Sumitomo HRT Z III or Firestone Firehawk Indy 500?

Eljay92 · 03-30-2017, 04:16 PM

I know they're not directly comparable but is there anyone that has experience with both of these tires that would recommend one over the other?

I can get the Sumitomo's at cost for $250-$300 cheaper than the Firestone's so that's why I'm considering them.

AtlasM · 04-03-2017, 12:30 PM

I had the HTR Z III many years ago and they gave a good amount of grip for cheap, but they kept going out of round on me. Had to have them rebalanced multiple times.

Eljay92 · 04-04-2017, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlasM

I had the HTR Z III many years ago and they gave a good amount of grip for cheap, but they kept going out of round on me. Had to have them rebalanced multiple times.

I did read that about the Sumitomo's. That's not ideal. I might give them a try anyway. If I'm really unhappy with them at least I won't have spent much.

Antetokounmpo · 04-04-2017, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eljay92

I did read that about the Sumitomo's. That's not ideal. I might give them a try anyway. If I'm really unhappy with them at least I won't have spent much.

$200-300 cheaper? My gosh the firehawks are dirt cheap as is..

Eljay92 · 04-04-2017, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harambe

$200-300 cheaper? My gosh the firehawks are dirt cheap as is..

That's $200-$300 CAD ($860 vs $1100). Tires here cost more thanks to our exchange rate. Both options are still very cheap though. If the tires are equal in overall performance/reliability then I might as well grab the Sumi's. Just not sure that's the case.

AtlasM · 04-04-2017, 07:18 PM

The HTR Z III is an old design at this point. I bought mine in like 2009 I think. They were annoying to keep rebalancing. I bought a lifetime balancing deal at Discount Tire which I made good use of. I had one of them blow out randomly when going over a driveway that I don't think was a particularly sharp transition. Just *pop* and flat tire.

I did drive on the tire for a bit before I realized it was flat so this damage may be exaggerated. I was parking at a restaurant, and was like, "what was that noise?" but went in to eat, started driving home, then realized something was wrong.

They weren't quite worn out at that point but I went with a new set of something else rather than one brand new HTR Z III with maybe 1/4 of their life left.

blackturbo · 04-05-2017, 12:30 AM

Firehawk

03-30-2017, 04:16 PM	#1
Eljay92 Enlisted Member 10 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 Comp Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Winnipeg iTrader: (1)	Sumitomo HRT Z III or Firestone Firehawk Indy 500? I know they're not directly comparable but is there anyone that has experience with both of these tires that would recommend one over the other? I can get the Sumitomo's at cost for $250-$300 cheaper than the Firestone's so that's why I'm considering them. __________________ 2020 M4 Comp (current) \| 2016 M4 (sold)
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04-03-2017, 12:30 PM	#2
AtlasM Captain 285 Rep 615 Posts Drives: '11 E92 335xi 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xDrive [8.00]	I had the HTR Z III many years ago and they gave a good amount of grip for cheap, but they kept going out of round on me. Had to have them rebalanced multiple times.
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04-04-2017, 07:18 PM	#6
AtlasM Captain 285 Rep 615 Posts Drives: '11 E92 335xi 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xDrive [8.00]	The HTR Z III is an old design at this point. I bought mine in like 2009 I think. They were annoying to keep rebalancing. I bought a lifetime balancing deal at Discount Tire which I made good use of. I had one of them blow out randomly when going over a driveway that I don't think was a particularly sharp transition. Just pop and flat tire. I did drive on the tire for a bit before I realized it was flat so this damage may be exaggerated. I was parking at a restaurant, and was like, "what was that noise?" but went in to eat, started driving home, then realized something was wrong. They weren't quite worn out at that point but I went with a new set of something else rather than one brand new HTR Z III with maybe 1/4 of their life left.
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04-05-2017, 12:30 AM	#7
blackturbo Captain 59 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: vancouver iTrader: (1)	Firehawk
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