bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Mods: I know there's wheels/tires forum but I figured maybe I'd get better response here.

Anyone have or has had Dunlop SP9000 tires on their GS400? Comments?

LexusGS400

Yes, i had them and returned them after only 2 months. They were making a lot of road noise and had very poor traction. They look nice but overall they just suck and are tooo damn noisy.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Thanks! What did you get instead?

hlee1169

I have 245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 on the rear. I am satisfied with them since this is my second set. I got them because of their reputation in quietness since my rear tires are wider than the standard size. They also wear less than the other performance tires. Of course, I don't think they are as sticky as the other high performance tires, but I value tire noise more than road cornering.

I think I want to try the Bridgestone S3 tires next. My brother has a set on his Celica, and I think they are quiet and have good handling. The only thing is that S3 seems to wear out pretty fast, given a moderate style driving.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Well I got the SP9000's. They don't seem quite as quiet to me as the Toyo T1-S's I had, but the Toyo's do wear out very fast. But they do seem VERY smooth.

I just switched from 245/35-19 and 275/30-19 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Positions to taller 245/40-19 and 275/35-19 SP9000's.

My impression of the Bridgestone S-03 Pole Positions is that they're rock hard. They have a reinforced sidewall which makes them ride basically like run flats.

Of course my new SP9000's have a taller sidewall, but it's also more forgiving, so the ride is much more comfortable.

So far so good.

I've learned that tire options for 19's are EXTREMELY limited.

hlee1169

Can you tell me your impression of the S-3? That's what I want to try next. I think I value noise and comfort more than performance because you do require peak performance 90% of the time.

alexulan

245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 had them on for 15,000 miles.

Lots of road noise.

They had a good ride. Warm up easily.

I would NOT buy them again.

I replaced them with the Khumo's Supra.
Now have different issues:
Tires are square unless they are warmed up for 20 miles.
Less noise but they imposible to balance.

Next set will be something more expensive.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

I gave my impression in the post above.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

More expensive? Like what? In 19's and the size I wanted I had only choices, Bridgestone S-03's and Dunlops. If I could have bought them I would have gotten Toyos or Michelines.

I think you've got 18's so maybe you'll have more choices. I highly recommend Toyo T1s. BUT the tread life won't be very long (the tread life 'number' ratings on all performance tires are meaningless I've found).

All tires have trade-offs. Noise, tread life, traction - pick 2!

jbbnet

Bitkahuna,
you been shopping at tirerack? those S0'3 sizes have been on back order for ever it seems...... i'm on the list..... last i heard May 2nd. They been trying to offer me the Dunlop 9000's at special prices..... i'll wait for another set of SO3's.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

(FYI, I quote my new sizes wrong in the original post - I've edited that now)

No, I didn't buy from tirerack I don't like the idea of buying tires someplace and having them mounted someplace else because if there's ever a problem with them it's a major PITA. Plus, the place I got the SP9000's took the skinnier S-03's as trade-in which was very convenient. I like having a good relationship with quality local shops even if means shelling out a bit more coin.