Dunlop SportMaxx RT Reviews - Page 3
Given 80%
while driving a
BMW 320D
(225/45 R17)
on a combination of roads
for 20,000 average miles
Tire with excellent performances.
Will definetly buy them again.
Will definetly buy them again.
Given 66%
while driving a
Nissan Qashqai
(225/45 R17)
on mostly country roads
for 0 spirited miles
Good grip in the dry, acceptable but nothing to shout about in the wet. In snow or slush, absolutely useless !!
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
Given 69%
while driving a
Skoda Octavia estate
(225/45 R17 W)
on mostly town
for 9,000 easy going miles
Factory fitted from new on 2017 Skoda Octavia 2l diesel estate and have done 9k in 12 months but the fronts are not wearing as well as I would have hoped. As my daily commute includes parking on the fourth floor of a multi-storey car park and with a heavy engine this could explain the wear on the tire shoulders but on longer drives they are quiet and sure footed giving no cause for concern.
The scores are based on this experience and could well be bettered with a different driving profile.
The scores are based on this experience and could well be bettered with a different driving profile.
Given 69%
while driving a
Skoda Octavia estate
(225/45 R17 W)
on mostly town
for 9,000 easy going miles
Factory fitted from new on 2017 Skoda Octavia 2l diesel estate and have done 9k in 12 months but the fronts are not wearing as well as I would have hoped. As my daily commute includes parking on the fourth floor of a multi-storey car park and with a heavy engine this could explain the wear on the tire shoulders but on longer drives they are quiet and sure footed giving no cause for concern.
The scores are based on this experience and could well be bettered with a different driving profile.
The scores are based on this experience and could well be bettered with a different driving profile.
Given 74%
while driving a
Volkswagen Golf Mk6 1.4 TSI 160
(205/55 R16 W)
on a combination of roads
for 40,000 spirited miles
I'm reviewing the second set of these tires that I'm using for the last six years (3 years and about 20000 km each set) driving in city and motorways. Most of my driving experience with these tires is in dry conditions and temperatures above 15 degrees were grip and handling is excellent. The good road feedback in dry conditions and the safe '' feeling'' at high motorway speeds are the main reasons I bought them again since in the 205 55 16 dimension are one of the best sport tires. I don't like the feedback of the premium tires that dominate the aforementioned dimension.
The bad thing is that they don't last much. Treadware is 240 so they are pretty soft and easily worn in hursh roads. On the other hand in hot conditions they do not dry up fast, (hair thin cracks) maybe because they are too soft and wear fast so new rubber comes to surface and replaces the dryed one (personal explanation) . Mine lasted three years but with a rather low km per year (10k) use.
Can't say much for the wet. In wet conditions in city they tend to loose grip easily. Now that they are worn don't provide enough confidence on wet roads.
I will replace them with pilot sport 4.
The bad thing is that they don't last much. Treadware is 240 so they are pretty soft and easily worn in hursh roads. On the other hand in hot conditions they do not dry up fast, (hair thin cracks) maybe because they are too soft and wear fast so new rubber comes to surface and replaces the dryed one (personal explanation) . Mine lasted three years but with a rather low km per year (10k) use.
Can't say much for the wet. In wet conditions in city they tend to loose grip easily. Now that they are worn don't provide enough confidence on wet roads.
I will replace them with pilot sport 4.
Given 50%
while driving a
Audi A4 Quattro 220 bhp TFSI
(235/40 R18)
on a combination of roads
for 15,000 average miles
Only lasted me about 15k miles, fitted in the same time with 2 x Bridgestone and those still have about 4.5mm,
Overall not to impressed with them.
Overall not to impressed with them.
Given 90%
while driving a
Honda Civic Type R
(225/45 R17)
on mostly town
for 10 spirited miles
So after reading a number of reviews I decided to get a set of these for the fronts to replace a set of cheap and crappy Nangkang tires.
The difference was immediate and the tires made a huge difference in how the car handles in both dry and wet conditions.
