Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[sawzall]

After bubbling by PS2, I was on the hunt for a more track oriented tire setup. I wanted a set of tires that I could drive to and on the track when it isn't raining. After reading a bunch of posts and seeing a lot of M3 folks in Toronto running NT05 (and the fact that its over $500 cheaper than a set of PSC) I chose to try them out.

I chose a 265/35 285/35 setup for my 18" wheels - choosing to go with a stagger to keep some understeer (i'm not confident enough yet in the car to go square). I immediately noticed that they were only slightly more noisy than the PS2 on the highway, and the stiffer sidewalls makes the ride a little bit harsher.

I went out to Mosport DDT today, the weather was absolutely perfect, a sunny 24C. The only problem I ran into during the day was initial slickness of the tire. I started the day running 33psi in the front and 34psi in the rear, hoping to get to 40psi all around. After the first session, I was right there, but the first few sessions were a nightmare. I found the tires to be pretty greasy almost immediately. But this was most likely because I had less than 300KM on the tires to that point. I believe that these tires need a work in period before taking them out to the track.

The third session turned out to be a revelation. The initial slickness just turned into grip. The firmer sidewalls gave me more confidence, and I found steering (especially turn in) to be a fair bit more precise. I was easily doing the first section of the track far faster than before (before I would brake at turns 9 and 10 whereas now I accelerated through 9 and lifted at 10). I also turned off DSC for the last half of my fourth session, and found the tires to be very predictable. Grip breaks very progressively in the rear, at no time did I feel the car waiting to snap. I did a 30 minute session at the end of the day, and the tires showed no signs of tiring.

If you're looking for a set of good track tires, definitely consider the NT05. They've got great grip and are really well priced.

[roy@acuteperformance]

Glad you like the tires! I've had two sets myself, I'm probably gonna be running them after my RS3s run out since they're priced so well

I don't think you can go wrong with AD08s, RS3s, NT05s, or Star Specs if you track occasionally

[Eugene-TAIWAN]

I'm running NT-05 as well.

I like it a lot but my favorite is still RE-11

[STALKER]

NT05 work well on track for my use aswell. Got over 12 events out of my current set. I can't stand then for daily use though. Find them to harsh and very noisy, especially once they wear a bit.

[dawgdog]

I have a set and mainly use them on the street. I prefer NT01s for the track.

[w00tw00t]

after my star specs wear out i plan to get these for the street and nt01s for the track like dawgdog..

[Gearhead999s]

I am on my 3rd set of NT05's and as a lapping tire they are great.They need a few heat cycles in order to get grip and will work much better as the tread wears down.I have gotten 12-13 full days out of my previous sets which is great for me as I am quite well known to not be very friendly to my tires
I would not use them as DD tire because they are quite noisy and very poor ride quality on our roads.Also they do not have very good wet performance so I save my PS2's for wet track duty.Overall a great economical track day tire!

[dizzyj]

Originally Posted by shizzle

After bubbling by PS2, I was on the hunt for a more track oriented tire setup. I wanted a set of tires that I could drive to and on the track when it isn't raining. After reading a bunch of posts and seeing a lot of M3 folks in Toronto running NT05 (and the fact that its over $500 cheaper than a set of PSC) I chose to try them out.

I chose a 265/35 285/35 setup for my 18" wheels - choosing to go with a stagger to keep some understeer (i'm not confident enough yet in the car to go square). I immediately noticed that they were only slightly more noisy than the PS2 on the highway, and the stiffer sidewalls makes the ride a little bit harsher.

I went out to Mosport DDT today, the weather was absolutely perfect, a sunny 24C. The only problem I ran into during the day was initial slickness of the tire. I started the day running 33psi in the front and 34psi in the rear, hoping to get to 40psi all around. After the first session, I was right there, but the first few sessions were a nightmare. I found the tires to be pretty greasy almost immediately. But this was most likely because I had less than 300KM on the tires to that point. I believe that these tires need a work in period before taking them out to the track.

The third session turned out to be a revelation. The initial slickness just turned into grip. The firmer sidewalls gave me more confidence, and I found steering (especially turn in) to be a fair bit more precise. I was easily doing the first section of the track far faster than before (before I would brake at turns 9 and 10 whereas now I accelerated through 9 and lifted at 10). I also turned off DSC for the last half of my fourth session, and found the tires to be very predictable. Grip breaks very progressively in the rear, at no time did I feel the car waiting to snap. I did a 30 minute session at the end of the day, and the tires showed no signs of tiring.

If you're looking for a set of good track tires, definitely consider the NT05. They've got great grip and are really well priced.

bump for an old thread. Im thinking about going this route. did you do this with the stock 18's and no fitment issues?

Thanks
dj

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by dizzyj

bump for an old thread. Im thinking about going this route. did you do this with the stock 18's and no fitment issues?

Thanks
dj

No, I ran a 265/35 285/35 setup on a set of TE37SL 9.5" fronts and 10.5" rears. Not sure if there is a 245/40 265/40 setup for the NT05, but those sizes would work fine with the stock 18s.

