I have a couple questions concering these tires in the 275/40/17 size, and want some first hand experience. I'm getting a set tomorrow. I read a bunch of good reviews on tirerack, just wanted some personal input.

1) How is the dry traction in normal city/highway driving?

2) How is the dry handling [back roads, highway on/off ramps ect]?

3) How is the road noise city/highway? Windows up/down?

4) How is the ride comfort city/highway, over bumps, potholes, road cracks, ect?

5) Do the tires tend to follow the cracks in the road?

6) How is the traction at the dragstrip? I know they aren't drag radials, but do they hook pretty good?

7) How is the stopping ability?

8) What tire pressure should I use on these tires in the 275/40/17 size for the street?

 

I've got them on my 96... IIRC 265-35-17 front, 295-30-18 rear. I just got them last month so these are 'first impressions' basically.

1) How is the dry traction in normal city/highway driving?
Dry traction is very good relative to the worn Dunlops they replaced, I think they compare favorably to the SZ50's they replaced (A tire I was quite fond of)... and for the price I'm VERY happy with their dry traction.

2) How is the dry handling [back roads, highway on/off ramps ect]?
Handling is v-good for a street tire... oversteer is noticeably lessened relative to the old dunlops.

3) How is the road noise city/highway? Windows up/down?
hehe... noise isn't a concern of mine... my car is loud (full rod end suspension)

4) How is the ride comfort city/highway, over bumps, potholes, road cracks, ect?
... see my answer to 3... rod end suspension = feel every bump... I drive around potholes. I think comfort has a lot to do with what your aspect ratio and tire pressure are... if you want a comfy ride get a wider sidewall and run lower tire pressure.

5) Do the tires tend to follow the cracks in the road?
... depends on your alignment... want the car to track straight then get a stock alignment or a very conservative one. I don't think the tire itself is going to have much affect on this (although wider tires will tend to follow tracks in worn pavement... get narrower tires if this is a concern)

6) How is the traction at the dragstrip? I know they aren't drag radials, but do they hook pretty good?
... not been to the strip but the tires hook well under my 'normal driving'. For example, yesterday I did a 'fast pullout' to get onto a busy street. For me this entails a soft launch to avoid spin and progressive power application as I straigten out... then full throttole through first and second to get up to 65. My car isn't super fast, at this point having just bolt on's and some top end work (hot cam, rockers, etc...), but the tires held up to agressive accelleration well, it broke loose a little when I went full throttle after straightening out, and also a little on the 1-2 shift... but it grabbed traction signficantly quicker than any tire I've had on the car in the last couple years.

7) How is the stopping ability?

Excellent, coupled with my C5 setup the car brakes almost violently hard.

8) What tire pressure should I use on these tires in the 275/40/17 size for the street?

Depends.


... overall I'm happy with the tires to date, price was excellent and performance is solid.

 

I've had the wide ovals for a year. 255/50/16 all around

1) great traction in normal city driving

2) great dry handling and wet handling also

3) low noise level, with or witout windows

4) comfort is relative to tire pressure

5) follows grooves in the road

6) only fair at the dragstrip - traction issues

7) good stopping ability

I think they are a great tire, for the street and highway.

 

Sorry, My Bad - I Have 245/50/16's