Any thoughts on these tires?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 444
From: Ohio
Any thoughts on these tires?
I just purchased my Mustang, & she's in urgent but not dire need of new rubber. Just has stock 17" rims & 235/55/17 tires, probably the originals. As I'm looking to get 18 or 19" rims in the not too distant future, I don't want to spend a fortune but don't want to get junk, either.
Was looking on TireRack.com & noticed that the Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 tires had pretty good reviews & were only $125 per tire. One of the reviewers had a 2010 GT and was very happy, but none of the reviewers had put >6-7k on the tires. Was just wondering if anyone has these tires & what they think, especially as the tires progress in life. Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated. Thanks.
Link to the tires is here.
Was looking on TireRack.com & noticed that the Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 tires had pretty good reviews & were only $125 per tire. One of the reviewers had a 2010 GT and was very happy, but none of the reviewers had put >6-7k on the tires. Was just wondering if anyone has these tires & what they think, especially as the tires progress in life. Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated. Thanks.
Link to the tires is here.
Retired Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,235
From: SF Bay Area
Welcome to MF's 
My question to you, is the same as EVERYONE with such inquiry in reguards to tires....
What are your needs as a driver?
This is the #1 focus of ANYONE who needs tires, regardless of budget. After all, if one needs grip for the twisties, he/she should not purchase a tire that does not suit such a need. If the cost is pushing the budget, I recommend more time to reach the financial stabilty to attain the need.
Tires are the single most important item, next to the driver, holding your car on the road.
Jazzer
My question to you, is the same as EVERYONE with such inquiry in reguards to tires....
What are your needs as a driver?
This is the #1 focus of ANYONE who needs tires, regardless of budget. After all, if one needs grip for the twisties, he/she should not purchase a tire that does not suit such a need. If the cost is pushing the budget, I recommend more time to reach the financial stabilty to attain the need.
Tires are the single most important item, next to the driver, holding your car on the road.
Jazzer
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 444
From: Ohio
On these tires it'll basically be a daily or every other day driver about 15 miles each way to work & back on the twisty back roads of eastern Ohio. That & the occasional road trip to family/friend's places when I'm not bringing the dogs with me. As I'm not planning on driving her in the slop of an Ohio winter (that's what the truck's for) I have been considering summer-only tires. Would like to take some classes @ Mid-Ohio at some point but I'd very likely have the other rims by the time I'd get to that point. I'll probably be driving her a bit more spirited than your average Joe, but nothing crazy - I do like my spotless driving record. 
Having browsed a couple of sites I'm thinking that the aforementioned tires would meet my needs (unless you would disagree based on what I've said). I'm just curious if anyone has any experience with them & their thoughts, especially if they've gone further into the tire life before I make the commitment. If you'd like or require any other information for your assessment just holler, & thanks for the help.
Having browsed a couple of sites I'm thinking that the aforementioned tires would meet my needs (unless you would disagree based on what I've said). I'm just curious if anyone has any experience with them & their thoughts, especially if they've gone further into the tire life before I make the commitment. If you'd like or require any other information for your assessment just holler, & thanks for the help.
Retired Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,235
From: SF Bay Area
I am not a fan of either tire, when it comes to Summer performance 
The Pirelli should have better grip in such conditions, but my conclusions is they probably don't. In such a case as the one you describe, I would always ask the following question:
This is the optimum way to achieve both great Summer grip, which you want and a tire that will get you through Winter months, should you get cought in it as the seasons are changing. There is just NO such tire that will ge great at both. The compromises would have to come with the "Summer" part of the tire, as they just will not do well in snow/ice/cold conditions. Besides this, a great Summer-only tire can be damaged by the cold due to the softer compounds used.
Jazzer asks... what say you now?
The Pirelli should have better grip in such conditions, but my conclusions is they probably don't. In such a case as the one you describe, I would always ask the following question:
Can you purchase a second set of tires/wheels for Summer-only use?
This is the optimum way to achieve both great Summer grip, which you want and a tire that will get you through Winter months, should you get cought in it as the seasons are changing. There is just NO such tire that will ge great at both. The compromises would have to come with the "Summer" part of the tire, as they just will not do well in snow/ice/cold conditions. Besides this, a great Summer-only tire can be damaged by the cold due to the softer compounds used.
