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[OMID INC]

Hey guys I need some help deciding between tires for track use. I was thinking Nitto NT-05, Dunlop Star Spec Z1 and Advan AD-08.

I dont have any experience with tires other than PS2's for tracking so any input or other suggestions would be appreciated. Looking for relatively inexpensive tires ( $800-$900) with, obviously, stiff sidewall and sticky.

I plan on using OEM 18" wheels with 255 up front and 275 in the rear.

What are you thoughts?

[Martin_D]

All three of those choices are great, even the BS Re11 is a great tire as well.

How competitive are you trying to be? Is this for HPDE? Time attack? Like I said, all three of those listed are great choices, really!

I have had a lot of success running the Z1 Star Specs if you are in a street tire class. They last a good while as well!

[dawgdog]

You might consider Kumho Ecsta XS.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by OMID INC

Hey guys I need some help deciding between tires for track use. I was thinking Nitto NT-05, Dunlop Star Spec Z1 and Advan AD-08.

I dont have any experience with tires other than PS2's for tracking so any input or other suggestions would be appreciated. Looking for relatively inexpensive tires ( $800-$900) with, obviously, stiff sidewall and sticky.

I plan on using OEM 18" wheels with 255 up front and 275 in the rear.

What are you thoughts?

I don't think you can get the AD08s in the size you want.
I just got the Star Specs in 265/275 for track days. Good price and good reviews.
Dunlop is also offering a mail in rebate right now, I saved an additional $75.

[aus]

I was set on getting the Star Specs, but I'd have to seriously consider the Vreds after my last weekend HPDE. They stuck well and didn't get greasy like the PS2's get when they get hot. I was very impressed with them and you can't beat the price. They seemed to wear well too, much better than the PS2's where the shoulders were toast because of the soft sidewall.
I think I could dial out some negative camber to help with street driving with the Vreds compared to the PS2's.

Originally Posted by STALKER

I don't think you can get the AD08s in the size you want.
I just got the Star Specs in 265/275 for track days. Good price and good reviews.
Dunlop is also offering a mail in rebate right now, I saved an additional $75.

It was only $40 two weeks ago when I checked at TireRack.

[OMID INC]

interesting about the vreds. i may have to consider those again as well. if i remember correctly, they were very inexpensive tires.

if all else fails, i will order a set of NT-05's and give those a shot. i think the price went up on the star specs. they are hovering at around $1k. not too happy about that.

[FruitCake]

Originally Posted by OMID INC

interesting about the vreds. i may have to consider those again as well. if i remember correctly, they were very inexpensive tires.

if all else fails, i will order a set of NT-05's and give those a shot. i think the price went up on the star specs. they are hovering at around $1k. not too happy about that.

NT-05's are not so good. I didnt like them, they wear out quick and can't handle the weight and heat. Im using AD08 right now and very happy.

[aus]

Originally Posted by OMID INC

interesting about the vreds. i may have to consider those again as well. if i remember correctly, they were very inexpensive tires.

if all else fails, i will order a set of NT-05's and give those a shot. i think the price went up on the star specs. they are hovering at around $1k. not too happy about that.

That was my impression too. I thought they were cheaper, but TireRack is the sole distributor now, so they may have raised the price since they have the monopoly.

[STALKER]

I got my Dunlops from a local Dicount Tire.
I paid $1000 including tax, installation, and balance for 265/275.

[M3 Montreal]

I love my RE-11s and got them from Tire Rack for about $1100.00

I originally wanted the AD08's but they werent in stock.

[OMID INC]

man im starting to get crunched for time. track event is next sunday.

thanks for the suggestions. ill see what i can do about re-11s and ad-08s.

a little out of my budget but maybe i can get a good deal somewhere

[aus]

Originally Posted by STALKER

I got my Dunlops from a local Dicount Tire.
I paid $1000 including tax, installation, and balance for 265/275.

Last I read, TireRack is the only distributor now in the US. That's a good deal you got

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by aus

Last I read, TireRack is the only distributor now in the US. That's a good deal you got

I ordered them roughly 7 days ago.

[AMOCHOSTO]

My understanding is the Star Specs don't have a high enough weight rating for our car. Is this ok for the track because we assume we won't have passengers/luggage on the track?

[FruitCake]

Originally Posted by OMID INC

man im starting to get crunched for time. track event is next sunday.

thanks for the suggestions. ill see what i can do about re-11s and ad-08s.

a little out of my budget but maybe i can get a good deal somewhere

which track day?
im going to Buttonwillow on Friday

[noxredna]

You can't go wrong with Yokohama AD08s. I ran them in my car with 18" wheels, running 265 front and 285 rear. I used that set up and won the NJMP Redline Time attack placing first in my class clocking a 1:17.6 lap on lightning track.

I am currently running vredesteins on the street but they are by no means suitable for the track so don't even bother considering them unless you want to compromise tread wear rating as Vredesteins have 280 while the high performance tires (AD08s, RE-11s, Star Specs) are all well below 200 wear reating.

Alternatively, I wouls also consider the Dunlop star specs, they are excellent tires, I just wished they had a 285 in the rear as our M3s can get pretty loose on the back end, if not I would be running them already.

[aus]

Originally Posted by STALKER

I ordered them roughly 7 days ago.

You may have gotten lucky.
That's a good price too at $1,000 installed.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...light=starspec

.

[OMID INC]

i gotta say im starting to get disappointed. ive been hearing that 18" is the way to go for track use since the availability and selection of tires, not to mention prices, are much greater than those in 19"

so far no luck for me finding some solid 18" tires. im starting to consider getting 19's and selling my 18" wheels.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by OMID INC

i gotta say im starting to get disappointed. ive been hearing that 18" is the way to go for track use since the availability and selection of tires, not to mention prices, are much greater than those in 19"

so far no luck for me finding some solid 18" tires. im starting to consider getting 19's and selling my 18" wheels.

a lot of that has to do with R compound tires, not high performance street tires.

[OMID INC]

Originally Posted by STALKER

a lot of that has to do with R compound tires, not high performance street tires.

hmm good point i totally overlooked that.

IYO, do you think running R-comps at the intermediate level before trying out street tires such as NT-05, Star Spec Z1, and AD-08's is a good idea or no.

some of my buddies are on R-comps but I have heard that you should gradually make your way up, learning how to drive and control the car first.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by OMID INC

hmm good point i totally overlooked that.

IYO, do you think running R-comps at the intermediate level before trying out street tires such as NT-05, Star Spec Z1, and AD-08's is a good idea or no.

some of my buddies are on R-comps but I have heard that you should gradually make your way up, learning how to drive and control the car first.

Its hard for anyone to make that call except yourself or your instructors.
R compounds have a lot more grip and will let go a lot quicker then most street tires. Plus, they don't "squeal" like street tires to let you know they are their limits, or passing them.

The other point that ppl have told me is that R compounds can cover or mask the mistakes you are making until they decide to let go.

[aus]

Do the street tires until you get to an advanced level. Like STALKER said, it'll mask your mistakes.