My previous tire was a Hankook V12 version 1 in a 235/45 17. I had these squeezed onto a factory 17x7. These worked fine until i finally wore them out after our July Autocross.

For my new tires i was debating if i should upgrade to an Extreme Performance Summer Tire or stay with a Max Perf Tire. Since this is my daily driver I would stick with a Max Perf summer tire. I was going to go with Michelin Super Sports like i have on my Camaro. But decided to go with a little more tread wear 340 since these are for my daily driver.

For size i wanted a tire that fit the rim better. The Hankooks i squeezed 235/45 17 on a 7" wheel... when they are aired up for autocross 40-43psi they worked fine. But when you lowered the psi back to 30 for daily use, the tires felt like they moved squirmed alittle (side to side) because they they are forced on a smaller with rim.

I choose 225/50 17 because these squared up on a 7" wheel better. These are also taller than the factory wheel 25.9 verses the 25.5 so the speedo will read alittle faster than actual speed (about 1 mph).

For a daily driven tire these are pretty damn good. They cut thru 1" of standing water like it's not there. They handle pretty good and respond to quick lane changes pretty good.

The problem i have with them is the soft sidewall. This makes the tire very smooth riding but if you are a spirited driver like me. You will roll off the tread unto the sidewall. I compete in Autocross monthly and normally increase tire psi to 43 psi in the front and 33 in the rear. After a hard pass on the course I will adjust the pressure according to how the tire wears after a run on the course...

At the 1st event for these tires i set the pressure to where i would have run my Hankooks. After the first run the tire rolled to 1/3 up the side wall. I usually don't drive all out on the first 2 runs just to make sure i am familiar with the course. I increased my pressure in the front to 48 and used some white shoe polish to confirm the wear. The car ran better and the tires did still roll but at our next event in Oct I will increase the pressure and shoe polish the tires again.

These tires are very noisy as you approach the limit of side grip. This is due to the small tread blocks at the sidewall. This kinda threw me b/c i was use to the hankooks. Those were not as noisy so when they (hankooks) started to make noise i was about the slide. So every time the new tires (continentals) started to squeal i back off the throttle. Next event I will let the tires squeal until they start to slide...

After the event i aired the tires back to stock psi but after a couple days of driving i noticed that i was rolling the sidewall. I increased the pressure from 30 to 35. After a few more days I upped the pressure from 35 - 40. The tires overall ride at 40 psi is still OK but you will notice more small bumps or road expansion joints.

BOTTOM LINE

If you are looking for a performance tire with high treadwear, good wet weather ability and rides smooth. This is the tire for you.

If your like me and "drive like you stole it" most of the time or love hitting interstate on and off ramps. You will have to run higher front tire pressures or check out something else. I have Michelin Super Sports on my Camaro and Love them.

If your willing to give up longevity and wet weather ability look in the extreme summer category.