Jazzer asks... what say you now?
Last edited by Jazzer The Cat; Mar 13, 2011 at 08:09 AM.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 444
From: Ohio
I guess my next question would be, "Do you have a recommendation for my situation?"
When I was considering hot-hatch-ing a new Focus before getting the Stang, I was definitely considering doing a 2nd set of rims for dedicated summer/winter tires. Probably the most I'd do now would be all seasons on the 17s, as I have no intention of taking her out in the slop or if the temps get below 40-45 degrees (that's what the F-150's for ). Is there an all-season performance tire that you like that would work for me? As this is basically a fair-weather car I was thinking of just going with summer tires for the added performance potential just in case I would get to do a track days, etc. as well as for added grip in the twisties on my commute. Make no mistake, though - I'm by no means an experienced road racer or performance driver. I'd consider myself a novice, at best.
It'll probably be a year or 2 before I get the bigger rims & nicer tires (which would probably be more tire than I'd need). It's not that I'm averse to spending $ on tires, as I do appreciate their importance. It just would seem silly to me to spend big bucks on tires with performance I don't currently need when I'm likely just going to get all new rims & tires well before the life of the current rubber is up.
When I was considering hot-hatch-ing a new Focus before getting the Stang, I was definitely considering doing a 2nd set of rims for dedicated summer/winter tires. Probably the most I'd do now would be all seasons on the 17s, as I have no intention of taking her out in the slop or if the temps get below 40-45 degrees (that's what the F-150's for
). Is there an all-season performance tire that you like that would work for me? As this is basically a fair-weather car I was thinking of just going with summer tires for the added performance potential just in case I would get to do a track days, etc. as well as for added grip in the twisties on my commute. Make no mistake, though - I'm by no means an experienced road racer or performance driver. I'd consider myself a novice, at best. It'll probably be a year or 2 before I get the bigger rims & nicer tires (which would probably be more tire than I'd need). It's not that I'm averse to spending $ on tires, as I do appreciate their importance. It just would seem silly to me to spend big bucks on tires with performance I don't currently need when I'm likely just going to get all new rims & tires well before the life of the current rubber is up.
Retired Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,235
From: SF Bay Area
So, you will be avoiding ALL lower temps with these new tires? Such as below.... 45* or so?
In such a case, you don't need A/S tires and can go with a high-performance Summer tire, that will work in the rain, but not freezing conditions. As an example, I run the Michelin PS2's on my "Winter" wheels. I preface that, as they are a very high performance Summer tire, but work fine in the wet. Not as good as the A/S tires in the wet, but just drive very conservatively in such conditions. When they are very cold, say 45* or so, they are pretty much like rocks on the road. Hard as hell and no grip at all. But..... once warmed up, I punched through here...
... at 50 MPH without any issues of grip whatever. Now, anyone else reading this is gonna say... "Jazzer, pimpin' his PS2's again"... but I love them
This is gonna come down to your budget, so what is it?
Jazzer
PS. Hit up my Choosing a new tire thread and see the link for Tire Rack Choosing a new tire within it. It can greatly help you narrow down your choices.
Jazzer = PS2 pimp
In such a case, you don't need A/S tires and can go with a high-performance Summer tire, that will work in the rain, but not freezing conditions. As an example, I run the Michelin PS2's on my "Winter" wheels. I preface that, as they are a very high performance Summer tire, but work fine in the wet. Not as good as the A/S tires in the wet, but just drive very conservatively in such conditions. When they are very cold, say 45* or so, they are pretty much like rocks on the road. Hard as hell and no grip at all. But..... once warmed up, I punched through here...
Fort Ross Twisties (< high-def in-car video )
)... at 50 MPH without any issues of grip whatever. Now, anyone else reading this is gonna say... "Jazzer, pimpin' his PS2's again"... but I love them
This is gonna come down to your budget, so what is it?
Jazzer
PS. Hit up my Choosing a new tire thread and see the link for Tire Rack Choosing a new tire within it. It can greatly help you narrow down your choices.
Jazzer = PS2 pimp
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 444
From: Ohio
I'd read your "Choosing a New Tire" thread even before joining the forum and must say that it is a very helpful read & played a big part in me getting to where I am now in the decision process. The TireRack decision engine basically confirmed what I already thought I knew.
