"ray" > wrote in message
...
> Actually, higher speed rated tires are usually HARDER to withstand the
> heat generated by sustained high speeds. Race tires are a totally
> different breed... my drag radials aren't speed rated at all and have a
> treadwear rating of ZERO and they're technially street legal... but I
> don't bother because they're so "squishy" I don't feel comfortable driving
> the car on the street... but they have a ton more grip once heated up
> versus any regular street tire.
>
> Oh, but the hi-perf tires have short tread blocks for less squirm, so they
> still don't last 40,000 miles ... mine only made it 20,000 miles...
>
> All of which means you can't answer the OP in absolutes. Tires are an
> absolute bear to comparison shop... because it's all about the tradeoff...
> dry traction, wet traction, tread life, even noise and ease of balancing
> from brand to brand....
>
> All I'll say is this: I've decided that BF Goodrich tires for me are the
> way to go for my good cars. It's worth the extra $20 per tire.
>
> Ray

I believe that it is the sidewalls and belts under the tread that are
harder, not necessarily the tread itself. V and Z rated tires usually don't
last as long as S or T rated tires, because it is the tread that wears.