Tread splice info and the Nitto issue

[bigjae1976]

I called Nitto and they asked for my pics. I sent an email...waiting for a response.

[surlynkid]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I called Nitto and they asked for my pics. I sent an email...waiting for a response.

you should let them know they are losing sales because of this. i just picked up four RS3's rather than deal with this splice issue. i would have gotten nittos if there was not a major problem.

[SpiralOut]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

you should let them know they are losing sales because of this. i just picked up four RS3's rather than deal with this splice issue. i would have gotten nittos if there was not a major problem.

Same here, i previously went through 3 sets of NT01's and this time i switched to another tire because of this issue.

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

you should let them know they are losing sales because of this. i just picked up four RS3's rather than deal with this splice issue. i would have gotten nittos if there was not a major problem.

Me too. I was all set for moving up to NT01s this season, and just ordered a set of RS3's instead. I don't want to be worried about my tires or dreading jacking up the car to check!

[bigjae1976]

I've used both RS3s and NT01s...you'll be back on NT01s sooner or later. Trust me. The best part of getting NT01s is that soothing and relaxing cooing sound they make...why would you NOT want that!

Seriously, that's not true for me. I will stay with NT01s. While this splicing thing is an annoyance, it doesn't necessarily result in a useless, unsafe tire. RS3s won't last long on an E9X M3. IMO, RS3s don't like heavy cars. I used to get up to 12psi of pressure increase from a 20 min session. AND...they are about 4 seconds slower on a 2.4 mile course.

[Sleeper519]

I'm going to try the BFG R1s after I blow thru this current set of Nittos.

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

I'm going to try the BFG R1s after I blow thru this current set of Nittos.

Give a review when you do--I've been thinking about these for a while.

[arter]

I also have looked the the Hankook TD's which is aimed directly at the Nitto NT-01. A more serious RS3. Should have better traction, somewhat more expensive ( $340 vs $270 a tire), but not as long as a life.

I may drive like an old lady, but I can get 12 -14 days out of a set of NT-01's.

I will need replacement tires for my NT-01's somewhere mid summer....

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by arter

I may drive like an old lady, but I can get 12 -14 days out of a set of NT-01's.

Yeah, a supercharged old lady.

[surlynkid]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I've used both RS3s and NT01s...you'll be back on NT01s sooner or later. Trust me. The best part of getting NT01s is that soothing and relaxing cooing sound they make...why would you NOT want that!

Seriously, that's not true for me. I will stay with NT01s. While this splicing thing is an annoyance, it doesn't necessarily result in a useless, unsafe tire. RS3s won't last long on an E9X M3. IMO, RS3s don't like heavy cars. I used to get up to 12psi of pressure increase from a 20 min session. AND...they are about 4 seconds slower on a 2.4 mile course.

i will be back on R6's or Conti scrubs next set. i don't have a dual purpose set. it is all or nothing. PS2's for street and slicks for the track. I needed something to satisfy the drivers edge requirement temporarily, so i cannot run my R6's.

imo, i think the NT01 is unsafe at the moment. if it comes completely apart on the straight at TWS and you are on with the wall, were the 4 seconds worth it? i am out to have fun, not necessarily set records. nobody has had one completley come apart yet, but i do not want to be the guinea pig. my time is also more valuable than wasting it arguing with Nitto. i hope they figure this out as it is a nice tire.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

i will be back on R6's or Conti scrubs next set. i don't have a dual purpose set. it is all or nothing. PS2's for street and slicks for the track. I needed something to satisfy the drivers edge requirement temporarily, so i cannot run my R6's.

imo, i think the NT01 is unsafe at the moment. if it comes completely apart on the straight at TWS and you are on with the wall, were the 4 seconds worth it? i am out to have fun, not necessarily set records. nobody has had one completley come apart yet, but i do not want to be the guinea pig. my time is also more valuable than wasting it arguing with Nitto. i hope they figure this out as it is a nice tire.

I think that's quite a leap to claiming that an NT01 may suddenly come apart and that anyone running NT01s are doomed. And you are willing to run conti scrubs aka used tires??? There are distinct signs when the tire begins to degrade. Its up to the driver to be smart and come into the pits. If anyone claims that their tire suddenly came apart and hit the wall...I'd call that 110% BS. The car started performing differently LONG before it came to that. The driver chose to ignore it and keep their foot in it. Same goes for most other issues...the question is will the driver own up to their ignorance?

For example. A driver has their LTW5 wheel breaks apart at all 5 spokes...outer rim separates from the hub while on the front straight at TWS. Didn't crash. The driver did acknowledge that he noticed a vibration from the front. Kept driving. He acknowledged the mistake and learned something. He could have just blamed the wheel but there were indications that the wheel was beginning to fail. Not saying that he was about to buy another set either...

From my earlier pics...I knew something was wrong, the back end was sliding around so I came in. Behold...I was missing a chunk. I'll be the first one to admit, I won't be getting long life out of any tires. Let's say I enjoy being well above the sweet spot of about 6% slip in the tires. But I can sure tell the difference between me inducing a slide and when a tire starts to degrade.

For the general public...If you can't tell the difference, you shouldn't even think about R-comps or slicks.

[larryn]

You guys shouldn't stop buying these.. Somebody's got use up that August stock, so I can order a set.

[OC3]

^

[w00tw00t]

I spoke to Jim from performance tread yesterday and he's continuning to talk to Nitto about this issue. He is trying to get hold of an engineer on the Nitto side to discuss this issue with.

I will also call Nitto directly like others have so Nitto has this coming at them from multiple angles.

Jim said that this has nothing to do with the Toyo RR mounting pattern because he's sold hundreds of NT01 with no splicing issues and the problem just started.

