72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
79/100
7 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop Direzza DZ03 vs Dunlop Direzza ZIII — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
2 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop Direzza ZIII — better treadwear, comfort and wet. Pick the Dunlop Direzza DZ03 if dry and handling matter most to you.
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Direzza DZ03 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ03 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 85 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ03 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 66 | 75 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ03 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 47 | 60 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ03 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 90 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Direzza DZ03 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ03 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 85 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Direzza DZ03 | Dunlop Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 80 |
| Dry | 94 | 85 |
| Wet | 66 | 75 |
| Comfort | 47 | 60 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 90 |
| Handling | 89 | 85 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Direzza DZ03G is widely regarded as a high-performance competition tire that excels in dry track and tarmac rally environments. While it offers exceptional grip and lap time improvements over competitors, users note significant trade-offs in road noise and rapid tread wear, making it better suited for dedicated track use than daily driving.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and cornering confidence
- Significant lap time improvements compared to entry-level semi-slicks
- High durability and consistent performance under intense heat cycles
- Predictable handling characteristics on track
Cons
- Extremely high road noise, often compared to failing wheel bearings
- Rapid tread wear and short lifespan
- Poor performance in standing water with high risk of aquaplaning
- Not recommended for daily driving due to comfort and noise levels
Observations
- Users on lightweight platforms like the MR2 and MX-5 report excellent handling improvements, though rear tire wear is a common concern.
- High-horsepower AWD vehicles like the Mitsubishi EVO 9 benefit from the tire's grip but emphasize the extreme noise levels during road use.
- Users noted that the tire's performance remains consistent even when pushed to the limit in competitive tarmac rally settings.
The Dunlop Direzza ZIII is widely regarded as a reliable, predictable 200tw tire that excels in consistency and ease of use rather than outright competitive speed. It serves as a versatile option for drivers who prioritize longevity and manageable handling characteristics over peak performance in specialized environments like autocross.
Pros
- High level of predictability and ease of handling
- Consistent performance during extended track sessions
- Good durability and tread life for a 200tw tire
- Reliable wet and dry grip characteristics
Cons
- Lacks the peak grip required for top-tier competitive autocross
- Tendency to 'grease up' or lose optimal grip after prolonged hard driving
- Not the fastest option in its category for pure lap times
Observations
- Proven durability in endurance racing environments, specifically noted on heavier platforms like the Lexus LS400.
- Performance remains consistent across varied track conditions, making it a suitable 'baseline' tire for endurance racing teams.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Direzza DZ03 | B · Dunlop Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Trackday and Competition tires | Summer Extreme Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Dunlop
80
/ 100
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop Direzza ZIII — better treadwear, comfort and wet. Pick the Dunlop Direzza DZ03 if dry and handling matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 90 vs 71 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 60 vs 47 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Dunlop Direzza DZ03 scores 94 vs 85 on dry.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 75 vs 66 on wet.
Tire A · Dunlop Direzza DZ03
Tire B · Dunlop Direzza ZIII
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Direzza DZ03 also compared with
Dunlop Direzza ZIII also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.