I bought my S with Hankook V12 Evo's. Nearly 10k miles later and I've about had it. While the tires are fine for the daily commute, I am not fond of them for spirited driving. I just don't feel confident in driving with these. Frankly, they are downright scary to me in highway driving during storms. I get a floating feeling which is only compounded by the rain. Anyway, even though they have good tread life remaining, I am looking for a new set and have narrowed the options down to the RE-11A and the ZII. The car is used as a DD. However, my commute is only 0.6 miles and I will only put 6-7.5k on the tires in a normal year. Given my short commute, what I'm looking for is a good autocross set that inspires a lot of confidence. Here are my top 5 "wants". What do you think fits my criteria better? What tire would be best in each of these categories?

1. Confidence-inspiring (progressive break with audible and tangible feedback that it's approaching the limit)
2. Great feedback through the steering wheel (in a lot of ways, this can go with #1)
3. Quick responses
4. Overall dry grip
5. Overall wet grip (many of my miles come on the highway, and we get flash thunderstorms all summer)

Thanks in advance.

 

Bridgestones if you need any WET tractions. otherwise they are damn near equals.

 

fact: the re11a's are lesser than z2s in the dry

 

We are talking marginal differences here that can only be realized with a more advanced driver on a track, which is exactly where the zII falls short. The zII cant handle heat and the re11a can (well, at least better than the zII) Technically the re-11a is the better tire in dry when you consider more than the first 2 laps. On the street 99% of people wouldn't be able to tell a difference in dry performance. The re-11a should also be the more well-mannered tire on the street, have better wet traction/hydroplaning resistance and if it wears anything like the original re-11 it should last longer under any condition too.

 

"Bridgestones if you need any WET tractions. otherwise they are damn near equals."

fact: ZIIs do fine in the wet while commuting / daily driving.

 

I havent personally driven the ZII in the wet but it is supposed to be very good. I always thought the Z1 star specs were great in the wet and the ZII (according to tire rack's testing) has eclipsed them by a considerable amount.

I think the re-11a MAY have a slight nod in wet traction but that is purely speculation at this point. Again, we are talking very small differences here that can only be felt when the tire is driven at 10/10ths. The re-11a should have better hydroplaning resistance though just by looking at the tread design.

 

Re11A, the difference in performance is minimal, but ride, comfort and how quiet the tire is fantastic!

 

The poll is in favor of the ZII's, but the comments seem to be leaning toward the RE-11A's. Looks like these tires are pretty evenly matched.

I think I'm leaning toward the RE-11A's right now. Just wondering if the smoother, more "refined" ride will dampen feedback or hurt crisp turn-in in any way compared to the ZII. Also wondering how well the RE-11A will perform in autocross or in colder weather since the consensus is that the ZII warm up faster.

 

I voted RE11A based on what should be better water-channeling capacity/hydroplaning-resistance (flash thunderstorms => standing water). Wider longitudinal channels, with effectively a third channel for most of the tire's life, and a path for water to exit out the sides of the outer tread blocks which is lacking in the more slick-like ZII.

Sounds like the ZII might be more responsive.

I don't think you'd go wrong either way, but you'd probably want to slow down more with the ZII's in a downpour!

 

RE-11A for the fact that they aren't directional, so as long is you keep them rotated on the left and right sides of the car, they will stay quiet longer...did I mention you can rotate them left/right since they are not directional?