I've decided to move up from my stock 245/50R16 tires to 17" rims running on 275/40ZR17's since they are almost exactly the same overall diameter and I won't need to recalibrate the speedo.

I'm looking for a slightly wider tire that will allow plenty of grip during launches and cornering, though more emphasis on launches. I am currently running the Fuzion ZRi's and I can light them up pretty easily. When I go WOT (on the street, the Fuzions break free when the A4 shifts up to 2nd at around 35-40mph and my rear slidesout a bit. Plus, the wider tires will give a better overall look to the car I think.

I do not want drag radials since several of my friends running on Nitto's and BFG drag radials have slid & wrecked their cars (one a 35th anniversary SS!) running on them in medium rain going no more than 35-40mph. Lots of rain where I am so I don't wanna take the chance.

2 tires seems to fit my needs...the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 & the Yokohama avs es100. Some reviews I've read say the Yokohama's are noisy. Anyone running on either wanna chime in with your remarks?

Any other brands and models that might suit my needs?

Thanks in advance!

 

The added traction from the wider tread of the 275-40 is voided by the shorter/stiffer sidewall as far as launching traction. If you really care more about off the line traction stick with your 16's and just get some softer tires.

 

I have a set of GS-D3s, and they stuck for off-the-line traction. My best 60' time is a 2.14.

I absolutely love them once I'm rolling, and they are AWESOME in the rain.

I want to try out a set of Michelin Pilot Sports next time.

Does your car have ASR? If so, you should be fine with Nitto 555R's. I know plenty of people that run those in the rain. Just don't be an idiot.

 

i had nitto's on my cobra....they're all right, but not 4 the price....my z28 has 275/40 17'' 'vette wheels...ive had goodyear & bfg's before...goodyears sucked.....not good in rain at all.....bfg's were much better..but now i have khumo escta's & i love them....they hold the road great cornering and are very drivable in the rain...... personally I dont think any street tire is gonna hook that great when you've got a LS1 motor....oplus their z rated and about 30 bucks cheaper than the others....

 

You should specify the tire model as well as the brand. Goodyear makes lots of different tires, and they're all different. My Goodyears (GS-D3) are excellent in the rain. Lots better than the BFG's (KDWS) I had before.

If all you say is the brand, it's really not helpful at all.

 

I run Pirelli P-Zero Nero 275/17's

Stick like glue unless you get them really hot like any other street tire. The only drawback is that they have a very fast wear rate and suck in the rain.

 

The November issue of Consumer Reports has a rating of summer ultra high performance tires. Somehow, they failed to measure dry traction with a 5K clutch dump.... but they did look at wet and dry handling and braking, hydroplaning, noise, ride and tread life. The tire rating, overall best to worst were:

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
Pirelli P-Zero
BFG g-Force KDW2
Bridgestone Potenza RE 050 A Pole Position
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2
Continental ContiSportContact 3
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
Kumho Ecsta SPT
Fuzion Zr1
Toyo Proxes TIR
Falken FK-452
Yokohama Advan Sport
Firestone Wide Oval
BFG g-Force Sport
Hankook Ventus S1 evo K107
Pirelli P-Zero Nero
Avon Tech M500
Nitto Invo
Nitto NT 555 Extreme ZR
Pirelli P-Zero Rosso

Size tested was 225/40ZR18
They also rated ultra high performance all-season tires, and got significantly different results.

I suspect the Consumer Report test drivers are NOT members of CZ28.com.....

 

I'm betting the results would have been a bit different if they hadn't neglected that critical aspect of performance.

Car and Driver did a similar test a couple years ago. They didn't test as many tires, but the Michelin came out on top there too.

 

the es100 are pure junk

 

They're missing tires that have proven track performance like the BFG KD, Kumho MX, etc.