Dunlop Star Specs vs Kumho Ecsta XS
It's time to buy new tires. I drive my car mainly to work and back and occasionally on the track. I am planning on buying size 205/50/15 and putting them on Rota Slipstreams size 15x7. The price difference on tirerack.com is $60 per set of 4. Are the Star Specs worth the extra money?
1990 White NA - SOLD
1994 Black NA - SOLD
2006 Red NC - GT with limited slip, HIDs, all OEM.
The Kumhos are what Gary has on his new NC in 245 size on 9" 6ULRs. I understand they are the superior tire in dry traction but lack in the rain; I don't know this firsthand. I too am planning on getting some extreme performance tires too but waiting for mfr. rebates.
I got a 50 dollar rebate from Dunlop when I bought my Star Specs from Tirerack.. They have those promotions ever so often.
Cory
2006 Mazda MX-5 GT (SOLD)
1999 Mazda Miata (FOR SALE)
2004 Chevrolet Z06/Z16
2013 Kawasaki Ninja 650
I've got a set of each.
XS feel a bit more crisp once off centerline, but when tracking straight ahead, there's a lack of feed back until the tires take a set and they really go to work. In the wet, when the grip goes away, it's very abrupt and the car is hard to catch unless you're on your A game.
*Specs - definitely better in the wet and the dry grip is very close to the XS. I don't run the *Spec regularly on the street, but their behavior on track inspires confidence and they provide a civilized ride. Very pliable and they just grip grip grip.
If I were in the position of picking up one set of tires for DD duty + track time, I'd go with the *Spec. As an all around extreme performance tire, I think they're a bit better and the wet weather performance is what puts it over the top. The 1 or 2% better dry traction the XS's get shouldn't be something that's detectable on the street or on track until you're chasing tenths and are really consistent.
HTH,
Chris
I would suggest the Dunlops. They seem to be a better all-around tire for street usage. I plan to buy a set for my street tires. I enjoyed the ones on which I AX'd, too.
Dunlop Star Specs. They just work better. I tired AD08, XS, ans SS. They are the next best thing to an r-comp tire.
This is a data overlay from MSR 1.7 Hoosier R6 vs Star Spec. Watch at full screen.
M3 is always the answer.
Another vote for the Dunlops. I use Star Specs on my STX car. FWIW, the Dunlops are competitive in several SCCA Street Touring classes, but almost no one runs the Kumhos anymore. The Star Specs just work well and last a long time.
Hankook RS3 would also be another brand to cross shop.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
The RS3's have a very low size selection.
IMHO, Star Specs are the best dual-purpose tire, due to their excellent wet-weather handling and reasonable comfort level. I plan to run them on my street wheels when the RE01R's finally wear out. The only things the XS's seem to have going for them are dry grip and very good heat tolerance.
Polished Turd Racing
Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."
Thank you for this thread! I've been shopping these same tires...
'90 "LE" available for purchase soon
2008.5 CWP MS3: JBR 70d trilogy engine mounts, short throw shifter & shift plate bushings; AST 4100 w/ 400lb springs f/r; JRZ camber plates
Had a blowout and a puncture near the sidewall both within a couple of weeks. The rubber is getting old so....time for a new set. Decided on Star Specs. Anybody got suggestions on the best place to purchase? NTB suggested I buy from Tire Rack and have them delivered to one of their shops.
Anybody got a better idea?
Have you checked your oil?
I would contact Todd Eady at
Discount Tire
8700 Ohio Drive
Plano, TX 75024
(972) 377-8242
On the track, I am fearless.
If you were as slow as me, you wouldn't be afraid either.
1994 M Edition
CSP 67
Let us know how Todd compares to Tire Rack on the Star Specs...I'm in the market for some tires too.Originally Posted by cone-cerned
I got 4 235/40/17 Star Specs from Rudy at Tire Rack for six hundred even plus shipping. Ordered Monday morning they arrived Tuesday afternoon. I took them to Hallett and they were very very good. Had clutch start to slip before they did.
PS. They did alright in the grass too!
Nails, you better explain to everyone that was not at Hallett last weekend about your new Avatar!
Gabriel
I won a toy John Deere tractor as a "mowing the grass" door prize in a random drawing of 4-6 people who were called up for having the most "offs".
That's how I drive; flat off.
+1 for Star Specs, they had excellent grip at the track.
Remind me, you're not running stock wheels correct?
I'm currently running 215/45/17s on the stock wheels. Pretty sure 215 is about as wide as I can go.
The 215/45/17s are $575 with shipping on the site. Can Rudy get us a bit better pricing?
Edit: perhaps if you stayed on the track you coulda kept up w/ Gary...lol. Wish I coulda made it, but it was too much to try right after getting back from Seattle.
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