Best Street and Track Tire ZCP Wheels

[Longboarder]

Well she showed up today and I couldn't be happier. Drives better than I remembered. Car will stay stock-ish for a while until the warranty expires but I would like to get better tires on her asap.

Thinking of upsizing to 255 35 19 F and 275 35 19 R. Looks like I can get Sport Cup 2's in that size. Any other recommendations? I enjoyed the NT05's although those were only 245 fronts. RE71R's were good as well but a lot of road noise. I might hit the track while it's in this stockish form but mostly street driving. Thx.

[elim11]

I would try hankook rs4, streetable track tire. An alternative to RE71 is a fast track tire.

[///Mobbin]

I run a 255/275 on my ZCP wheels and it works well. For mostly street driving I would suggest the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tire. Rave reviews from a number of folks. I run Cup 2's as my track set and they are more rigid and less comfortable than a more street oriented tire would be. The PS4S will also have better wet traction if that matters. Cup 2's also require more negative camber at the track to not wear out the front outer shoulders too quickly whereas a street oriented tire typically wears better with less negative camber.

I ran NT-05's as my track set once and wouldn't do it again, they were slower and looking back at track videos with overlays the sustained lateral G's in corners were a tick lower than the more popular track tires: Re-71r's, Cup 2's, NT-01's, etc.

Most of those will get you sustained lateral G's around the 1.2 G mark, the NT-05's seemed closer to 1-1.1 G's. For reference a good slick can achieve 1.4-1.6 G's and that will absolutely translate into lower laptimes.

My current street set in 255/275 is Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Positions, but I only got them b/c they were fairly cheap. They are heavy and comfortable and generally fine for the street. I haven't tracked with them yet though I intend to use them as a rainy day tire once I move to slicks. I'd probably get the PS4S just to try it out if I were in the market right now.

[redpriest]

Second Hankook RS4. Daily'd on them on my M4 for a while because I was too lazy to swap. Felt fine for street driving.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by redpriest

Second Hankook RS4. Daily'd on them on my M4 for a while because I was too lazy to swap. Felt fine for street driving.

Thx. Is the RS4 the successor to the RS3? I did have a small complaint about the RS3 on my previous M3 but might not be applicable (straight line traction related).

[kyippee]

+1 on 255/275 being good on OEM ZCP wheels. No rub, no fuss.

PSS or PS4S for mostly street driving and some track.

Or heck, even Bridgestone S-04 / Conti ECS for that use as well. Can save some dollars there

[Chuck's M3]

I went with Yokohama AD08R 255/35/19 and 275/35/19. A bit more side wall than the Michelins and clears just fine. Not very good in the wet but i wouldnt mind these again cause i felt like they performed wonderful.

Speaking of which... Is this common for these tires? Hardly ever see any data about this kind of stuff.

[Redd]

+1 on AD08R. I daily drive it and it's also occasionally tracked. What I like about AD08R is:

1. Good to the last drop. No drastic grip drop-off even down to the wear markers.

2. Handles heat very very well. I run 32 psi hot for track and it's perfect wear and doesn't get too greasy even in later sessions.

3. Lasts very very long. Rears lasted me one year 17k kms with perfect wear, done 3 trackdays in that time. Fronts 50% wear in the same period.

4. Flippable left to right to maintain good wear patterns.

5. Decent - not great - in wet and predictable. Hydroplanes straight.

[Dreamer99]

I have the 255/275 AD08R's on my ZCP wheels as well. They are great at the track but definitely noisier than the Michelins and have a firmer ride.

Below is a picture of the tread after a track day. Is this "melted" look normal?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Chuck's M3

Attachment 1781054
I went with Yokohama AD08R 255/35/19 and 275/35/19. A bit more side wall than the Michelins and clears just fine. Not very good in the wet but i wouldnt mind these again cause i felt like they performed wonderful.

Speaking of which... Is this common for these tires? Hardly ever see any data about this kind of stuff.

You just have a bunch of clag (other tires' rubber chunks) stuck to them. That happens and they usually get flung off or melt into the existing tire, lol. Sometimes if you get a particularly big piece, especially stuck inside the barrel of the wheel, it can cause a slight vibration.

I make it a point to scrape as much of it off as I can, especially pieces on the wheels.

It's happened to me on my M3 and my Corvette. Once, on the Corvette, I had so much clag in one of the wheels I thought I had bent it on the apex curbing. Turned out to just be some huge chunks that somehow got wrapped around the spokes.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Dreamer99

I have the 255/275 AD08R's on my ZCP wheels as well. They are great at the track but definitely noisier than the Michelins and have a firmer ride.

Below is a picture of the tread after a track day. Is this "melted" look normal?

Mine never did that. Did you try and break them in a bit/heat cycle them prior to the first track day?

I will agree that they are noisier and way firmer than the PSS ever were, but they're an excellent dual-use tire. If they were available in my new car's sizes, I'd use them in a heartbeat.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Redd

+1 on AD08R. I daily drive it and it's also occasionally tracked. What I like about AD08R is:

1. Good to the last drop. No drastic grip drop-off even down to the wear markers.

2. Handles heat very very well. I run 32 psi hot for track and it's perfect wear and doesn't get too greasy even in later sessions.

3. Lasts very very long. Rears lasted me one year 17k kms with perfect wear, done 3 trackdays in that time. Fronts 50% wear in the same period.

4. Flippable left to right to maintain good wear patterns.

5. Decent - not great - in wet and predictable. Hydroplanes straight.

Agreed on all points. If you can deal with the firm ride and treadnoise, they're an outstanding tire.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Well she showed up today and I couldn't be happier. Drives better than I remembered. Car will stay stock-ish for a while until the warranty expires but I would like to get better tires on her asap.

