Noise and wet grip dominate criticism of the Federal SS595 SUPER STEEL, raised by roughly four in ten of 127 owners, and neutral ratings form the largest group. Dry grip is more often praised than criticised, though 20 drivers dislike it, so confidence is far from universal. Value and tread life are recurring positives, with several longer-use accounts describing substantial mileage despite a smaller group reporting rapid wear. Steering feedback is evenly split, and comfort complaints come from a smaller minority. Several later-use accounts describe noise increasing, but repeat reviewers show no shared decline: one becomes less satisfied while another stays positive.
What owners mention most counted across 127 reviews
I bought a used Honda S2000 which came with these tires on it. Now, I haven't driven my car with any other tires yet, so take this review with a grain of salt - I can't compare with anything else and perhaps some of the issues are just getting used to a new RWD car.
Having said that, I've found that the cornering grip in the dry is good - to a point. I can push the car harder and harder and harder around a corner and I'm amazed at how much grip there is and then - bang - it's gone. With other tires on other cars I can usually feel when the tire is nearing the limit of adhesion, but not with these - there's grip to a point and then there suddenly isn't. When they do break traction, they are very quiet - very little squealing.
In the wet, they're terrible. I can't accelerate even mildly from a stop without these breaking free on the back end, and pushing them even slightly around a corner under power results in, again, a loss of traction very quickly. There is no warning to let you know you're nearing the limit of traction, and in the wet, that limit is very low. The fronts seem to hook up ok (lateral grip) but the rears won't allow you to put any power down before they break free.
I'm sure they were cheap and I'm sure that's why the owner bought them. But in my opinion, a sports car is only as good as the tires it's sitting on and these tires don't do my S2000 any justice. They're new enough that I'll use them until they're in need of replacement, but I won't be sad to see them go.
DO NOT BUY THESE TYRES! Less than 3 years old and tread only half worn, I spotted a nail in the tire. Upon taking the wheel off to go and get a puncture repair, I couldnt believe my eyes at the state of the inside wall! It was breaking down so badly and it might as well have been slashed with a hot knife. I dont know how it didnt blow out. The guys at the garage then explained the difference between budget tires and premium. Having seen this I dont think I am ever going to buy a budget tire again! I do not drive my car hard enough to comment on grip etc, but there is no way a tire should deteriorate like thi.s.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
They are a good buy for the money. I would recommend them. I have them on my 1990 mustang gt and the hook up great. So if u drive a sports car I would say buy them. Only negative noise but once u put some miles on the tires the noise goes away. And wet grip off a stop is not the best.
Which tires do you drive?
Researching the Federal SS595 SUPER STEEL? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
Where to start...
I'm a "Mechanic" and very price conscious. I purchased two of these from onlinetires out of california and live in austin tx. My BMW as many E46's wind up with had continentals on it and i wore them to the steel due to negative camber.
I've owned 19 cars, last one being a C5 corvette... so i'm used to doing powerslides and being chased by the police around winding roades etc ;)
That said, my biggest complaint is that the sidewalls seem to be made of tough marshmallows. As we all know, those are good for eating with chocolate and grahm crackers, but i would say bmws are far from those ingredients.
Since installation, my front tires now understeer more in corners and the back floats around like i have no swaybar. I should have bought a kumho asx or prettymuch anything else as the "Great price" fails to include safety in my application for unknown reasons.
Not sure what to do other than crash my car and sue the company lol, because thats just what we do in america with all our lawyers.
Maybe its the size or i feel like the sidewall must be the culprit for this lousy everything about the tire. I don't mind a tire that looses traction, wears fast at this price or tries to kill me in the rain. I just hate the way the back end of my car feels like "donked" out impala on mudding tires. I already own a lifted land rover and feel more confident tossing that into corners now.
At least i'll be a great driver when i'm finished with this crappy squishy mess.
Bottom line, save money but make sure someone with your specific size thinks they work well. Maybe those who rate this tire well have never felt a car that corners well.
I will try to get money back or sell these to their next victim.
Ok first up having read all the negative reviews seems as if some
People are confusing vibration and steering wobble with the tire. It's not the tire it's the
Wheel need balancing. An alignment is crucial too. Dont blame the tires unless you've had balancing, alignment and correct pressures.
Secondly complaints that it feels bad straight after
Fitting is because tires need about 500 kms to
Break in.
Good tire for someone on a budget. Sure I would love Bridgestone instead but can't afford them. These offer good value and if you want to break traction in the dry or wet and blame the tires go and do it on a track. For normal road use these tires are perfect
Don't buy these tires!! I regret not reading reviews before buying them! They make so much damn noise I feel like I'm driving a clunker rather than my late model impala. Will be replacing very soon with quality tires
I have had these on my Type R for just over a year, in the dry they are just Ok, in the wet i find the front end jumping all over the place. I wouldnt put my trust in these tires and wouldnt recommend them at all. The side wall has started split which is the final nail in the coffin, i have just ordered a set of Toyo Proxes, so fingers crossed these turn out to be a better tire.
was worried about this tire when i saw the reviews then i asked a tire specialist he said he had no problem with them i put them on my c5 and they are brill they are a lot quiter than the p zero ive got on and they are quite on the road as well good tire and no problems with them
I debated the opinions on this one for a cheep tire. The performance on an Audi TT are acceptable for the price. They look great and the rim guard is nice. The key issue is that they are more than loud. Sorry folks but even for a track day tire they make you feel like you are driving a 4x4 with mud flaps. If you are going drifting and do not care this is your tire. The reasonable performance for the low price does not come close to offsetting the noise factor. Wished I picked another and I'll put them up for sale or purhaps have to trade them to the tire shop for mounting and balance on the next set of tires.
I cannot believe the bad reviews. Why do you buy a performance tire if you want comfort. these give excellent response and traction comparable to Pirelli z rated tires which I had previously. Brilliant tire for money. By he way this is a summer tire therefore it is not designed to displace water, however i did not find it "dangerous". You cannot hit a flood with a 225 wide radial tire with same performance as a narrow winter tire.
I drive a mazda 3 200km a day, have put over 30 thousand k's on these tires so far with no complaints. They have only broke loose once in wet weather but then again I was not behaving. For those having issues I suggest you look at something other than the tires to blame.
