OEM Tires vs Dunlop Direzza ZII
 

Replaced the OEM tires at 100 miles. The Dunlops have over an inch wider tread width at the same tire size! Their OD seems to be smaller than stock as well. Weight is 22lbs, so approx 2lbs heavier than OEM. Only major downside is that they are louder on the freeway. Not R888 or mud tires level, but noticeable. I'll upload "after" photos tonight. Still have to process those in Lightroom.

Cheng

I'm running 225/45/17 Z2's and they're fantastic. They're definitely not quiet, but well worth the noise for the grip.

can you upload a pic with that size? that is the size I want cause i like the "meaty" look

I don't have any shots that show off the width really...

http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8399/...4aa2e342_b.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...84578880_n.jpg

Which rims are those? ;)

I believe those are RPF1's. I want to save up for a supercharger before I spend money on RPF1's so I just chose to stick with the stock wheels for now. Therefore the widest I could fit was 215's.

The minimum wheel width for 225's is 7.5". You can physically fit a 225 on the stock wheels but you'll end up with the exact same tread width as a 215 since you're squeezing the tire.

^^ Not 100% true... running a narrower rim doesn't actually change the tread width, but it does change how the tire reacts to cornering forces. A narrower wheel will make the tire have a bit less grip, but it will break loose more progressively. That said, I wouldn't put a 225 ZII on a 7" wheel either :D

As for my wheels, they're 17x8 +45 RPF1's.

Is it just me or does this tire look like a water collecting death trap. Whenever I see groves that dont exit to the edge of the tire I imidiately think of nightmarish hydroplaning.

Hydro planing results from water lifting the center of the contact patch first. The exit grooves need to reach the center of the contact patch. It doesn't matter if they reach the edges. Counterintuitive but this interesting fact has been known since the 50's at least.

The most effective anti hydro planing treads are simple circumferential grooves.

Yes I understand how tires work. Its a visual thing, it just looks wrong. This is made even worse by the tread being cone shaped, it looks like water will be forced into the dead end.

After Photos

Just wait !
 

When they heat up they stick like glue !

I am addicted - I buy a set EVERY year (they turn into wood after a season)-

Noise be damned - turn up the stereo !

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps3eb3bee8.gif

CERBERUS

They look worse than they are, I daily drive mine and have had zero issues in pouring rain at highway speeds.

So F1 intermediate tires look wrong?

That tread pattern is a reduced version of the tread pattern you find on rain tires.

Those grooves are optimized for water evacuation given the design purpose of those tires. Tread is only required for standing water (or snow). No tread at all is best for anything else.

I realize that you like to flex your infinite tire knowledge, but its getting old. As I explained in my second post, (before you decided to berate me with more useless knowledge) I was simply making a visual observation, the thread pattern looks counter intuitive (as you mentioned yourself) . I know it works I'm not thick, Dunlop wouldn't sell the tire if it was truly a "deathtrap".

I was SURPRISED !
 

Very road worthy in the wet and cold - surprisingly so because of the reviews -

Mind you I never panic stopped in those conditions - My arsole was so tight I drove like old people fuk - :scared0016:

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps3eb3bee8.gif

CERBERUS

I was surprised as well. I've driven mine in temperatures in the 20's and well as heavy rain and they are surprisingly capable in these conditions. I even ran them in an autocross in the rain.
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/...psd45c5419.jpg

How would you guys compare it to the PSS. I usually only use summer tires for maybe 6 months and switch them to winters. Does the z2 wear considerably more than the PSS. And in terms or grip do you notice a HUGE difference between the the two?

Yes and Yes
 

They wear faster

HUGE difference in grip

1 season iffn u heat cycle them on the track

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps3eb3bee8.gif

CERBERUS

Would getting 225/45r17 PSS a better choice than the 215/45r17 z2. I dont take the car to the track however i do take the car to autoX and some canyon driving. I have heard people get around 25-30 thousand miles out of the PSS. Realistically how long do the z2 last.

I just replaced my ZII's at 12,000 miles and 90 autocross runs. They still have 4/32" of even treadlife remaining but were pretty much heat cycled out. However, one could probably still get 3000-5000 street miles out of them. I had PSS on my previous car (135i) and I really loved them but the grip level on the ZII's is substantially better. The PSS do have a treadlife warranty and are far quieter than the ZII's though. For a daily driver I would go with the PSS but if you autocross or track much the ZII's (or R-S3's) are a better choice.

Is it possible to run 225 z2 on stock rims?

You *could* run a 225 on a 7" wheel (what stock is), but you would be better off with a 215.