Tire opinions Goodyear G:2 versus Dunlop ZII

[cito]

I am running a 2013 performance package Mustang V6 in SCCA SOLO RTR DS class. I am currently running RE-11's that are now three years old. My rims are the stock 19x8.5 size. In looking at new tires, the ones I have been considering include primarily these:

265/40/19 Goodyear Eagle G:2 Supercar (like the fronts on the GT500)

vs.

245/40/19 Dunlop ZII's

vs.

275/35/19 ZII's

vs.

275/35/19 Hankook R-S3's.

The BFG Rival and RE-11A are not available in 19 inch sizes from what I can tell.

The main question here would be if anyone has experience with the Goodyears so that they could compare them with the other extreme performance tires out there.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Brent

 

[sholzer]

275/35 ZII or RS3. RS3 is proven on heavier cars, but ZII is one of the new "hot" tires. I'd probably go with the ZII unless the RS3 is a good bit cheaper

 

[cito]

R-S3's are actually quite expensive in this size. The ZII is reasonably priced relative to what else is out there in this size. Do you have personal experience with the G:2?

 

[fun4me]

Is it normal to squeeze 275's on a 8.5" rim? Why not go w/ the tire you've been running for 3 years, they're on closeout at tirerack.

 

[cito]

As far as I know, the RE-11s are inferior to the R-S3s, ZIIs, Rivals, and RE-11A's. The RE-11 in the 19 size costs more than the ZII's--probably because that size is not being replaced by the RE-11A--at least so far. Rivals are not available in my desired size, as noted.

So, RE-11's are out (unless they drop to about 140 bucks, than I am in).

It is a legitimate question as to whether you should stick a 275 on an 8.5 inch rim. That is part of my initial post really. 245 ZII versus 275 ZII.

I am already running a 285 on the 8.5's, and they really do not work all that bad. Perhaps that is because what I do is mostly low speed, autocross stuff. The price was right on the 285 re-11's I am using--free.

The 245 ZII is just as wide as the 255 stock tire. So, it is not as small as it might sound. Still, the 275's are intriguing because, in my experience, I have yet to find a situation in which more tire (within reason) was not better than less tire for autocrossing. Of course, that does not in any way make that deduction correct.

I am still wondering about whether anybody with a GT500 has gone from the G:2 to another extreme performance tire and found any improvement or loss in performance from making the change.

 

[Jefro]

Have you thought about dropping to an 18" rim & tire to open up your tire selection? I'm going with the rival when they are released in the middle of May. 295/35-18 on an 18x10 wheel

 

[cito]

Can't do that in my class SCCA Solo class. Might be able to go to an 18" rim next year if certain rule changes are made, but they will still be 8.5 inches wide.

 

[Vorshlag-Fair]

RT classes, eh? And the 19x8.5" wheel really limits your choices. Hmm...

What Brand and Model



I'm a fan of the RE-11, personally, and have had good luck with them in STU autocrossing as well as on track. But they are a bit pricy. The RE-11A is too new but I'm hearing promising things from my friends at Bridgestone.

The BFG is incredible, as I've written about in my Vorshlag Review of the BFGoodrich Rival. They said they will not make a 19" size for at least a year, though.

Dunlop ZII was actually tested at this BFG Rival test, and it did "OK" but was a second slower per lap, on a road course. Probably closer than anything else we tested that week (Hankook RS-3, Toyo R1R, Falken 615K).

Don't rule out the Yokohama AD-08. We have had great luck with those in SCCA Solo use in STU class, for one. The price might be uncomfortable though - gotta check that, and available sizes.

The Hankook RS-3 is worth looking at, of course. We had pretty good luck with these in multiple sizes when we ran STX in our 2011 GT. They have two 265mm 18" sizes, but I don't know about the 19" stuff.

Goodyear? That isn't even on the RADAR...

Don't Squeeze Me, Bro!

Sizing is key... these are NOT Hoosiers, so I wouldn't squeeze a giant size onto a too narrow rim, like most "Stock" class guys do. That doesn't work on real street tires. An 8.5" wheel really should max out at 255mm for the tires you're looking at. Maybe a 265mm tire, if there weren't good 255 choices, but by no means would I push it to 275mm - that is a SERIOUS squeeze for a street tire. Then look at gearing changes that could occur if you go shorter or taller than your stock tire's diameter... run a tire calculator and a gearing calculator for your transmission in 2nd gear, and try to keep top speed in 2nd to as close to 65-70 mph as possible. For a V6 Mustang 65mph might be enough, but for the V8 cars we always shoot for 70-72 mph.

Are you absolutely locked into 19" wheels? I know there are several optional wheel sets on the various Mustangs. I wouldn't give up the width for any reason, but if there is an 18x8.5" factory wheel package I'd look at that, as this frees up a lot of $$ and opens up your choices (BFG!). When/if the new "Street" class hits there should be a 1" wheel diameter allowance, so you could then go to an 18x8.5" wheel. Maybe in 2014... (fingers crossed!)

Good luck,

 

[cito]

The other wheel sizes are 17x7 and 18x8, but the performance package requires the 19x8.5. The rules about what tires are inexpensive and what tires are expensive are thrown out when you get into the 19 inch size. These are the tires that I have looked at, plus the stock tire and sizes.

