Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (Max Performance Summer)
Dunlop SP Sport 9000 (Max Performance Summer)
Yokohama AVS Sport (Max Performance Summer)
Bridgestone Potenza RE750 (Ultra High Performance Summer)
Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 (Ultra High Performance Summer)
Yokohama AVS ES100 (Ultra High Performance Summer)
Kumho ECSTA KH11 (Grand Touring Summer)

These are for 17inch SSR GT1, dropped with Tanabe GF. (about 1.3inches)

Thanks

 

For me on a "bang for the buck" nothing has beat the wear, performance, and $$$ of the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 (Ultra High Performance Summer). I know there are grippier tires (S-02s come to mind), but seriously, the ECSTAs grip quite nicely IMO. Probably ~ 90-95% as grippy as S-02s but just check TireRack to see the difference in price. And personally, I appreciate that these tires "slip/squall" just a little when pushed hard in corners. In other words...IMO I receive "feedback" from this brand of tire when pushing its limits. With S-02s you grip like a mo-fo......riiiiiiiight up to the point when they don't grip any more and then you're looking directly at the guy behind you ...not a pleasant experience by any means.

So...my .02 is the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 (Ultra High Performance Summer)

- Dave

PS. I understand Kumho has a newer variety even yet...but I've not opted to check them out as of yet. Supposed to move your comparison even closer to S-02s while still keeping the $$$ down. Have not heard how well they wear, etc....but check on that if you really want to stay equally in the S-02 range for performance.

 

I had the 712's on a Passat and they were fine, but for an S2000, tame driving required. I think they placed worse than all the other 'ultra' tires mentioned above in a recent Consumer Reports test.