Dunlop SportMaxx RT Reviews - Page 3

Given 50% while driving a Audi A4 Quattro 220 bhp TFSI (235/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 15,000 average miles
Only lasted me about 15k miles, fitted in the same time with 2 x Bridgestone and those still have about 4.5mm,
Overall not to impressed with them.
Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on July 23, 2018
Given 90% while driving a Honda Civic Type R (225/45 R17) on mostly town for 10 spirited miles
So after reading a number of reviews I decided to get a set of these for the fronts to replace a set of cheap and crappy Nangkang tires.

The difference was immediate and the tires made a huge difference in how the car handles in both dry and wet conditions.
In dry conditions the grip is pretty great, and I’ve been on track with super sticky semi slicks in the dry so I’m comparing my experiences. In these I’ve taken long sweeping bends and roundabouts in the dry with real spirited driving and you really have to work it to find the limit and even then it’s progressive and controllable with good feedback through the steering wheel and seat. Im finding the limits of my car’s suspension before the limits of the tires to be honest because I think these can take a bit more. In the dry, even from cold, it’s not super easy to get the tires spinning if you’re quick with the clutch. (No I’m not a chav lol)
As the tire has come to the end of its life they are giving me slightly more wheel spin. It may be because I’m enjoying the last few enthusiastic thousand miles before I replace these.

Snow and ice / Winter driving:
In the recent snowfall I found these really good. Don’t get me wrong, my traction control was working overtime and my driving skills are above average (I hope) but I didn’t particularly find any real issues with these in the heavy snow and ice. Bear in mind I believe mind these are summer tires but any slight loss of traction when steering at low speeds in the ice and snow were quickly recovered.

In the wet:
Although the dry grip is excellent, the wet grip (as with most tires) isn’t as good but I can definitely say that any loss of traction to my front wheels was progressive, controllable and gave me confidence to stay on the limit on bends. The wheels tend to spin up much easier in the wet if I put my foot down a bit harder than the tires like. This happens even on straight roads and not just on bends.

Braking:
Genuinely excellent in both dry and wet. Very good in snow / icy conditions. Hitting the brakes in the dry these stop amazingly well, the grippy compound has been consistent through the life of this tire and they have helped in some last minute emergency braking moments. This is also true in the wet as I haven’t noticed the ABS kicking in under hard braking in most cases.

Comfort:
In terms of comfort I really don’t have a good base to give fair feedback on this product. My car is known for harsh and hard suspension from factory so although these tires didn’t make it worse I don’t feel like they made it any better. I don’t expect any tire to work miracles like that :(