In dry conditions the grip is pretty great, and I've been on track with super sticky semi slicks in the dry so I'm comparing my experiences. In these I've taken long sweeping bends and roundabouts in the dry with real spirited driving and you really have to work it to find the limit and even then it's progressive and controllable with good feedback through the steering wheel and seat. Im finding the limits of my car's suspension before the limits of the tires to be honest because I think these can take a bit more. In the dry, even from cold, it's not super easy to get the tires spinning if you're quick with the clutch. (No I'm not a chav lol)
As the tire has come to the end of its life they are giving me slightly more wheel spin. It may be because I'm enjoying the last few enthusiastic thousand miles before I replace these.
Snow and ice / Winter driving:
In the recent snowfall I found these really good. Don't get me wrong, my traction control was working overtime and my driving skills are above average (I hope) but I didn't particularly find any real issues with these in the heavy snow and ice. Bear in mind I believe mind these are summer tires but any slight loss of traction when steering at low speeds in the ice and snow were quickly recovered.
In the wet:
Although the dry grip is excellent, the wet grip (as with most tires) isn't as good but I can definitely say that any loss of traction to my front wheels was progressive, controllable and gave me confidence to stay on the limit on bends. The wheels tend to spin up much easier in the wet if I put my foot down a bit harder than the tires like. This happens even on straight roads and not just on bends.
Braking:
Genuinely excellent in both dry and wet. Very good in snow / icy conditions. Hitting the brakes in the dry these stop amazingly well, the grippy compound has been consistent through the life of this tire and they have helped in some last minute emergency braking moments. This is also true in the wet as I haven't noticed the ABS kicking in under hard braking in most cases.
Comfort:
In terms of comfort I really don't have a good base to give fair feedback on this product. My car is known for harsh and hard suspension from factory so although these tires didn't make it worse I don't feel like they made it any better. I don't expect any tire to work miracles like that :(
The feedback I got from these tires are excellent. Great handling and confidence inspiring in the dry and progressive, controllable, grippy and not too noisy in all conditions. I would definitely look to Dunlop and this model of tire again, it's lasted around 10,00 miles since I got them brand new in April 2015 but I've subjected them to very spirited driving on the straights, corners and bends and it's taken it all in it's stride. I'd be looking at the RT2 since these are supposedly designed to last longer than the RT
The difference was immediate and the tires made a huge difference in how the car handles in both dry and wet conditions.
In dry conditions the grip is pretty great, and I've been on track with super sticky semi slicks in the dry so I'm comparing my experiences. In these I've taken long sweeping bends and roundabouts in the dry with real spirited driving and you really have to work it to find the limit and even then it's progressive and controllable with good feedback through the steering wheel and seat. Im finding the limits of my car's suspension before the limits of the tires to be honest because I think these can take a bit more. In the dry, even from cold, it's not super easy to get the tires spinning if you're quick with the clutch. (No I'm not a chav lol)
As the tire has come to the end of its life they are giving me slightly more wheel spin. It may be because I'm enjoying the last few enthusiastic thousand miles before I replace these.
Snow and ice / Winter driving:
In the recent snowfall I found these really good. Don't get me wrong, my traction control was working overtime and my driving skills are above average (I hope) but I didn't particularly find any real issues with these in the heavy snow and ice. Bear in mind I believe mind these are summer tires but any slight loss of traction when steering at low speeds in the ice and snow were quickly recovered.
In the wet:
Although the dry grip is excellent, the wet grip (as with most tires) isn't as good but I can definitely say that any loss of traction to my front wheels was progressive, controllable and gave me confidence to stay on the limit on bends. The wheels tend to spin up much easier in the wet if I put my foot down a bit harder than the tires like. This happens even on straight roads and not just on bends.
Braking:
Genuinely excellent in both dry and wet. Very good in snow / icy conditions. Hitting the brakes in the dry these stop amazingly well, the grippy compound has been consistent through the life of this tire and they have helped in some last minute emergency braking moments. This is also true in the wet as I haven't noticed the ABS kicking in under hard braking in most cases.
