15" RT-615 vs. Dunlop star spec

I am having a bit of trouble here and I would like some opinions on the matter. I have a set of really sweet sub 10lb 15 x 7 wheels for my 2002 MR-2 Spyder that I need to put tires on.

Should I go with the old standard Falken Azenis RT-615s (205/50/15) or the new Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (195/55/15)?????

These are for daily driving in Orlando, Fl as well as autocrossing and the occasional track day at Gainsville and CFRC. I know the Azenis will be questionable at best in the Florida rainy season which is why I am leaning towards the Dunlops. However, the Dunlop size seems a littile bit odd and I don't know how they will look on my sweet 7" wide wheels. The Azenis are .3" shorter OD according to the info on the Falken website, but the Dunlops are measured on a 6" wheel where the Azenis are measured on a 6.5" wheel. The price is very comperable between the Azenis on Vulcan tire,and the Dunlops on Tire Rack. The latest greatest Dunlop should be faster on the autocross course yet since I run in CSP, I still won't be near the times of the R compound competetors but there is not much I can do about that.

Damn, I am ready to buy, but which one???? Tires....tires....tires.......

Please don't throw a bunch of other options in the mix, my head is already spinning!!!! (B-stones are out of the $$ range)

Also, does anyone have a good hookup for mounting and balancing in the central florida area?

I drive Azenis Rt615's nearly daily in WASHINGTON STATE. They're great in the rain if you know how to drive

StarSpec, hands down. Tons more grip and better in the rain. I'm running the 225s, but the 195s work just fine for the spec civic guys. They run wider than they are labeled.

X2 on the Star Spec's...I've owned both I wish the Dunlops came in a 205 though.I actually getting ready to buy another set for my new car.

I'm springing for the 195-55-15 Star Specs in the spring.

I've heard good things about how they are in the rain and how htey have Azenis-like grip.

I'd go for Azenis, but I run fairly low-offset wheels and an Azenis 205 is closer to being a 220. My fenders won't cover that.

On my RX-7 I've driven the Falkens in the rain quite a few times and have never had a problem. Snow was very different story. I figure as long as you don't expect fantastic grip you won't drive like it will be there. A FWD car should be a little less hairy also.

Of course I also drove home from Atlanta to Daytona in well worn Nitto NT01 through lots of rain in the 240Z and it didn't feel too bad.

Tim has the Star Specs on his Tiger. I have not driven the car after riding in it I can tell the tires hook in a straight line. The tires are not very wide and the tiger is putting out over 300hp so that certainly says something.

So far the worst tires I have driven in the rain are the no name unknown age all seasons on my Aspen. Those plus rain make the open dif Aspen a drift machine with almost no effort at all. I can't even pull away from a light in the rain at part throttle without the 90hp just peeling the tires off.

How about the new Kumho XS? They are only a few dollars more, but they come in a better 205/50/15 size.

Any particular reason why you're only looking at those two sizes on a 7" wide wheel?

I run 215s on a 6.5" wheel.... you could easily put 225s in the tires you're talking about on your wheels.

I have a 225 star spec on a 7" wheel. It fits, but would benefit from a wider wheel (8 inch).

Don't be fooled by the published sizes - the 195 star spec is probably just as wide as the 205 Kumho.

It's damn close to a 205, from what I've read.

I'm bummed that Discount Tire Direct didn't do that "$100 off 4 tires" sale like they did last year.

But doesn't Vulcan Tire have that free tire tote thing going on now?

93celicaGT2 wrote: Any particular reason why you're only looking at those two sizes on a 7" wide wheel? I run 215s on a 6.5" wheel.... you could easily put 225s in the tires you're talking about on your wheels.

The tires that I am looking at only come in one 15" size per manufacturer. It would be nice if they offered more 15" sizes but they don't.

The problem I have with the Star Specs are the 55 series aspect ratio. It is just a bit tall for my awesomely powerfull 1zzfe corolla engine.

I am going to bite the bullet and order up a set of the Kumho Ecsta XS from the Tire Rack. I like the size and they have a more rain friendly tread pattern than the Azenis. Plus they are shorter by .1"!!!!

Russell wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote: Any particular reason why you're only looking at those two sizes on a 7" wide wheel? I run 215s on a 6.5" wheel.... you could easily put 225s in the tires you're talking about on your wheels.

The tires that I am looking at only come in one 15" size per manufacturer. It would be nice if they offered more 15" sizes but they don't. The problem I have with the Star Specs are the 55 series aspect ratio. It is just a bit tall for my awesomely powerfull 1zzfe corolla engine. I am going to bite the bullet and order up a set of the Kumho Ecsta XS from the Tire Rack. I like the size and they have a more rain friendly tread pattern than the Azenis. Plus they are shorter by .1"!!!!

You can get the Hankook Ventus RS2s in 225/50-15 and 225/45-15. The extra width would (at least in my opinion) make up the difference and then some. They're pretty cheap in these sizes, too.

They have them at TireRack.