track tire report - WOW! impressed with the BFG R1 tires at the track

sayemthree · 07-21-2008, 02:05 PM

WOW! impressed with the BFG R1 tires at the track

I have 265's all the way around on 18x9 rims. I drove up to Buttonwillow on the tires. first off they are loud, bumpy, and make the car twitchy and very nervous on the street. EDC on comfort …for sure.

but on the track these tires come alive and all that goes away. they are precise. they are confidence inspiring. they are awesome. they stick really well. they don’t overheat. they are very consistent and they wear very evenly. It was VERY hot there -about 105 degrees. pavement temps were literally scorching. but tire temps were in the 165 range (160 to 200 recommended) and very consistent across the tire within 10 degrees (25 recommended). Due to the heat I was fighting to keep tire pressures at or below 48 psi (recommended 34 to 48). I ended up running 47f/48r hot.

big thumbs up to BFG (owned by Michelin) and Tire Rack.

**ben@tirerack** · 07-21-2008, 04:42 PM

Very nice! I am glad to hear that they are working out so well. The R1 is definitely a beast on the track, although as you mentioned, they are not much good on the street, and really are intended to be put on at the track. (Obviously you did ok driving to the track, just don't get caught in the rain, and stay away from potholes.

)

JEllis · 07-21-2008, 05:38 PM

Glad to hear your setup is working out for you... they looked mean

sayemthree · 07-21-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

Very nice! I am glad to hear that they are working out so well. The R1 is definitely a beast on the track, although as you mentioned, they are not much good on the street, and really are intended to be put on at the track. (Obviously you did ok driving to the track, just don't get caught in the rain, and stay away from potholes.

)

yes - I am more worried about potholes than rain tho.

skierman64 · 07-21-2008, 11:52 PM

I can't wait to try them out myself. What wheels are you running on the track?

sg335 · 07-22-2008, 12:55 AM

Post a pic of the front tires so we can see wear patterns. What front camber do you have? What cold pressures did you start out with? Did you try 40 hot?

sayemthree · 07-22-2008, 03:08 PM

no pics of wear yet - had four hard sessions on them and the wear is visually non-existant. they just look nicely scrubbed in.

the wheels are the tire rack TRmotorsports 9x18. love them - really light too. 5mm spacer in back just to get the track a bit wider.

since it was soooo hot I was bleeding of air after every seesion to keep below 48 as this is the max recommended by BFG. if the weather was cooler I would have tried closer to low 40's. however tire temps were good and consistant across the tire. the tires did not feel greasy. when I left the track I had 47/48 hot. the next morning while cool they were at 30. 18 psi drop!!!

camber/suspension is stock

pics as new

BFG
info:

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires...ce_R1_care.pdf

sg335 · 07-23-2008, 01:08 AM

Great!

I have bled down the air at the track to around 40 on hot days and have ended up the next morning at 24-28 cold! Similar results as you. I now start at 30 cold to start.

SS32 · 07-23-2008, 08:11 AM

So I'm guessing the square setup worked out? I know E46s favored a square setup, and was interested to see how the E9xs like it.

Gearhead999s · 07-23-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

So I'm guessing the square setup worked out? I know E46s favored a square setup, and was interested to see how the E9xs like it.

I do not know how he would be able to know the handling balance as he was running with the MDM on.The MDM will reign the car in long before any real slip angles will happen.

sayemthree · 07-23-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

So I'm guessing the square setup worked out? I know E46s favored a square setup, and was interested to see how the E9xs like it.

seemed to work just fine. braking was great, turn in was sharp, I was patient with the throttle upon exit - I only got a lot of MDM intervention in a couple places, mostly very quick right/left uphill.

next track day I will turn MDM off.

lucid · 07-23-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayemthree

no pics of wear yet - had four hard sessions on them and the wear is visually non-existant. they just look nicely scrubbed in.

I recommend not pushing the PS2s on the track. Mine are pretty abused after 3 days on a tight track which requires heavy breaking, and the fronts are worn somewhat evenly in the middle. Also, the car's pulling to the left just slightly, and I am betting that there is nothing wrong with the alignment. Had my service guy check it out, he also thinks it's tire wear related. I'm thinking about a track setup as well...

sayemthree · 07-23-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

I recommend not pushing the PS2s on the track. Mine are pretty abused after 3 days on a tight track which requires heavy breaking, and the fronts are worn somewhat evenly in the middle. Also, the car's pulling to the left just slightly, and I am betting that there is nothing wrong with the alignment. Had my service guy check it out, he also thinks it's tire wear related. I'm thinking about a track setup as well...

exactly one of the reasons I got track tires. the track tires handle the heat better - street tires overheat, chunk and wear out faster on the track. and they aint cheap.

hakaida442 · 07-25-2008, 05:42 AM

how did the brakes hold up?

argonboy · 07-25-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

I recommend not pushing the PS2s on the track. Mine are pretty abused after 3 days on a tight track which requires heavy breaking, and the fronts are worn somewhat evenly in the middle. Also, the car's pulling to the left just slightly, and I am betting that there is nothing wrong with the alignment. Had my service guy check it out, he also thinks it's tire wear related. I'm thinking about a track setup as well...

I agree with being careful with the PS2s on the track. If they're almost new they have great grip. I just drove on the Salzburgring for M Intensive Training and the instructors told us the tires get replaced every 3 to 4 days of track use.

The cars are on stock 18s with PS2s. They also admitted that they don't use stock pads, although in September they said stock pads; their track pads are RIDICULOUSLY noisy.

