Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Name: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Brand: Dunlop
Rating: 3.8 (92 reviews)

The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is a Max Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tire review data from 92 tire reviews averaging 77% over 768,854 miles driven, and 37 tests with an average result of 6th.

Dry Grip 84%

Wet Grip 78%

Road Feedback 77%

Handling 77%

Wear 75%

Comfort 79%

Buy again 68%

First On Market	May 2021
Wheel Size	17 - 21"
Width	205 - 285mm
Profile	30 - 60

Rolling Resistance	B - D
Wet Grip	A - B
Noise (dB)	70 - 73
Winter Rating	Not Winter Rated

The SportMaxx RT 2 is ranked 41st of 78 Summer Max Performance tires.

This tire replaced the Dunlop SportMaxx RT.

Tests Included

Best Result

2nd

Worst Result

17th

Average Result

6th

Latest Tire Test Results

2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test

5th of 16 tires

The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 receives a just satisfactory rating in driving safety. On dry roads, it provides good steering feedback, precise control, and secure handling at the limit, along with a short braking distance, earning a solid good rating for dry performance. However, on wet roads, the Sport Maxx RT2 narrowly misses achieving more than a satisfactory rating. While it performs well in aquaplaning tests with good marks, it only achieves satisfactory results in braking distance measurements and wet handling. The tire offers a medium level of grip and combines longitudinal and lateral forces satisfactorily. In terms of environmental impact, the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 just falls short of a good rating. Its projected mileage and wear are rated as nearly good, as are its weight and fuel consumption. However, due to slightly higher rolling noise and just satisfactory sustainability, it narrowly misses a good evaluation.

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2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test

5th of 6 tires

Helps save fuel due to low rolling resistance, good water displacement during longitudinal driving through puddles.
Braking in wet conditions not at top level, sluggish in wet handling, partially unharmonious in dry conditions.
Low rolling resistance, but minor grip deficits – both wet and dry.

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2023 Summer Tire Market Overview

Size	Fuel	Wet	Noise
17 inch
225/45R17 94 W XL	C	A	72
215/55R17 98 W XL	C	A	70
18 inch
245/45R18 100 Y XL	C	A	71
245/45R18 100 Y XL	C	A	71
245/45R18 100 Y XL	C	A	71
20 inch
245/35R20 95 Y XL	D	A	71

View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 >>

Questions and Answers for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

2016-11-30 - Dunlop Sportmaxx RT2 oder Coopers Zeon CS Sport. Beide haben die Note A für Nässe. Welcher wäre besser? Ich habe einen Insignia.

Der Dunlop SportMaxx RT2 hat sich im Sport Auto UHP-Reifentest 2016 als besser erwiesen als der Cooper.

2016-11-01 - Ich überlege, mir einen Satz dieser Reifen zu kaufen, aber die Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance-Reifen sehen auch gut aus. Meine Hauptfrage lautet also: Wenn beide Reifensätze gleich viel kosten würden (Dunlop vs. Goodyear), für welchen Satz würden Sie sich entscheiden? Ich fahre derzeit einen Hyundai Coupe 1.6 mit Frontantrieb (ein Auto, das ich sehr schwer finde) auf irischen Straßen und muss meine Reifen sofort aufrüsten. Derzeit sind die Reifen an meinem Auto von Landsail und absoluter Schrott. Zwischen schrecklichem Handling, harter Fahrt und hohem Geräuschpegel muss ich mich damit abfinden, dass 4 verschiedene Reifenhändler in meiner Gegend meine Räder nicht richtig auswuchten konnten, also muss ich sie so schnell wie möglich gegen ein Qualitätsset austauschen.

Das hängt von Ihren Anforderungen an den Reifen ab. Der Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 ist als Hochleistungsreifen gedacht, während der Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance ein Tourenreifen ist. Der Dunlop vermittelt ein sportlicheres Fahrgefühl und der Goodyear bietet mehr Komfort. Beide sind hervorragende Reifen und bieten erhebliche Verbesserungen gegenüber Ihren aktuellen Landsail-Reifen.

2017-08-14 - Die werkseitig montierten Vorderreifen Dunlop Sport Max RT 91W auf meinem Octavia Kombi (Kennzeichen 64) erreichen nach 25.500 Meilen ihr Limit (die Hinterreifen haben noch viel Profil). Ich bin kein Leistungsfahrer, sondern bevorzuge Komfort und einen niedrigen Kraftstoffverbrauch (58 mpg bei dieser Laufleistung). Womit kann ich sie ersetzen?

Je nach Größe scheint der Continental Premium Contact 6 eine hervorragende Mischung aus Komfort und Leistung zu sein.

