Dunlop Direzza dz102

"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu)
08/11/2014 at 16:24 • Filed to: None

Anyone have any experience with these? I'm looking to replace the Hankooks on the Audi, as they've suffered some extreme outer shoulder wear due to a tie-rod issue that I was unable to fix due to finances. It's now been fixed and I'm running additional negative camber to help compensate, but once the new shocks and springs are installed, I'll be dialing back the negative camber.

The Dunlops are priced about equal to the Hankooks, but they're a summer tire versus an all-season, which will be new territory for me. I'm looking for good steering response, predictable handling, above-average treadlife, and decent overall grip without breaking the bank. Size is 205/50-15.

Also, seeing as how I'm going to be running summers for three seasons most likely, I want to get a set of dedicated winter tires, but I need to find wheels. Where does one go about finding 4x100 steel wheels to buy? We only get snow and ice for a week or two out of the year, so I don't need them to be pretty- just cheap and sturdy, haha.

DISCUSSION (28)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 16:28

Im looking at the same tires for my mazda.... treadwear rating is high but they are too new for tire rack to have a review on them

Desu-San-Desu > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
08/11/2014 at 16:29

Yep. Tire Rack is where I saw them and I was disappointed by the lack of reviews. Still...$70 a pop is hard to pass up...

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 16:31

Yea for me they are 85 so good deal. But bridgestone comp 2 are also 85 right now...

Ilike_cougars > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 16:32

I have used the DZ101, didn't like them much, were pretty much gone after 9K miles. and not too grippy when it starts to get under 50 degrees..

Desu-San-Desu > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
08/11/2014 at 16:32

I don't know anything about the Bridgestones. Care to educate?

The Real Dacia Sandero > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 16:34

The DZ101s were terrible. The DZ102s seem to be better. Look at the BF Goodrich Sport Comp 2 in 195/50/15. They get good reviews and seem to run wide.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 16:35

How much snow do you get? I'm in North Metro GA, so it's more an event when we actually do get snow.

I've also made the incredibly stupid move of driving a RWD car in Chicago snow on Yokohama s.Drives. It was fine, as long as you weren't going downhill, because if you were, you weren't stopping...

The Real Dacia Sandero > The Real Dacia Sandero
08/11/2014 at 16:36

Or, for $100 a tire get the Dulop Z2 extreme summer tires. They won't last long, but have incredible grip.

Desu-San-Desu > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/11/2014 at 16:47

I live in Upstate S.C.

We don't get it very often (everyone always acts like it's the first time they've ever seen snow, even though we usually get at least 6" each year), but when we go I like to have fun:

Kinja'd!!!

The Hankooks had great forward traction, but stopping and slowing were...dicey, haha.

BTW, if you're in the North Metro G.A. are, you should totally get in on Mountain Run 2014! https://www.facebook.com/events/2856121…

Desu-San-Desu > The Real Dacia Sandero
08/11/2014 at 16:48

Apparently not available in my size. Also, I'd rather prioritize longer life over absurd grip. My car doesn't have the horsepower to justify insane levels of grip. I'd rather be able to break the tires loose and have some fun when I want.

The Real Dacia Sandero > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 16:55

They are available in 205/50/15 because that's the summer tire almost every NA and NB Miata uses. I'd go with the sport comp 2 tire, it seems to be what you're looking for.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 17:00

These ones! The provide better performance in every way. They last a nice amount of time. People get around 20k miles out of them. Sidewall is stiff, which is great for autocross and stuff. Plus it is much quieter than any other tire in its category! I have decided on these just cause they are the best priced, and the best extreme summer tire that is great for DD!

Desu-San-Desu > The Real Dacia Sandero
08/11/2014 at 17:01

Oh, weird, I didn't see them on the Tire Rack website for some reason. What's the price range on the S.C.2?

The Real Dacia Sandero > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 17:07

Have a membership with a wholesale club(costco, bjs, etc) by any chance?

BJ's has them for $82.99 a tire with $15 installation per tire. There may be rebates and whatnot. BF Goodrich puts out a $50 rebate every couple months.

Not sure other prices elsewhere.

The Real Dacia Sandero > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 17:12

Tire rack has a 195/50/15 and 195/55/15 for $78 and $76 respectively. They run wide so it's about the same as a 205 section width. I don't know if that or the DZ102 is better, but it's a trusted tire. Good rain grip, decent treadwear, etc.

Desu-San-Desu > The Real Dacia Sandero
08/11/2014 at 17:17

Nope. I haz no special memberships.

Desu-San-Desu > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/11/2014 at 17:19

Ouch...the price for 4 is more than my weekly paycheck....

YSI-what can brown do for you > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 17:20

Are you going to be doing any sort of performance driving like a track day? If not, than there is no point to getting there.

And hey at least you have 15s! I have 17s and these are almost 600 dollars!

Desu-San-Desu > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/11/2014 at 17:25

I will be using them for daily driving and the occasional mountain driving excursion. I'm an aggressive driver in terms of cornering and braking. Within the next 6 months I'd like to do my first autocross.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 17:27

I would say get the Dunlops, they should work just fine, you will get more performance out of a more aggressive tire, but there is no point unless you are racing every two weeks or so!

Desu-San-Desu > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/11/2014 at 17:31

Nope. In fact, I'd rather have a little less grip than the super grippy tires. I only have 130hp and I'd like to be able to break traction and have a little fun every once in a while, haha.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 17:58

I have DZ101's (the predecessor to these) on my MR2 and like them well enough.

gawdzillla > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2014 at 20:00

they are having some kinda crazy discount the Ventus V12 evo K110

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Desu-San-Desu
08/12/2014 at 14:11

You could probably get steelies off some other car with a 4x100 bolt pattern that has 15 inch wheels. Things like a Miata, Civic, etc. Those should be fine for snow wheels.

I'm not a big camping person, but since I could get up there via Nantahala Gorge...

Desu-San-Desu > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/12/2014 at 17:54

Yeah, I'm not picky on the size. 14's or 15's are fine and preferably if a little thinner, as a skinnier snow tire works better most of the time.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Desu-San-Desu
08/12/2014 at 23:31

If the 14s clear your calipers, I'd do that.

Desu-San-Desu > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/12/2014 at 23:37

The car originally came with 14's. Whoever had it before me threw on some classic 15" Ronal R8's from a Coupe GT.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Desu-San-Desu
08/12/2014 at 23:40

14s in 4x100....That should be the same wheel as a mid 90s Acura Integra (read: Can be had for cheap). Either 14x5 or 14x5.5