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[2e9x's]

Gary or anybody else who knows...

What is the difference between the Direzza Z1 and the Direzza Z1 Star Spec? When can I actually get a set of the Star Specs for the e92 ZSP?

Thanks!

[hGX2]

I went to order some Z1's the other day and was told Dunlop is changing the compounds to heat up faster and hold temps better. Not sure if that is what you may be describing. I ordered Kumho Ecsta MX's for track tires so hopefully I am not disappointed.

[Gary@TireRack]

Here is everything I have :

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (Tire Type Z1SS) will eventually replace non “Star Spec” Direzza Sport Z1 (Tire Type Z1)

The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is Dunlop's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for serious sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for race tire-like traction on the street or for use in autocross, drifting and track events. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is for drivers who don’t want to wait as long for their tires to come in during initial runs, as well as drivers of lighter weight vehicles who are often confronted with the task of working tire temperatures up to the point of generating peak grip.

As an evolution of the Direzza Sport Z1 and continuing to use the same tread design, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tread compound helps provide faster lap times from the start by developing more traction in temperate temperatures along with consistent grip on subsequent laps when the tires are fully warmed up. While this means the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tread compound accommodates a wider operating temperature range than the original Direzza Sport Z1 and reaches its maximum grip level faster, Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec summer tires are not intended to be driven through snow, on ice or in near-freezing temperatures.

Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tires confirm their “Star Spec” identity in the form of a 5-pointed star symbol branded adjacent to the Direzza Sport Z1 name on the sidewall. However, this 5-pointed star should not be confused with the same symbol often branded by tire manufacturers on the sidewalls of Original Equipment tires for BMW vehicles.

The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tread compound is molded into a directional design featuring notched, continuous shoulder ribs, large intermediate shoulder blocks and a wide center rib to deliver consistent contact with the road and enhance grip during cornering. Two wide, circumferential center grooves, wavy shoulder grooves and multiple lateral grooves provide water evacuation to enhance wet traction. The tire's internal structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by JointLess Band (JLB) Technology spirally wound polyamide to provide strength, uniform ride quality and high-speed capability while steel cord reinforced, 2-ply polyester sidewalls help resist lateral deflection to provide responsive handling and cornering stability.

NOTE: The Tire Rack recommends installing Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tires in sets of four to fully realize the benefits of the Star Spec tread compound. While the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec can be mixed with its predecessor in axle pairs if necessary, it is recommended that the treads be shaved to the equivalent tread depth of the existing tires.

Tires
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp

[2e9x's]

Thanks Gary. Are they actually available to buy?

[Gary@TireRack]

What size?

[2e9x's]

Stock e92 335i sport package sizes...

225/40-18
255/35-18

Thanks

[2e9x's]

Gary - Can you get me a price on these and tell me whether or not you can actually get them?

Thanks.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

Gary - Can you get me a price on these and tell me whether or not you can actually get them?

Thanks.

Replied to your email.

[2e9x's]

It was a pleasure talking to you Gary. Thank you very much for all of your help and support. I look forward to getting and testing these new tires!

I compete in BMW CCA auto-x and have been pretty competitive. Hopefully these new Z1 Star Specs will give me an edge.

Thank you again.

[sg335]

Gary or anyone else, is the star spec tire the follow up to the rare euro spec SPSSR tire made for a series in 2002 which tirerack carried for a few years and blew out the inventory really cheap?

[Gen_E92]

got a set coming this week!

[Zoeb@WheelDude.com]

Originally Posted by Gen_E92

got a set coming this week!

Can't wait to see the wheels/tires mounted up on your car

They shipped out today btw

[Gen_E92]

Originally Posted by Zoeb@WheelDude.com

Can't wait to see the wheels/tires mounted up on your car

They shipped out today btw

Thx for everything Zoeb it'll look like Shiv's twin

[Zoeb@WheelDude.com]

Originally Posted by Gen_E92

Thx for everything Zoeb it'll look like Shiv's twin

haha, it sure will

[jeho]

hey gary, do u know if the rumour about dunlop z1 SS prices going to go up since it is replacing the regular z1 ?

[Zoeb@WheelDude.com]

Originally Posted by jho86

hey gary, do u know if the rumour about dunlop z1 SS prices going to go up since it is replacing the regular z1 ?

Actually, it is not going up because it is replacing the regular Z1

Tire prices in general are going up because of the exchange rate

There is a lot of stock in the US right now, so prices are still the same

Once the stock with the good pricing has depleted, you will start to see increasing tire prices all across the board.

It has already started with some Kumho tires, others will follow very soon.

[RBP AW]

Please write a review on your new tires! I've been curious about these for awhile.

[2e9x's]

A review -

I have been driving on these tires for about 2,000 miles now. Included in that 2,000 miles was one track day at Buttonwillow Raceway.

Starting with the mundane issues, I would say the noise is a touch quieter than the OEM RFT's, but there is a distinct pitch on certain freeways with grooves. It is not obtrusive, but present.

Ride quality is greatly enhanced over the RFT's. Small imperfections are still felt, but there is less "whacking" over larger bumps and pot holes.

On the track I thought the Z1SS were very fast! At one point I was running with an instructor in a similar 335i, except he had Bilstein PSS9 and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. Through the corners I was just as fast as he was.

Turn-in is great and the tires signal the limits with a most unusual barking sound. Through the sweeping corner at Buttonwillow (either called Riverside or Talladega) you could really feel the grain of the track through the steering wheel. Lateral grip was excellent.

The tires showed minimal wear and no chunking. In this regard please note that I ran in the "A" group (advanced) so I was getting around the track fairly well.

Braking seems good although that is somewhat harder to quantify.

On twisting mountain roads the car feels much more settled down. There seems to be less suspension movement on bumpy mountain roads and just more overall grip.

I have yet to auto-x on them, but suspect they will be quite fast.

These tires get a definite

[Gen_E92]

thanks for the review! that was reassuring

[LOLrance]

Nice review. Im definitely going to try these out once my Ecsta MX's are done.

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

A review -

I have been driving on these tires for about 2,000 miles now. Included in that 2,000 miles was one track day at Buttonwillow Raceway.

Starting with the mundane issues, I would say the noise is a touch quieter than the OEM RFT's, but there is a distinct pitch on certain freeways with grooves. It is not obtrusive, but present.

Ride quality is greatly enhanced over the RFT's. Small imperfections are still felt, but there is less "whacking" over larger bumps and pot holes.

On the track I thought the Z1SS were very fast! At one point I was running with an instructor in a similar 335i, except he had Bilstein PSS9 and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. Through the corners I was just as fast as he was.

Turn-in is great and the tires signal the limits with a most unusual barking sound. Through the sweeping corner at Buttonwillow (either called Riverside or Talladega) you could really feel the grain of the track through the steering wheel. Lateral grip was excellent.

The tires showed minimal wear and no chunking. In this regard please note that I ran in the "A" group (advanced) so I was getting around the track fairly well.

Braking seems good although that is somewhat harder to quantify.

On twisting mountain roads the car feels much more settled down. There seems to be less suspension movement on bumpy mountain roads and just more overall grip.

I have yet to auto-x on them, but suspect they will be quite fast.

These tires get a definite

How are they in the wet?

[AltecBX]

I have these tires and I have to admit they are the fastest tires I've ever used. When I first ordered them, they were pulling to the right. I had to get them changed as the batched I received were defective. Now that that issue has been resolved, these tires are great. Fast and direct. Way better improvement over RFT, and just as good as my prior Bridgestones I use to run.