In my mind, the RE-11 < ZII, R-S3 <=less than
the AD08< ZII, R-S3
the R-S3<= ZII
the P-Zero = suck

So, where does the G:2 stand? Anybody know?

Hankook R-S3 245/40ZR19 $315 Each
Recommended wheel sizes: 8-9.5"
Measured wheel width: 8.5"
Tread width: 9.1"
Diameter: 26.7"

R-S3 275/35ZR19 $356
Recommended wheel size 9-11"
Measured wheel width: 9.5"
Tread width: 10.2"
Diameter: 26.7"

Bridgestone RE-11 245/40R19 $240 on clearance
Recommended wheel width: 8-9.5"
Measured Wheel Width: 8.5"
Tread Width: 8.7"
Diameter: 26.7"

RE-11 265/35/19 $306
Rec'd width 9-10.5
Measured wheel width: 9.5
Tread width: 9.6
Diameter: 26.3

RE-11 285/35/19 $309
Recommended width: 9.5-11inch
Wheel width: 10"
Width: 10.2"
Diameter: 26.9"

Yokohama Advan AD08 245/40/19 $274
Recommended width: 8-9.5inch
Wheel width: 8.5
Width: 9.4
Diameter: 26.7"

Yokohama Advan AD08 265/35/19 $296
Recommended width: 9-10.5 inch
Wheel width: 9.5
Width: 10.2
Diameter: 26.4"

Yokohama Advan AD08 275/35/19 $333
Recommended width: 9-11 inch
Wheel width: 9.5
Width: 10.6
Diameter: 26.6"

Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 265/40/19 $318
Recommended width: 9-10.5 inch
Wheel width: 9.5
Width: 10
Diameter: 27.4"

Dunlop ZII 275/35/19 $315
Recommended width: 9-11 inch
Wheel width: 9.5
Width: 10.5
Diameter: 26.6"

Dunlop ZII 245/40/19 $248
Recommended width: 8-9.5 inch
Wheel width: 8.5
Width: 9.4
Diameter: 26.7"

Stock 255/40/19 P-zeros $301
Recommended width: 8-10 inch
Wheel width: 9
Width: 9.4
Diameter: 27.2"

 

[cito]

A note about top speed in 2nd Gear. The V6 has a lower redline than the V8, and it just falls on its face if you hit it. I get about 61 miles per hour at the top end. That might be the main benefit of running a taller tire like the G:2.

 

[Random Asshole]

Hankook R-S3 245/40ZR19 $315 Each
Recommended wheel sizes: 8-9.5"
Measured wheel width: 8.5"
Tread width: 9.1"
Diameter: 26.7"

R-S3 275/35ZR19 $356
Recommended wheel size 9-11"
Measured wheel width: 9.5"
Tread width: 10.2"
Diameter: 26.7"

wow. that's crazy considering 285/35/18's cost $293 a piece.

 

[SilverMustangGT]

I have driven on 255/40/17 R-S3's installed on 17x8 rims the past couple of years and they worked fine...I didn't think they were too wide. I'm moving to 18x8.5 wheels this year and will be installing at least 265mm tires. I would like to go to 275mm tires, but I'm still trying to decide if it's worth the risk. These wheels are strickly used for autocross and will see very little street use.

Anyway, I think 265 tires are fine for 8.5" rims, but 275's are pushing the limit. I just wish I had the budget to test the different sizes.

Rob

 

[Sam Strano]

I'd recommend the R-S3. the RE-11A is an unknown. Might be fast, might not. The Rival isn't made in 19", but I know that at the BFG Rival "reveal" that a two of us with no dog in the street tire fight felt the M3's on the Hankook's were more pointable than they were on the Rivals. Note that between the two of us we have 11 Open class National Championships. Now, here's the rub. No clocks, but I found the Rivals on the M3's too tight, however on a Mustang power down would help a lot... but, they don't exist in 19" so it's kind of moot point.

The ZII is prone to getting too hot. We've seen it in testing here, and even Dunlop's own information on their website showed that over the course of laps the jump the ZII's had on Z1's shrunk until by the end of 10 laps the Z1's had basically caught up.

The G:2's aren't cheap. They are pretty fast, but typical of high performance Goodyears are greatly effected by the heat cycles.

 

[cito]

Thanks for the input Sam. Are the g:2's just as fast as the R-S3's, but heat cycle out fast? I was starting to lean toward the g2s or the zii's, but now I am not sure.

I just noticed that the kooks have changed in treadware rating from 140 to 200. That is humorous especially if there were no real changes made to the tires.

Thanks again.

 

[lito]

Sorry to bring this back from the grave but any changes on the opinions over this last two years? other options?

I dont AX anymore but want a better tire, I just could not imagine how bad the G2s were going to be and looking for options.

Running 9.5x19" wheels all around and looking into 275/40 probably, our really bad roads make us need some rubber, currently using 265/40 G2s and God they are awful.

Looking for something sticky, not too worried if they last as the car is rarely used (10kMiles on 9.5 years) but don't want an R compound (have a separate set of GT500 rims for michelins and even some conti slicks in stock) just a grippy street tire with some average wet behavior.

thanks!

 

[SlowJim]

Rivals or RS3's.

 

[Lucky_13]

Two newer options in the 275/35 are the AD08R and the RE71R, if you decide to go that route. I'm running 305/30/19 AD08R square and I love them, and a friend is doing well on the bridgestones