2017-12-19 - Hallo, ich habe einen 2016er Subaru WRX STI mit den empfohlenen 245/40 R18 Dunlop SportMaxx RT2-Reifen. Leider finde ich die Fahrt damit übermäßig hart (ich weiß, dass das eine Eigenschaft des Autos ist). Gibt es einen Reifen der gleichen Größe, der den Fahrkomfort verbessert und die Fahrt ruhiger macht, ohne das Fahrzeug zu sehr zu beeinträchtigen? Weichere Seitenwände? Ich sehe oben, dass Sie Continental Premium Contact 6 als hervorragende Mischung aus Komfort und Leistung empfehlen, und ich glaube, dass der Goodyear F1 AsymmetricaI 3 auch sehr gut ist. Ich fahre nur mit normaler Straßengeschwindigkeit und besitze das Fahrzeug wegen seiner Allradfähigkeit, die unter allen Bedingungen (trocken, Regen, Schlamm, Frost, Sonne usw.) funktioniert – ich bin nicht an Trackdays im Stil von „Maximum Attack“ interessiert! Für jede Hilfe oder Anregung bin ich sehr dankbar.

Trotz seiner sportlichen Eigenschaften ist der Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 eigentlich ein komfortabler UUHP-Reifen. Der Continental Premiumcontact 6 wäre eine gute Option, und auch der Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance ist komfortabler als der Asymmetric 3 und der RT 2.

2018-04-17 - Bieten diese Reifen einen guten Schutz für Leichtmetallfelgen?

In bestimmten Größen verfügt der SportMaxx RT2 über einen erhöhten Flansch zum Schutz des Rades. Fragen Sie Ihren Reifenhändler, ob dies für Ihre Größe der Fall ist.

2018-05-27 - Gibt es hinsichtlich Rückmeldung und Komfort einen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen SportMaxx RT2 und Goodyear Asym. 3, wenn man bedenkt, dass Goodyear Dunlops Muttergesellschaft ist?

Nicht sehr viel! Theoretisch ist der RT2 etwas sportlicher als der Asymmetric 3, aber ich hatte nicht die Gelegenheit, die Tests direkt hintereinander durchzuführen, also kann ich das nicht bestätigen. Beide sind ausgezeichnete Reifen.

2018-07-25 - Werden diese in 16" erhältlich sein oder soll ich mich für den Maxx RT entscheiden? Ich verwende derzeit Barum Bravuris 3HM. Ist die Gesamtleistung des Maxx RT besser als die des Barum? Lohnt es sich, das Barum durch den Maxx RT oder RT 2 zu ersetzen, wenn dieser in 16" erhältlich sein wird?

Es ist sehr unwahrscheinlich, dass Dunlop dies in 16 Zoll entwickeln würde, da ihr Fokus stark auf 17 Zoll und mehr liegt. Die einzige Chance, dass es in 16 Zoll entwickelt wird, besteht, wenn Dunlop eine OE-Anfrage hätte, was wiederum sehr unwahrscheinlich ist.

2019-04-12 - Hallo, ich muss meine alte Corvette Cab aus dem Jahr 2000 mit Reifen der unterschiedlichen Größen 245/45YR17 und 275/40YR18 ausrüsten. Der Dunlop RT2 und der Hankook S1, V12 sind die Reifen, die ich in beiden Größen finden konnte, da ich nur nach großen Marken suche. Ich konzentriere mich, wenn überhaupt, auf Tourenreifen. Der Dunlop gefällt mir aufgrund der geringeren Geräuschentwicklung und der guten Bremsleistung bei Nässe, was in Schweden ein interessanter Punkt ist. Der Hankook hat im Test bis auf die Geräuschentwicklung ein ähnliches Ergebnis und wird empfohlen. Was ist Ihre Meinung dazu? Sollte ich vorne und hinten Marke und Modell mischen? Sollte ich beim gleichen Modell bleiben? Dunlop oder Hankook? Vielen Dank.

Ich würde möglichst vermeiden, Vorder- und Hinterreifen zu mischen. Wenn es sich um eine frühere Version des S1 handelt, würde ich wahrscheinlich die Dunlops den Hankooks vorziehen. Der S1 Evo 3 wiederum wäre wahrscheinlich der klügere Kauf, da er ein neuerer Reifen als der RT2 ist.