The feedback I got from these tires are excellent. Great handling and confidence inspiring in the dry and progressive, controllable, grippy and not too noisy in all conditions. I would definitely look to Dunlop and this model of tire again, it’s lasted around 10,00 miles since I got them brand new in April 2015 but I’ve subjected them to very spirited driving on the straights, corners and bends and it’s taken it all in it’s stride. I’d be looking at the RT2 since these are supposedly designed to last longer than the RT
Helpful 24 - tire reviewed on March 28, 2018
Given 60% while driving a BMW 320i Msport (255/35 R19 W) on a combination of roads for 2,000 average miles
I only had these on my car for about 3 months as I got a puncture which could not be repaired. In those 3 months I found these tires to be good in the dry however in cold conditions these lose traction. For that reason I won't be buying Dunlop again. I also previously had Sport Maxx GT which were the same, great in the dry but not so good in the wet.
Helpful 18 - tire reviewed on March 2, 2018
What to know the BEST All Season Tires for 2024? Click to find out!
Given 60% while driving a Audi A3 Sportback (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 12,000 average miles
These were supplied new with my Audi A3, either Audi doesn't spend much on sound proofing or these are noisy tires. I have driven 12500 miles so far and they are down to 4 mm. Handling and braking in dry is really good and they are pretty sorted in teh rain on wet ground, they are not however even slightly useful in low tempratures or wintery conditions. They are a sport tire though so to be expected, but even with traction control they did nothing and left me high and dry with a long walk home. Its a company car so don't have much control over the tire selection but I won't be opting for these come change time. Not worth teh extra outlay of cash there is better for cheaper out there.
Helpful 17 - tire reviewed on February 19, 2018
Given 100% while driving a Renault Clio III Dynamique 1.6 (205/50 R16 W) on mostly country roads for 39,000 spirited miles
Two sets of tires. The first did 57.000 Km, the second 62.000Km and still goes on. The best tires I have ever put. Great dry grip, incredible wet grip (feels so dominant and safe), and best of all they are very good even near their end. Ok they take some time to warm up, but it is really nothing to worry about. And when you are about to have some fun, prepare yourselves for big big smiles! I am about to change my car, the next one will definitely will wear the SportMaxx RT.
Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on February 16, 2018
Given 90% while driving a Ford Mondeo Titanium 2.0 TCDI (235/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 7,000 spirited miles
This is my second pair of these tires on the front of my diesel mondeo hatch with the Titanium sports pack option. Grip is just incredible, the point they push wide is well beyond where I would push the mondeo on the road. These tires are intended for much more exotic cars than a diesel family saloon so I've probably not given them the test they deserve but I always overspec tires.
The only performance weakness they have is in the snow, but you can't expect a tire designed for high speed use to be good there. Wear is their other downside, they disappear quite quickly, but again for this type of tire it is expected and you won't get this grip like this without compromising something.
Saying that, I'm down to 1.8mm on one and 2mm on the other and I've only just got to the point I've noticed any degredation in performance in the cold and wet British winter. It seems to be able to shift a fair bit of standing water despite the low tread left, I drove up the M6 through the Lake District in torrential rain without them ever feeling like they were out of their depth. I've been very happy with them.
Helpful 16 - tire reviewed on February 13, 2018
Given 84% while driving a Ford Falcon xr6 (245/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 18,000 spirited miles
I've travelled 30,000km over 18 months on a variety of roads with these tires, and they've performed brilliantly. Grip is excellent, both wet and dry. It really impressed me how stable my RWD, open diff car felt doing 100km/h on the highway in heavy rain. Wear is as good as you'd expect for a tire of this type.
Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on January 22, 2018
Given 61% while driving a Skoda Octavia (225/45 R17 V) on mostly country roads for 17,000 easy going miles
Using those tires as a factory setup for my 2016 Octavia Sedan (CNG power). Tires after less than 17.000 miles are almost gone. This was predictable as SportMaxx are tires suitable for heavy rain: I live in the north of Italy where the climate is all but wet and summer temperatures are very high. Despite this, the tires provide a very high driving comfort and silence. Won't buy them again.
Helpful 24 - tire reviewed on November 13, 2017
Given 23% while driving a SEAT 1.4 TSI (225/45 R16) on mostly country roads for 700 average miles
Just got my brand new leon at the end of August 17 ( so under 1 month) and to my disppointement it arrived with Dunlopp Maxx RT. I didn't like the bluesport model as the wear was shockingly bad but these tires are just as awful. The handling is scary and the tires feel really unstable in straight lines as well as corners (lack of grip) and on the motorway. No problem with the car itself. Maybe the high wear will be a good thing as I can't wait to get rid of them. I would not recommend Dunlopp Maxx rt
Helpful 53 - tire reviewed on September 12, 2017
Given 93% while driving a MG ZT 135 CDTi (225/45 R18) on mostly motorways for 20,000 average miles
Excellent tires with great grip and handling and in comparison to other tires I was using in the past these have a great wear, too. I was able to drive 20,000 miles (32,000 km) while I was never able to make more than 25-26,000 km on other tires. This was the first time I wanted to buy the same tires again, but then found out that Dunlop has come with the next generation SportMaxx RT2 so I decided to buy those. We will see if it will be the same good as SportMaxx RT ;-) Thumb up, Dunlop!
Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on September 12, 2017
Given 90% while driving a Skoda Octavia estate (225/45 R17 W) on mostly motorways for 25,500 average miles
Driven 25500 mostly motorway or long drives thru France. The front tires have about 1mm to go while the back have lots of tread left. I like the fact there is a rim protector but don't know if that is the case with many other tires. Not seen any reviews that suggest this mileage is excellent, good or bad.
Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on August 14, 2017
Given 66% while driving a Mercedes Benz A (225/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 25,000 spirited miles
Good dry performance and good road feedback. Very good behaviour under hard braking.
In the wet i've found them average (continentals probably better in dry), probably due to "XL" and low profile size tire.
Front tires were in the marks after 25000Km, replaced them by a new set of Dunlop Sport max rt MO.
Helpful 29 - tire reviewed on June 25, 2017