Yea, it's really hard to replicate a track day at the street. Again I love the v12's for the street, they're just not a good tire for the track.

So what should I be looking at when I look to replace my tires (DD, street only)? Is it safe to assume that the stock tires (yokohama advan) won't automatically be the best option?

I only have 5k on my current tires, so I'm sure I have some time...I'm just completely lost at what variables I should even be looking at. How can these Hankook tires be better and significantly cheaper than the Bridgestone and Yokohamas?

EDIT:

Treadzone is actually more expensive than Tirerack for the Nismo sizes (245 front, 285 back), albeit only a few bucks.

You are paying extra for name and maybe grip, many variables.

They're Korean thats how!

I have about 20 AX days and 15-ish track days on the V12s (not on the same set though). I'll do a detailed write up a bit later, but they are a great value tire with great performance. Not the best tire out there, but the best performance for the money IMO. More than adequate for all but the uber competitor that need to squeeze a extra few tenths of performance out of a street tire and will pay a premium for it.

:eekdance::excited::tiphat:

Good to know considering I have a brand new set sitting in the garage. The question is...Do I run my October Road America track day with nearly 'dead' Bridgestone RE050As or put on the V12s first?

Do the hankooks weigh less then the stock sport pkg tires?

Okay, my detailed review I promised...

Currently I'm on my 2nd set (DD/Autocross) and 3rd set (Track) of Hankook V12s and have been very pleased with their performance and their value! In fact, I'm about to buy my 4th set (track) here shortly.

My primary reason for buying the V12s came from these two independent, somewhat scientific and objective tests of affordable street tires suitable for the track.

Car and Driver Review, 2nd overall:
Hankook Ventus V12 Evo - Comparison Tests - Car and Driver


Auto Bild Sportscar Review, 2nd overall:
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...IRES/page5.jpg
Source: Tire Magazine Reviews!! - MY350Z.COM Forums

While I love all the stuff I learn on automobile forums, I put a lot more weight on these sorts of tire tests than one-offs from Joe Internet that loves/hates tire X. Every tire post you'll see both extremes but never have the complete story IMO.

Personally, I've been happy with the Hankooks so I can't really offer an objective opinion on other tires because once my OEM Potenzas wore out (Yep, I drive a 350Z :eek: Nismo edition) I went to the v12s and haven't switched. So I'm putting some blind faith into magazines reviews that I should be happy with the tires performance.

As to my experience, I am happy with their performance. I'm leading my SCCA Autocross class (AT Regional class - basically C Stock w/ OEM sized wheels with 140+ treadware tires) and at the track I generally feel competitive in my class as a Rookie driver. My car has been essentially stock except pads and fluids and I'm running 17x9 SSR Comps w/ 255/40 V12s on the track. Autocross I'm on the OEM Rays with 275/35/18 and 295/30/19 V12s.

So far the 17" V12s are holding up great on the track. Since this is a dedicated track tire (I do swap them at home though, so about 150 highway miles round trip typically) I have a bit more objective evidence on wear at the track. I have 8 track days here in Colorado over the Spring and Summer (4 High Plains Raceway, 2 Pueblo Motorsports Park, 2 Pikes Pike International Raceway) and will put another 2 days at Pueblo this weekend. I average about 75 track miles a day running HPDE3 and CTT events. From what I hear 6-8 tracks days is pretty good so I'm real happy getting at least 10 days from this set. I have run the v12s in the cold, 30-40F, and they do fine once heated. In fact my best time at High Plains (2:10s) was on a upper 30F day. I've run 2:11s in 90F ambient as well, but they do get greasy much faster as you'd expect.

The biggest weakness for wear is really my suspension with the front outside shoulders wearing/cording well before the rest of the tire (needs more camber, not adjustable on the 350z). The rears tend wear on the inside, but much slower, than the front outsides. Running a square setup has helped with swapping front to back (v12s are directional so no left to right even though a square setup), but the outside shoulder is still the weak point. In addition, I've been running clockwise tracks (they ran PPIR opposite when I was there, usually it's CCW) so the lefts get pummeled. I swapped my tires on the wheels so I could swap right to left and get at least 2, hopefully 4 days out of the tires (10-12 track days total). This winter, I'm putting adjustable front arms in to add some camber and hopefully even the wear out more. Same issue with my DD/AX, just not as extreme wear as on the track. I don't have a good estimate yet on their lifespan. Also, I can't comment on pure DD use since the mixed AX use.

