How many more sessions can I expect on these RS3's?

[ortho281]

I have 24 sessions on a set of Hankook RS3's and I wanted to know if they have enough thread left for another weekend (12 sessions)? All four tires are in the same condition, and have been recently flipped on the rim to prevent cording outer edge (right side is new outer edge). I have already purchased a new set of tires, but do not have the space to take to the track with me.

[The HACK]

If the conditions are dry, flip the tires on the wheels and you can go another 12 sessions for sure.

[GTM_Challenge]

Lots of life left if they've been flipped. Should be good to go for another weekend for sure!

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by The HACK

If the conditions are dry, flip the tires on the wheels and you can go another 12 sessions for sure.

Already flipped, good to know. I guess if if they don't last the entire weekend, I could switch to street tires (PSS) but hoping not to have to.

[rhouck]

You will be fine, though (as you may be aware) those RS3s will have definitely fallen off noticeably in grip by now due to the number of sessions. I tend to run them down as well, but they definitely fall off a lot compared to new.

And FYI you can fit four unmounted 275 RS3s in the backseat of an e92. Not sure if you have tried yet (I have done four in the back seat and then tools/etc in the trunk). It's a tight fit but doable.

[TXmtrhed]

You should easily last another weekend. You going to MSRH this weekend? That track is much easier on tires than TWS.

I ran my last set of NT-05's down into the wear bars and as rhouck said the grip goes away but I'm too cheap replace tires with tread remaining . I also swapped my wheels left to right at their last event. There wasn't enough tread left to make a difference which direction the tire was rolling.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by rhouck

You will be fine, though (as you may be aware) those RS3s will have definitely fallen off noticeably in grip by now due to the number of sessions. I tend to run them down as well, but they definitely fall off a lot compared to new.

And FYI you can fit four unmounted 275 RS3s in the backseat of an e92. Not sure if you have tried yet (I have done four in the back seat and then tools/etc in the trunk). It's a tight fit but doable.

This is my first set of RS3's and my lap times are still improving, so not sure if grip is down and driving is getting better, or vise versa. I usually drive (1hr, 15 mins) to track on my streets and change to RS3's (in back seat) at track. So no more room for new tires. I guess I could also drive up on RS3's and take new set as you mentioned.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by TXmtrhed

You should easily last another weekend. You going to MSRH this weekend? That track is much easier on tires than TWS.

I ran my last set of NT-05's down into the wear bars and as rhouck said the grip goes away but I'm too cheap replace tires with tread remaining . I also swapped my wheels left to right at their last event. There wasn't enough tread left to make a difference which direction the tire was rolling.

I suspect from what you and rhouck mentioned, I will probobly see grip going down at next track day. I am hoping that flipping on rims would increase life for at least another weekend. No, I won't be at MSRH. I found out too late and also working Sat. If registration was not already full, I would attend Sun only.

[adc]

What tires are you going with next?

My RS-3 look like they will hold on for another 2 weekends if I flip them, or so I hope. But I was thinking of doing R compounds next.

[Car54]

Flipped tires will be very low on grip until the high spots get worn down. Might take a whole session before they behave. Be patient and slide the car around a good bit.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by adc

What tires are you going with next?

My RS-3 look like they will hold on for another 2 weekends if I flip them, or so I hope. But I was thinking of doing R compounds next.

I am switching to NT01's (R compound), but unsure about the front fender clearance. The treads on NT01's are considerable wider than RS3's. I posted this question in separate thread.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765062

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by Car54

Flipped tires will be very low on grip until the high spots get worn down. Might take a whole session before they behave. Be patient and slide the car around a good bit.

That is a very good point. Noted. I will try to be patient until thread evens out. I'm switching to NT01's. Any advice on clearance due to wider thread. I posted question in separate thread.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765062

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by ortho281

I am switching to NT01's (R compound), but unsure about the front fender clearance. The treads on NT01's are considerable wider than RS3's. I posted question in separate thread. Care to chime in there instead?

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765062

NT01s in 275/35-18 all-around on 18x10" wheels should be fine. It's a very common setup. I've been doing it for two seasons now. Great tire--great grip, good longevity, relatively cheap, and easily rotated all around the car.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

NT01s in 275/35-18 all-around on 18x10" wheels should be fine. It's a very common setup. I've been doing it for two seasons now. Great tire--great grip, good longevity, relatively cheap, and easily rotated all around the car.

Thanks, yes the price was less than RS3's. What camber are you running on fronts? Are you using a spacer on rears?