[IMG]

Thx for the review !

[lm1z]

Love my NT05's on the street! Tread holds up very well. I drive pretty aggressively. I've had them on for 7k+ miles and I have at least 50% in rear and 70% up front. Running 265/35/18 and 295/35/18.

[dizzyj]

Originally Posted by lm1z

Love my NT05's on the street! Tread holds up very well. I drive pretty aggressively. I've had them on for 7k+ miles and I have at least 50% in rear and 70% up front. Running 265/35/18 and 295/35/18.

What wheels you do use?

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by dizzyj

What wheels you do use?

CCW Classics!

[Dave07997S]

It seems like all Nittos are like this when new. I absolutely hated my Invos when I first got em...600miles later they came into their own and I actually like them quite a bit.

On my SVT Mustang I ran the 555s when they first came out...same thing. It was all squirrely until quite a few heat cycles then they seemed to really get better.

I wish they made the NT05s in 19" sizes that we can use.

Dave

[dizzyj]

arg. im just not finding much that will fit the factory 18's. guess ill just stick to ps2's

[Chill72]

Just picked up a set of 265/35/18 front and 295/35/18 rear mounted on te37s. I don't have them mounted yet but once I do I'll post a quick review.

[iron_man]

Strong bump

[STi_traitor]

Anymore reviews on these around here?

[Transfer]

I started with NT05s on a modified WRX and now I use them as track tires on my M3 (square 275s). For the street they are relatively quiet and comfortable but have stiffer sidewalls and therefore more rigidity in bumps than PSS. They do get louder after you do a track day on them or toward the last 1/3rd of their life. Grip is excellent in dry and they will hold a line slightly better than PSS but steering feel is much better than PSS. They feel like you're guiding lasers. They dont do that well in the wet, but they're at least acceptable. I like them, especially for the price and unless I go to R-comps some day, I'll stick with them. I am interested to try RS3 and RE11 though.

[1MOREMOD]

never tried the nt05s. interested in how they fair against re-11, ad08 and pss. guess i would only need them as a wet tire and street.

[STi_traitor]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I started with NT05s on a modified WRX and now I use them as track tires on my M3 (square 275s). For the street they are relatively quiet and comfortable but have stiffer sidewalls and therefore more rigidity in bumps than PSS. They do get louder after you do a track day on them or toward the last 1/3rd of their life. Grip is excellent in dry and they will hold a line slightly better than PSS but steering feel is much better than PSS. They feel like you're guiding lasers. They dont do that well in the wet, but they're at least acceptable. I like them, especially for the price and unless I go to R-comps some day, I'll stick with them. I am interested to try RS3 and RE11 though.

Thanks! My STi had Star Specs on it at one point and those felt amazing compared to the previous tires. I would like to try the Star Specs on my M but I think I will be trying these or the RE-11's. The price for these NT05's is great so I am really leaning towards them. How long did the NT05's last you before having to change them out?

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

never tried the nt05s. interested in how they fair against re-11, ad08 and pss. guess i would only need them as a wet tire and street.

I am stuck between the NT05's or RE-11's. The PSS may be too bubbly for this setup I am about to give you and the sidewall is weak to me, great traction but I want something else. What is your opinion on this tire setup.....

265/35/17 Front

295/30/17 Rear

I was told this is a good setup by a friend that runs fairly good times on the Nurburgring (Low 7's). He also states a good deal of the motorsports teams around the Nurburgring run this setup. I take his advice serious but I like to hear other opinions as well. He was stating that the offset of 30 in the rear helps to mimic the OEM size. What is your opinion? You seem to be one of the dedicated track guys on here.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by STi_traitor

I am stuck between the NT05's or RE-11's. The PSS may be too bubbly for this setup I am about to give you and the sidewall is weak to me, great traction but I want something else. What is your opinion on this tire setup.....

265/35/17 Front

295/30/17 Rear

I was told this is a good setup by a friend that runs fairly good times on the Nurburgring (Low 7's). He also states a good deal of the motorsports teams around the Nurburgring run this setup. I take his advice serious but I like to hear other opinions as well. He was stating that the offset of 30 in the rear helps to mimic the OEM size. What is your opinion? You seem to be one of the dedicated track guys on here.

that i am. i dont have experience with re-11s or the nt05s but have used pss, ps2 and ad08s as street tire and some on the track. primary tire is nt01 for me these days. there is a price advantage to going with 17 inch set up. bigjae is running them on his track e46. price difference is about 200 bucks per set of tires. is this for a track set up? i like to run square sets for the track and have done so since just after i started. my ad08s and nt01s are square but had ps2 that werent. goal was to dial out some of the cars natural understeer. even square still more under than oversteer. also have to consider what 17s will fit your brakes. apex ec-7 arc-8 are the only ones i know that fit a 355 front bbk. dont think you can go wrong with either tire and they will have a better sidewall than the pss but still hard to keep from getting well over on the shoulder without a decent amount of camber. even at -2.5 i was wearing them too fat over on edge.