I have 4 different cheap tires on my Max, making it quite noisy. I'm contemplating between the Sumitomo HTR's and the Dunlp Sport A2's because of the reviews I've read here and on tirerack.

Sumitomos will cost me $260 (220 + 40 install) at tirerack
Dunlop A2's will cost me $320 (280 + 40 install) at tirerack

Is the extra $60 worth the Dunlops?

My Priorities listed in order are:
1) Quiet Ride
2) Wet Traction
3) Snow Traction
4) Dry Traction.

I can get the install for $40 at Costco.(205/65-15)

 

I've installed 2 sets of Dunlops and have had zero problems. The A2s come with a 6 year 50,000 mile warranty which is worth $15 a tire to me.

 

I am about to find out how good this 50k mile warranty is because I have put about 25k on mine and they are about gone!!! I got them from tirerack, anyone know how to go about getting honored on the warranty??

I do like the tires though. Just my driving style isn't easy on them.

 

I'd call Tire Rack for instructions, my guess is they'll ask you to go see one of their installers in your area. Keep us posted! I've have always have been impressed with their customer service!

 

Im happy with my HTR+'s they are kinda noisy when braking really hard or cornering quickly though. I actually like hearing my tires though, it gives you a sense of how much further you can push them before you loose traction.

 

The Dunlops will last a LOT longer...

 

Seeing as they only make the HTR+ (assuming your talking about the HTR+ and not another model tire) in 16's+, you'll have to go with the A2's.....

 

You might also check out the reviews on the Kumho 716's at Tire Rack. I've got some on my car, and like them quite a bit. Nice tires. Cheap too!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Ecsta+HP4+716

Good Luck!

 

Ok So looking at these 3 tire's reviews at tirerack

Kumho HP4, 716 $230
Sumitomo HTR 200 $260 + 30
Dunlop Sport A2 $320 + 60 + 90

Being as broke as I am, I'm tempted to get the Kumho's, I'd just hate to regret the decision in 2 years time and find my self buying Dunlop's prematurely, and end up having wasted more money then.

Other than $ my priorites are Noise Level, and Wet/Snow traction in that order.

 

Thats incorrect. They do make these in 17" and 18".

 

I have the dunlop A2's and i have no problems with them but i would say get the HTR+ because i have hit a couple pot holes and now my tires have a slight bubble in them.

It might be that i put 34PSI of air in them but since the tire is rated up to 44PSI, it still should not have happend, although i put 32PSI in them now and they seem to be fine...

I say get the HTR+....

Trance

 

Yeah, I think the A2 is slightly more modern BUT you don't seem to hear any complaints on the HTR+. I'm not sure why the other dude said they were noisy because they are not. I have 235/40-WR18 and they ride like 16 inchers. Very practical and inexpensive tire. At 36F/33R I have no problems except my front susp seems to like to scallop the tires a bit, but that's not Sumitomo's fault, that's Nissan's!

 

NOTE: I'm looking at the HTR 200 NOT the HTR +

For 15" Sumitomo only has the HTR 200's, Summer tires, not all season.

Do the HTR 200's perform equally as well as the HTR +, most of the reviews here seem to be for the HTR +

 

Yeah just put Dunlops on my dad's max and they are running great. He says he notices the difference.

 

I was considering the HTRZ II or HTR+ but they don't make either in the right size for my stock SE rims. I could go +1 and get the HTR+ but I would rather use the correct size tire.

How do you guys think the Potenza RE 950 compares to the A2? It's a little more money (about $100 each) but has pretty good reviews over tire rack. According to tire rack wet traction is excellent but I am more concerned with dry traction, ride and noise. I have dedicated snow tires but it would be nice if my 'summer tire' could get me through the occasional early/late snowfall. Also the RE 950 has a nice agressive looking tread, a minor concern for me, but still a plus.

The RE 950 could be another one for you to consider flyer, in your size they are only $75 each.

 

Sumitomo's are made by Dunlop.

 

dunlop sport A2s are really good all season tires. they perform well under spirited driving and i get sick 2.0 60' times at my local track. they are wearing very well (so far). wet traction is unbelievable. they were satisfactory when the big snow fell. overall i'm happy. oh, they were $261 shipped for me.

 

which if you look carefully at my post, I said 16's+, and not 16's.

 

Oooops, my mistake. So much for reading quickly.

 

It happens.

 

Was this in 16'? And where did you order them from. I think I paid a little more than that for mine from tirerack?

 

I've had two pairs of Kumho 712s and now I'm using Dunlop A2s. The Kumho's are less expensive, and have SLIGHTLY better dry traction. The A2s will last MUCH longer, and have MUCH better snow traction.

The Kumho's lasted about 20,000miles with spirited driving, and completely $UCKED in the snow, but other than that they were a good tire for the price. Because the A2s will last longer than the Kumho's I'd say they're actually cheaper over time cause you'll get more use out of them.

I've been very happy with the Dunlop A2s.

 

The Kumho 712's are a 'summer only' tire, and completely suck when it gets cold outside.

The Kumho HP4 716's are a totally different animal. They have a MUCH better treadwear rating, and are compounded to work in cold weather as well as warm. They have excellent wet weather traction, and are a great all-around tire for the money.

 

oops, i use 15" tires.

 

I have 225/50R16 Dunlop Sport A2's on my 97 SE. I bought them because the reviews said they were quiet. I have a 70 mile freeway commute in Indianapolis, IN.

I have had them for 40K miles. Wear has been good (50% left). They are more quiet than the Cooper Cobras that I had on before. They are grippy too. I can safely take the freeway ramp cloverleafs at 52 mph (no other suspension upgrades, FSTB and RSB are on their way).

They are hard to balance though. It seems for the first 5 minutes of my trips they are thumpy. After that they are smooth.

Wet traction is excellent. Light snow is Ok. They're lousy when there's a couple of inches of snow. I just go slow and I get where I need to go. The larger size gives the car a more aggressive stance. Wheel height is the same so the speedo works correctly.

- Jeff

 

I've had both

and both are excellent tires


Although the Dunlops are definately more quiet.

The HTR+s were good all around, although never tested in snow..

Dunlops are great too.. I think HTR+s are better for more aggressive driving.. i think they are ultra high performance.. while the A2s are just high performance..

 

I just put on some A2 Sports and like them a lot. i was deciding between those and the potenzas. i dont regret my purchase. i do know they are much better than the stock eagles that were on my car. my car grips a lot better. i got mine for $90 per tire at NTB.

 

How do you think the grip compares to the Cooper Cobras? I have these on my car now (they where on my Max when I bought it), and I am not to impressed with them. But since they are the only tires I have had on the car I have nothing to compare them to. They still have pretty good tread left on them so I hate to replace them, but if I will see a significant performance increase I probably will. I did notice they are pretty noisy too.

 

My Cooper Cobras would start to squeal at 45 mph around my favorite cloverleaf exit ramp. I've done 52 mph around the same cloverleaf with just a hint of squeal. The Dunlops are quiet, track well, and are more grippy than my Coopers. I'll try to follow up again once I have my FSTB and RSB installed.

 

Ok I looked at Sumitomo's website and they say they are not manufacturers:
"Because Sumitomo Tire is not a manufacturer, we do not have a volume perspective"

How do you know they are made by Dunlop?

Another thing do HTR 200's perform as well as the HTR +?

 

Get the A2s