Something

I plan on picking up some 17x9.5/11 ZR1's soon and am caught up on tires. Instead of making this post twice as long by stating what I know, I'll just state what exactly I need out of a tire:

These wheels will be mostly summer tires/occasional track tires. They will probably see 8 months at a time, from late March (depending on weather) to October. That will probably be the end of there DD use, but they will come out during the winter months from time to time "when the need calls". Although in those months, it will be strickly dry, albeit cold weather. Now I know that hands down for DD use the GS-D3's wins. Dry, wet, everything. But the price is a killer. So I guess what I am saying is, can the 555r in a 315 compete with the same sized Goodyear, taking into consideration it will see all the summer month's has to throw at them, which will include the occasional rain?

To be honest, I dont need a strickly performanc tire, and if anything, a good DD tire. I know the 555R's rubber compound is alittle harder than most DR's, and they tend to last alittle longer as well but it is still a DR and DR arent really built for rain. But from personal experiance, with caution and common sense, is the 555R a good buy in comparison to the Goodyear?

98redM6

iTrader: (39)

I've seen 555Rs last as long as 12k on daily driver duty. I've had GSD3s that have lasted 30k, no problem.

I guess that is the only question you have to ask yourself. 555Rs will cost about $60 less/tire, but the GSD3s will last 2-3 times as long as the 555Rs. It is up to you.

275/40/17
Nitto 555R - $153
Goodyear GSD3 - $211
$58 difference

315/35/17
Nitto 555R - $174
Goodyear GSD3 - $283
$109 difference

That averages out to $83.50 more/tire if you go with the GSD3s over the 555Rs.

Have a lot of free time on my hand. Anyone need howework done.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

I like the nitto DRs but I've found that in cold weather (45*F and lower) the nittos are very hard and need some miles to warm up. Sure the engine needs time to warm up too before flogging, but some mornings it felt like I was Fred Flintstone driving on some rocks.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

I've been running Nittos since April and will swap them out in a couple of weeks for my KDWS all-season tires and run those till next spring. After about 6500-7000 miles the Nittos are down to the wear bars in the center, but with plenty left on the outside.

They are too worn to put back on in the spring and be safe in the rain. I've had no problems in the rain with the Nittos, but I've heard too many horror stories and it makes me jittery. I won't risk running worn ones in rain.

So I think I'm going to invest in some GSD3's in the spring. I think they'll last 2-3x longer and be safer in the rain. Whether they will hook as well on street is the issue. The Nittos themselves were only "adequate."

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

You could also look into BFG KD's, I orginally went with GS-D3's but they are on back order indefinatley and I've been waiting for my wheels forever and got tired of it. The KD's are suppose to be a better all around tire so I'm not complaining.

02 z/28

iTrader: (19)

I say nitto,I have drove mine in the rain and its not bad at all,and than go to the track and pull 1.80s and when they are bald they will let you know.

Ryan02SS

iTrader: (3)

The D3's are a much better DD tire over the 555R's but they don't hook too good over 400rwhp. I got 20K out of the D3's with easy driving and plan on 8K out of the 555R's.

dailydriver

Just what I've found also. Even if it's dry out, in < 50 degree weather, even after driving many miles, they just do not stick as well as regular summer high performance rubber (which themselves are not too great in these conditions). Mine felt like "blocks of ice" when the dry temps fell below 40*, with about that much traction.