Comfort:
In terms of comfort I really don't have a good base to give fair feedback on this product. My car is known for harsh and hard suspension from factory so although these tires didn't make it worse I don't feel like they made it any better. I don't expect any tire to work miracles like that :(
The feedback I got from these tires are excellent. Great handling and confidence inspiring in the dry and progressive, controllable, grippy and not too noisy in all conditions. I would definitely look to Dunlop and this model of tire again, it's lasted around 10,00 miles since I got them brand new in April 2015 but I've subjected them to very spirited driving on the straights, corners and bends and it's taken it all in it's stride. I'd be looking at the RT2 since these are supposedly designed to last longer than the RT
Given 60%
while driving a
BMW 320i Msport
(255/35 R19 W)
on a combination of roads
for 2,000 average miles
I only had these on my car for about 3 months as I got a puncture which could not be repaired. In those 3 months I found these tires to be good in the dry however in cold conditions these lose traction. For that reason I won't be buying Dunlop again. I also previously had Sport Maxx GT which were the same, great in the dry but not so good in the wet.
Given 60%
while driving a
Audi A3 Sportback
(225/45 R17)
on a combination of roads
for 12,000 average miles
These were supplied new with my Audi A3, either Audi doesn't spend much on sound proofing or these are noisy tires. I have driven 12500 miles so far and they are down to 4 mm. Handling and braking in dry is really good and they are pretty sorted in teh rain on wet ground, they are not however even slightly useful in low tempratures or wintery conditions. They are a sport tire though so to be expected, but even with traction control they did nothing and left me high and dry with a long walk home. Its a company car so don't have much control over the tire selection but I won't be opting for these come change time. Not worth teh extra outlay of cash there is better for cheaper out there.
Given 100%
while driving a
Renault Clio III Dynamique 1.6
(205/50 R16 W)
on mostly country roads
for 39,000 spirited miles
Two sets of tires. The first did 57.000 Km, the second 62.000Km and still goes on. The best tires I have ever put. Great dry grip, incredible wet grip (feels so dominant and safe), and best of all they are very good even near their end. Ok they take some time to warm up, but it is really nothing to worry about. And when you are about to have some fun, prepare yourselves for big big smiles! I am about to change my car, the next one will definitely will wear the SportMaxx RT.
Given 90%
while driving a
Ford Mondeo Titanium 2.0 TCDI
(235/40 R18 W)
on a combination of roads
for 7,000 spirited miles
This is my second pair of these tires on the front of my diesel mondeo hatch with the Titanium sports pack option. Grip is just incredible, the point they push wide is well beyond where I would push the mondeo on the road. These tires are intended for much more exotic cars than a diesel family saloon so I've probably not given them the test they deserve but I always overspec tires.
The only performance weakness they have is in the snow, but you can't expect a tire designed for high speed use to be good there. Wear is their other downside, they disappear quite quickly, but again for this type of tire it is expected and you won't get this grip like this without compromising something.
Saying that, I'm down to 1.8mm on one and 2mm on the other and I've only just got to the point I've noticed any degredation in performance in the cold and wet British winter. It seems to be able to shift a fair bit of standing water despite the low tread left, I drove up the M6 through the Lake District in torrential rain without them ever feeling like they were out of their depth. I've been very happy with them.
The only performance weakness they have is in the snow, but you can't expect a tire designed for high speed use to be good there. Wear is their other downside, they disappear quite quickly, but again for this type of tire it is expected and you won't get this grip like this without compromising something.
Saying that, I'm down to 1.8mm on one and 2mm on the other and I've only just got to the point I've noticed any degredation in performance in the cold and wet British winter. It seems to be able to shift a fair bit of standing water despite the low tread left, I drove up the M6 through the Lake District in torrential rain without them ever feeling like they were out of their depth. I've been very happy with them.
Given 84%
while driving a
Ford Falcon xr6
(245/45 R17 W)
on a combination of roads
for 18,000 spirited miles
I've travelled 30,000km over 18 months on a variety of roads with these tires, and they've performed brilliantly. Grip is excellent, both wet and dry. It really impressed me how stable my RWD, open diff car felt doing 100km/h on the highway in heavy rain. Wear is as good as you'd expect for a tire of this type.