Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Tires

Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Tires 

DESCRIPTION

Ultra-High Performance All-Season Radial

USER REVIEWS

Showing 51-60 of 60  
[Jul 28, 2000]
Leo

Strength:

This tire has a very quiet and smooth ride for a high-performance tire, plus the tread pattern looks great. Grip in dry is excellent, and in wet very good. Lots of sizes are available. Prices are also very reasonable.

Weakness:

Sidewall is a tad bit on the soft side. 16" or wider-diameter wheels would be better for this type of tire.

I have 15" wheels (hence the sidewall flex) but even in this not-very-sporting wheel size, performance is great. I think I paid ~ $47 per 205/60-15 tire from TireRack. I drive an Alfa 164L, and am thinking about upgrading my wheels to 16" soon. I will definitely reconsider the SP 5000s. Very high performance, plus useability in ice and snow make these very good all-year tires.

Similar Products Used:

Several other brands, but this is the first all-season ultra-high-performance tire I've used. The others were regular all-seasons or standard high-performance.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 15, 2001]
Brian
Model Reviewed: 1998 Ford Contour SE

Strength:

Nice bite and grip with little squealing; nice ride; reasonable volume control; confidence inspiring

Weakness:

Slow response; easy to damage sidewalls

I'm a little surprised by some of the negative comments. I found these to be very, very good tires for the price. I used the 205/60-15 size. They grip well and deep enough that I had to learn not to oversteer the car. The Dunlops just seemed to love high-speed cornering and inspired a high level of confidence. They offer a fairly nice ride quality and they aren't exceptionally loud. Wet traction is above average, but I never drove them in snow.

Perhaps due to this "soft sidewall" issue, steering response is slow. That might kill their ultimate sport feel, but I learned to compensate. I also lost a nice chunk of sidewall driving over a curb. Whoops! The chunk was larger than I would have expected.

I would buy these tires again. I think they are very competitive for the price.

Similar Products Used:

Stock Firestone GTA on Contour

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 18, 2000]
Rob

Strength:

Quiet, smooth ride characteristics, wet traction

Weakness:

A tad supple for my tastes

I rated this tire about three months ago, and wanted to give an update after more miles were put on them. For the most part, I stand by my original findings, but I've found the dry grip gets noticably better with higher inflation pressures. I used to keep them at 36 to 38 PSI, but I found that would lead to sidewall flex and tread squirm. By inflating the tire to 44 PSI (the sidewall says a maximum of 50 PSI), the turn in increased substantially, and sidewall scuffing and squealing decreased. As an experiment, I took the SP5000s off the car and replaced them with Bridgestone RE71s in the same 195/50-ZR15 size. While the RE71s were notably more responsive, I didn't find them as "entertaining" as the SP5000s. The SP5000s can be drifted without the "dartiness" and "edge" of the RE71s, and exploring the limit of adhesion is not a white-knuckle experience as it is with the Bridgestones. Also, the RE71s (an old technology, granted) were loud, with an annoying resonance finding its way into the passenger cabin at around 40 MPH. With all of this said, I would have to say Dunlop has a winner on its hands with the SP5000.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 13, 2000]
Vic

Strength:

Excellent wet traction and braking, smooth ride, quiet, superb value.

Weakness:

Soft sidewall, dissappointing dry grip, although dry grip isn't bad, it isn't as good as expected, short tread-life.

Recommed this tire to anyone who drives in bad weather. Wet grip will amaze you, and dry grip won't let you down. For the price, these tires can't be beat. I'd definately recommend this tire to anyone who has to drive at all in wet weather. Just watch the burn-outs, they eat 'em up fast!

Similar Products Used:

Goodyear Eagle GTII, 100 times better wet traction, better dry traction too, not as durable though.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 12, 2000]
Rob

Strength:

Very quiet, good ride characteristics, inexpensive.

Weakness:

Disappointing dry grip, supple sidewalls and tread flex make for relatively unresponsive turn-in.

I paid $78 a piece for 195/50-ZR15 size at Discount Tire. I would recommend this tire for those who are in the market for a good all-season performance tire, but are not willing to give up a smooth and quiet ride. Wet turning traction is very good and wet braking is outstanding. Ultimate dry grip and response are about average for this class, however, so I would caution those drivers who like a relatively crisp handling feel to think twice. I found Dunlop's SP Sport 4000A/S more responsive and sticky in dry conditions.

