Dunlop Z1s in 14" Sizes

I apologize if this is already generally known, but I just noticed that TireRack now has the Dunlop Z1 Star Specs in two 14" sizes (185/60/14 and 195/60/14). They're also running a $50 rebate on a set of 4. Those still running 14" wheels on Miatas, Hondas, etc. (I can't be the only one) should be enthused.

Discount Tire Direct is also running a special on Azenis. $80 rebate on a set of 4. Considering they're only $68 apiece in 14" that's 4 for less than the price 3.

I was planning on buying a set of Azenis, but these Dunlops have my attention now.Hmmmm wish they were a lil cheaper tho.

I jumped on a set of Dunlops last year because of a sweet rebate deal which was essentially 4 for the price of 3.

Of course, I forgot to mail in the rebate form, which is exactly why they don't just do a buy three, get one free sale.

hotrodlarry wrote: I was planning on buying a set of Azenis, but these Dunlops have my attention now.Hmmmm wish they were a lil cheaper tho.

They're a really nice tire. Grip for days and surprisingly quiet on the freeway. I have them in 195-55-15. They are a BIG tire, BTW--the 195 is much closer to a 205.

I have Star Specs on my RX-7 (225/45/17 on 17x7.5" 5Zigens) and I absolutely love them. When you consider how much more expensive Yoko AD08s and Bridgestone RE11s are, I think they are a screaming deal. When the stock summer tires on my MS3 give up the ghost, I'll be replacing them with the Dunlops.

The Azenis RT-615 would make a good hi-performance street tire. I had them on my old Subaru and they last a pretty long time for a tire with so much grip. However, they are no longer competitive in SCCA Street Tire classes. Falken will releasing the RT-615 K soon, which will be the same as the current RT-615 except for a new tread compound.

(as I go scrambling off to find 14" wheels for a Spitfire...)

Thanks Billy!

So for the cheapos among us, is a set of Dunlops worth the higher price compared to the Falkens for the daily-summer-driven, occasionally auto-x'd Miata/ Escort ZX-2?

Discount Tire quotes $341.54 for the Falkens out the door after the $80 rebate.

Tire Rack quotes $375.56 for the Dunlops after the rebate, shipped to an installer (figure another $75 for mount/balance/disposal/etc.)

As a side note, I remember reading somewhere that the Azenis are a heavy tire. According to the spec sheets, the Azenis are 18.5 lbs and the Dunlops are 18 lbs in both 14" sizes.

I wanted to buy Star Specs for my new SSRs, but bought just before this sale.

4, 215/40/17 RT-615s for $332 shipped (after rebate) just couldn't be beat. The Star Specs were about $200 more shipped when I purchased tires a couple of weeks ag

I havnt driven on a true hi performance street tire in close to 10 years when I had my 300z, so I'm sure the RT-615s will still be plenty for my feeble mind.

I loved my RT-615's in 195/14 on the RX-7. They measured a 205 on actual tread width and it really took some ham-fisted driving to get them greasy on such a light car. Up here where it's cold and damp for half the season they really were nice as the other tires couldn't get up to temp in 3 runs. I also set FTD on street tires in the pouring rain twice (they are really good at full tread in the wet).

All that said I really want to try the RE11 and the Star Spec now that I have 15" wheels on the Miata. Had I still had the 7 with the 14's I probably would try the Dunlops in a heart beat just to see. Right now the price difference is too much. It's around $270 shipped for a set of 15" Azenis after the $80 rebate which is insanely low. Considering the Miata isn't a National-level (or even a Regional-level) build up that extra tenth or two is meaningless...

Ian F wrote: (as I go scrambling off to find 14" wheels for a Spitfire...)

Thinking about the same thing for my Opel GT. Mine is a 70 with 13" rims. I think later ones, like 73 has 15" rims. Might have to find one for the rims.

Damnit. We just bought tires. This pisses me off, we ended up with "high performance all season". Don't ask me why, I didn't buy them.

I emailed the sales contact on the Discount Tire website to see if they would be picking up the 14" sizes as well. The response was "Unfortunately we do not have them at this time. They should be added to our inventory in the future."

If they don't have them by mid March I'll probably go with the Falkens. Nothing against Tire Rack, I've just had good success with my local Discount Tire price-matching and installation wise.

Try calling your local store. (If you haven't; your post makes me think you called a DTD contact rather than a local store.) I'd be surprised if a local store can't get them. I've had my local Discount order stuff for me several times.