Dunlop SP Sport Signature

[ccap41]

Hey-o
So I'm looking at buying a set of aftermarket wheels and tires for my Focus and the size I need is 225/45R18. I was walking around Walmart last week and came across the Dunlop SP Sport Signature for only $89/tire.

Question is.. Has anybody had/has them and have any good or bad experiences with them? I'm not looking for a maximum grip type of tire as I have no intentions of tracking my Focus. I would like at least a decent winter performance from them but I understand I'm not looking at a winter tire. Just looking for a solid all season and at this price it's a no-brainer if they're any good.

Any input is welcome!
Thank You

 

[surfstar]

Well, you said "any input is welcome", so...

The Titanium trim already comes with upsized wheels. Buy a set of cheap 16" wheels with winter tires. Wait for your OEM tires to wear out, replace with summer rubber. You'll now have better performance in both seasons and have spent much less money (for worse performance).

my $.02

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Yes! I have used the SP Sport Signature, and they are awesome! I'd totally buy them again, or the newer Signature HP, but sadly, they are no longer made in my size. They are US-made, too. The SP Sport Signature will serve your needs well

I do agree with surfstar, though. Especially since you're already going to have two sets of wheels anyway

(the aftermarket wheels you're buying, plus the original wheels you have now)

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

I had a set of SP Sport Signatures on a Vibe, and they were decent (205/55R16). I'm not sure they make them anymore, though, so check the age if that concerns you. I replaced my set at about 43,000 miles and 4 years, just before winter in 2014, and they were no longer available at my Goodyear dealer. I went with the Signature II, which is not nearly as firm as the SP Sport.

 

[E150GT]

hope theyre not as loud as the SP Sport 5000

 

[spk2000]

I felt they wore quicker than other tires on my grand marquis. Actually were better than expected in snow but not great. Rain performance was probably the worst but I knew it and took it easy when it rained.

 

[barkingspider]

These dunlops are currently on my wife's BMW, and it drives just like the oem tires, I think oem were continentals

 

[d00df00d]

Looks like a good tire, though a bit old. There are other models you'd be better off with; I'm mainly thinking the DWS 06.

Either way though, surfstar's advice is 100% on point here. You might think you "don't need the grip"; no one ever does until they try it. If you've never driven on high-end season-specific tires, you just have no concept of how much more secure they are in slippery conditions. 5 minutes in snow on real winter tires, 5 minutes in the rain on a good 3-season or summer tire, or (heaven forbid) one serious panic stop, and you'll understand. Trust me. And the difference is especially pronounced at low tread depths; good tires will continue to perform where cheaper ones will be downright dangerous.

For a 3-season tire, get the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ or Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is also an option; not sure it's worth the money in your case, but that's up to you. Then, for winter, get yourself some real winter tires, ideally narrower than stock, on some cheapo rims in the smallest size that'll fit over your brakes.

Hope that helps.

 

[fsdork]

I had OEM SP Sport 5000s on a 2008 Lancer, and the understeer was horrific. With that said, a quick google images search of the 5000s vs. the Signature shows more void space in the Signature, so my experience may be irrelevant.

I would agree with the suggestion to go with the smallest OEM rim size for your winter tires. Cheaper rubber.

 

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Yes! I have used the SP Sport Signature, and they are awesome! I'd totally buy them again, or the newer Signature HP, but sadly, they are no longer made in my size. They are US-made, too. The SP Sport Signature will serve your needs well

I've had several sets of them in 15" & 16" flavors. I've also had the newer Signature HP. Both were good tires. I would buy them in different sizes again.

 

[ccap41]

Just for the record, I WONT buy a cheap and [censored] tire. That's why I'm looking for some experience with them.

I'm not saying I don't need the grip, but a tire used for track a car is much different than a street tire with grip. I've preached to people myself about cheap tires and the benefits of a quality tire. Emergency situations? Accelerating, braking, turning.. every aspect of a car is effected by the tires so a bad tire is a no-go for me. I tried to talk a friend out of a set of cheap Sumutomos he bought for his wheels and tires on his Mustang GT build.. I said he was an idiot for getting something cheap like that for something nice with sporty intentions.

I asked about these because it looks like they're on clearance or something because even online they're about 140/tire and in store they're marked down to 86/tire. If it isn't a good tire I won't do it.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: ccap41
Just for the record, I WONT buy a cheap and [censored] tire. That's why I'm looking for some experience with them.

I'm not saying I don't need the grip, but a tire used for track a car is much different than a street tire with grip. I've preached to people myself about cheap tires and the benefits of a quality tire. Emergency situations? Accelerating, braking, turning.. every aspect of a car is effected by the tires so a bad tire is a no-go for me. I tried to talk a friend out of a set of cheap Sumutomos he bought for his wheels and tires on his Mustang GT build.. I said he was an idiot for getting something cheap like that for something nice with sporty intentions.

I asked about these because it looks like they're on clearance or something because even online they're about 140/tire and in store they're marked down to 86/tire. If it isn't a good tire I won't do it.

Sumitomos ARE a good tire, easily on par with Dunlop.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: ccap41
I'm not saying I don't need the grip, but a tire used for track a car is much different than a street tire with grip. I've preached to people myself about cheap tires and the benefits of a quality tire. Emergency situations? Accelerating, braking, turning.. every aspect of a car is effected by the tires so a bad tire is a no-go for me. I tried to talk a friend out of a set of cheap Sumutomos he bought for his wheels and tires on his Mustang GT build.. I said he was an idiot for getting something cheap like that for something nice with sporty intentions.