I haven't had a big issue with chunking except perhaps at Pueblo which is really hard on tires in general due to large expansion cracks. I saw some chunks out of the center rib and just inside the shoulder, but nothing severe. The v12s will get greasy after about 20-25 minutes and to me that is acceptable. I think the tracks I run are about average when it comes to tire friendliness from word of mouth, but don't really have objective comparison. Typically top speed is around 115mph on the straights with 35-70mph curves. Check out my YouTube channel (link in signature) to see these tracks first hand...

Here's so pix of my track tires after 8 days, I have about 4-6/32 left on the outer grooves, but again the shoulder wear is the limiting factor in my case. You can best see the shoulder wear on the bottom of the tire(s) in pics 2 and 3:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_N6h-Gwj8TZg/TE...0/P1010795.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_N6h-Gwj8TZg/TE...0/P1010793.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_N6h-Gwj8TZg/TE...0/P1010794.JPG

So overall I'm very happy with the Hankook V12s. The only comparable tire price-wise with decent, but not great, AX/track performance reviews are the Fuzion ZRi. I think the next step up in term of performance and value would be the Direzza Star Specs, Kuhmo XS, and Hankook RS3 based on my research. However, I think I'd be giving up some durability (these are ~140 treadwear vs the V12 280) for that extra performance.

Right now, I'm just concentrating on improving my driving and having fun so I'm willing to trade off some performance for a few extra dollars in my pocket to pay for track time and car mods down the line. I think anyone who is looking for a very good general purpose street/AX/track tire would do well with the Hankook V12s on most, but not all, tracks and would be competitive in the local autocross street tire class. I would defer to other people who driven the v12s on a particular track to get their opinion, but also keep in mind their objectives, equipment, and experience.

BTW I have no affiliation with Hankook, just a happy customer. Generally I find the best prices for the V12 at Tire Rack and OnlineTires depending on the size. They also extended their $50 rebate through the end of November (just Google it). Hopefully this positive review won't change their great prices significantly in the future. Cheers! :tup:

Tire Rack's Spec tab is a great resource! I don't remember the OEM 370Z tires specifics but here's the Hankooks...

Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110

Ya I looked it up, if you switch to a 245F/285R combo then you would lose 6lbs in the rear but gain 2lbs in the front. Compared the hankooks to the sport pkg tires.

They are also comparing the tires to other 2nd to 3rd tier summer tires. I have competed with the Hankook V12 and the RE-11, the V12 is not in the same league in terms of speed. I like them for what they are, but don't paint them as the next coming

How does your Z perform with the larger tires on? I was checking out the Camaro SS forum and realized the Camaro runs 275/35/20 on a 9” wheel for the rear tires. This is how the car is setup from the factory so I think the 275/35/19 front 305/30/19 rear would be a nice setup on the Stock 370z Sport Wheels.

I love my NT05's but the rears are almost bald at 12k and I drive at least 20k miles a year so probably not the most cost effective tire for me.

Definitely not the next coming, there are lot of better performing tires and I named a couple stickier candidates that won't break the bank and have solid magazine reviews. I hear the RE-11 are phenomenal, but they are twice the cost in 17" and 1/3 more in 19." I can see spending that trying to win a National event or you have enough money that it's not a concern, but that's a high premium for the recreational/aspiring racer on a budget.

Understood, I spent $1100 on a car with 600 miles, so I know how you feel about cost. It's a good tire for the price, especially the ones that dont need all out speed. I bought them for my Prius, happy with everything except the grip level at the track

They are really nice in the wet. :D

Am I misinterpreting this? :icon18:


So if I'm looking for a tire for my Z as a DD, this would be a decent choice?

