Tire Recommendation for casual tracking on stock 18s

[chili cheese]

I'm using the stock 18" wheels for HPDEs. Currently running the first set of PS2s that came with the car, but will need new tires soon. I plan on doing around 8-10 days per year and have a low-intermediate skill level. R-Comps are not an option at this point even if they did fit the wheels.... I still have a lot to learn. I'm looking for good performance, but don't necessarily want to break the bank (Pirelli).

Given the above, which of these tires would you recommend:
Michelin PS2
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
Yoko Advan AD08
Bridgestone Pole Position RE-050A
Other?

Also, I believe some of these tires are directional. I want to have the ability to switch the wheels from one side of the car to the other if a track is particularly hard on one side. Is the directionality really and issue if you are in dry track conditions? I've read and heard mixed things on this.

Thanks for your help!

[Gearhead999s]

I have good luck with Nitto NT05's with good wear and reasonably grippy for a street tire and can be flipped & rotated to maximize the wear.i got 8 days out of mine but they do not work well in cooler temps till they are well warmed up especially when they have a lot of heat cycles on them.I will probally buy more of these.

[rzm3]

I have used ps2, re11, and now ad08. Dry performance wise, ad08 is my choice. I have been on the same set for 10 months now with at least 2 track days per month... and there is still tread left. Re11 has a weird tread which causes it to wear out unevenly very quickly. Ps2 is not suitable for extended periods of track duty as it gets greasy easily.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

I have good luck with Nitto NT05's with good wear and reasonably grippy for a street tire and can be flipped & rotated to maximize the wear.i got 8 days out of mine but they do not work well in cooler temps till they are well warmed up especially when they have a lot of heat cycles on them.I will probally buy more of these.

Do the NT05s fit the stock 18s? I went onto the Nitto website and it doesn't list that fitment.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

I have used ps2, re11, and now ad08. Dry performance wise, ad08 is my choice. I have been on the same set for 10 months now with at least 2 track days per month... and there is still tread left. Re11 has a weird tread which causes it to wear out unevenly very quickly. Ps2 is not suitable for extended periods of track duty as it gets greasy easily.

What do you think about swapping sides with the wheels given the AD08 directional tread pattern? Is this a non issue unless you are in wet conditions?

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

Do the NT05s fit the stock 18s? I went onto the Nitto website and it doesn't list that fitment.

No I ran a 275/35 18 square setup.I forgot about the stock 18" wheels.

[Juice14]

the Direzzas arent bad by dunlop, pretty inexpensive

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by Juice14

the Direzzas arent bad by dunlop, pretty inexpensive

I'd love to try the Star Specs, but again I don't think they make Dunlops to fit the stock 18s.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by r53s65e90

+1

AD08 are going to be my next track tires. The RE 11 I have currently have uneven wear up front which is worse than the PS2 on the track. I will keep them as long as is reasonable then I will switch to ad08 that have stock 18 sizes now.

What do you think about swapping sides with the wheels given the AD08 directional tread pattern? Is this a non issue unless you are in wet conditions?

[rzm3]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

What do you think about swapping sides with the wheels given the AD08 directional tread pattern? Is this a non issue unless you are in wet conditions?

Not sure. Never really tried that. Try calling Ben@TireRack. He should be able to answer you.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the AD08 are terrible in the wet. RE11s were better in wet probably due to better designed water channels.

[VictorH]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

What do you think about swapping sides with the wheels given the AD08 directional tread pattern? Is this a non issue unless you are in wet conditions?

My understanding from track junkies is that you can swap directional tires side to side as it tends to affect mostly wet traction. Also, some people even dismount their tires and install them "inside out" to get more miles out of the set. There may be minor dry performance issues with these changes but at your and most of our skill levels I doubt you'll notice the difference.

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

I'd love to try the Star Specs, but again I don't think they make Dunlops to fit the stock 18s.

You could run the star specs with 255/35/18, 275/35/18s. Or maybe even 265/35s in the front if they fit.

And if the 265/35s fit in the front, you might also consider kumho XSs.

[chili cheese]

I appreciate the help fellas!

[FruitCake]

You're bound to get uneven wear as we are mostly amateurs and our faulty mistakes + non-track purpose. Best bet to get something symmetric (Yokohama AD08/Nitto NT05and not asymmetric like the Bridgestone RE11.

Im using the AD08 for about 4 track days now and very satisfied, at least in the dry.

[LiM3y]

I ran 265/35R18 Nitto NT05s at all corners. Swapping backwards and forwards to even wear. Used them for 9 days before a New Jersey curb finished two rims and punctured the tires on the way home!

I will probably go with 275/35/R18 Nittos next year. There are a couple of guys who run them here and always recommend them when this question comes up. I can vouch for the tire, but no experience with the size. The NT05 seems to be a good compromise, you can drive to the track in them, they are okay in the wet on public roads (I ran my DD wheels/tires in the rain on the track). The PS2s did not last long at all. My current DD (summer set) is Conti DWs 285/35/18 at the back, 265/35/18 at the front on OEM 18s. I have Eibach springs and have no rubbing issues at all. (To give you an idea of what fits)

I don't think the 265/40R18 size is available in a lot of the "ultra high performance" tires, but the 35 aspect ratio works for a lot of tires.

[ring007]

AD08's are your best choice for track use. You will not be disappointed.

[e90m3_6MT]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

I have used ps2, re11, and now ad08. Dry performance wise, ad08 is my choice. I have been on the same set for 10 months now with at least 2 track days per month... and there is still tread left. Re11 has a weird tread which causes it to wear out unevenly very quickly. Ps2 is not suitable for extended periods of track duty as it gets greasy easily.

I ran re-11's last summer with 2 track days and the RE-11's never wore out unevenly.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by FruitCake

You're bound to get uneven wear as we are mostly amateurs and our faulty mistakes + non-track purpose. Best bet to get something symmetric (Yokohama AD08/Nitto NT05and not asymmetric like the Bridgestone RE11.

Im using the AD08 for about 4 track days now and very satisfied, at least in the dry.

Originally Posted by ring007

AD08's are your best choice for track use. You will not be disappointed.

I actually have the AD08s on my DD set of wheels and tires. They are very nice and have loads of grip in a DD setting for sure. I may run these for my track set-up, will just want further confirmation that the directionality of the tire is not an issue if I were to simply swap wheels side to side at the track (not remounting the tires).

[Jeff_DML]

perfect thread, I am in the same position, you guys are swaying me towards the A08s. I have also been considering the vred ultrac sessanta and Continental DW

[R A W L S]

Anyone have experience with the Hankook RS3? I understand they are symmetrical and have a 140 wear rating.

[aus]

Some more opinions here, but keep in mind they tend run much lighter cars.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...&highlight=aus


I'll be getting NT05's, but I'd have to admit the Vreds have been GREAT at a couple events. They still look nearly new.
.

[STALKER]

If you don't mind spending the extra $$$, I would go with the AD08s. If not, then the NT05s are a good choice.

I had bad luck with the Dunlops unfortunately, so I gave up on them.

Ran both the Nittos and the Dunlops at Road Atlanta and grip was pretty similar, I thought the Dunlops had a bit more overall grip.

Nittos did very well at Barber though.