I've been running Dunlop Direzza Z-1 StarSpecs on the track and on the street with no issues, still on OEM 18" wheels. NYC potholes have not been kind to me either, but no bubbles.
pretty sure i had some Dunlops on my GTI a decade ago or more, and would buy them again, too.
Had a bunch o different Dunlops on three different cars and they're far better economy tires than the sumitomos or coopers I've used.
Star Specs - 90% of the Bridgestone at 80% of the price.
I've had it for 1 week now, the lackluster looks of the stock 16's and the squishy, uncertain ride of the Goodyear's was killing me. Discount Tire was quick to the rescue with a set of Faulken LX-10 wheels and they were nice enough to let me get the tires I wanted through Tire Rack. They advised me to avoid the tire size I selected, but I was certain that it would work. The wheels are 20x8.55\" with a 35 mm offset, gloss black backround, machined face with chrome lip. I wanted to fill in the expected wheel gap, so rather than lowering it, I stuffed more rubber into the wheel well 'cause I bought this car to avoid the tailpipe sniffing experience of my previous GTI. The car sits 1\" higher than before, no rubbing, nothing touching in full lock either direction. The tires are Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500, staggered to 245/45-20 front and 255/45-20 rear. My biggest concern was the front lower shock saddle, I clear it by the width of a credit card, an offset of 30-32 would have been perfect, these tires do not stick out at all. The ride and handling are huge improvements, the extra sidewall actually gives a more more comfortable ride than stock with none of the wandering from before. Handling is now crisp and defined, but I wish for a better feel from the steering wheel as it is so overboosted, the setup feels light, until braking, it seems I have to push the pedal harder than before, I'd like to hear your opinions as to why this is. Other than that, I'm quite pleased, $2100 later.
The Direzza's are pretty sticky and take a lot before they break traction. I'm very happy with them performance-wise.
On my Sportruck (1980 caddy)(winter beater) I had Firestone Snowbiter studded snows all four. 155/85/13 HONEST to GOD! this truck would leave well set-up K-5 4x4 BLAZERS wallowing in it's dust as soon as the snow and Ice hit.
The original Dunlops (can't remember exact tire now) on the RX8 were useless below 35 degrees. I couldn't even take off gingerly without the traction control and ESC lights going crazy. But in the warm they were quite good.
I had a Falken Ziex 512 tire explote on the highway so I switched to Dunlop Direzza DZ101s and it's probably the worst rain tire I've had, I'm spinning tires everywhere... straight line, turning, braking.
you probably had the same OEM dunlops that i had. those things were absolute garbage. i drove for a year in fear of driving over windy bridges with those things. after i changed tires, it was a whole new car.
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