are wearing great and head and shoulders better tires than the Michelins.

 

[SilvererSHO]

Lots of tires out there. You will spend less $$$ and get 90% of the Michelin's qualities.

My experience is that both Michelin quality and customer service is terrible.  My Primacy tires were cracked on the side walls and suffered tread separation at less than 10K miles.  Michelin acknowledged that there were defective tires and my batch number was the defective ones, still neither Michelin or the local Michelin dealer would do anything to warranty the tires.  When complaining to Michelin they totally blew me off.  So the tires had to be replaced at 26K miles.  I would NEVER recommend a Michelin product or purchase another Michelin product. They have been the worst auto related company I have ever had experience with when it came to warranty issues.
Replaced my tires with General G-Max and have been very happy with them.  They are wearing great and head and shoulders better tires than the Michelins.

I'm no fan of Michelin either.  The last Michelins I bought for my 2012 Jetta were 80,000 mile tires.  They were almost bald at 40,000 something miles and all I got from Michelin was the runaround trying to get my prorated warranty money.  It seems that you have to have proper documentation you see to prove you rotated them as per their guidelines even when they wear out at around HALF of the warranted mile rating and all four are worn out evenly.  I was told they'd be great in the snow and they were some of the worst tires I've ever had in snow and nothing else about them impressed me either.

 

[bpd1151]

I recall a time when Michelin was claiming products like Armor-All were a contributing cause to premature tire wear.

I found that laughable myself. But then again, I'm no chemical analyst by any means, so who knows.

I wasn't happy with my Primacy's either, and like Mark, I'll steer very clear from any Michelin products.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

I would recommend the Eagle F1 Supercar tire, it has a really nice feel and hooks very well in the warmer months, i have them on my own car and other employees have use them with the sho and love them

 

[bpd1151]

Too late. Already outfitted the SHO with a set of nifty NITTO's.

But maybe others who are looking for new shoes will try out those F1's.

 

[Skydogs]

Nittos nice what model? Do you like them?

 

[bpd1151]

Nittos nice what model? Do you like them?

NT555 G2's.

Initial impressions.... A++++.

I need more time/mileage with them though as they're less than 2 weeks old.

 

[Skydogs]

Nittos nice what model? Do you like them?

NT555 G2's.

Initial impressions.... A++++.

I need more time/mileage with them though as they're less than 2 weeks old.

That is awesome we just put a set on a Corvette today! Lol What size did you go with? You have factory walls?
Thank you I might try a set

 

[bpd1151]

For the fronts..... 255/45 ZR20's.

For the rears..... 275/40 ZR20's.

 

[Skydogs]

Sorry darn spell check... Do you have factory wheels?
Thank you man!!!

 

[bpd1151]

Sorry darn spell check... Do you have factory wheels?
Thank you man!!!

Nope. TSW Nurburgring's. PC'd gloss black. Staggered setup.

20x8.5's up front. 20x10's in the rear.

 

[Skydogs]

Wow sick very very nice man!!
Thank you