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by ortho281

Thanks, yes the price was less than RS3's. What camber are you running on fronts? Are you using a spacer on rears?

Initially ran about -2.0° up front, which wasn't too bad. This season I increased it to -2.4° up front and -2.0° in back, the max my Dinan Stage III suspension will allow (pins are out).

No spacer on rears, although I've seen some people recommend it. Might try it next year.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

Initially ran about -2.0 up front, which wasn't too bad. This season I increased it to -2.4 up front and -2.0 in back, the max my Dinan Stage III suspension will allow (pins are out).

No spacer on rears, although I've seen some people recommend it. Might try it next year.

Thanks, how did you like the increased front camber? Did you find it more twitchy on track-out? My current setup (f-2.1r-2.0) is quite neutral. Thinking about trying f-2.5/r-2.0 with NT01's

[bigjae1976]

That tire looks about 50% worn. I've never experienced the RS3s heat cycling out in the 2 sets I've worn down to the cords. They've been good until the cords are about the show. I just corded 2 fronts this past weekend and I was only 1-2 seconds of my pace.

I would hold off on R-Comps unless you are comfortable sliding the car. They have more grip but when they let up its a lot more abrupt so anticipation is the key. from what I've read, NT01s are not recommended for wet driving so you would likely need to swap tires or bring an extra set. For me, the extra second you MIGHT get from a R-Comp just ain't worth the added pain of bringing MORE crap to the track, MORE work to get your car ready, and MORE money because those NT01s won't last nearly as long as those RS3s.

A silver E46 ran NT01s this weekend for the first time and we ran just about the same lap times. We usually run really close and he might gain a little bit on me once he gets used to the NT01s. The difference was when it rained, he left and I stayed and ran 2 sessions. Or he could have stayed and changed to street tires in the rain...just saying...

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

That tire looks about 50% worn. I've never experienced the RS3s heat cycling out in the 2 sets I've worn down to the cords. They've been good until the cords are about the show. I just corded 2 fronts this past weekend and I was only 1-2 seconds of my pace.

I would hold off on R-Comps unless you are comfortable sliding the car. They have more grip but when they let up its a lot more abrupt so anticipation is the key. from what I've read, NT01s are not recommended for wet driving so you would likely need to swap tires or bring an extra set. For me, the extra second you MIGHT get from a R-Comp just ain't worth the added pain of bringing MORE crap to the track, MORE work to get your car ready, and MORE money because those NT01s won't last nearly as long as those RS3s.

A silver E46 ran NT01s this weekend for the first time and we ran just about the same lap times. We usually run really close and he might gain a little bit on me once he gets used to the NT01s. The difference was when it rained, he left and I stayed and ran 2 sessions. Or he could have stayed and changed to street tires in the rain...just saying...

NT01's already delivered. I will try this set and if I don't like handling, may switch back to RS3's. For wet days I will switch back to stock PSS, which are better than both RS3's and NT01's in the wet. The NT01's were $400 less than RS3's delivered, so cost/sessions may work out to be the same. How was MSRH?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ortho281

NT01's already delivered. I will try this set and if I don't like handling, may switch back to RS3's. For wet days I will switch back to stock PSS, which are better than both RS3's and NT01's in the wet. The NT01's were $400 less than RS3's delivered, so cost/sessions may work out to be the same. How was MSRH?

MSRH was excellent!

They'll handle better but they are different at the limit. Not sure if these are like Hoosiers but you have to be diligent about managing the tire pressures as well.

What are you going to do with those RS3s?

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by ortho281

NT01's already delivered. I will try this set and if I don't like handling, may switch back to RS3's. For wet days I will switch back to stock PSS, which are better than both RS3's and NT01's in the wet. The NT01's were $400 less than RS3's delivered, so cost/sessions may work out to be the same. How was MSRH?

Where did you find NT01's for $400 less than RS3's?

[adc]

The Nittos cannot be flipped on the rim, if I read the pattern correctly. Aren't you concerned that you will eat through them relatively quickly, because you will wear out the outside of the tire?

Maybe you need more camber for all of this to work properly?


In any case, I'll be following your experience closely, please post whenyou get a chance if you don't mind. There are bound to be some people on the verge of switching to R compounds which would benefit from your post...

[Car54]

You can flip the NT01's once the tread wears out and they become a slick.

In addition, I just learned that there's a circle stamp on the side wall that is supposed to be installed at the valve stem. I've never seen these on other tires.

In for link to cheap NT01's.