I'm looking at the Dunlop 8000s for my relatively stock '99 Z28 (on the stock 16s). I got quoted what seems to be a good price, but everyone seems to say those tires suck. How do they line up compared to a similarly priced tire...Kumho ecsta supras, Falken 512s, Bridgestone RE730, Yoko ES100s, etc.? The treadwear is down around 200 which leads me to believe that they're a stickier tire than the others...or is it just that they suck? I have no clue about this stuff, please enlighten me.

 

I on my second season with the SP8000s.
I like them, but I use them for my street tires, not competition.
They are pretty good in the rain, and hook up well on dry pavement. Cornering is excellent and they arent noisy. I would recommend them. Mike

 

I am absolutely sick of my first and only set of Dunlop Sp Sport 8000's..I ran 285/40/17 in the rear, 245/45/17 in the front of my 85 IROC-Z. Wile running MID 14's, I could obliterate the tires in first and halfway thru second gear. They were not sticky, they didn't smoke, lay rubber, make noise. A Change to 275/40/17 Nitto Drags and I couldnt spin the tires in first unless I held the brakes. My best 60 foot time went from 2.05 to 1.80!! The only thing they had going for them was that the sidewalls were very stiff making steering responce very nice. Even so, braking suffered trmendously because of a lack of traction.

Honestly, it was the worst $800 i've ever spent. I would look at Nitto, Yokohama, BFG, or Kuhmo for a new set of tires. I've run Nitto Drags out back ever since and so far I've tried Yokohama AO32R's and Kuhmo V700 Victorracers in front(Both road race auto-x tires) and they absulutely rock. Braking is incredible, handling is better, the Victorracers are VERY quiet compared to the AO32Rs...However if I had to buy "street" tires like you're looking for I'd try the Yokohama AVS tires or Intermediates if they are still in production Goodluck! Beware of the 8000;s

 

I'm gettin the dunlops installed and balanced $564. I'm looking for a tire that is gonna last about 15k or more and hook up well. I was about to get the A032Rs, but backed out because they were going to cost ~$790 installed. The V700s I got quoted $693, but they have less treadwear than the Advans, so I was hesitant there. I want something under $580...considered the Kumho Ecsta Supras, but I've been told they're junk. Considering they're higher treadwear, I didn't think they would grip enough.

 

Firestone SZ50 EP's. Around $140 per in 245/50-16, $150 for 255/50-16 at www.tirerack.com . Don't let Firestone's ummm, murky reputation as regards SUV tires turn you off. These are really good tires.

I went from 245/50-15 SP8000's to 225/60-15 SZ50 EP's and the car is now more predictable on a damp to wet auto-x course than it was in the dry in the same part of the same lot with the wider SP8000's. And a STS competitor who has quite a lot more experience than I have puts them on his short list for "rain tires".

Norm

 

Kumho Escta Supras junk? I wonder who told you that. I road race and think these are fine on my street car. They are not the grippiest, however, you cannot beat them for $ value. They have a nice stiff sidewall and are predictable, that is the basic requirement for street tires. I also have done some hot laps and autox on them and did fine in the street tire class.