tidmutt

Hi All,

I realize there are plenty of tire discussion threads and I've read many of them. I'm about to buy my first set of tires for my 8 since the OEMs are now wearing out. I like the look of the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 mostly because they seem to offer excellent bang for the buck. So my first question is could someone who has owned these for a while comment on their longer term performance. The last such comment I saw was 6 months ago so I thought maybe someone could offer an update.

Secondly, people seem to like the Dunlop Star Specs, but honestly considering I don't visit the track and it's taken me over three years to hit 16,000 miles and my wife has a baby on the way (so $$$ are a factor) I'm wondering if they are worth the $70 a tire premium on tire rack right now? If the Hankooks provide as good as or superior performance to the OEMs and offer safe and predictable handing on the street (wet and dry) then that's all I need.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

Try this: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/hankook-ventus-v12-evo-k110-experiences-180913/

I'm considering the Bridgestone RE-760's, also well-regarded by Tire Rack. Reason? They are the only high-perfomance summer tire I've found with an asymmetrical tread. Almost every uni-directional tire I've had got very noisy with wear. Being able to rotate tires L/R as well as F/R should make them behave better in the longer term.

terch1

iTrader: (2)

I have them on a set of rims I just bought. I think they have like 600 miles on them. I won't be putting the rims on the car until spring.

REDRX3RX8

I have a 07 6spd auto which came with Kumho Spt's, and Enkei GF-1 wheels in 7.5 x18 38 offset.

I wanted to lower the gears about 3% so I put 225/40r18 Hankook Ventus V12 Evo k110 tires on, and it's the best tire I have ever used.

Even with lower profile its a lot quieter, smoother, and stickier which I bet your wife will like.

I tracked the Spt's 6 times, got 20k miles, and I think I'll get about the same with the Hankook's, but look at the reviews on Tirerack.com for more input.

I've studied it to death, and I don't see any contender for my next set at any price, and these are as cheap as they come for a decent tire.

The Dunlop Star Specs are a track tire that can be used on street, wears faster, and have had some tread separation troubles, while the Hankook ventus v12 is a street tire that can be used on the track.

tidmutt

Thanks for pointing these out, I agree they are a good option. Similar price to Hankooks but with the addition of not being directional. I did like the fact that Car and Driver reviewed the Hankooks, seems to be a bit of a buzz around them, but for all I know the RE-760's will perform just as well.

errr... so no clue which way to jump... lol

tidmutt

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Hankook Ventus. I decided waiting any longer was getting dangerous as my existing tires are just getting too bald although the car still handles quite predictably, just breaks traction much sooner. Kind of fun actually! Driving it in the wet would be risky though.

Ordered from Tirerack and had them shipped to a mobile installer who will come to my place. Awesome! I don't have to sit in some shop for hours.

REDRX3RX8

Here's how I roll!

When I buy tires, I always find one that tests close to the best in the wet, but still close to the best in the dry, and I've never been wrong.

On my RX3 it was Uniroyal Rallye 240's that I could drive in the rain at 120 mph.

On my Dakota its the General Altimax RT.

On my 8 it's the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo k110.

I'm out here on the West Texas desert, and get sparse rain, but I'm always ready when it does (safety first).

The OP lives in Florida, and definitely needs a rain tire; and the Hankook is quiet!

Techsan

I've had the Ventus V12s for several months now---I love them! Road noise is much quieter than the BFGs I had on there before. Wear has been excellent. 100% satisfied.

Pico

iTrader: (2)

I use them with my summer wheels and have no complaints. Clocked about 10K on, good ware, good traction on dry/wet conditions, and not very noisy.
Buy em, you won't be disappointed

tidmutt

Thanks all for the additional feedback, since I pulled the trigger (I'm the OP) I'm glad you were all essentially supporting the decision.

