I'd just get the Conti DW, then you have a good rain option for the track/autox as well. I'm planning on these as DD tires on my Volvo once I wear out the Proxes 4s on it now. The RS3V2 is good in the rain and seems to be wearing well so far on my S2K, but they might be too harsh/noisy to live with for a 100% daily driver. My shocks, swaybar and exhaust are far more annoying than the tires could be, so I don't really know :).
I ran Z1's on my ms3 before, I won't go any less in the future.
when I get the saab back on the road.. she will be getting sticky tyres for the street as well. I have the disco for bad weather
I don't know if this has been said but when running softer tires on the street make sure that the cars alignment is spot on and all suspension bits are in good shape. Having a race alignment or a car that is out of alignment will in many cases kill softer tires really fast. Also a side bar to this is with softer tires that have any kind of aggressive alignment particularly any kind of significant toe will greatly increes rollong resistance and hurt fuel millage and kill tires in a hurry. And finally shocks and struts in poor shape will kill a soft tire much faster as well.
I have Kumho Ecsta XS on my cars, I live in the desert though.
On a Miata with a track-oriented alignment, I'd get ~20k and 6 track days out of a set of Z1, over about a year and a half. Most of the mileage on the highway. Made for enjoyable commutes when the roads allowed as well.
For me it made for easy track days, just check lug nuts and pressures, no monkeying around and getting dirty.
Mine are now toast, likely get a set of Z2s to replace.
Beer Baron wrote: Don't need all season because I will use the van in the winter.
Unless the car will live in a heated garage over the Winter, everything I've read (and experienced with Z1's) says a second set of wheels/tires is still a good idea and keep the EPS tires indoors. The Z1's we had on a MINI were amazing the first year, but felt different the following Spring after spending a Winter freezing in the garage.
In reply to Ian F:
Will not live in a heated garage. I'd heard that story about similar tires. I presume I would not have the same issue with a DW or Comp2.
Not to that extent, but they will degrade. Can you just keep them inside as a footrest? My roommate's a car guy, and that's what we've done with his Mustang's slicks and skinnies when not in use lol.
Your area doesn't apply but I initially went with Extreme Summers and put 20k on the first pair on the heavy end, could have gotten more if they were rotated to the lighter end earlier. I don't drive many miles a year so went with RA1s (thanks, Keith) and love them on the street. They have never given me a problem, although I do warm them up for a few miles. Will go with R1Rs next due to size availability. It's not the most practical set up but in the warm dry desert it has been great and the roads in my area are pure fun.
If a more practical scenario was the case, I'd consider Michelin Pilot Super Sports first, Conti DWs second.
I have the comp2s and I don't think they will work well for autocross. Mine are on a heavy wrx though. Really soft tire that works well for DD. I'm about to start using my Z2s daily on the miata (they both are DDs, I drive which ever depending on mood ) because the dz101s on it are dead.
I really like the dz101s on the miata so I went with the comp2s for the wrx for exactly your reasons but I don't know if the BFG is bad, or I expect more of it, or if its just the heavy AWD subie.
It's soft. I went from Z1SS's to the BFG Comp-2's, and they're much softer in the sidewall. Much stiffer than a Conti DW though. Nothing really compares to the EPS tires out right now, they have near R-compound grip and you can drive them on the street without much worry. After all the driving I've done with these, I really wish I would've gotten the Hankook RS3v2's.
I run toyo ra1s on the spyder, they last 2 seasons (15-20k per+ 3-5 auto-xs) on the front and 1+ rears, and are great on a 2000lb car, they're even great in the rain. As long its above 40f ish that is, they suck cold.
carbon wrote: I run toyo ra1s on the spyder, they last 2 seasons (15-20k per+ 3-5 auto-xs) on the front and 1+ rears, and are great on a 2000lb car, they're even great in the rain. As long its above 40f ish that is, they suck cold.
Z1's were no better. I got caught up in a MINI run on a cold and wet evening. Just puttering around they were fine, but when pushed a bit they were scary. For the first 15 minutes or so if felt like I was driving on ice until I could finally get some heat into the tires.
I'm another fan of the Conti DWs. I bought them based upon price and tire rack ratings; then I saw how much of a hit they are on the GRM forum.
Since moving out here, they have been performing very well on the canyon roads. Quiet, and they just keep gripping and gripping as I add more gas pedal through the turns.
They are also a lot quieter than my previous tires have been, but the DWs are still just a few months old.
I'm about due for a new set of tires for the MSM and after reading this thread perhaps Conti DWs are in my future. I have Yokohama S drives on there now, but two of them are pretty well worn at this point.
I daily'd R888's on my Miata for a summer. Heavy rain got a little tiresome, but otherwise it was a total ball.
I daily my Miata on G-Force Sport Comp IIs in the summer (and beast mode snows in the winter)
I run DWs on my S2000 for DD after wearing out the Specs, and Rivals then Yok AD08s for Autocross. I really like the DWs for DD and would buy them again. I wouldn't Autocross on them though, you are giving up a little to the V2s, Rivals, and RS3s. I might go with the RS3s rather than the Yoks for autocross though.
z31maniac wrote: I LOVE the Conti DWs I recently put on my NC Miata. Comfy, quiet, good feel, talk to you at the limit, great in the wet and awesome dry grip. I honestly don't see the need for a stickier tire on a DD.
QFT
I didn't realize the DWs were such a favorite around here. I rock a set on the E46, and I love them.
I have the RE-11s as a DD. They have some AX runs in them but I have a semi-dedicated AX set now.
I should be able to get at least 30k miles out of them.
Currently running s-04 pole positions on my 328i. Amazing tire. Not as grippy as the re11's, but I should get a bit longer life. It also performs admirably in the rain
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