The "track car" reference just made it sound like you might have been dismissing the idea of a top-end performance tire out-of-hand. That's the only context in which I hear that non-sequitur anyway. If that's not what you meant, then I retract my reservations. :]


Originally Posted By: ccap41
I asked about these because it looks like they're on clearance or something because even online they're about 140/tire and in store they're marked down to 86/tire. If it isn't a good tire I won't do it.

It's a fine tire. It's just that you can do a lot better.

 

[ccap41]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: ccap41
Just for the record, I WONT buy a cheap and [censored] tire. That's why I'm looking for some experience with them.

I'm not saying I don't need the grip, but a tire used for track a car is much different than a street tire with grip. I've preached to people myself about cheap tires and the benefits of a quality tire. Emergency situations? Accelerating, braking, turning.. every aspect of a car is effected by the tires so a bad tire is a no-go for me. I tried to talk a friend out of a set of cheap Sumutomos he bought for his wheels and tires on his Mustang GT build.. I said he was an idiot for getting something cheap like that for something nice with sporty intentions.

I asked about these because it looks like they're on clearance or something because even online they're about 140/tire and in store they're marked down to 86/tire. If it isn't a good tire I won't do it.

Sumitomos ARE a good tire, easily on par with Dunlop.


They're "okay" in my books. They don't make anything great but they don't make anything I'd want to put on my vehicle either. I convinced him to spend the extra like $5/wheel on the HTR Z III over the HTR Z II at least. I tried to get him to spend some more and get the Continental DW. It's not on the super pricey side at all and I've read some good reviews on it.

 

[ccap41]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: ccap41
I'm not saying I don't need the grip, but a tire used for track a car is much different than a street tire with grip. I've preached to people myself about cheap tires and the benefits of a quality tire. Emergency situations? Accelerating, braking, turning.. every aspect of a car is effected by the tires so a bad tire is a no-go for me. I tried to talk a friend out of a set of cheap Sumutomos he bought for his wheels and tires on his Mustang GT build.. I said he was an idiot for getting something cheap like that for something nice with sporty intentions.

The "track car" reference just made it sound like you might have been dismissing the idea of a top-end performance tire out-of-hand. That's the only context in which I hear that non-sequitur anyway. If that's not what you meant, then I retract my reservations. :]


Originally Posted By: ccap41
I asked about these because it looks like they're on clearance or something because even online they're about 140/tire and in store they're marked down to 86/tire. If it isn't a good tire I won't do it.

It's a fine tire. It's just that you can do a lot better.

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of... I mean I was looking in the ballpark of $130-150/tire and I realy like the Hankook VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 or Cooper RS3-A

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: ccap41
I was looking in the ballpark of $130-150/tire and I realy like the Hankook VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 or Cooper RS3-A


Originally Posted By: ccap41
Just for the record, I WONT buy a cheap and [censored] tire.
-anip-
I asked about these because it looks like they're on clearance or something because even online they're about 140/tire and in store they're marked down to 86/tire. If it isn't a good tire I won't do it.


The Dunlop SP Sport signature is a good tire that you will get many enjoyable miles out of

The SP Sport Signature has been replaced with the Signature HP, but it's possible that Walmart has a special deal with Goodyear to keep making them just for Walmart. Both are made in the US, in Fayetteville, NC. If you're unsure, you can always email Goodyear and ask.

If Walmart's tires are indeed old stock, then get the Signature HP

Also, Cooper just replaced the RS3-A with the RS3-G1. Either one will be made in China.

Both Cooper and Hankook were on sale last month from DTD, but those promos ended. But I'd easily take Dunlop over the other two tires you're considering.

The Falken Azenis FK450 and Ziex ZE950 are also worth considering.

Cooper makes the CS5 Ultra in your size, too.

 

[surfstar]

Flash-focus perspective:

We're talking about a Focus. Not even on ST. A stock, non-turbo, economy car.


Carry-on

 

[ccap41]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Flash-focus perspective:

We're talking about a Focus. Not even on ST. A stock, non-turbo, economy car.


Carry-on

Whoa, ****.

Not sure what the point of that was.

 

[krzyss]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Flash-focus perspective:

We're talking about a Focus. Not even on ST. A stock, non-turbo, economy car.


Carry-on


But it has handling package and the tire size is not so low performance indicating 225/45R18.

Krzys

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: ccap41
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: ccap41
I'm not saying I don't need the grip, but a tire used for track a car is much different than a street tire with grip. I've preached to people myself about cheap tires and the benefits of a quality tire. Emergency situations? Accelerating, braking, turning.. every aspect of a car is effected by the tires so a bad tire is a no-go for me. I tried to talk a friend out of a set of cheap Sumutomos he bought for his wheels and tires on his Mustang GT build.. I said he was an idiot for getting something cheap like that for something nice with sporty intentions.

The "track car" reference just made it sound like you might have been dismissing the idea of a top-end performance tire out-of-hand. That's the only context in which I hear that non-sequitur anyway. If that's not what you meant, then I retract my reservations. :]


Originally Posted By: ccap41
I asked about these because it looks like they're on clearance or something because even online they're about 140/tire and in store they're marked down to 86/tire. If it isn't a good tire I won't do it.

It's a fine tire. It's just that you can do a lot better.

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of... I mean I was looking in the ballpark of $130-150/tire and I realy like the Hankook VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 or Cooper RS3-A

Hankook and Cooper are budget brands. I'd take a Dunlop over either of them any day.

Again, what you should be doing is getting a solid 3-season tire (Pilot Sport A/S 3+ or P Zero All Season Plus) for now, and then planning on getting cheapo 16s with real winter tires several months from now.

But if you're dead-set on getting one tire for year-round use, it's gotta be the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 or Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+.