I am also looking at alternate options such as the BFG R1 once these NT01 are done... Too bad because I really liked the NT01 for the one track-day I did with them. I hope Nitto acknowledges and fixes this issue soon.

He and I discussed the Hankook TD which he likes and recommends but unfortunately they are not available in 275/35/18 is my understanding...

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

I'm going to try the BFG R1s after I blow thru this current set of Nittos.

Over the past few years, I've used both NT-01s and the R1 on my M5. The R1 is a much more serious tire -- more grip, *much* less noise (i.e. you know how the NT-01 will start howling then yelling at you as you approach the top of the slip angle curve), and very controllable -- controllable to me that is. Some complain that the R1 has a peaked top of the curve, which it probably does, but the grip level is so high that is typical of a race tire. I still find it forgiving and easy to control since the feedback I get is so high from them. I love the tire.

BFG changed the compound on the R1 in 2010 I think, so I've not driven on the latest one, but I understand it's better than the original. Of course, if you're autocrossing or doing time trials, the BFG R1-S is available too, which on some cars performs better than the Hoosier A6 (and lasts MUCH longer). BFG has a contingency program this year with the SCCA, so expect to see lots of R1-S tires running in stock class. On my daughter's E46 that we co-drove at many autox events over the past 7 years, when it was in stock class we gave up on using the Hoosier since the "edge of death" would form after ~15 runs and then you'd need to flip them to get another 15 runs. If you didn't catch it quick, you'd have cords showing. Paying $275 each for that tire that wore so poorly was a joke. We switched to the R1 (they didn't have the R1-S then), and maybe gave up a couple of tenths or so on a 40 sec course, but we could run a set of R1s about 80-100 runs before flipping them for 80-100 more. I liked that tire much more than the A6, needless to say (and we weren't trying to be nationally competitive, just local club fun).

The problem for many with the R1 is that you really shouldn't drive the tire on the street, at least not for far. I've driven the NT-01 300 miles to an event, etc, and it is much more of a street tire than something like an R1 (even if it does howl like a truck tire).

I'd be interested to see the Rival go head-to-head with the NT-01. It wouldn't surprise me if the Rival is faster than the NT-01, and it will definitely wear longer. Having driven both tires, I much prefer the "behind-the-wheel" feel of the Rivals, can't say enough good things about them so far. I'll know more as the season progresses (and if we EVER get a warm dang event here in the South).

[bigjae1976]

I think the NT01 is the slowest R-Comp out there and also the fastest street tire. I guess you can throw in the Pilot Sport Cups but they are so damned expensive so I don't consider them. Faster than an RS3...slower than an R6 or similar R-comp with the 2 grooves. Don't judge the NT01 by the first impression. They keep getting stickier down to the threads...or splice in our cases. For those of us on a budget, the NT01 will last significantly longer than most other R-Comps since they don't seem to heat cycle out either.

The thing with Hoosiers is either you murder the outer edge. Or you spend $000's on getting your car modded and set up only to heat cycle them out relatively quickly. Not sure about the R1s...never tried them. I've also tried scrubs...crap. Yeah, you save on the tires. But you spend lots more on mounting, balancing, time going to and from the tire shop. Just way too much of a PIA.

From my understanding and experience, certain tires work better with heavier cars. E9Xs need those kind of tires. NT01s are one that do work well on the E9X. RS3s??? Don't think so. The old star specs were not that good either.

I guess there are some new offerings coming out so it should be interesting to hear some feedback on some new tires. Its been awhile since we've gotten something new and awesome, right?

[DallasBoosted]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I think the NT01 is the slowest R-Comp out there and also the fastest street tire. I guess you can throw in the Pilot Sport Cups but they are so damned expensive so I don't consider them. Faster than an RS3...slower than an R6 or similar R-comp with the 2 grooves. Don't judge the NT01 by the first impression. They keep getting stickier down to the threads...or splice in our cases. For those of us on a budget, the NT01 will last significantly longer than most other R-Comps since they don't seem to heat cycle out either.

The thing with Hoosiers is either you murder the outer edge. Or you spend $000's on getting your car modded and set up only to heat cycle them out relatively quickly. Not sure about the R1s...never tried them. I've also tried scrubs...crap. Yeah, you save on the tires. But you spend lots more on mounting, balancing, time going to and from the tire shop. Just way too much of a PIA.

From my understanding and experience, certain tires work better with heavier cars. E9Xs need those kind of tires. NT01s are one that do work well on the E9X. RS3s??? Don't think so. The old star specs were not that good either.

I guess there are some new offerings coming out so it should be interesting to hear some feedback on some new tires. Its been awhile since we've gotten something new and awesome, right?

What about the Hankook C51 slicks? Supposed to be a little off Hoosiers but last significantly longer. Are they a viable DE-tire alternative to NT01's, or too expensive for how long they last?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by DallasBoosted

What about the Hankook C51 slicks? Supposed to be a little off Hoosiers but last significantly longer. Are they a viable DE-tire alternative to NT01's, or too expensive for how long they last?

Not sure. Never used them.

[1MOREMOD]

has this happened with nt05s?

[bigjae1976]

Have not heard of an NT05 having this issue.

[w00tw00t]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Have not heard of an NT05 having this issue.

my first three track days this year were on NT05s and they are doing fine... its really just a street tire.. did one day with NT01 and it spliced... I am so mad at Nitto right now, as in I like the tire a lot but I really hope they can pull their quality control out of the toilet..

I will switch to R1 eventually but for now I'm trying to get a one replacement NT01 tire!

[LiM3y]

I am going to switch to the new BFGs when they become available.

They screwed up their marketing by releasing them too late in the season. A lot of potential (casual???) customers will have already bought their tires for the season