mpwolf

I posted this in the S4 fourm, but I think it applies to anyone looking for max performance tires. I hope the Tire Rack doesn't mind me linking their charts. Anyway -->

I've been researching this question a lot and I wanted to stay in the Max tire category so I considered the following tires (stock size, 225/45R17):

BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KD: $193
Bridgestone Potenze S0-3: $165
Kumho Ecsta MX: $120
Michelin Pilot Sport: $179
Pirelli PZero Nero: $151
Toyo T1-S: $147 (Tire Rack does not carry Toyo, this is from www.treaddepot.com)
Yokohama AVS Sport: $137

As you can see prices vary widely for a set from $480 for the Ecsta MX to $772 for the g-Force T/A.

Almost everyone recommends the S0-3 and as such, I believe they are also a good tire, albeit at $660 for a set.

Looking at the Tire Rack's Tests, I've dediced to go with the Kumho Ecsta MX. While it may not have the all out dry grip of the g-Force T/A or the wet traction of the S0-3, I think it's value more than makes up for it.

I understand that the Ecsta MX/g-Force T/A/AVS Sport test was done a month after the S0-3/Pilot Sport/PZero Nero test, but both tests were done on identical Lexus IS300's on the same course, at the same time of year (October 2002) so I think the results should be fairly comparable.


In this ranking, the more expensive tires have a clear advantage, but the MX fares well. I'm not too concerned about the ride quality because, lets face it, the S4 is a sports sedan and doesn't ride all that soft anyway.
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image001.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_max_perf/image001.gif">

In this test, you can see that the MX holds its own against the more expensive tires. While the AVS Sport falls back, the MX hangs on to beat the S0-3 in Steering Response and Cornering stability.
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image002.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_max_perf/image002.gif">

On the wet track, the S0-3 and PZero Nero clearly excel, but the MX kills the AVS Sport and the g-Force KD and is very close to the Pilot Sport.
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image003.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_max_perf/image003.gif">

In this ranking, the more expensive tires have a clear advantage, but the MX fares well. I'm not too concerned about the ride quality because, lets face it, the S4 is a sports sedan and doesn't ride all that soft anyway.
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image004.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_max_perf/image004.gif">

This is where things get interesting and how I basically got sold on the MX. The MX does well on the wet test track, besting the AVS Sport and g-Force T/A. I think this is the most difficult comparison to make because we don't know if the drivers were the same for these tests and thus lap times may not be comparable, but nonetheless, the advantage of the S-03, PZero Nero and Pilot Sport in the wet is unmistakeable. Those tires kick *** in the wet, but not by such a margin that the MX looks bad. To me, that conclusion would be like saying Porsche sucks because Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bugatti are better.

On the dry track the MX does a excellent job, clicking off lap times faster than the AVS sport, S0-3, PZero Nero and Pilot Sport. It's not surprising that the g-Force T/A had the lowest time, since it is usually accepted to be the grippiest street tire out there.
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image005.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_max_perf/image005.gif">

On the dry skidpad, the MX ties for second with the S0-3 and Pilot Sport, not bad for a tire that costs at least $45 less per corner.
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image006.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_max_perf/image006.gif">

This test the MX clearly comes in last, but the crowd favorite S0-3 doesn't fare to well either. The Pilot Sport dominates in this test.
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image007.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_max_perf/image007.gif">

The S0-3/g-Force T/A/Pilot Sport test did not include braking results, but as you can see, the MX has the shortest stopping distances in both the wet (where it exceled) and the dry (where it beat the grippier g-Force T/A).
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/max_perf/image008.gif">

For me it came down to a question of money. Was it worth $180 or so to get the S0-3 or T1-S instead of the MX. I decided it wasn't. The price difference is the cost of one track day and I'd rather put the money towards that. If cost were no object, I'd probably choose the tires in this order (from what I've read and heard):

1. PZero Nero
2. T1-S
3. S0-3
4. g-Force T/A
5. Pilot Sport
6. Ecsta MX
7. AVS Sport

But throw the cost of the tires into the equation and the MX quickly shoots to the top of that list. Finally, people who have the MX rave about it as much as do owners of the S0-3, but you'll find they complain about it less. People have complained about the ultra-stiff sidewall on the S0-3 which results in a (reported) less than stellar ride and wicked tramlining, two things I can do without.

Hope that this has been helpful.

ex-quattro PETE

Nice post, thanks! BTW, T-1S can be had for $147.

mpwolf

Really, where? I didn't know is was that reasonable.

ex-quattro PETE

www.treadepot.com

mpwolf

Cool, good to know.

Man Of Many Parts

Where's the Dunlop Sport 9090 or 9000?

Clues

I came to the same conclusion and installed the MX a few weeks ago. It is a very good tire for the money. Although I think that the T1-S was an overall better tire (ran for previous three summers) as supported by your post. But at the end of the day I don't track my car and rarely push the tires to their limits - so the value proposition was high for me.

As you know, unsprung weight affects the handling of your car. Less work for you suspension, less hp to get wheels rolling, etc. It is amazing to see almost 5lbs difference across brands in the same size. I got weights directly from manufacturer websites or by calling their customer service (all 225/45-170).

Toyo T1-S 20.9lbs
Pirelli PZero Rosso 21.0lbs
Pirelli PZero Nero ZR/XL 22.02lbs
Kumho MX 22.6lbs
Dunlop 9000 23.6lbs
Yokohama AVS Sport 23.98lbs
Yokohama ES100 24.3lbs
BFG KDW 24.39lbs
Pirelli PZero Nero WR 24.7lbs
B'stone S0-3 25.0lbs
Kumho 712 25.2lbs
Falken GB451 25.8lbs
Pirelli PZero Nero YR/XL 26.7lbs

Modified A6

Has anyone heard about the Falcon 451? It is cheaper than the Toyo and I have heard GREAT things about it for wet and dry, plus comfort and quiet as against the S-03.