Sumitomo Tires

[Tony_SS]

Feedback on these? I'm looking at the HTRZ I or II.

edit.. considering Falkens too

[DButler]

I have the HTRZ II on a nova and I like them.

[wmhjr]

I bought htrz's to replace worn S03's on a BMW a few years ago. Handling was very noticeably worse. After 3 days I returned them and replaced them with new S03s. the Sumis were cheaper, but I couldn't stand the drop in handling. This was on an M3.

[DriverzInc]

The HTRZ III's are decent, otherwise, if you are looking for max performance, definitely not the "best" tires out there, but for the price... they do the job. Take into consideration the application and then make an intelligent decision weighing cost vs. performance.

[Tony_SS]

This for the Wagon.. street driving. I was told Falken owns or makes Sumitomo.. any truth to that?

[JustinB]

Tony, I believe it is the other way around. Sumitomo/Dunlop own and manufacture Falken.

[Tony_SS]

Thanks.. I'm probably going with a set of Falken 512's.. the W sidewall is supposed to be decent? The place that sells the MB wheels sells Falkens, but not Sumitomo..

Justin, if you guys sell MB wheels let me know

[Gotelli Speed]

they are decent tires for a daily rat but any spirted driving will show the weakness on 360 treadware, had them on a shop car for a year and they wore like rocks!!

[SLO_Z28]

they are decent tires for a daily rat but any spirted driving will show the weakness on 360 treadware, had them on a shop car for a year and they wore like rocks!!

The treadwear on these tires is measured differently. When I used to install HTRZ3's in high school they were 150 treadwear. This is still the exact same compound as it was when rated lower.

The sumitomo HTRZ3 is hard to beat for the money. I like them because I can destroy them and not feel bad. I have no hesitation to take them to their limits are they are VERY capable as a tire. HTR stands for High Tech Rubber and it means that these tires have optimal grip over a wider slip angle than most other UHP summer tires. They dont like cold and they dont like rain like any UHP summer tire, but other than that theyre great. There are better tires out there, but not in anywhere near this price range. Better tires start off at at least twice as much.

I picked up my tires for $400 shipped:


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[aeroocoupe]

"The sumitomo HTRZ3 is hard to beat for the money. I like them because I can destroy them and not feel bad. I have no hesitation to take them to their limits are they are VERY capable as a tire. HTR stands for High Tech Rubber and it means that these tires have optimal grip over a wider slip angle than most other UHP summer tires. They dont like cold and they dont like rain like any UHP summer tire, but other than that they are great. There are better tires out there, but not in anywhere near this price range. Better tires start off at at least twice as much. " SOL Z28

sumitomo HTRZ II Good for the money and they will give u notice before u loss control. When u smash the gas they will put on a great show when they are cold. Good for the street but not the best tire out there.

[wmhjr]

I agree the sumis give you warning. For me they were like driving on jello. The back end of the m3 got REAL loose. Not sliding. Sidewalk flex like crazy. They were 20mph slower - not just making it up. The instant I got rid of them, the car was rock steady and responsive again. The nitto nt05s I'm running on the gto seem MUCH better performing than the Sumis, at a significantly lower price than the S03 equivalent. When you have a test vehicle as tight and responsive as an m3, you can really notice the differences. Of course, those were htrz2s i think, and not 3s. Maybe they got their crap together. I'm not going to buy any more to find out.

[Tony_SS]

At least they look nice. heh.. The Falken 512 have a 360AA tread and W rating. If I go with 17's I think I'll go with those...otherwise I'm really leaning toward 15x8's all the way around now.. I have 2 perfectly good Cooper Cobra's on the back and I'd would just 2 new ones for the front.. plus I'm not crazy about going to a 25.7" tire in the rear of the wagon.. might look too short back there? Not sure what to do..

[DriverzInc]

FYI too guys, all the Sumis and Falkens are soon to be added to the site: http://driverzinc.com/category/tires/

[SLO_Z28]

I agree the sumis give you warning. For me they were like driving on jello. The back end of the m3 got REAL loose. Not sliding. Sidewalk flex like crazy. They were 20mph slower - not just making it up. The instant I got rid of them, the car was rock steady and responsive again. The nitto nt05s I'm running on the gto seem MUCH better performing than the Sumis, at a significantly lower price than the S03 equivalent. When you have a test vehicle as tight and responsive as an m3, you can really notice the differences. Of course, those were htrz2s i think, and not 3s. Maybe they got their crap together. I'm not going to buy any more to find out.

At wholesale the NT05's are twice as much as the HTRZ3. A lot of this depends where you live, for me cold is anything below 80. Im used to the valley weather so 90-115 was the average race day, maybe as cool as 80 by midnight. I know that we went 11.34 on those tires at sears point in a brand new 02 camaro in high school with the help of a little N20.

The one thing I can say about the ZE512's is that they flat spot easy. Ive done that to several sets that were brand new while on test drives for brakes/alignment. Theyre also as expensive as a set of NT555's which are a better tire.


Edit, wow, major brain fart. I meant HTRZ2's in all of my posts. The Z3's are terrible. I dont think the Z3's even existed back then. The Z2 is great, the Z3 is rubbish, about on par with a radial TA(i know, thats harsh)

[Tony_SS]

James, what do you mean by 'flat spot'? I'm seriously looking at the ZE512's... thanks.

[SLO_Z28]

James, what do you mean by 'flat spot'? I'm seriously looking at the ZE512's... thanks.

Like 12 years ago when ABS wasn't common, the tires would lock up on test drives and lose 2-3/32's almost instantly. I probably drove peoples cars way harder than was necessary. People would come back with the same problems on their own. To be fair Falken still warrantied the tires.

[montessaj]

Tony, I ran the ZE512's on my S-10 for about 4 months only because they lasted 4 months. They seemed to have a tendency to chunk up, especially on the fronts. I may have gotten a bad set, but I switched to the BFG G-force Radial and never looked back. The BFGs have been excellent street performance tires I have no complaints with them.

[Tony_SS]

I did some fitment tests and a 285 fits - so my only real option there is a NT555. Ordered a set mounted and blanced on the wheels - I should get them Mon or Tues.

The only bummer is I have to run a 1" adapter to make the 5.5" of backspace work. Its better than a loose spacer I guess.

[SLO_Z28]

- so my only real option there is a NT555

You'll be happy with those. The NT555 is a great tire!

[Tony_SS]

Yep, I'm running them on my Monte - very happy with them.