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Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 vs Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ — 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.
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7 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
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport LM 705 | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 80 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport LM 705 | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 62 | 69 |
Snow
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport LM 705 | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 62 |
Noise
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport LM 705 | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 81 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport LM 705 | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 | Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 71 |
| Dry | 83 | 77 |
| Wet | 67 | 67 |
| Snow | – | 90 |
| Comfort | 88 | 59 |
| Noise | – | 90 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 74 |
| Handling | 74 | 78 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 is widely regarded as a dedicated touring tire that excels in ride comfort, noise reduction, and value. While it receives high praise for its ability to absorb road imperfections and provide a quiet cabin, users frequently note that its soft sidewall construction results in compromised handling precision and significant limitations in wet-weather traction.
Pros
- Exceptional ride comfort and vibration absorption
- Very low road noise levels
- High value-for-money proposition
- Good dry-weather handling for daily commuting
Cons
- Poor wet-weather grip and high risk of hydroplaning
- Soft sidewalls lead to 'mushy' steering response
- Inconsistent tread life reports
- Not suitable for high-performance or spirited driving
Observations
- Users with high-horsepower vehicles (e.g., C63s AMG) report that the tire is incapable of handling high torque, leading to significant traction loss.
- Owners of luxury sedans and daily commuters appreciate the comfort benefits, whereas performance-oriented drivers find the soft sidewalls detrimental to cornering stability.
- The tire is frequently noted as an effective, budget-friendly alternative to premium OEM tires for standard passenger vehicles.
The Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ receives a polarized reception, often serving as a divisive Original Equipment (OE) choice for premium vehicles. While many users praise its dry-weather handling and value-for-money proposition, a significant portion of owners report severe dissatisfaction regarding cabin noise, ride harshness, and unpredictable wet-weather performance.
Pros
- Strong dry-weather grip and cornering stability
- Competitive pricing compared to premium European rivals
- Good tread longevity for a performance-oriented tire
- Responsive steering feedback
Cons
- High levels of road and cabin noise
- Harsh ride quality and lack of comfort
- Poor wet-weather traction and susceptibility to hydroplaning
- Inconsistent performance on uneven road surfaces
Observations
- Owners of Lexus and Infiniti models frequently cite this tire as a major detractor from the vehicle's intended luxury and comfort experience.
- Users transitioning from Run-Flat tires to the 050+ often report an improvement in ride comfort, whereas those moving from premium touring tires report a significant increase in noise.
- Performance-oriented drivers on high-power sedans generally report higher satisfaction with grip levels than those using the tire for daily commuting on standard passenger vehicles.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 | B · Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | — | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 6 | — |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 19″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 — better comfort, dry and treadwear. Pick the Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ if handling matters most to you.
Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 scores 88 vs 59 on comfort.
Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 scores 83 vs 77 on dry.
Dunlop SP Sport LM 705 scores 80 vs 74 on treadwear.
Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ scores 78 vs 74 on handling.
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.