?? -> "Nitto NT555 street" & "Sumitomo HTR-ZIII" @ same $

[Betrayer00GT]

I need a new pair of 275/17R40 tires up front. I found the Nitto NT555 street tires (Ultra High perf summer) and the Sumitomo HTR ZIII (Max perf summer) tires within $2 a pair of each other.

I've just worn out my set of front HTR ZIII tires (from May of '08), and I've loved them. I had a set of NT555 street tires out back (in 315/17R35), and I loved them while I had them. It is hard for me to chose between these two at the same price, especially since I have experience one up front and the other in back.

With such positive experiences with both, and at under $280/pr (shipped), I am not interested in any others.

What do you have to say?

Who has experienced both? Anyone?

Thanks in advance...

 

[sneaky98gt]

I LOVE my Nittos. I'm currently running NT555 255/40-17s all around on 9 inch rims, but that's just because I didn't know 275s wouldn't rub in the front, so my next size will be 275/40-17 all around. I doubt I'll ever buy anything else for a daily driven Mustang. Great dry traction (they hold my 335 ft-lbs of torque pretty well if I don't shock them loose), great wet traction (never hydroplaned), and they are wearing/lasting great. I've got almost 30,000 HARD miles on them (with about 150 passes at the strip with a small burnout on each run), and I suspect they'll last well over 10,000 more.

My only complaint is that they seem to track a little, but I don't have anything else to compare them to, so for all I know the tracking they do may be normal.

 

[txredgt]

I have 555 275's all around and they are great. Never had the Sumi's but the better name is Nitto but take that for what it is. Only problem I have seen is tracking a bit but I had that before and I really need to replace my steering rack bushings as they are essentially gone.

 

[Dark04GT]

275 555's work well for our NA 2V / mildly boosted stangs. If I were to pick between the two I would go for the nittos.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

nitto is a much better tire

 

[rconaway]

I haven't tested the Nitto's but the Sumitomo's didn't impress me much. I won't run them again. I use all Toyos now on almost every car and I'm 100% happier. They were the best handling, quietest, and best riding car and I tested about 10 different tires on the Mustang.

 

[Betrayer00GT]

Just thought I'd mention that the mustang now has new Nitto 555 street tires on all for corners. 275s in front and 315s in the rear. I decided to replace the rears at the same time, since I got them "close enough" to worn-out by just waiting a few months.

I am very pleased.

I believe these 555s up front are at least as good as the HTR Z III's I had there before, and I really liked the Z III's. I'm sure the 555's aren't A LOT better but find they are very comparable and possibly just a bit better. Plus, I think it's cool to finally have all four corners w/ the same model tire. lol

Thanks for all the opinions, everyone. Just wanted to post an update since I've had Nitto's on all four corners now for almost a month and can now render a considered opinion.

:SNSign:

 

[Ronin38]

Glad I saw this thread, I'm tire shopping too.

FWIW- I had an '07 Charger SXT/AWD before the Mustang, and did track days with it. I used the HTR ZIII's, 245/45/18 (XL-rated sidewalls!) for my "track tires" and on that 4400 lb. car they worked very well. I even did a track day in moderate rain once, NJMP Thunderbolt, and they were exceptional in the rain and big puddles with my AWD! My best lap at Mid Ohio was 1:58.

 

[Maxpowers]

Sumitomo's are garbage. You're better off with bicycle tires. Stick with the nittos

 

[usaf_branham]

Sumitomo's are garbage. You're better off with bicycle tires. Stick with the nittos

i agree. i have sumi's on my car now... they dont hook for ****. i cant wait until tax time to buy a set of et streets to put in the back

 

[VTGT91]

I have the 555s on my 96 and LOVE them. Like a previous poster, i will never have anything different on my stang.