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I ended up buying Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance 315/35/17 & 275/40/17 from Discount
Tire Direct for a total of $643.46 shipped. That's only $50 more than the Sumitomos from Tire Rack, and my research shows that the Nittos get better reviews.
Just a word about the Toyo R888's. They are not pricey, and super sticky, but probably not long wearing. which is ok for me.
I have not had them in the rain or standing water, but my guess is, not great.
They're fine for me, but probably not for a "daily driver".
I am now in direct contact with the manufacturer Vredestein and try to figure out if they would again do a serie of 315 rear tires.
There are some cars beside of ours ZR-1s like Grand Sport, Mustangs etc. which use and need this size.
Is there a possibility to figure out somehow the quantity of wanted 315 size tires? I want to give Vredestein I idea about the volume.
When confronted with the decision of choosing between Vredestein, Sumitomo, Goodyear, Nitto, et al. when they all made the correct sizes, I chose Nitto based on favorable reviews and price. I've had them on for awhile, and I like them a lot. So there's that to consider.
I think that it would be difficult to accurately estimate the annual number of ZR-1 owners who would purchase them, much less all customers of that tire size. There are just too many factors to consider: total volume of sales of tires in or near that size, quality and attributes of the tire, price, availability, etc.
Vredestein will probably be better able to estimate volume themselves, based on their previous sales data. If they discontinued the tire due to low volume, it's going to be difficult to convince them that conditions (supply or demand) have changed enough to justify re-entry into the market.
I had vredesteins on my c5 and now my zr1. I bought 2 275's and 2 315s' when my car was running stock front wheels. I decided to go with 315's all around and bought two more for the front. After changing back to the original sizes due to ride quality I was going to sell my very low mileage 315 vredesteins until i found out they are no longer made.
the vredesteins have good straight on traction but excellent lateral and rain traction. The best in the rain. Living in south florida this is a big plus for me since most summer days are mixed heat and rain. I feel they have excellent wear and smooth riding. My favorite tire of all because of performance, look and price. Sad to see them go. I have a spare set of 315's in case I have a tire failure in the future.
In spite of frequent wheel spinns and drifts I did with the rear Vredesteins about 25'000 miles. It's really a great tire. Quiet and with alot of grip when dry or wet.
The main point is the speed index. The Vredestein is "Y" rated resp. for a 186 miles speed. Available competitor tires are only "W" rated.
Here in Europe in countries like Switzerland and Germany we have to go every 2 years for technical inspection. When the expert see a tire is not made of a car's top speed he can refuse the further driving permission.
I try all what is possible to convince the factory to produce at least a small serie. May be I will have luck, may be not.
Last edited by SAM/CH ZR-1; 06-26-2016 at 08:06 AM.
they look like great tires but I'm partial to the Toyo.
it though they would wear out quick but he tires on my turbo car keep rocking and I'm not gentle on them
I have the older RA1s, and they will get worn out soon so I can try the R888 which look a bit more pricey, but stick like grim death and I want top performance
I succumbed to 18 rims to get better selections an like the CCW classics alot
they look like great tires but I'm partial to the Toyo.
it though they would wear out quick but he tires on my turbo car keep rocking and I'm not gentle on them
I have the older RA1s, and they will get worn out soon so I can try the R888 which look a bit more pricey, but stick like grim death and I want top performance
I succumbed to 18 rims to get better selections an like the CCW classics alot
Ron, I am partial to Toyo as well. However with the EOL RA-1 and the new Nitto 555 G2 I am starting to lean toward Nitto as the tire to buy.
I have the G2 on two of the cars now and really like the performance.
02-03-2016, 06:31 PM
Question about Toyo R888 and Vredestein ULTRAC SESSANTA tires