2020-05-22 - Ich habe einen Mercedes CLK 350 Cabrio mit 225 40 18 vorn und 255 35 18 hinten. Ich suche nach maximalem Komfort und geringer Geräuschentwicklung, da ich ihn eher als Tourer denn als Sportwagen benutze. Ich habe Pirelli P Zero, die zwischen den Profilen anfangen zu reißen, also ist es Zeit für einen Austausch. Ich dachte an Dunlops RT2, basierend auf den Bewertungen anderer Leute. Was denken Sie? Würden Sie einen anderen Reifen als die Dunlops empfehlen?

Der Falken FK510 bietet mehr Komfort als der RT2

2022-10-10 - Sind die Dunlop RT2 Runflat-Reifen? Die Größe ist 255/45 R18 103 XL

Ich glaube, der RT2 ist in einigen Runflat-Größen erhältlich. Ihr Reifenhändler kann Sie beraten, ob Ihre Größe in einer Runflat-Option verfügbar ist.

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Size	Price Range
225/45 R17	$222.99 - $222.99 (1 Prices)	Compare Prices >>
Available in 6 tire sizes - View all.

YouTube Review

Top 3 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 Reviews

Given 93% while driving a Renault Megane RS250 CUP (235/35 R19 W) on a combination of roads for 3,000 spirited miles

I have changed my ContiSportContact 5Ps with these. Quite happy so far. The car feels like more responsive and quiter. I have preferred these over SportContact6s purely because of the price advantage but it doesnt feel like a wrong choice so far. The rim protectors, which dont exist on 5Ps, are also nice. I have just painted my rims before installing these and these protectors have already save me from scratching the rims couple of times.

Helpful 298 - tire reviewed on April 30, 2016

Given 88% while driving a Mercedes Benz E350 (265/35 R18) on for 200 miles

Had a test run for 200 miles today. The difference is huge ( between 4,5mm P Zero's) . Esp light is refusing to come on

Helpful 71 - tire reviewed on November 6, 2021

Given 70% while driving a BMW 335d (245/35 R18) on a combination of roads for 7,500 average miles

Price-performance is OK as the tire is mostly cheap. Grip is good, but steering behavior and load changes are spongy because the sidewall is too soft for a UHP tire, especially for heavier vehicles. As the tires become more worn, they become louder and begin to “sing,” which becomes annoying, especially at higher speeds on the highway.

Helpful 32 - tire reviewed on October 2, 2023

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Latest Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 Reviews

Given 70% while driving a Mazda MX5 2.0 Manual (215/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,200 spirited miles

A mixed bag these ones. I'll start with the positives:

Survived two mixed weather track days. Although conditions meant pushing hard was never an option, most road tires show some shoulder wear in track conditions, but these held up well. In Cold / Greasy conditions, they clearly performed better than the same car on semi-slicks and the handling was predictable, consistent and controllable. Oversteer was progressive and correctable.

Next, in very very very heavy rain conditions on the motorway (and I mean, can't even see the car in front kinda wet), they performed very well. Very little if any aquaplaning, resistance to it was good. Felt calm and steady over standing water and in damp conditions it felt like the tire was keyed into the road.

Lastly, country road driving in damp / changeable conditoins, also excellent, very reliable grip, even when pressing on.

So what about the downsides... well, theres a few:

1) very odd steering characteristics off centre and on / off throttle. The car changes direction slightly on and off throttle, a behaviour I've only seen when tires were different brands, or one was hugely over / under inflated. It suggests that all four tires may not be perfectly the same dimensionally. It lends an oddly floaty feeling just off centre when driving on roads.

2) very very very firm. For a road tire, the carcass stiffness is significant. These are actually about as stiff as a set of Nankang AR1 track tires, and significantly harder than the likes of a classic P zero. For a road tire this makes it quite uncomfortable. It certainly feels "sporty" but over all but perfect roads, its quite uncomfortable.

3) I have no data yet on how these will perform under hard driving in dry conditions, so will need to report back once I've had a chance to do so.

Helpful 4 - tire reviewed on December 6, 2024

Given 31% while driving a Hyundai Ioniq (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 6,000 easy going miles

Without a doubt, after so many years of fitting all kinds of brands, this is the worst purchase ever made. Two of the four tires are deformed, since they were new. The brand does not respond and neither does the workshop. Both produce parasitic movements. When driving, the sensations at the wheel are of turning the steering wheel, the tire twisting, leaning and starting to turn. In a storm, any boat at sea has less movement than these tires. It is awful. Of course, they grip well both in dry and wet conditions, but what it conveys is that you are driving a van tire. I would not buy it again, nor would I accept it as a gift. In itself, nothing from the Goodyear company will be fitted in my cars/motorbikes in the future.

