DOT-R Tires Discussion

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Awesome!

[noxredna]

Congrats Tamas, I know you've been dying to get a set of dedciated track wheel/tires set up! Happy to hear that you finally took the plunge, hope to see you again soon this coming fall to catch up!

-Anderson

Originally Posted by tszene

Finally got a set of dedicated track wheels/tires.
It is a set of Forgelines with hoosiers r6 tires 275/35-18 square setup.
The challenge in my case was that i have a bbk 380mm rotors upfront, and no 18 inch wheel will fit it with enough clearance.

Jonathan from MPG motorsport got in touch with forgeline, and gave them the specs of the brakes so forgeline made the wheels to fit the bbk.

Went to the Glen last Monday and Tuesday for HPDE.
We ran the full course. I'm somewhat familiar with the track, having spent 6 days on it last season.
I never expected the tires and wheels to make such difference on the track.
Dont get me wrong, i anticipated maybe a couple of seconds to be gained, but my time went from 2:21 on the stock 19'' wheels and tires to 2:14.59 with the forgeline on hoosiers.
I was amazed!
One challenge i faced was that with this setup i had to upshift at places i didnt have to shift before since i ran out of revs.
Also, while before for a 30 min session a quarter of a tank was enough, with this setup i blew through 40% of my tank in the same 30 min.

overall significant increase in speeds. At the "bus stop" (85mls in- 95mls out)
also at the back straight 157mls/h and also on the front straight.

As far as the tires, they have unbelievable amount of grip and cornering ability. I sarted running 40psi hot, than slowly took some out until got to 37psi hot, and that seemed to be working the best. As we started the first day, went into the pitlane in the first couple of sessions to check tire temps, which showed that my car could use a little more camber. But the coilovers will be next years investment.
And when the tires finally let go in the turns they are just so manageable!
Its not an abrubt snap when you loose traction, but a gradual loss of grip with plenty of soundtrack to bring it to your attention.

Overall very happy with the setup, however my only comparison is that of the stock setup. Nevertheless, strongly recommended for weekend track fanatics like me.

Tamas

[Gearhead999s]

Had my latest experiance with the 888's yesterday at shannonville and I continue to be quite disapointed by these tires on my M3.I had brand new rears for yesterday AM unshaved and about 5 easy laps to heat cycle them.I started the day out with lower pressures than I have previously used (now 30 lbs cold) and they are rolling well into the sidewall.The car is very neutrel with mild power oversteer for the 1st 2 or 3 laps when the tires are cool and then gets more oversteer as you run longer to the point where the car has to be virtually straight before power is applied.Tire temps are 180 front,230 rear after 7 laps and I used over 80% of the rears up in 2 hours of running.I have come to the conclusion that these tires are not designed for a heavy 3700lb car that has a moderate level of horsepower(414 bhp) or that I need to go much larger in sizing.Not very impressed to say the least!

At least i had help for the tire changes

[KINGLEH]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Had my latest experiance with the 888's yesterday at shannonville and I continue to be quite disapointed by these tires on my M3.I had brand new rears for yesterday AM unshaved and about 5 easy laps to heat cycle them.I started the day out with lower pressures than I have previously used (now 30 lbs cold) and they are rolling well into the sidewall.The car is very neutrel with mild power oversteer for the 1st 2 or 3 laps when the tires are cool and then gets more oversteer as you run longer to the point where the car has to be virtually straight before power is applied.Tire temps are 180 front,230 rear after 7 laps and I used over 80% of the rears up in 2 hours of running.I have come to the conclusion that these tires are not designed for a heavy 3700lb car that has a moderate level of horsepower(414 bhp) or that I need to go much larger in sizing.Not very impressed to say the least!

yup... i was thinking 888 until was told be reliable source alot of people are not happy with them...

again the rear sidewall isn't supportive enough for power down on a heavy car...

[SCCAForums.com]

I don't think they make RA-1's in our size (haven't checked) but if they do... it's much better than the 888's... They are actually in the process of bringing RA-1's back into production, as so many of the amateur racers (Spec Miata etc...) have all complained as well.

If you've already spent the money on the Triple 8's... I can at least share with you... most have mentioned they actually like 'more' Air Pressure than the RA-1's did.

I don't know what baseline you may have had with another race tire... But hope this helps.

IMO... Hoosier Road Race Tire is a good Compromise, or Kumho V710... (Again... Kumho sizes may not be as wide a variety).

Good luck,

Dave

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

That kid is checking out your tire changer...hopefully they aren't related.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

That kid is checking out your tire changer...hopefully they aren't related.

Nope!Just thinking what the future might bring him

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by SCCAForums.com

I don't think they make RA-1's in our size (haven't checked) but if they do... it's much better than the 888's... They are actually in the process of bringing RA-1's back into production, as so many of the amateur racers (Spec Miata etc...) have all complained as well.