I see you're a Michelin fan, that's cool (especially as Robertson Racing in ALMS will be Michelin shod this year). I was planning on either some nice Pilots or Potenzas for the larger rims when I get them. Was hoping to find something in the $150-$200 per tire range for the stock rims. The results produced by the decision engine for my size tires include:
Potenza RE040
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
Yokohama Advan Sport
BF Goodrich T/A KDW 2
Dunlop Direzza DZ101
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 (the ones originally mentioned)
Yokohama S.Drive.
All of which are either "Max" or "Ultra High" Performance Summer tires. Of that list, the tire with the highest customer reviews was the Firestone, which surprised me a bit given that it was the 2nd lowest priced of the bunch. Had a reviewer who drove a Mustang GT & seemed really pleased, especially w/respect to ride noise & wet traction - a sentiment echoed by most other reviewers. However, nobody reviewing had a lot of miles on the tires. The Potenzas seemed to get mixed reviews (even ignoring the dumb@$$ who tried to drive them in snow), especially later on in the tire's life. The ADVAN had mixed reviews among the Mustang guys - one w/an '03 Cobra loved them, one w/an '08 GT wasn't that thrilled (esp. w/road noise). Both drivers, however, had 30-40k on the tires @ time of review. I've got no problems with either Dunlop or Yokohama, though having a Bridgestone/Firestone guy literally next door to my workplace would simplify the logisitcs a bit. Hence, my interest in the Firestones & how they wear over the longer term. Obviously, driving style, vehicle & use goes a long way in determining that, but every little bit of info helps.
As far as weather goes, yeah, I don't see myself driving her once temps start pushing 40. I could definitely see myself driving in good weather on a nice spring/fall day like yesterday (clear, temps upper 40s/low 50s). Rain will happen in the summer, so they do need to be able to handle the wet (in the midwest summer storms have a tendency to pop up out of nowhere). Very little city driving, mostly country roads w/55mph posted limits or highway. It's a bit hilly & twisty, but even the worn Pirelli's on now have never flinched the few times I've taken her into town, & that's with taking many of the turns much more aggressively than with the F-150. I doubt I'd push the Stang much beyond what I've already done on those roads.
I see you're a Michelin fan, that's cool (especially as Robertson Racing in ALMS will be Michelin shod this year). I was planning on either some nice Pilots or Potenzas for the larger rims when I get them. Was hoping to find something in the $150-$200 per tire range for the stock rims. The results produced by the decision engine for my size tires include:
Potenza RE040
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
Yokohama Advan Sport
BF Goodrich T/A KDW 2
Dunlop Direzza DZ101
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 (the ones originally mentioned)
Yokohama S.Drive.
All of which are either "Max" or "Ultra High" Performance Summer tires. Of that list, the tire with the highest customer reviews was the Firestone, which surprised me a bit given that it was the 2nd lowest priced of the bunch. Had a reviewer who drove a Mustang GT & seemed really pleased, especially w/respect to ride noise & wet traction - a sentiment echoed by most other reviewers. However, nobody reviewing had a lot of miles on the tires. The Potenzas seemed to get mixed reviews (even ignoring the dumb@$$ who tried to drive them in snow), especially later on in the tire's life. The ADVAN had mixed reviews among the Mustang guys - one w/an '03 Cobra loved them, one w/an '08 GT wasn't that thrilled (esp. w/road noise). Both drivers, however, had 30-40k on the tires @ time of review. I've got no problems with either Dunlop or Yokohama, though having a Bridgestone/Firestone guy literally next door to my workplace would simplify the logisitcs a bit. Hence, my interest in the Firestones & how they wear over the longer term. Obviously, driving style, vehicle & use goes a long way in determining that, but every little bit of info helps.
As far as weather goes, yeah, I don't see myself driving her once temps start pushing 40. I could definitely see myself driving in good weather on a nice spring/fall day like yesterday (clear, temps upper 40s/low 50s). Rain will happen in the summer, so they do need to be able to handle the wet (in the midwest summer storms have a tendency to pop up out of nowhere). Very little city driving, mostly country roads w/55mph posted limits or highway. It's a bit hilly & twisty, but even the worn Pirelli's on now have never flinched the few times I've taken her into town, & that's with taking many of the turns much more aggressively than with the F-150. I doubt I'd push the Stang much beyond what I've already done on those roads.
