As we approach winter I'm debating whether to switch back to my stock wheels with the Dunlop SP5000's or keep on the 245/45/17" Sumitomo's on.

The Dunlops are amazing in the wet ... not so sure about the Sumitomo's yet in the wet. Not sure how either will do in snow (which I won't have to worry about this winter in Portland, OR.. hopefully)

I think both are decent all-weather tires so far. Any input?

Neither of these tires is all that great in the snow, although the Dunlops would defintely be much better in snow and slush. My Sumitomo's work well in the wet, but I would keep the Dunlops on the car for the winter driving, slush, sleet. I have a seperate set of steel wheels with Dunlop DS-1's for the snow. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, lala lala lala...

The HTRZ II's are really good in the wet. I've had them on for a few months now but as soon as my winter tires get here I'm going to change to them because the Sumitomo's look like they would be just too scary if it's icy/snowy. Go with the SP5000's

I just bought a set of the sumitomo HTR+ in 225/45/17. They are ok nothing amazing though. And by amazing I mean like my Falkin Azenis I use for the other 3 seasons. ;) They will get me by for winter.

You guys are funny... Azenis as your summer tire and HTRZ2's as a winter tire? :lol:

Damn warm climate people. :)

Anyway, the moral of the thread is that summer tires are the best in wet/dry but they should never touch snow/ice. Nobody in CA or other areas with similar climates should even consider running anything but a true summer tire all year round unless they have the need to venture into the mountains for some snow.

The Dunlops. I've only heard good things about those tires.

a summer tire (HTR ZII) vs. and all-season tire (Sport 5000)

Sport 5k no question

Originally posted by Rally Ho
You guys are funny... Azenis as your summer tire and HTRZ2's as a winter tire? :lol:

Damn warm climate people. :)

Anyway, the moral of the thread is that summer tires are the best in wet/dry but they should never touch snow/ice. Nobody in CA or other areas with similar climates should even consider running anything but a true summer tire all year round unless they have the need to venture into the mountains for some snow.

But I have the HTR+ they are an all season tire that will work in the snow. They are on par or better than the SP5000's. The ones Ichiro is talking about are more of a performance tire.

I live in Seattle.

p@

I use the HTR+ for my winter tires. Decent wet, snow, and dry performance for an A/S tire. Not too expensive and come in a wide variety of sizes.

Dunlop SP5000s have received universally good buzz for their balanced handling in wet and snow. While now optimal for either, they handle both very well, with a marginally improvement in dry grip over the stock RE-92s

Ed

As stated earlier, the HTR ZIIs are Summer-only tires. They should not be used in the snow.

The HTR+ of Sumitomo is comparable to the SP 5000 from Dunlop, since they are of the same type and are classified as "Ultra-high performance All-season" tires.

My HTRZII's suck in the snow.....IMHO

Very happy with my Sumitomo HTR+'s. I have tested them in wet conditions and they work very well. I have yet to test them in the snow. I'm guessing they'll be ok though...

Having just replaced my Sumitomo HTR+ (215/45ZR17) tires with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (205/55ZR16), I can say that the Sumitomos perform very well in the wet and the dry. I too don't have any snow experience with them, but since they are classified as All-season, they should do okay in snow.

Originally posted by WRX-U
My HTRZII's suck in the snow.....IMHO

The HTRZIIs are summer-only tires. They are not designed to be driven on snow, and if you have driven them in the snow (contrary to the way it is designed), I am not surprised that they "suck".