235/40-17 Advan AD07 Neova 2007 Review

[SleepRM3]

I have 8.5 x 17 Style 39Ms (aka Style 22 M Round Double Spoke IIs) all around including the spare. I bought a set of 5 Neovas last season based on positive feedback from the BimmerForums.

They performed outstandingly during a rain storm at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course (at 9/32ds tread depth). Dry--the Neovas are the stickiest road tire I've had. Handling and steering response are phenomenal. During a 25-minute track session, stick falls off slightly toward the end of the session--as do my YellowStuff EBC pads' bite.

Although the sidewalls are the stiffest I've experienced in a road tire, they can be damaged, as I’d dropped my LR tire off-track exiting Putnam Park's Turn 1 (at ~90+ mph); the impact was severe enough to bubble the sidewall, forcing me to buy a new Neova to replace it (now totalling 6 Neovas from Jim@TireRack for 2007).

The outside shoulders are prone to overheating from abrupt weight transfers so smoothness is key.

At mileage 2470, I flipped the wheels on the tires, and lefts became rights and vice versa. I now have 5255 miles with shoulder block blisters on the left sides. Tread depth is ~3-to-4/32nds.

[WK446]

Thanks for the review (and update). Even though they are pricey, you must really like them...

Was there any reason you did not go with 245/40/17 all the way around?

[SleepRM3]

Thanks for the review (and update). Even though they are pricey, you must really like them...

Was there any reason you did not go with 245/40/17 all the way around?The 245/40-17 Neova is really wide (more like a 255 width) and would be "happier" on 9 or 9.5 width wheels.

I like the shorter overall diameter of the 235/40-17 for peppier acceleration out of the turns, and without the wider wheel a 245/40-17 Neova on an 8.5 wide is not a big advantage, while being costlier per tire.

Yes the Neova is money (you get what you pay for).

Although the new Dunlop Sport Z1 Direzzas might be the ticket at $130 each in 235/40-17?

[BJO]

The neovas are the best street tire for track/auto-x duties. They also last a long time. My 255/40/17 has over 100 auto-x runs, 2 track days (@ 200 min), and probably 4k miles of street driving. I am not even at the wear bars with prob 40% tread left. They are worth the price if you do not want to change out your tires.

[SleepRM3]

I assume you started yours at the full 10/32nds tread depth? Glad others like yourself agree!
The neovas are the best street tire for track/auto-x duties. They also last a long time. My 255/40/17 has over 100 auto-x runs, 2 track days (@ 200 min), and probably 4k miles of street driving. I am not even at the wear bars with prob 40% tread left. They are worth the price if you do not want to change out your tires.

[BJO]

I assume you started yours at the full 10/32nds tread depth? Glad others like yourself agree!

Yes, I started at full tread depth.

[SleepRM3]

The set of Neovas I ordered from Jim @TTR 24-Apr-2007 now have 5767 road miles on them. I replaced them with brand new Neovas which are now on the car (12-Mar-08). I plan to use the old Neovas for dry/damp track lapping sessions. The left side tires have shoulder blisters, and will be moved to the right side of the car.

To date, the Neovas in 235/40-17 (mounted on 8.5 wide rims) have been the best match for my 1997 BMW M3/4-door/5-speed (stock suspension). The Neovas lasted ~5700 road miles over ~11 months, with life still left for dry/damp track lapping sessions.

The new Neovas will be used for public road driving, and heavy rain track sessions (common during the Apr/May DE events at Mid Ohio and Putnam Park).

There are less expensive tires in Tire Rack's Extreme Summer Performance category (RE01Rs and Z1 Direzza--Star Specs coming soon), and I have not tried any other except the Neova. I'm extremely satisfied with the Neovas' performance and don't see the need to switch tire brands to save a few dollars.

Until Yokohama replaces the Neovas with another model, the Neovas will be the tires that go on my M3 sedan period.

Thanks to this forum and Jim@TTR for recommending the Neovas!