Helpful 8 - tire reviewed on August 30, 2024

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Given 76% while driving a Mercedes Benz A45 (235/35 R19) on mostly motorways for 12,000 spirited miles

I've had several sets of these on my car now as they have proven to be reliable and confidence inspiring in the wet. They've survived pot holes, debris, and the odd curb. I've never found myself wishing for more grip in the dry. The response is perhaps slightly muted compared to more expensive tires, but personally don't have an issue as my driving is 90% motorway/major A roads.

In the wet the car feels stable in the rain at motorway speeds up until about 3mm tread depth, at which point the front started to feel nervous. Braking has been fine in the wet but pulling away briskly in anything other than a straight line will set off the traction control. Hard to say if this would be reduced with a more expensive tire.

Front tires have lasted about 11k miles before reaching the wear line after. Rears are over 20k and still have a while to go.

Helpful 10 - tire reviewed on July 2, 2024

Given 83% while driving a Skoda (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 40,000 easy going miles

Just replaced 2 fronts at 40k miles with 2mm remaining. A very good tire that has served the car well in all weather conditions including torrential rain and at all UK legal speeds. I have not experienced any loss of grip when pushed hard and only a slight degree of vagueness in spirited cornering. A quiet riding tire at speed but which does not soak up bumps at low speed. Was tempted replace with the same but instead opted for Continental Premium Contact 7 due to good reviews.

Helpful 31 - tire reviewed on October 19, 2023

Given 68% while driving a Audi TT Mk1 1.8T 225BHP (225/40 R18) on mostly country roads for 0 spirited miles

I recently bought a first gen TT that already had these tires installed (note they were 2 years old so my experience isn't as valid). The car has sport maxx RT on the front and sport maxx RT2 on the rear, it's not a bad tire for its money but it's not the kind of tire I would fit in such car. The back of the car starts shaking at a "slowly-developed 90° turn" at around 130km/h, the front of the car doesn't really mind, the setup is an oversteer setup so the front tires aren't bad as long as you're are hitting the gas. Note that it is a fwd and not the quattro version which shares the weight better. So in general they aren't a bad tire for their money, it must have been a lot better when it was first bought but I wouldn't fit these tires again (front-RT). They are solid tires, but I can feel it is holding back the true potential of the car. Would definitely not buy again but I can't say I'm disappointed either.

Helpful 32 - tire reviewed on July 18, 2023

Given 50% while driving a Lexus GS450h (245/45 R18) on mostly town for 12,000 spirited miles

I have the tires for 2 summer seasons, the car cannot put the power on the road, the ESP lights up every time I accelerate to a power greater than 30%. In curves, when accelerating, the rear quickly loses grip. they are weak on braking, but the feedback is good. On a wet road they are very weak both on acceleration/braking/curves. On the front pair, long cracks appeared between the central profiles. I just replaced the winter ones (Pirelli Sotto Zero) because of the warm weather, but with Pirelli at 20 degrees Celsius outside I had no grip problems. All in all, I do not recommend, at least not on this car.

Helpful 36 - tire reviewed on March 28, 2023

Given 60% while driving a BMW E39 M5 (275/35 R19) on mostly country roads for 1,000 average miles

Replaced my rear michelin pilot tires for these dunlop maxx rt2. They have alot softer sidewalls compared to the michelin. Car felt "wobbly" in the rear when cornering and doing quick overtakes at higher speeds. Otherwise a good tire but i would not buy again.

Helpful 37 - tire reviewed on February 27, 2023

Given 83% while driving a Mercedes Benz E320 CDI Sport (265/45 R18) on a combination of roads for 12,000 average miles

Solid tire. 12k miles done. Back 5.6, front 5.9 Mercedes 350 265/45/18 rear 245/50/18 front. Can't fault them. Will go for another set. Traction perfect, drives like a train. No skids, no aquaplaning so far. Wear ok/even. Average driving style. Got me out of trouble once... Hard breaking ABS on... Avoided dropped container.

Helpful 38 - tire reviewed on February 21, 2023

Given 94% while driving a Mazda 3 2.2D 150 (205/50 R17) on a combination of roads for 35,000 average miles

I bought the car with a brand new set of Chinese-brand tires the previous owner had just fitted to sell. I hated them. The car slid pulling away from the lights when there was even just a shine of moisture on the road (accelerating with everyone else driving during a commute). Sounds worse than it was, as I only noticed that the car had more power, presumably as the traction control was no-longer limiting the engine power once I changed to these Dunlops. But that, at some 15-20k+ miles later, I was so glad when I finally got rid of them. (The car chewed through the inner edges, as the REAR wheel tracking was out* - I suspect was the reason for it having the new tires when I bought it).

