I've found an excellent deal for the Federal SS595 locally in a 245/40/17. Does anyone have experience with this tire or brand? I would be using them for my summer tires on the M3, with occassional autox and light lapping (I have R888s for serious track use and more competitive autox).
Rob
I have a set of cheap Federal Formoza tires. Cheap, decent grip, not one bad thing to say about the company.
I ran an earlier version of their 595 on my E36 M3. Decent tires, good for the money. You won't set any FTD's, but you won't be horribly let down either. I ran mine for 10K miles or so with no problems. They were good but not great in all conditions.
I thought this was an ammo question... 
Yes, I use the Federal 595 on my Mini S. They don't wear terribly well (about 20-25k,driven fairly hard), but seem to provide pretty good grip and are pleasant street tires. I'm on my second set and certainly for the money am very happy with them.
RossD wrote:I thought this was an ammo question...
Or some obscure federal program...
I've used SS595 RS on a Miata when I couldn't get Hankook RS-2s and they were certainly good enough for my skill level.
Mind you, they suck on snow...
I have a set on my RX-8 and I think they're good. They have good grip and a nice progressive feel in the dry. I'd say they're decent in the wet too. I'm sure they're not the best tires in the world, but I did end up 3rd in one of the few AutoXs I attended last year and I do not have a lot of experience (probably says more about the car and the tires than myself).
RossD wrote:I thought this was an ammo question...
same here
I want to know what the excellent deal is. I run that size on my Dynasty..
Bear in mind that the excellent deal is here in Canada -- I paid a tick over $500 shipped including all taxes and associated fees (tire stewardship tax, 13 percent sales taxes, yada, yada, yada).
But this site has them much cheaper in the US:
However, since they are not made in North America, they are subject to punishing import duties if I import them from the US.
In reply to neon4891:
It sounds like a Senate Bill....
ZOO wrote: However, since they are not made in North America, they are subject to punishing import duties if I import them from the US.
When I lived in Ottawa (2 years ago) I would have tires shipped to the UPS store in Ogdensburg and pick them up from there. Pay a fee to the store for receiving and GST when I came back across the bridge. They had stacks of tires there for Canadian customers.
rollinchicane wrote:ZOO wrote: However, since they are not made in North America, they are subject to punishing import duties if I import them from the US.When I lived in Ottawa (2 years ago) I would have tires shipped to the UPS store in Ogdensburg and pick them up from there. Pay a fee to the store for receiving and GST when I came back across the bridge. They had stacks of tires there for Canadian customers.
But you still have to pay the duties if you declare them at the border. By the time I factor in travel costs, and the fees, the price difference is negligible. I suspect I could "not" declare them -- but 20 minute trips over the border already look suspicious enough 
In April I purchased a pair of Yokohama tires from Tire Rack and had them shipped to my door in Ottawa. I paid shipping, GST, PST, and brokerage fees and it was still cheaper than buying locally. Today with the exchange rate it won't be as cost effective, but it will likely still be cheaper. Try www.carmodifier.com for some comparative Ottawa prices...