Thinking of upsizing to 255 35 19 F and 275 35 19 R. Looks like I can get Sport Cup 2's in that size. Any other recommendations? I enjoyed the NT05's although those were only 245 fronts. RE71R's were good as well but a lot of road noise. I might hit the track while it's in this stockish form but mostly street driving. Thx.

I'd look at the AD08R if you're okay with a slightly firmer ride and a little bit more tread noise. They also tend to run wide for their size -- I had 255/275 and they actually have a squared-off sidewall that gives you the width of 265/285.

I have the Sport Cup 2s on my Corvette and they're an awesome tire that never complain about track use, but you do not want to drive these if there's any rain. The tread depth is also fairly low compared to an aggressive street tire like the AD08R, so you'll basically turn them into slicks much more quickly. Something else to consider is that they need to be warmed up to work. The first lap or two can be a bit hairy if you're not careful.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by Chuck's M3

Attachment 1781054
I went with Yokohama AD08R 255/35/19 and 275/35/19. A bit more side wall than the Michelins and clears just fine. Not very good in the wet but i wouldnt mind these again cause i felt like they performed wonderful.

Speaking of which... Is this common for these tires? Hardly ever see any data about this kind of stuff.
Attachment 1781062

Nice pic. Stock suspension?

[Longboarder]

Bumping my own thread lol as looks like the Sport Cup 2's are significantly lighter than the AD08R's.

Michelins are 23 pounds 255/35/19 and 24 pounds 275/35/19. ADO8Rs are 28 pounds front and rear and looks like rear only comes in 275 30 not 35. Just something to think about with stock engine power and wanting to keep in mind unsprung weight.

I have Cup2's on another car and couldn't be happier with them in all conditions - street, track and even one "session" in torrential cold rain over a mountain pass. So far Cup2's are at the top of my short list but still considering others.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Bumping my own thread lol as looks like the Sport Cup 2's are significantly lighter than the AD08R's.

Michelins are 23 pounds 255/35/19 and 24 pounds 275/35/19. ADO8Rs are 28 pounds front and rear and looks like rear only comes in 275 30 not 35. Just something to think about with stock engine power and wanting to keep in mind unsprung weight.

I have Cup2's on another car and couldn't be happier with them in all conditions - street, track and even one "session" in torrential cold rain over a mountain pass. So far Cup2's are at the top of my short list but still considering others.

Okay, knowing that you've run Cup 2's before and are okay with them then that may be a good option for you. Despite the stiff sidewalls if you are still on the OE suspension the ride will still be pretty good on the street. Also, if you have experienced Cup 2's on track, most of the other options discussed will be a disappointment. RE-71r's would be as grippy on track, but Cup 2 is probably better on the street. If you do a "pins pulled" alignment you can get about -1.5 camber up front, then you could go zero toe as well to help with wear, on track though you might still destroy those outer edges faster than you'd like. Can always try it and see.

[///Mobbin]

FWIW I have not tried RS4's or AD08-r's but would consider those as well. I also had a less than stellar experience with the RS-3's and haven't tried the RS-4's yet for that reason.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by dparm

I have the Sport Cup 2s on my Corvette and they're an awesome tire that never complain about track use, but you do not want to drive these if there's any rain. The tread depth is also fairly low compared to an aggressive street tire like the AD08R, so you'll basically turn them into slicks much more quickly. Something else to consider is that they need to be warmed up to work. The first lap or two can be a bit hairy if you're not careful.

I definitely concur on the warm-up advice. With traction control off you need to be vigilant on your warm-up lap or you may spin, with it on, probably doesn't matter as much.

Then I did drive my Cup 2's in the wet recently, both highway (torrential downpour) and on track and they were better than I expected, ymmv.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

I definitely concur on the warm-up advice. With traction control off you need to be vigilant on your warm-up lap or you may spin, with it on, probably doesn't matter as much.

Then I did drive my Cup 2's in the wet recently, both highway (torrential downpour) and on track and they were better than I expected, ymmv.

Yeah, part of it could be the enormous width of mine (285/335) plus the fact the car is actually lighter than an M3.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Bumping my own thread lol as looks like the Sport Cup 2's are significantly lighter than the AD08R's.

Michelins are 23 pounds 255/35/19 and 24 pounds 275/35/19. ADO8Rs are 28 pounds front and rear and looks like rear only comes in 275 30 not 35. Just something to think about with stock engine power and wanting to keep in mind unsprung weight.

I have Cup2's on another car and couldn't be happier with them in all conditions - street, track and even one "session" in torrential cold rain over a mountain pass. So far Cup2's are at the top of my short list but still considering others.

I definitely had 275/35R19 AD08Rs on my sedan...maybe that size has been discontinued?

I suspect part of the reason they're heavier is due to the more squared off sidewalls and extra width. There's literally more rubber.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Okay, knowing that you've run Cup 2's before and are okay with them then that may be a good option for you. Despite the stiff sidewalls if you are still on the OE suspension the ride will still be pretty good on the street. Also, if you have experienced Cup 2's on track, most of the other options discussed will be a disappointment. RE-71r's would be as grippy on track, but Cup 2 is probably better on the street. If you do a "pins pulled" alignment you can get about -1.5 camber up front, then you could go zero toe as well to help with wear, on track though you might still destroy those outer edges faster than you'd like. Can always try it and see.

I just ordered the Cup2's at $1,550 mounted and balanced. Would hate to ruin them as -1.5 may not be enough so I will get plates and run -2.5 to -3 at the track then back to stockish camber for street.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by dparm

I definitely had 275/35R19 AD08Rs on my sedan...maybe that size has been discontinued?

I suspect part of the reason they're heavier is due to the more squared off sidewalls and extra width. There's literally more rubber.

Yeah 275 35 19 not avail on Tire Rack and my shop can't find them either.