Retired Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,235
From: SF Bay Area
Well, after reading all of your posts so far, I think you are in need of a higher performing tire than you may realize.
You must also take the reviews with a grain of salt, as for what the tire was intended. I have not driven any of the tires on your list here, but will throw in my $.02 as to how I figure them to be based on two basic criteria... tread pattern and UTQG. My focus is 100% on Summer grip and as it relates to corners, because this appears to be a high priority for you. It would REALLY suck to spend all this money, only to fall short of your goal by NOT spending another couple hundred $$$'s. Again, I have read zero reviews on these and just gut feeling on them:
Potenza RE040 = THIS is a high-performance Summer tire and will wear much quicker than the PZero's you have now. I would figure to get probably 20K miles, if you use them as they are intened. They will be fine in the wet, but NOT what your PZero's are. Will be hard as a rock when they get cold and don't want to drive on these in very cold weather.
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT = Similar to the Potenza's, but just a bit less grip and a bit longer wear.
Yokohama Advan Sport = Probably inbetween the above two tires in most ways, but better than both in wet grip.
BF Goodrich T/A KDW 2 = Lots of people love these tires, but not as impressed with them myself. I think there are too many tread-blocks to be so great for Summer grip and a bit harder compound than I like to see for a "true" Summer-only tire. I put them below the above 3 tires.
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 = Above the BFG's and below the others in terms of grip for Summer.
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 = Mentioned earlier and just not soo impressed. Would go with any of the above over this one for Summer tire.
Yokohama S.Drive = I would say comparable to the Direzza's mentioned above.
I am sure someone with direct experience with these tires, woud have something more to say/add, but is as objective as I can be based on the knowledge I have. I would probably recommend the Advans for your last paragraph description of your needs. They will not take kindly to freezing temps, so be sure to read up manufacturers guidlines on WHATEVER choice you make.
Jazzer
PS. With a good tire to handle the corners, you may end up pushing a bit harder than you think
You must also take the reviews with a grain of salt, as for what the tire was intended. I have not driven any of the tires on your list here, but will throw in my $.02 as to how I figure them to be based on two basic criteria... tread pattern and UTQG. My focus is 100% on Summer grip and as it relates to corners, because this appears to be a high priority for you. It would REALLY suck to spend all this money, only to fall short of your goal by NOT spending another couple hundred $$$'s. Again, I have read zero reviews on these and just gut feeling on them:
Potenza RE040 = THIS is a high-performance Summer tire and will wear much quicker than the PZero's you have now. I would figure to get probably 20K miles, if you use them as they are intened. They will be fine in the wet, but NOT what your PZero's are. Will be hard as a rock when they get cold and don't want to drive on these in very cold weather.
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT = Similar to the Potenza's, but just a bit less grip and a bit longer wear.
Yokohama Advan Sport = Probably inbetween the above two tires in most ways, but better than both in wet grip.
BF Goodrich T/A KDW 2 = Lots of people love these tires, but not as impressed with them myself. I think there are too many tread-blocks to be so great for Summer grip and a bit harder compound than I like to see for a "true" Summer-only tire. I put them below the above 3 tires.
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 = Above the BFG's and below the others in terms of grip for Summer.
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 = Mentioned earlier and just not soo impressed. Would go with any of the above over this one for Summer tire.
Yokohama S.Drive = I would say comparable to the Direzza's mentioned above.
I am sure someone with direct experience with these tires, woud have something more to say/add, but is as objective as I can be based on the knowledge I have. I would probably recommend the Advans for your last paragraph description of your needs. They will not take kindly to freezing temps, so be sure to read up manufacturers guidlines on WHATEVER choice you make.
Jazzer
PS. With a good tire to handle the corners, you may end up pushing a bit harder than you think
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 444
From: Ohio
Thanks. Sounds like you rank the Dunlop Sport Maxx tires towards the higher end of the group. Just noticed the mail-in rebate that makes them an even better deal. Will definitely consider them, though would still be open to input from others & their particular experiences.