If you've already spent the money on the Triple 8's... I can at least share with you... most have mentioned they actually like 'more' Air Pressure than the RA-1's did.

I don't know what baseline you may have had with another race tire... But hope this helps.

IMO... Hoosier Road Race Tire is a good Compromise, or Kumho V710... (Again... Kumho sizes may not be as wide a variety).

Good luck,



Dave

I have Hoosiers in the past on both my C5 Z06 & my E46 M3 with good results.I logged the track time that I used the Hoosiers on the Vette and averaged about 10 hours a`set which was `305's all the way around.I tend to be quite agressive so I think that was pretty good life for a quick DOT tire.I think there will be Hoosiers in my future once again.

[Gearhead999s]

I have just discovered that a local dealer is stocking the R1's now,so they are available in Canada at reasonable pricing.Is everybody happy using them?

[BMW M Power Mexico]

My R1s are reaching the end of their life after 4 days. They will probably yield one last day before I replace them.

This means they lasted around 600 miles of track usage. Not too bad considering their tremendous grip.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by BMW M Power Mexico

My R1s are reaching the end of their life after 4 days. They will probably yield one last day before I replace them.

This means they lasted around 600 miles of track usage. Not too bad considering their tremendous grip.

That is a lot better than my 888's which are done after 160kms of use with poor grip

[lucid]

Originally Posted by BMW M Power Mexico

My R1s are reaching the end of their life after 4 days. They will probably yield one last day before I replace them.

This means they lasted around 600 miles of track usage. Not too bad considering their tremendous grip.

Curious as to why you think they are done after 4 days. Did you wear out the tread, or did they lose grip? I have 4.5 days on mine, and they seem to have more tread. They did lose some grip after 3 days.

[attila]

I passed the 500 miles mark on the R1's and it seems they are wearing more slowly than when they were new, if that makes any sense. I have at least 200-300 more miles in them or more. (I got so much rubber and other dirt picked up last time that I developed some vibration and murmur on hard cornering. That's my only complain with the R1)

[Gearhead999s]

Just scored a deal on some new shaved RA1's for a fraction of the cost of new R888's.I will see how these work out!

[SCCAForums.com]

Nice Grab Gearhead! You will really like those tires!!!

Let us know!

Dave

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by SCCAForums.com

Nice Grab Gearhead! You will really like those tires!!!

Let us know!

Dave

Not ideal sizing at 245/40 18 & 275/35 18 but they will work with the rims I have,but at $100 each how can I loose.My issue has alway been that the car has alway been very loose on the 18's for my driving style.

[BMW M Power Mexico]

Originally Posted by lucid

Curious as to why you think they are done after 4 days. Did you wear out the tread, or did they lose grip? I have 4.5 days on mine, and they seem to have more tread. They did lose some grip after 3 days.

I got a tiny showing of cords on the outside shoulder of the rears at my last day as you can see in the pic. The fronts show no cording yet.

They still grip very well, less than new but still far above the PS2s.

I had them remounted for the 2nd time after my last TD (as you can see, the slight cording is now on the inside shoulder).

How do you choose which tires to run at which corner? This has been my thinking so far:

1. I run the "best" tire on the left front (the track I run at is clockwise).
2. Second best tire goes on the right front.
3. Third best left rear.
4. Worst on the right rear.

It seems that the M eats tires a little bit more on the rear in my car. Now that I am showing some cords:

1. Would you run these tires?
2. If yes, where?

New tires are on order anyway but I'd like to get the most life out of each set for obvious reasons - without risking an accident.

[SCCAForums.com]

I'd put them on the rear... and invert them... so that was the 'inside' shoulder.

Peace,
Dave

[SCCAForums.com]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Not ideal sizing at 245/40 18 & 275/35 18 but they will work with the rims I have,but at $100 each how can I loose.My issue has alway been that the car has alway been very loose on the 18's for my driving style.

That should actually be pretty neutral for the car...

The nice thing about the RA1's... is that when they get greasy... (read... you overcooked a turn or two)... they actually 'come back'... whereas the 888's do not!

The Treadwear is unbelievable for those tires! Enjoy! (Comparatively speaking for a Race Compound Tire)
Dave

[BMW M Power Mexico]

Originally Posted by SCCAForums.com

I'd put them on the rear... and invert them... so that was the 'inside' shoulder.

Peace,
Dave

Thank you, I have inverted them already.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Not ideal sizing at 245/40 18 & 275/35 18 but they will work with the rims I have,but at $100 each how can I loose.My issue has alway been that the car has alway been very loose on the 18's for my SIDEWAYS driving style.

There fixed it! Curious to see how those work out for you - thats a great price - do they have any left?

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

There fixed it! Curious to see how those work out for you - thats a great price - do they have any left?

Ha Ha!I is only sideways cause I dont got no grip