Tires DUNLOP or FEDERAL

I've been running Dunlop Direzza Z-1 StarSpecs on the track and on the street with no issues, still on OEM 18" wheels. NYC potholes have not been kind to me either, but no bubbles.

pretty sure i had some Dunlops on my GTI a decade ago or more, and would buy them again, too.

Had a bunch o different Dunlops on three different cars and they're far better economy tires than the sumitomos or coopers I've used.

Star Specs - 90% of the Bridgestone at 80% of the price.

I learned my lesson with the 165/45 15 federals... and will tell anyone here that can still find these to stack up while they are cheap/can find them.

The Direzza's are pretty sticky and take a lot before they break traction. I'm very happy with them performance-wise.

think I actually have been running my dunlaps at 36 front 38 rear cold maybe a couple psi more, can't remember since its been so long. It usually gains a couple psi (think it was getting to 40 all around hot) on the first run and I bleed back down to that point.

The original Dunlops (can't remember exact tire now) on the RX8 were useless below 35 degrees. I couldn't even take off gingerly without the traction control and ESC lights going crazy. But in the warm they were quite good.

Having had bad experiences w/ a few different sets of Dunlop tires (most recently the craptastic SP Sport 5000s on my Genesis which are 90% worn with only approx. 10k miles on them since I run snow tires in the winter), I have to say I'm not a fan of their tires generally speaking.

The OEM A/S Dunlop has a 92 sidewall rating; it certainly isn't "soft." it is, unfortunately, just a weak tire design/build in this case I've lost 3 already as well and currently running a 4th with a bubble... they suck