Similar Products Used:

Dunlop's SP Sport 4000A/S in the same 195/50-ZR15 size were more responsive and grippy in dry conditions.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 12, 2000]
Chris Byrd
Model Reviewed: 1985 Ford Ranger (super sport)

Strength:

Quiet, great looks, exelent on wet roads, very high tread ware ratings (compared to other ZR rated tires

Weakness:

A little taller than expected, They didn't fit (hight) as good as the Falkens.

I have a 1985 Ford Rnager (yes 1985) that has 17*8.5 Eagle Alloys (polished) and a Vortec Supercharged 92 Mustang 5.0 Fuel Injected engine with a T56 6-Speed Tremrec Tranny. The truck is lowered 4 inches in the front and 6 inches in the back and has heavy duty front and rear sway bars. Other than the Falkens the Dunlops are my favorite tire. The BF's SUCK, they have no rim guard and ride like CRAP in every aspect. The only thing that I like about the BF is that they lasted for a while even though I burned out on them at least twice a week racing and beating the new sorry Corvetts. The Dunlops are superior in the winter they don't slip as much on ice nearly as much as the Falkens did (I never had the chance to test out the BF's in the winter). They never hydroplaned on me yet. When I had the Falkens and the BF I could NEVER drive in the rain with all that power and no weight in the back, but the Dunlops never let me down. They hold the ground very well when racing and on the drag strip, I also got my best time of 13.8 in the quarter mile run while beating a Dodge Viper R/T. A double 5 rating is a understatment.

Similar Products Used:

Falken FK-O4-G (255/40/ZR17) Good fit, had them for about a year. BF Goodrich Euro Sport (245/45/HR17) Good lasting (HR is a longer lasting tire than the ZR), no rim protectin guard, only bough them because they where the cheapest thing that I could find after burning up the Falkens when I got my new engine.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 14, 2000]
Ash
Model Reviewed: Audi A4 1997

Strength:

Very low noise, excellent grip in wet conditions. Also handles beautifully in both wet and dry conditions.

Weakness:

None so far

Paid about $80 per tire (225-50-16) from tirerack. Had these replace the Pirelli P6000's Veloces (which are just mediocre tires) Highly recommend these tires for someone seeking a tire with the right kind of balance of handling and comfort. Good tread pattern. Drove my A4 (Quattro) through lot of heavy rains with these dunlops at pretty good speed (above 65 mph) with feeling any kind of hesitation whatsoever.
Summing it up, I highly recommend these tires and they are rather reasonably priced also, which is also another major plus.

Similar Products Used:

These SP 5000's replaced Pirelli P6000 Sport Veloci's and I must say that these tires seem to be a lot better buy all round. Also cheaper.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 05, 2000]
Ken Savage

Strength:

Great grip in wet/snow/dry conditions
Very low noise for an all season
Verrry smoooth ride

Weakness:

Wish the sidewall was a little stiffer. At any rate I would buy these again in a second

I paid 79.00 for these through tirerack.com. I have to say I am really happy. My main concern was all-season traction and received it in heaps. I was pleasently suprised by the low noise & smooth ride. As mentioned, I would buy these tires again which is about the best endorsement I can think of.

Similar Products Used:

Pirelli, Eagle GT-3

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 09, 2001]
marty balintfy
Model Reviewed: 1995 acura integra

Strength:

excellent traction on dry pavement, best tire i have ever had on my car. have not broke them loose around a corner yet, definite plus.

Weakness:

they get a little squirrely if their is not adequate air pressure

excellent tire i would definitly encourage anyone to try a set of these

Similar Products Used:

nitto nt505's, the nittos sucked in tread wear the dunlops are much better.could easily break the nittos loose

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 27, 2001]
Jason

Strength:

Wet traction is excellent. Dry traction superb.

Weakness:

None so far.

Excellent tire. Great value for the money. I read some of the reviews complaining of soft sidewalls and sloppy handling and I really dont understand what there talking about. these tires handle extremely well, panic maneuvers and lane changes are not a prblem. i replaced my firehawks on my 1993 probe(205-55-15) with these tires and its been like night and day !
The only thing I can think of is that some sizes of the sp5000 have a symmetrical tread design others an asymmetrical tread design...

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 51-60 of 60  

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