The Dunlops are SO much quieter than what I had on before - I actually took to wear ear-plugs for long journeys as there was so much road-noise from the Chinese tires. Also the Dunlops gripped the road so well that I actually thought the car was now 'twitchy' - as in if I moved the steering wheel at motorway speeds the car immediately changed direction. I had the tracking re-checked after my first journey, as it has been adjusted, and I just wasn't used to that (tracking was still spot-on).

On the whole I really liked these tires, especially the Rim Protection feature - as few tires are currently have that. I live in a Victorian terrace, no drive, so have to parallel park every day. Once or twice a year, usually in the dark and rain, I am glad for the extra rubber to keep the kerb off the alloys. Also I am changing them as I just had a blow-out due to a nail causing the a rear tire to slowly deflate. I strongly think the extra load capacity (XL) and rubber of the rim protection (RP) saved me from scrapping the rim. My passenger and I didn't notice anything until I started to slow down to turn off the motorway, only then the tire started to make a strange noise. I think I must have driven for many miles with the shredded tire - it has several large holes in the sidewall, so zero air. I would certainly not recommend doing that again, a narrow escape, they are not 'Run Flats' (and nor would I buy these; and no, I was not wearing ear plugs at the time).

I would say these tires are very good indeed. Well well worth the extra money - especially compared to 'budget' tires. I remember the Chinese 'Eco' somethings cost about £65each to get like-for-like in 2018. But I hated them, besides I recon my fuel economy went UP because of the extra grip; but for me the main selling point is the grip in the wet (never every felt like they were slipping - even now with the tread approaching the limit), and certainly the low noise. I got 35000 miles from my last set of Dunlops. Very happy with them, so despite looking into alternatives I have just bought exactly the same again.

*Final point is that 4-wheel tracking (£96) is sometimes worth the extra money vs the usual (much cheaper) 2-wheel one. At the MOT it was noticed both front Dunlops wearing in the same way as the Chinese tires (inside edges). I had 2-wheel tracking done when the Dunlops were fitted, but when the uneven wear continued (actually faster) I had the 4-wheel tracking done - expensive but cost less than one new Dunlop, so... Since I had the car properly set up, the wear became even across the whole tire. So I have just ordered 4-wheel tracking with the new set of four tires I have just bought, as a precaution - I figure it is OK once every 35k+ miles, especially as I know how quick they will wear, if it is out. Like I say, I am very happy with these tires. Others may have a slightly better dB rating (Michelin Primacy has 69 vs 71dB), but I know these are quiet enough, and have definitely served me (very) well.

Helpful 32 - tire reviewed on December 30, 2022

Given 48% while driving a Alfa Romeo Giuiletta (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 1,000 spirited miles

The dry grip for the car on normal roads is quite good, there is late to no understeer even in the plain wet until now. However, those tires are way too soft for a sporty driving style, on normal pressure they were like driving on a brick when turning in corners and it just hopped over the tires edges and back, giving a mostly unstable feeling despite the pure grip. Pumped the tire pressure up improved steering a bit, but then they produce less grip, also in the 150-200 (100-120 mph) kph area. The tire walls are too weak and the tire overall is rather bouncy and random. It is my first really new summer tire on this car, since i just bought the car last year and drove it on 8 year old Pirelli P7 which were just too old for any impression unifluenced by the aging rubber.

Helpful 41 - tire reviewed on May 8, 2022

Given 93% while driving a Audi A4 B8 Sedan (225/50 R17) on mostly country roads for 7,000 spirited miles

Great feedback , really happy with how they perform in the wet . The thick sidewall gives good protection for the rims . Overall I'm really happy with them.

Helpful 40 - tire reviewed on October 27, 2021

Given 91% while driving a Mitsubishi Evolution X (245/45 R18) on mostly country roads for 21,000 spirited miles

I drive my EVO X about 23000km / year / for 7 years - mainly on civilian roads. When buying, Michelin Super Sport was assumed, but they did not give me a sense of confidence on the arches and quickly clashed - after 1 season. Next came The Goodyear eagle f1 asymmetric 3 or 4 (I don't remember) and these drove a little better, but they clashed after about 1.5 seasons. Looking further for the right footwear I bought Dunlop SportMaxx RT. It was a shot in the 10. On the rest, I could enjoy the ride I like. While driving on a curve, I felt perfectly the moment of tire slip. Regardless of whether on dry or wet surfaces, the car listened and did what I expected. Tires durable 2.5 seasons. I currently have a Dunlop SportMaxx RT2. They seem a bit softer than their predecessors, which further boosted the feeling of stability when driving >200km / h and look insane! They are already finishing season 2 and will go half more. I fell in love with these tires. Recommend