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[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