Dunlop SP8000 vs. D40M2 205/50ZR15

From: Andrew Chan (daedalus@escape.ca)
05/14/98
I've had the SP8000s on for 1600km now and they're getting scrubbed in quite well. The D40s lived a rather short life (31K km). Let that be a lesson to me NOT to use these tires for Solo II... what a waste.

My 3rd gen GSR has a stock suspension. Brakes are upgraded with KVR pads, Brembo rotors, and Ford HD fluid.

Grip doesn't seem to be as tenacious as the D40, but it's more than I'll ever sanely use on the street. However the 8000s are still new and I'm sure the grip will improve as they get scrubbed in. I really like its gradual breakaway characteristics, but then again the tire is new, the tread blocks are deep and deflectable, so this is to be expected for now. Steering is very responsive (ie. response from steering input) and minute steering corrections are easily made. Steering feedback (ie. car-to-driver communication) a little less lively than the D40s. Again, this is expected to change to increased feedback. Very good straight-line traction.

It's good in light rain, as with the D40s. Good straight-line traction, and good steady-state cornering. Lift off in a 2nd-gear, moderately hard corner and the rear end will come around quickly. It's very easy to catch though.

Braking is phenomenal. Found a clean stretch of road, got up to 90 km/h (55mph) and creamed the brake pedal. The ABS didn't even come on. Braking on wet surfaces is excellent too. No discernable improvement over the D40 though.

Conclusion-so-Far
D40 to SP8000 isn't a big jump. The 8000, to me, is better behaved and more tolerable for daily commuting. Performance-wise, there isn't a difference that I could confidently discern without instrumented testing. Price-wise, the D40s are USD92 and SP8000s are USD104 (May98 Tire Rack); IMHO the extra $12 per tire is worthwhile for a little added peace.

Update 01/10/99
The 8000s have been off for 2 months and the Nokia winters are on. The 8000s have over 18,000km on them, half of which was logged on highways, and have plenty of tread left (no track driving!). I'm guessing that I've worn away about 1/3 of the usable tread. My ears and butt tell me that they are definitely more comfortable than the D40s and do not follow truck ruts anywhere as badly. Traction in the rain is very good.

Dunlop SP Sport 8000 195/55/15

Dunlop SP8000 215/50ZR15

From: gerald@adapco.com
12/08/96
You may remember at the beginning of the year I asked about fitting 215/50R15 tires in the wheel wells of my '94 GSR. I finally wore out the stock rubber and tried a pair of Dunlop SP Sport 8000's. Using the stock wheels, things were just fine. I bought two more to complete the set when I was satisfied. I just wanted to say that the lists on the Integra home page should say something about this tire size as it is a great compromise of handling and durability (side wall height remains stock), as well as ride. Also, I like the look of the OEM wheels and don't really want to spend $1000 for new wheels.

Dunlop D40M2

From: Andrew Chan (daedalus@escape.ca)
01/13/97

UTQG Treadwear     200AA.
Expected life      30,000 kms (I drive aggressively)

Mounted on stock 15x6 wheels, these 205/50s give a good shape. The sidewalls bulge only very slightly but the contact patch is well planted.

I also had a chance to drive a stock '94 GS-R with the BFG ZR, also 205/50-15. In straight-line grip (dry) they are about the same, but in corners at medium to high speed the D40s feel more connected and direct. Responses from the D40s feel more instantaneous. However the BFGs makes up for this by being quieter and giving a nicer ride.

Update 2/11/98

Big dilemma here: at pressures above 35psi, the ride is uncomfortably stiff but the car isn't as prone to follow truck ruts. If I lower to 30, the ride gets better but I have to hold the steering wheel tight so the car won't feint and dart around. Anyway the D40s are about finished, the wear bars are showing and they're extremely noisy. I'm going to keep them for the track and find something milder for day to day use.

Ups: Great dry and wet grip, progressive breakaway, cheap compared to AVS, SP8000, BFG ZR. Instantaneous response to slightest steering inputs.

Downs: Noisy and rides harsher compared to BFGs. Follows medium-size ruts in the road. Think twice before extended trips...

From: Benjamin Treynor (ben@versant.com)
Tires: I traded in the stock MXV-4s and replaced them with Dunlop D40M2 205/50-15s. The Dunlops are -far- superior, and there was no problem installing them. I don't know what the treadlife will be yet, but I'm guessing 15k-20k miles.

Dunlop W-10 195/55VR-15

From: Dennis Loy (dloy@ix.netcom.com)
Received the new Dunlop tire, the W-10 (utog200AA). Supposedly created to fill the need of the growing street modification craze of Asian and European front wheel drive subcompact and compact cars of which, of course, the Integra is one.

My car, (GS), is stock as of now, and I haggled with the decision to buy these tires because: 1- Nobody knows much about them yet. 2- The above statement about mods made me think maybe they are just a cheap tire ($73.00ea.) for flashy upgrade wheel and tire combinations. 3- The tread is very radical looking. ( In three days of ownership I've had two comments already; both positive). Also, Tire Rack doesn't seem to really know if these tires are ultra high or high performance. Dunlop's website tells you more, just look at the general information section and then under the recent news press releases.

The verdict? I like them a lot. So far they seem to be the good blend of handling, cornering, smooth ride and grip. They have a touch of noise, but not too bad and no squealing either. (Hear that Michelin?) I even like the look of the tread; it grows on you. I give them a B+ because they seem to do everything well, a nice all around package at a very good price. Over the years I've owned three Mr2's, a Celica GTS, a Prelude, MGB etc. with everything on them from Re71's to A008's to...... you get the idea, and so far, I like these tires. I'll keep you posted if problems develop.

One more thing, a lot of people get carried away with wheels and tires. Various things happen with 16" and above: like losing low end torque for example. I don't care what they say about acceptable sizes. If you're going to move up to even a little jump like 205 50 15's, put them on a 6 1/2" wheel. Sure they fit on stock 6" but that is not the optimum size wheel for that tire. Listen, Honda didn't put the same size wheels and tires as stock on the TYPE R to save a buck, they did it for the right balance of the car overall.

Dunlop W-10 205/45VR16

From: Tante Aguinaldo (agui@lsil.com)
01/10/99
I bought the SP W-10 tire to replace my SP Sport 8000 with the same tire size, but my new tire is V rated. Dunlop discontinued the size for my old tire and I do not understand why. In any rate, the W-10 is very good in the wet and dry, including if you are aggressively approaching a nice turn. The tire geometry is very good, and the weight of the tire is acceptable. However, it seems that it is less responsive and less pointed than SP 8000 due to probably less stiff on the sidewall. In terms of noise, it generates more noise than my old one, maybe because the tire is still new. The tread wear is still needs to be monitored for comparison reason, but according to Dunlop it is rated 200 treadwear. Overall, this tire is excellent for a compromise, but I still want my SP Sport 8000 because of the performance it delivers for any demanding driver.