Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 Plus Review — Premium Maxx Performance for NZ Sports Cars
Overall Rating: 8.9 / 10
Category: Ultra High Performance Summer
Price in NZ: From $426 per tyre
Best for: BMW 3 Series, Audi A4/S4, Mercedes C-Class, Volkswagen Golf R — premium performance cars
Quick Verdict
The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 Plus steps between the accessible 060 Plus and the flagship RT 2 in the SP Sport Maxx hierarchy. At $426, it is positioned as the primary Dunlop UHP choice for owners of premium performance sedans — delivering the full SP Sport Maxx compound performance in the most common sizes for BMW, Audi, and Mercedes models. The 050 Plus uses Dunlop’s multi-cell compound technology, delivering strong wet braking and sharp dry handling that reflects the Maxx family’s sporting heritage.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance Summer |
| EU Label — Wet Grip | A (highest) |
| EU Label — Fuel Efficiency | C |
| Speed Ratings | Y (300 km/h) |
| Available Rim Sizes | 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ |
| NZ Price Range | $426 – $620 (varies by size) |
| Key Technology | Multi-cell compound, asymmetric tread |
Performance Profile
Wet safety: EU Label A — Dunlop’s multi-cell compound creates microscopic suction cups in the rubber that actively draw water away from the contact patch. In wet braking tests, the 050 Plus consistently achieves top-3 rankings in its category.
Dry performance: The asymmetric tread design provides a large outer shoulder block for cornering grip and wide inner grooves for water evacuation — the defining characteristic of the SP Sport Maxx family across all generations.
Tread life: Good — better than typical UHP compounds, consistent with Dunlop’s Japanese engineering approach to compound longevity.
Maxx 050 Plus vs RT 2 — Which Dunlop UHP?
At $426 vs $598, the 050 Plus delivers approximately 80% of the RT 2’s performance for 71% of the cost:
| Feature | 050 Plus | RT 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Wet grip | EU Label A | EU Label A |
| Dry handling | Very Good | Excellent |
| Price | $426+ | $598+ |
| OEM pedigree | Strong | Premium (BMW M, Mercedes AMG) |
For everyday performance drivers: 050 Plus is the value choice.
For the ultimate Dunlop UHP: RT 2 is the answer.
NZ Road Conditions Assessment
Auckland: Excellent — BMW 3 Series, Audi A4/S4, and Mercedes C 300 owners will find the 050 Plus delivers strong wet confidence on Auckland’s rain-soaked motorways and precise dry handling on the city’s more engaging roads.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- EU Label A wet grip — multi-cell compound delivers strong wet braking
- More accessible than RT 2 ($426 vs $598)
- Full Maxx family compound technology
- Sharp dry handling for everyday performance driving
Cons
- Below RT 2 in outright performance — the RT 2 is the Dunlop UHP benchmark
- EU Label C fuel efficiency — higher rolling resistance
Sources
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 Plus — dunlop.eu — accessed 2026-06-01
- Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/dunlop/ — accessed 2026-06-01
Related Pages
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT 2 — the performance flagship
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 Plus — budget step down
- Dunlop Tyres NZ — brand overview