We are a distributor for both barnds and Ive run both. The Sumitomo ZIII is a great tire for the money and wears great. Tire Rack gave the tire a great review. But I found the tire a little slick for autocrossing or DE events. The Yokohama AD08 is much more expensive but the grip is unbelievable.

In other words you get what you pay for

If you upsize the front to a 225/45/17 you will find nearly every tire including Star Specs. More selection, less understeer, shorter stopping distance... a win-win-win. A 205 up front is far less interesting to most Boxster drivers so don't let that size stop you.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+Sport+ Z1+Star+Spec

Yoki AD08s are very good tires. Hankook RS-3 are every bit as good as AD08s in AX and DE for about 1/2 price. Also available in 17s. ;)


Disclaimer: I am not a tire professional I just play one on TV. :) I also have been very fortunate to drive a fairly well sorted 2.5L Boxster that holds most of the track records in class around SoCal/Nevada.

I heard Mushimoto ZX are good. :D

each to his own, but for me its
Bridgestone Potenza Re002 or Re11
failing that,
Yokohama Ad08

If you did read the fine lines you would see that the mileage warranty is halved for cars with different sizes front & rear.

Does that still assume rotation of the tires on their respective axles to maintain the warranty?

Chicago burbs here too. Only summer driving. I settled on the Goodyear Eagle tires. Cost under $900 with everything including alignment. I was told to expect 20,000 miles out of them, but I have 7500 on them now and they still look almost as fresh as they did a year ago. They handle great, even in the rain. I will never know how they handle in the snow.