Side note: The PS2s have great feedback from the road when you come in hard in a corner, so you can avoid understeer easily even if push too hard.

sayemthree · 07-26-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hakaida442

how did the brakes hold up?

no problems at all. even tho it was hot BW is not too hard on brakes. Cal SPeedway in Sept will be the real test. it has two hard braking zones from over ~140 mph in a row. hopefully the weather will be cooler

SS32 · 07-26-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayemthree

no problems at all. even tho it was hot BW is not too hard on brakes. Cal SPeedway in Sept will be the real test. it has two hard braking zones from over ~140 mph in a row. hopefully the weather will be cooler

VIR has two braking zones from ~140 too. The brakes held up fine for me.

sayemthree · 07-26-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

VIR has two braking zones from ~140 too. The brakes held up fine for me.

good to know.

Laguna Seca is hard on brakes too. but its not currently on my schedule. maybe next year.

icemang17 · 07-27-2008, 02:12 PM

I took my wheels off the other day to clean them....I was surprised at how small the actual brake pad is......in terms of surface area..... Smaller than I would have thought for a 14" brake......

sayemthree · 07-28-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icemang17

I took my wheels off the other day to clean them....I was surprised at how small the actual brake pad is......in terms of surface area..... Smaller than I would have thought for a 14" brake......

like they say its not always the size that counts.....

dawgdog · 08-01-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

I recommend not pushing the PS2s on the track. Mine are pretty abused after 3 days on a tight track which requires heavy breaking, and the fronts are worn somewhat evenly in the middle. Also, the car's pulling to the left just slightly, and I am betting that there is nothing wrong with the alignment. Had my service guy check it out, he also thinks it's tire wear related. I'm thinking about a track setup as well...

Agreed! I went to a lapping day last week and I can see these tires are not going to last.

sayemthree · 08-02-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgdog

Agreed! I went to a lapping day last week and I can see these tires are not going to last.

track tires FTW!

07-21-2008, 02:05 PM	#1
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	track tire report - WOW! impressed with the BFG R1 tires at the track WOW! impressed with the BFG R1 tires at the track I have 265's all the way around on 18x9 rims. I drove up to Buttonwillow on the tires. first off they are loud, bumpy, and make the car twitchy and very nervous on the street. EDC on comfort …for sure. but on the track these tires come alive and all that goes away. they are precise. they are confidence inspiring. they are awesome. they stick really well. they don’t overheat. they are very consistent and they wear very evenly. It was VERY hot there -about 105 degrees. pavement temps were literally scorching. but tire temps were in the 165 range (160 to 200 recommended) and very consistent across the tire within 10 degrees (25 recommended). Due to the heat I was fighting to keep tire pressures at or below 48 psi (recommended 34 to 48). I ended up running 47f/48r hot. big thumbs up to BFG (owned by Michelin) and Tire Rack. __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
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07-21-2008, 04:42 PM	#2
ben@tirerack M3Post Supporting Vendor 87 Rep 964 Posts Drives: 740i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Bend, IN iTrader: (0)	Very nice! I am glad to hear that they are working out so well. The R1 is definitely a beast on the track, although as you mentioned, they are not much good on the street, and really are intended to be put on at the track. (Obviously you did ok driving to the track, just don't get caught in the rain, and stay away from potholes. ) __________________ _______________________________________________ I have accepted a new position at Tire Rack and am no longer in the sales department. gary@tirerack.com is available to assist with M3 questions.
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07-21-2008, 05:38 PM	#3
JEllis Major General 531 Rep 5,498 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth iTrader: (4)	Glad to hear your setup is working out for you... they looked mean __________________ Instagram: jellismotorwerks
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07-21-2008, 11:52 PM	#5
skierman64 Brigadier General 125 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	I can't wait to try them out myself. What wheels are you running on the track? __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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07-22-2008, 12:55 AM	#6
sg335 Captain 52 Rep 648 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Post a pic of the front tires so we can see wear patterns. What front camber do you have? What cold pressures did you start out with? Did you try 40 hot?
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07-22-2008, 03:08 PM	#7
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	no pics of wear yet - had four hard sessions on them and the wear is visually non-existant. they just look nicely scrubbed in. the wheels are the tire rack TRmotorsports 9x18. love them - really light too. 5mm spacer in back just to get the track a bit wider. since it was soooo hot I was bleeding of air after every seesion to keep below 48 as this is the max recommended by BFG. if the weather was cooler I would have tried closer to low 40's. however tire temps were good and consistant across the tire. the tires did not feel greasy. when I left the track I had 47/48 hot. the next morning while cool they were at 30. 18 psi drop!!! camber/suspension is stock pics as new BFG info: http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires...ce_R1_care.pdf __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
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07-23-2008, 01:08 AM	#8
sg335 Captain 52 Rep 648 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Great! I have bled down the air at the track to around 40 on hot days and have ended up the next morning at 24-28 cold! Similar results as you. I now start at 30 cold to start.
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07-23-2008, 08:11 AM	#9
SS32 Major 156 Rep 1,430 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	So I'm guessing the square setup worked out? I know E46s favored a square setup, and was interested to see how the E9xs like it. __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns
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07-25-2008, 05:42 AM	#14
hakaida442 First Lieutenant 3 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 11 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (0)	how did the brakes hold up?
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07-27-2008, 02:12 PM	#19
icemang17 Captain 41 Rep 644 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockton CA iTrader: (0)	I took my wheels off the other day to clean them....I was surprised at how small the actual brake pad is......in terms of surface area..... Smaller than I would have thought for a 14" brake...... __________________ Brian 2008 E92 M3, MR, DCT, extended BB leather, loaded! 1988 Porsche 928S4, Guards red/Champagne leather 1989 Porsche 928S4 track beast!!!
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