Have to drive carefully in heavy rain with smooth throttle and steering inputs with semi-slicks. I was okay on the AR-1s in the heavy rain taking it cautiously (including slowing down considerably when see standing water up ahead) and they're a bit more track focussed (& expensive) than AD08Rs.
I had a few scary moments on AD08Rs on the DC2 a few years back, so know to drive within the limits of these tyres in heavy rain / standing water. Tom @ TGM was telling me that AD08Rs are a reference tyre they use in wet conditions on track!
Have done a few laps of Anglesey in the wet both on AR-1s and RS3s, unsurprisingly the RS3s were much more capable and confidence-inspiring, allowing me maintain higher cornering speeds and accelerate earlier out of corners. The RS3s aren't suited to dry track, even with the stiffer sidewalled XL version as the sidewalls are still too soft.
The aquaplaning speed does vary depending on tyre (see recent evo test as tyres are rated on what speed they can achieve etc) so on the RS3s you're much less likely to aquaplane than the on semi-slicks due to far superior water dispersion, especially if there's lots of tread depth. In my experience, can safely drive through shallow water run off at approx 20mph higher than could safely on a semi-slick, but obviously there are limits to all tyres depending on conditions etc, so echo @jamescree96's comment to be safe out there!
RS3s are ideal if you have a set of wheels/tyres for dry track as well. They're not as responsive when dry, but far superior in the wet to most other tyres. Mine are for sale! Keep your AD08Rs on your wheels ready for the track and use these for road and wet track :xhappy: (offers considered!)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Integra-DC5-Type-R-Oem-Wheels-Uniroyal-Rainsport-3-215-45-17-91Y-XL-6-7mm/254410280350
If you're sticking to a one-tyre solution, then a tyre such as those in the recent evo tyre test could be a good option, especially if you can find the Maxxis Victra Sport 5s that essentially were the cheapest and best! The Pirelli P Zero PZ4s officially won and beat the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (MPS4) that previously won and that many rate (I don't, but I did change to PS4s from R888Rs on a modified RS200 and on a 350Z the MPSS were much better)
MPSS (Super Sports) are only available from 18inch. Originally Michelin dominated this territory with the MPSS, these have now been replaced with MPS4S (4S , not the best differentiator, i.e. not the same as 4s being plural for PS4s!) Goodyear recently launched their own competitor Super Sports that sit above their F1 Asymmetric 5s and rival the MPS4S.
@SamDC5 rates the Michelin Cup 2s which are one step further to being semi-slicks than the MPS4S, but slightly better in the wet than a semi-slick and are fitted to several high performance cars from factory. They're very good value too and discount offers for Michelin tyres are sometimes available. I considered these before going for AR-1s but was put off by occasional stories of delamination and when I test drove a Megane Trophy in the wet a few years ago, the wheels span up very easily (wearing Cup 2s) so they're more of an all weather compromise. Reading your original post @loud945, these may be a step too far for your needs, being very close to AD08Rs.
