Tire Whisperers--your thoughts, please!

From a racing stand point, and from everything I learned from talking to indycar engineers. Ideally even if one tire goes out you want to replace the whole set of 4 tires. It is to keep things predictable and have the maximum performance. There is also a whole lot of other science in it but that is a quick summary of what I learned.

Now I also know we as regular people do not possess millions of dollars to replace our tires every chance we get. But I would say try to get the tire that would have the closest similarities as your fronts. This leads me to suggest the Dunlops Zii star spec as they have similar characteristic as their regular zii but with more grip. Also the tread pattern is pretty much the same so when it comes to wet driving there won't be any surprises of front to rear grip. Also I have had both the RS3 and the zii star spec on my fiesta and the RS3 will slide out before the zii does. Both are great tires. But from what I observed the RS3 were smooth as butter when it came to sliding the rear. Whereas the zii star spec wants to just grab as much as it can. Then when it does slide out you do not get as much of a slide as the tires are going to want to get traction back sooner but not in a jerky sensation.

Hope this helps. Again though it is just my opinion. Hope others chime in.

I would agree about the correction. I remember on my RS3's I would have to do a full counter steer (not opposite lock but the steering center would be facing the 9 o clock position). And with the Star specs the rotation is there but what I feel to be in a more controlled way (once you get used to the high speeds that they break loose on). Where when the rear end comes out you point the center of the steering wheel where you want the front end to point and it goes there, so there is less correction. I would be curious if you did go with the star specs as to the increase in performance from the old ZII.

Also if you haven't already adjusting the front camber and a slightly negative toe increases turn in hugely. I am running -2.2L/-2.3R camber on my fiesta and the tire wear is still quite normal if anything I still see the outside of the tire being worn just as much as the inside if not more. So I am thinking I may bump it up to the -3 on both ends. Also my toe settings are -.12L/-.16R

Although if you do go with the AD08R's I would assume the grip would also increase. Using my tires as a DD and on track I have 5,000 miles and they appear to be about 1/2 of the original tread. So the wear is pretty good too. Tire choice is about driving style I am thinking about putting the RS3 back on my car for DD and mountain runs. That way I am not going crazy fast speeds to just get some fun rotation.