Tires for my Abarth

[texanbrit]

So I think I can finally call the Federal RS-RR tires done. There is still a little tread left, but I can already feel the car understeering a little more and with Sisters coming up next month it's time to get ready.

I'm shopping for Extreme Summer Performance tires in 215/40R17 to put on my RSe05 wheels. I'm not doing the Federals again, because the grip they provide doesn't warrant the extreme road noise and poor wet weather performance.

So I think I've got it narrowed down to two tires. Either the Falken Azenis RT615K+ or Dunlop Direzza ZIII tires.

The Falkens have a wider section width, which sounds positive, but the Dunlops have a wider tread width.

I've run Falkens before and was very happy with them, but the Dunlops are tempting. Any thoughts?

tires.PNG (66.18 KiB) Viewed 9591 times

[mr16valve]

Ha!
I am going through the same thing - just ordered mine today. Hoping for an install by the end of the week.
Mine aren't shot but I feel inconsistencies during a hard turn in. We are getting into our wet season & the Dragon is fastly approaching.
Opted for Pilot Sports this go round, mainly due to the level of rain the we get here.
If we had dry all day every day, I would be all over Proxes R888r (had these on my big turbo Audi & they were fantastic!).
I haven't used either of the tires that you have listed - update with what you've bought & then your opinions of them.

[texanbrit]

I've run the pilot sports and the Proxes before. The Pilot Sports are excellent tires, and tremendous in the wet. They are also very hard wearing considering the levels of grip that they provide. They would probably be the sensible choice. The r888s are phenomenal too, amazing grip levels. They wear out pretty fast and they are not cheap though.

[texanbrit]

Went with the Dunlops. Should be here on Friday. Time to put the car back in the air again!

[sportfan]

I've been running the Pilot Sports and for a all round tire I don't think they can be beat. I ran the Dragon in the rain with them and was very happy with them. I hope the Dunlops work out for you.

[texanbrit]

Dunlops are here and mounted on the wheels. Just need to put them on the car now, after giving the wheels a good scrub to get the brake dust off.

dunlops.jpg (69.44 KiB) Viewed 9543 times

I also made myself a 16" spare.

new spare.jpg (71.29 KiB) Viewed 9543 times

[texanbrit]

I've been running the Pilot Sports and for a all round tire I don't think they can be beat. I ran the Dragon in the rain with them and was very happy with them. I hope the Dunlops work out for you.

I couldn't find the Pilot Sports in 215/40R17. Don't want to mess with the size too much as I know the 215s fit, although I did get a little bit of rubbing with the Federals and a passenger through some of the heavy compression events on Sisters run.

I usually drive the Pop when it's raining properly, so wet weather performance is low on my list, and I can get away with full summer performance tires through most of the year in Texas.

[MadFiat]

Nice looking shoes. I stayed out of the voting because I don't really have any experience with that level of tire. Hope it runs well and lasts long enough

[texanbrit]

Nice looking shoes. I stayed out of the voting because I don't really have any experience with that level of tire. Hope it runs well and lasts long enough

Everyone stayed out of the voting.

[mr16valve]

I think that the Dunlops will serve you very well. It's a great looking tire.
Update us after you scrub / break them in.