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Very specific tire recommendation 18x9.5

Bluemustang

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I am looking for recommendations for a summer tire to fit 18x9.5 wheels I am considering.

Specific requirements:

- Supreme dry grip
- Capable wet grip in the rain (*I don't want to be hydroplaning in the rain over 45 mph like I am with RE71R type tires)
- Close to 27.1" diameter to keep speedometer somewhat close to accurate
- Tread width 9-9.5" (not section width)

I really want Michelin PS4S but they don't make a tire that is close to my specifications. The sizes are either too short or wide of a tread width per Tire Rack.

Ideally I'd like this level of grip. I want a sticky tire that will put the power down and corner well (handling focus). I've used Firehawk Indy 500s in the past but I'm not sure it's up to the grip level I want.

Any suggestions?
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NightmareMoon

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Yokohama A052 in 265/45R18 or 265/40R18
Tread width is like 9.8" and the diameters are 27.4 or 26.5

Top tier summer tire that does great in wet and/or cool weather, but I haven't driven them in crazy amounts of standing water. The linear grip is outstanding.

I have RE71R, RT660s, and MP4S as well.
 

NightmareMoon

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Scratch that. Look at the 275/40R18, its 26.7" and 9.8".

They like a couple lbs of extra tire pressure.
 
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Bluemustang

Bluemustang

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Yokohama A052 in 265/45R18 or 265/40R18
Tread width is like 9.8" and the diameters are 27.4 or 26.5

Top tier summer tire that does great in wet and/or cool weather, but I haven't driven them in crazy amounts of standing water. The linear grip is outstanding.

I have RE71R, RT660s, and MP4S as well.
This won't hydroplane like the RE71R? My understanding is the A052 is basically a track day, dry weather tire. I do have the RE71R for that. I want something that can perform but I don't have to worry about hydroplaning off the road on the highway if I get caught out in the rain. Thanks for the input, sir.
 

NightmareMoon

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This won't hydroplane like the RE71R? My understanding is the A052 is basically a track day, dry weather tire. I do have the RE71R for that. I want something that can perform but I don't have to worry about hydroplaning off the road on the highway if I get caught out in the rain. Thanks for the input, sir.
I dont really know, I’ve not driven in deep standing water with them. They compound they use does work really well in the wet, so the only question is deep water.
 

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Dana Pants

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This won't hydroplane like the RE71R? My understanding is the A052 is basically a track day, dry weather tire. I do have the RE71R for that. I want something that can perform but I don't have to worry about hydroplaning off the road on the highway if I get caught out in the rain. Thanks for the input, sir.
I have gotten ftd during an Autocross rain event on A052. So that’s as good as it gets among 200 tw. I have also managed to at least win a free T-shirt on continental ECS in the dry. In my opinion these are your only options depending on your exact value system.
 
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Bluemustang

Bluemustang

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I dont really know, I’ve not driven in deep standing water with them. They compound they use does work really well in the wet, so the only question is deep water.
Deep water doesn't concern me SO much... but even in moderate rain the RE71R is scary. It is my track tire but I haven't been to the track in a while and also use it on the street in the summer. But, I've been caught out in some rainy situations where it is scary. I have to drive super slow.
 

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275/40/18 Nitto NT05 or a NT555G2 would be good options. There's a little give and take when you want the best of both worlds.
 

NightmareMoon

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275/40/18 Nitto NT05 or a NT555G2 would be good options. There's a little give and take when you want the best of both worlds.
I’ve never been on a 555G2 and thought wow the grip is nice. Not even in dry conditions
 

NightmareMoon

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Deep water doesn't concern me SO much... but even in moderate rain the RE71R is scary. It is my track tire but I haven't been to the track in a while and also use it on the street in the summer. But, I've been caught out in some rainy situations where it is scary. I have to drive super slow.
Moderate rain won't be a problem with the A052. They're quite good.
 

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Dana Pants

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I’ve never been on a 555G2 and thought wow the grip is nice. Not even in dry conditions
to springboard on this. I have never seen a car on Nittos produce a respectable autocross time. Even when good drivers and fast cars end up on nittos for a day.
 

Ewheels

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to springboard on this. I have never seen a car on Nittos produce a respectable autocross time. Even when good drivers and fast cars end up on nittos for a day.
The track-minded folks on this forum make up maybe 1% of the website population. Gonna get a lot of street-car recommended advice here.
Why any track guys are still asking advice on this website rather than on TMO is beyond me.
 
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Bluemustang

Bluemustang

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Moderate rain won't be a problem with the A052. They're quite good.
I looked up a few reviews on Tire Rack and a few said the A052 is pretty scary in any standing water, which makes sense. There's barely any tread just like the RE71R. I'm really intrigued to try them but it sounds like they're too extreme for what I'm looking for. The 4S is right in the pocket for what I want, it's just finding the right size is the issue.
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