I have a set of 17x9.5 front 17x11 rear Rear ZR1s(grandsport offset) on the way and am looking for decently priced rubber. I will probably go with Sumitomo fronts but am trying to figure what would be best for the rear. 315 choices are rather limited but I've narrowed it down to Nitto Drag radials or the Sumitomo HTR Zs. The price is about the same on these two and quite reasonable. I do go to the track some so the DRs would be nice there but the Sumitomos will last longer I'm sure. Does anyone have experience with the Sumi's? Do they grip well? I don't want huge tires in the back and still have traction problems like I do with the 245 stockers. Looks are one thing but I want it to perform as well. I've looked at other tires but everything else is too expensive. Any help you can give me in choosing one of these tires, or another tire in this price range I don't know about yet, would be greatly apreciated. Thanks in advance.....Later

 

I run the sumitomo's, but up front only. I'm satisfied with them, although i can't fairly judge their straight line traction, you just don't get as much feel during braking manuevers as you do with only 2 wheels driving you forward. My brother also put a set on his 928.

Personally i'd just run the DR and replace them sooner, but if you want to comprimise traction for price and longevity thats your call.

-brent


*edit* I have the HTR Z IIs, not original HTR Zand i was just looking at their 18" availability for myself and noticed they aren't avail in a 315/35/17. Sorry my post is worthless. But if you want to run those up front and DR in the rear, i think they are a good tire for the price

 

Thanks man. How do you like your Nitto DRs? how is the traction on the street since you aren't doing a burnout if you're just driving around? Is the wear Ok? I've heard it's really not that bad. I'd like to get 10-15k out of them with a few trips to the track. Heck I only got about 15-20 out of the kumhos 712s that were on my Formula. Thanks again......Later

 

The nitto's are still impressively sticky when cold. I only run the 275s. I haven't worn through a set yet, but i'm very impressed with the wear so far.

I was just over at tirerack checking out tires for the 18x11s I want to buy. I was excited about
-brentthese but look at the speed ratings on those pieces of crap. Ugh.

-brent

 

I noticed the BFG Drag radials http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes are the same way. I wonder if the Nittos are like that. Seems the BFGs may be made for only short bursts of extreme speed. I heard the tread wear on those is really bad but they're supposed to be really nice for the track. Not so good for the street though. Everyone says that Nittos are the best on the street.