Tyres (again)?
Discussion
Don't know personally, but found this, hope it helps.
Steve.
Dunlop SP 20: Good Grip, Short Tread Life
Jun 24 '04 (Updated Jun 25 '04)
Author's Product Rating
Handling and Control:
Pros
Grip/traction in dry and wet conditions
Cons
Tread wear, hydro resistance
The Bottom Line
Good overall performance, but not recommended due to short tread life.
Full Review
I have driven several thousand miles on a 185/65/14 size set of Dunlop SP 20 A/S tires mounted on a 2001 Toyota Corolla. I found that these tires drive more like a street performance tire then a passenger tire, for good and bad.
Traction with the Dunlop SP 20 is far better from what I would expect from an economy tire. In both wet and dry conditions, the SP 20 provides a great amount of mechanical grip. This translates to good cornering stability in turns. Pushed to the limit, there is evidence of a softer sidewall as the tire seems to roll a little on its side, but the grip – and stability is still there. It is pretty difficult to break traction with these tires under acceleration or cornering, even when being careless in the rain. In contrast, the comparable Goodyear Regatta tires I have driven with screech and squeal under moderate pressure, and easily break loose in the wet.
However, don’t try to keep pace with reckless SUVs on the highway in the rain with these tires. The SP 20 tires do have a tendency to hydroplane at above 50 mph in standing water. I discovered that the front of the car would lift and pull to either side when driven at speed though puddles. That’s not a very nice feeling in the compact corolla. I don’t think the SP 20s tread is designed to displace large amounts of standing water quickly. Even though handling in the wet is good, the SP 20 is not the best at hydro resistance, nor the best all around wet tire. Still, I don’t think the SP 20 tires are particularly dangerous in standing water, so long as the driver takes it easy.
I think it is a fortunate that I haven’t had to drive with the SP 20s in the snow yet. Like most supposed “all season” tires, I would only expect average traction and stability in the snow with the SP 20 tires.
The SP 20 provides a slightly stiff but comfortable ride in the corolla. Bumps in the road can be felt but the tires roll over them very smoothly. At higher speeds over 65mph, there is a moderate amount of noise, characteristic of all lower end tires. Overall the SP 20s ride quality and noise level is more then acceptable for me.
The major weakness of the Dunlop SP 20 appears to be tread wear. I have only driven with a couple thousand miles on these tires. So far, excessive wear isn’t prominent and normal wear is even. However, from what I have read, these tires typically last only 20,000 to 30,000 miles. It appears Dunlop used a grippier, more performance oriented tire compound and sacrificed tread life.
Overall I am happy with the Dunlop SP 20 tires because handling is most important to me. However, I can’t say that I would buy another set of these tires. Despite me giving a good overall rating, I can’t recommend the Dunlop SP 20 A/S tire to the average driver due to its short tread life.
Steve.
Dunlop SP 20: Good Grip, Short Tread Life
Jun 24 '04 (Updated Jun 25 '04)
Author's Product Rating
Handling and Control:
Pros
Grip/traction in dry and wet conditions
Cons
Tread wear, hydro resistance
The Bottom Line
Good overall performance, but not recommended due to short tread life.
Full Review
I have driven several thousand miles on a 185/65/14 size set of Dunlop SP 20 A/S tires mounted on a 2001 Toyota Corolla. I found that these tires drive more like a street performance tire then a passenger tire, for good and bad.
Traction with the Dunlop SP 20 is far better from what I would expect from an economy tire. In both wet and dry conditions, the SP 20 provides a great amount of mechanical grip. This translates to good cornering stability in turns. Pushed to the limit, there is evidence of a softer sidewall as the tire seems to roll a little on its side, but the grip – and stability is still there. It is pretty difficult to break traction with these tires under acceleration or cornering, even when being careless in the rain. In contrast, the comparable Goodyear Regatta tires I have driven with screech and squeal under moderate pressure, and easily break loose in the wet.
However, don’t try to keep pace with reckless SUVs on the highway in the rain with these tires. The SP 20 tires do have a tendency to hydroplane at above 50 mph in standing water. I discovered that the front of the car would lift and pull to either side when driven at speed though puddles. That’s not a very nice feeling in the compact corolla. I don’t think the SP 20s tread is designed to displace large amounts of standing water quickly. Even though handling in the wet is good, the SP 20 is not the best at hydro resistance, nor the best all around wet tire. Still, I don’t think the SP 20 tires are particularly dangerous in standing water, so long as the driver takes it easy.
I think it is a fortunate that I haven’t had to drive with the SP 20s in the snow yet. Like most supposed “all season” tires, I would only expect average traction and stability in the snow with the SP 20 tires.
The SP 20 provides a slightly stiff but comfortable ride in the corolla. Bumps in the road can be felt but the tires roll over them very smoothly. At higher speeds over 65mph, there is a moderate amount of noise, characteristic of all lower end tires. Overall the SP 20s ride quality and noise level is more then acceptable for me.
The major weakness of the Dunlop SP 20 appears to be tread wear. I have only driven with a couple thousand miles on these tires. So far, excessive wear isn’t prominent and normal wear is even. However, from what I have read, these tires typically last only 20,000 to 30,000 miles. It appears Dunlop used a grippier, more performance oriented tire compound and sacrificed tread life.
Overall I am happy with the Dunlop SP 20 tires because handling is most important to me. However, I can’t say that I would buy another set of these tires. Despite me giving a good overall rating, I can’t recommend the Dunlop SP 20 A/S tire to the average driver due to its short tread life.
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