Tires? Any Sumitomo or Hankook info?

[Morelli]

Just put some Bridgestone Potenza S03's on last week...

[insite]

Update -

i tried a set of HTRZ's last week on my car; i used to use these Sumitomos on my RX-7 (old model of tire, same brand). I hate these on my boxster and am replacing them this week. the sidewall flex is intolerable. i've lost most of the 'snap' in the rear end of the car on corners. also, exiting corners, the rear of the car seems to oscillate back and forth before settling on a line. they also follow road grooves like nobody's business.

i can't vouch for the HTRZ-2's as i haven't tried them, but i do not reccomend the HTRZ on this car. back to potenzas.

[limoncello]

I have the Sumitomo HTRZ II's. Have driven them for 2 months on the road, and one track day. Some observations: a. There is still some sidewall flex, but I don't have experience with other tires on the Boxster to compare. b. They had a lot of grip in my opinion. c. They worked well in the rain - we had a lunchtime downpour and I went out on the track shortly after, track soaked. I was surprised at how much traction I had. I would have no worries with them on a rainy interstate. The Audi S4 driver who kept passing me also had Sumitomo HTRZ II's - he liked them and was impressed with the wet performance also. d. They were inexpensive ($97 rear, $75 front). I knew I would probably burn up a set in 2-3 track days plus normal driving, so I went for the savings. e. Not tracking well on grooved roads - I can't say, haven't driven on heavily grooved roads yet. On city streets and normal interstates they feel fine, with low/moderate road noise. Tracking is fine. Tire wear: it was a hot day at the track. The tires show wear from one day, but so did everbody else's.

Now, having said all the above, I'm holding my final opinion until I get my next set of tires (probably Michelins or Bridgestones), and can compare them directly against another tire. Will post when I get there.

[wingboat]

I've got Sumi HTR+s on my Jag XJ8, and think they're great. MUCH better wet grip than the Fuldas on my 986, which are horrible..

Not such a fan of the Sumis in snow (Boston), but otherwise a great tire.

[Pablito]

The best experience so far I had with tires in my car has been with Bridgestone Potenzas S03 Pole Position....the full set of 18's (225/40 fr, 265/35 rr) in Costco cost me around $900.00 installation and lifetime balancing included. Great dry grip, very good wet grip, nice cornering and stopping, one caveat however, Boxsters eat them like nothing I've seen...especially the rears. I've bought two sets of rears before the fronts start to get faded...The next best thing I've experienced has been the Khumo Ecsta Supras, overall good performers, very close to the Potenzas and they last a bit longer for about 30% less the cost ...You might want also to consider where you live, here in the tropics, roads are always very hot or extremely wet.