Yeah, good DD, not very good track or autox tire.

I have over 1500 miles on them now and I'm still loving them. I drive my car hard and aside from being quieter I cannot find an appreciable difference between these and the much more costly stockers. Couldn't be happier given the price.

i am about to order tires for new wheels. i have decided to go with a 285/35/19 in the rear on a 10.5" since i will have a +5 offset in the back and i'm scared of rubbing with anything bigger. However, up front i'm not sure whether to go with the 245/45/19 or the 245/40/19. according to 1010tires calculator, the 245/45 is only for up to wheels up to 9.0" inches, and i assume that the 245/40 would be even more of a stretch. I am running a 9.5 up front and i want to stay as close to stock diameter as possible, but i'd rather go larger to get rid of some of the gap b/c i dont think i'm going to lower my car yet (i dont want to have to get camber arms and all the other allignment changes that come with it) someone please help.

in short hankook v12 245/45/19 or 245/40/19 on a 9.5 wide inch wheel?

275 or 285

on a 9.5" front wheel? why so big? i was thinking going with the stock nismo tire sizes would be fine F:245/40/19 R:285/35/19

oh good i drive about 11k a yr
got 11k on my potenzas
yay!:tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:

i have 20k on my potenzas so far...

0.o u do know about something called a gas pedal right?

car understeers like a mofo already, it will get a lot worse with wider rear. yes 275 fit oj 9.5

I'm running 275F/305R on my NISMO wheels and it feels fine. Haven't had it on a track yet so I don't know for sure.

The stockers are 245F/285R - 40mm difference

Theoretically with less of a difference there should be less understeer. Here's hopin'! :tup:

I am running 265/285, which is still faster than bigger Hankook V12s. Even with an almost square setup, my car still understeers like a cow. Next year I am doing 285 all around, if not 275/285

Driven about a hundred miles on these tires. 245/40 up front and 285/35 rear. These feel...not as precise as the stockers. It feels too squishy in the turns, feels like it has a soft sidewall. They grip really well though, it just doesnt feel as good as I was hoping. They are way quieter and I can hold a conversation with my passenger way better than before. I like the tread design as well.

I was hoping for a little better performance out of these. Maybe the more wear on these tires will make them feel better. Basically my first impression of these tires are...I don't really like them right now.

The soft squishy feel is exaggerated by the fact that you went from an old tire with low tread to a brand new tire with full tread. Even if you switched out your OEM Bridgestones with fresh Bridgestones it'd still feel squishy compared to before because of the tread.

I do agree that the sidewall is a bit soft. Definitely softer than the OEM tires.

For fun, I ran over a nail with the inner sidewall of my LR tire. :rolleyes:

$229 shipped for a replacement from Tire Rack (yes AK, I ordered through the forum link!) so it's not that bad, I guess.

Oh definitely, I agree. I was just stating my initial thoughts on these. I did say that a little more wear on the tires might make them feel better, so hopefully. I'm in no rush to burn rubber lol

Give them about 500 miles of normal driving to "break in." I have about 5k on them now and they feel really good. :tup:

Cossie, what suspension setup are you running? I've done some autoX with my stock Bridgestones (245F/275R) and have Hotchkis sways. The setup is very neutral and understeer was never an issue. I'd either try the improved sways or perhaps it's more your driving style playing a role.

+1, I autocrossed them once with 200mi or so; slicker than snot until fun runs at the end of the day. 500mi DD is about right to scrub the mold release goop off.

Stock everything except tires. Rear bar is not legal in stock class in autox, I dont like changing just the front bar as it will make the understeer worse. The only way the car is breaking loose now is under power, car doesnt snap loose like the RX-8 or my old 350 with 235 all around

I Just put 285/35's on the rear as well and have driven about 100 miles and so far the rear feels very squirly/squishy... I feel like I have no sway bar in the rear of the car. I'm hoping this will get better once the tires have a few miles on them. Taking the car to get aligned on monday as well since something just doesnt feel right. At highway speeds my car feels unstable as well and likes to track right and left at times