tire choices are SO TOUGH!

[wwjd]

so many good options.

I'm used to EXTREME SUMMER TIRES (street legal track day tires) on previous car and LOVED those, fast wear and bumpy ride and all. Got this Boxster due for new shoes, and pondering the MAX PERFORMANCE instead of EXTREME. Extremes are Falken AZENIS 615s that basically smear my face in the road with how much feel you get back. It's like Hands > Road. The MAX would probably be the Mich pilot Sport 4S for a great tire and perhaps a more gentlemanly ride.

I dunno.... always believed stiff sidewalls was my key to spirited driving pleasure... maybe you guys could chime in with your summer tire choices, experiences, and opinions? Price and tire wear is no object. What do you SPIRITED DRIVERS like to run? IE I like to TRY to take right hand turns at legal speed limits like 35 whenever I can.

Also pondered Pirelli P-Zero, but research showed them to be mediocre compared to others now days.

Don't need no all season or touring here

[ianacole]

Have you looked at Nitto Invo tires? I run them on my SRT8 Challenger and am very happy with them.

[wwjd]

no, but I'll check them out, thanks! I've seen the name around

[Newsguy]

Try the General G-Max, made by Conti in Germany, of all places! Very satisfied with them. Just returned from a trip to Texas of about 1400 miles each way. Gooo ride comfort, and no noticeable wear. Great grip dry, but haven't run in rain yet.
VERY reasonably-priced. Recommended to m me by Tire Rack folks.

[Starter986]

What kind of oil are you running?

[Seal1968]

I had a set of General GMax on one of my older Audi A4s...they were good when new, but after 1 season became hard as pucks and noisy. (yes my suspension was good...) Very cheap tires.

I'm running Hancook Ventus on my 2013 ..they are OK, price is really good, but sidewalls are softer than I like. Will run them out and replace.

I ran some Falkens on my 944S, which were decent...good price. The Potenzas that came off her were a really good tire...very sticky.

I think for what you want, likely the Pilot Sports will make you happiest. They are what I'll replace mine with when ready I think.

Oh the choices!

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by Seal1968

I had a set of General GMax on one of my older Audi A4s...they were good when new, but after 1 season became hard as pucks and noisy. (yes my suspension was good...) Very cheap tires.

I'm running Hancook Ventus on my 2013 ..they are OK, price is really good, but sidewalls are softer than I like. Will run them out and replace.

If you are running the Hankook Ventus V12 right now, they will end up like the General GMax - great when new, but will end up being hard as pucks and noisy as you've described it.

I've run Dunlop, Continenal, and Michelin on my Porsche and BMWs, and always end up preferring the Michelin tires.

[Starter986]

When I bought my car and had the tires replaced America's Tire installed a set (4) of Yokahama somethingorother. I've about 7,000 miles on them and, when I took them in for a balance last week... guy told me they look brand new.

I may go with Falkens next time around. I've had them on my Edge and the bims and have never gotten less than 50K on each set. 70K on the last set (Edge). Love me those Falkens.

[Ciao]

Always enjoyed Michelin Pilot Sport. Currently the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S have my vote.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Ciao

Always enjoyed Michelin Pilot Sport. Currently the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S have my vote.

I have the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on my wife's Lexus GS & like them.

I will need new tires to replace my Box's Pilot Sports soon. I can't remember if I ever bought tires that weren't Michelin.

[Seal1968]

Yup, it seems the stickier and more expensive the shorter life span.

I tell you those Potenzas came off showing the belts in the rear tires and they still hung onto the road...I was impressed.

Maybe I'll look at them again...jeez. lol

Happy Thanksgiving from Canada!

[wwjd]

Oil?? Mobile 1. How does that relate to tires?

Mich PS 4S are my current front runner choice

[Allegro]

Originally Posted by wwjd

Oil?? Mobile 1. How does that relate to tires?

Mich PS 4S are my current front runner choice

Mobil 1?!?

Then it doesn't matter which tires you're running.

[wwjd]

Originally Posted by Allegro

Mobil 1?!?

Then it doesn't matter which tires you're running.

hahahah wow. what?? did I miss a memo? Thought that was recommended.

I haven't gotten to my first oil change yet. What is best in base boxster?

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by wwjd

Oil?? Mobile 1. How does that relate to tires?

It's an inside joke. Nothing elicits more of a 'hot button' reaction than someone asking what oil they should use. #2 hot button topic is tires. Everyone has their favorite and can be passionate about their choice, leading to some epic 'discussion' threads. And one person's experience with a tire might be very different than another's (have you read the comments in TireRack?).

There are lots of items that factor into picking the right tires and everyone's needs are different. Tire performance is just part of the equation. Ride, quietness, long life, etc are also part of deal and can vary greatly. Some want performance on the street or track, some want high mileage or a nice ride, some want all season, etc. You mentioned you want street performance. If price is no object, there are a multitude of options but you generally won't go wrong with Michelin. They tend to be the top dog that all the competitors chase. Continental, Yokohama, and Bridgestone are quality competitors to Michelin. Bargain options may fulfill some of your requirements but may fall short in others. Maybe you're willing to give up something for a lower price (like ride or quietness), maybe you're not.

I just bought a set of Yokohama Advan V105s after having Conti Extreme Sports for several yrs. The Yokos have been excellent street tires. But one of my requirements is for my tires to also be good on the track. The Yokos were predictable but a little more 'goosey' than the Contis and howled more. However, I had issues with cupping on most of the Contis I had.

Nothing wrong with asking, but you'll need to parse thru all the 'answers' you get and figure out what's best for you.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

It's an inside joke. Nothing elicits more of a 'hot button' reaction than someone asking what oil they should use. #2 hot button topic is tires.

[wwjd]

Ha! Thought an oil connection was a stretch, but I'm new at this.

"If you don't run AMSoil or Purple, you are too inexperienced to get anything out of good tires"

I understand the personal passions though.

[kk2002s]

Don't even talk tires until you talk IMSB.
Remember Baby Steps

[wwjd]

Originally Posted by kk2002s

Don't even talk tires until you talk IMSB.
Remember Baby Steps

I'll burn through tires a LOT faster than engines

[10/10ths]

....with Bridgestone S-04.

I currently have the new Pilot Sport 4s and it is spectacular.