Kudos to Tirerack who delivered them to my installer on Saturday after ordering on Thursday! Installer contacted me on Saturday to arrange time he will come by and put them on my 8. If he does a good job I'll never want to go to a bricks and mortar tire place again.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

In the great scheme of things, within this category, most of the choices are all pretty good and a big step above all-seasons. The "best" depends then on what's most important to the individual driver.
Tire Rack is a great company, but how well it works also depends on their local installer. Mine dealt with tires only as a side line and either didn't have the skills or the equipment to balance them right. Fortunately, there's a good local tire place that will match the Tire Rack price when asked.

tidmutt

Just a quick update to let you know that the installer was excellent. I choose him because he had a high volume of reviews on tirerack.com and they were overwhelmingly positive. He turned up at the agreed on time, did the job, took credit card, made sure to give me the receipt that came on the wrapping for the tires and left. No fuss, great job. I did talk to him briefly and he told me he has been doing this for 20 years.

So far the Hankooks seem excellent. They look good, seem to handle very well in the dry, I've thrown it around some corners to guage their performance compared to the OEM Dunlops and they seem just as good if not better. It's hardly a scientific test but works for me. I've also driven in the rain on a wet road with puddles etc. and they handled very well. We'll see how they handle over time, but so far they seem excellent and for a whole lot less than many other tires.

Thanks for info from all the posters.

tangoshark

Heehee just ordered v12 can't wait

tidmutt

You revived an old thread there.

Anyway, excellent. Lets us know what you think.

I still love the tires, zero issues, quiet, fuel economy improved slightly, good grip in wet and dry conditions. Can't say much more, they work and they're cheap compared to the OEMs.

tangoshark

just got done driving 100 miles or so free way and some high G corning on the new V12s. first impression was they feel a little bouncy. I am running 38psi all around but maybe I just have to get used to it since I am coming off my half worn stock tires. or should I pump it up to 40 psi? I am doing most high way driving with occasional mount twisties.

I heard everyone say they are quiet but I didn't know they are this quiet. almost seems like I put in an open airintake, I can hear the engine rev 5 times more than before. Ride comfort is A+.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

too much pressure. For the street, 33 to 35 cold.

also, they will SUCK below freezing, like any other summer tire. Be careful in Oregon. Code and wet is even worse. It is not the tire's fault, it is a summer tire compound.

Mr_Pieper

Check the edge of your door for proper pressures. You are running way too much and they will wear weird.

Also, I like mine. I've had them for a week and a half. That means I know everything.

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Not a big fan of these tires. Grip is ok and sidewalls seem soft. They are ok in the rain. They are quiet. I will not buy them again.

40w8

I've had them on for two years and about 9k miles so I'm not driving much.

The first 6 months they are as you describe, and I got best traction at 46 psi hot. I even drove them home without lowering psi.

At the 1.5 year mark and half worn evenly, 42 psi was the best traction.

The different pressures seems to indicate the tire hardening.

I'd recommend the tire to anyone wanting cheap grip, but I'm looking to Continental DW next time for lightness and grip.

HiRev

iTrader: (1)

Owning the dealer's provided Riken Raptors that were replaced with Goodyear Eagle F1 and then the Hankook V12, I hate switching them back off. I commute my RX8 500 miles a week to work. I bought the V12s for use for autocrossing as to not wear my others for daily use. I have different set of wheels to swap around.

There is a huge difference between each of the sets I have. The Rikens are on for daily summer use (came with car and wasted if I don't use them up...hate them). I'll switch them off the wheels for the Goodyear set for winter.

Although not at the limits for STX class, they are grippy as any softer tire would be. I actually leave them on for a day or two later on work commutes just because I have tight back country roads on the way and hit them hard.

Other tires are grippier and more expensive. Get a budget, get the best rated you can afford. I did and I'm happy.

2nd_RX8

iTrader: (1)

Ditto. Wet performance deteriorated quite a bit after 10,000 miles and for dry pavement their response is dull due to soft sidewalls.

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

I also agree with this. Overall pretty decent, but if you are used to a tire with a nice stiff sidewall this will disappoint somewhat