Tire Talk Megathread

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by spxxx

Nexen Sport-R after 11 HC's (1 event + open test day so closer to 3 events). They're at ~5.5/32nds coming from 7.5/32nds brand new.

The wear is extremely even across the board, haven't seen any major drop-off in pace... Loving this tire so far.

Run super chunky right? How's 275/35 fit vs rt660? Willing to try those or Re71rs or even AR1..despite the hate

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Originally Posted by tsk94

I had a chance to use a prototype/early release set back in 2016 on a 135i I was tracking at the time. Coming off the R888R's I had used as my previous set, the AR1s felt quite good. Faster, didn't grease up and wore pretty well. That said, the compound likely changed from that set I used to the full production model available now - and the size was very different (255/35R18).

After hearing a bunch of good stuff, particularly from APEX and their experience with the AR1s on the XX31 (the Schirmer E92 they tracked), I decided to give them a go on my E92 race car since I could get them in 295/30's. Didn't live up to the hype. Initially they are faster then most tires in that category (NT01, R888R, RR, etc.), but after 2-3 heat cycles they start to fall off, massively. From halfway wore down to corded, they are 2-4 seconds slower then when they are new, and they probably lose ~1 second after 1 days use (~5ish heat cycles). Just nothing special about them.. They have very stiff sidewalls, so turn in is nice, but that's about it. Something to do with the construction, sidewall stiffness and tire pressures they like, seemed to cause uneven wear that left me chasing tire pressures and alignment settings on both cars. Like I mentioned, if they were cheapo tires then sure, you put up with some of those short comings. But these cost me as much, or more, then NT01's or RR's do. I only used 4 sets of them because they were the only option available at the time in the sizes I wanted.

It almost makes me think that the tires we get over here from Nankang are produced somewhere else compared to EU models and that something is different in the compound or construction. I just can't understand how they like them so much over there given how terrible they are here. I know a ton of people locally that have run them as well, and it's all been very similar; 'Ya, they are okay, but I wouldn't buy them again'.

I've used 2 sets of 295 squares on my E92 when I had it and ran 2 sets of 295/315 on my M4 now, so I have decent amount of experience with them. Going back to NT01's and RR's this year after using AR1's last season was a welcome change..

This was my exact same experience. Bought ar1 and nt01 to compare both brand new. And the AR1's dropped off pace so darn quick.

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by sc_tr0jan_m3

This was my exact same experience. Bought ar1 and nt01 to compare both brand new. And the AR1's dropped off pace so darn quick.

Strange.

I've run NT01. Nothing bad to say about em. Not the fastest. But they get it done.

[tsk94]

I'd take the NT01's any day - love that tire for what it is.
295 AR1's run narrow anyways. They are the same width as 275 NT01's, so just get the NT01's - same width, likely cheaper, last longer & don't heat cycle out.

[slcook54]

For what it's worth, I didn't need a spacer with 275/35 PS4S, but 275/35 NT01 rub the strut.

[bigjae1976]

Anyone get to try the new Yoko A055s? I'm about to step up to a stickier tire. Considering Hoosiers, Hankook Z214s, and scrubs. Kind of leaning towards the Z214s - cost.

[Cmassey3]

Costco is running $150 off for Michelin sets of 4 this September FYI

[slcook54]

Any feedback on RE71RS? Debating next set, stick with NT01 or try ECF or 71RS

[rhyary]

Just a short statement to summarize my experiment with all season tires as rain tires. Details can be found in my thread.

Objectives:
1. A tire for early spring and late fall when temp go below freezing when I leave the house for a track day
2. Same tire to be used a as a rain tire

My positive non scientific findings:
1. Great for freezing temp on the way to the track
2. Great for not hydroplaning in the rain, even standing water

My negative non scientific findings:
1. On the track, even in 30* f, the blocks get chewed up. So not good for dry track
2. Not enough grip in the wet. Even when raining hard, there are many places on the track that the tarmac is wet with no standing water.
3. Very difficult to generate heat due to low grip

My conclusion - not worth it as a rain tire

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by Exclusivs

Run super chunky right? How's 275/35 fit vs rt660? Willing to try those or Re71rs or even AR1..despite the hate

Just saw this, yeah the Nexens are thick and have a super square sidewall. I didn't measure but between them running wide + their sidewall design, I'd expect that these 275/35/18's have the same tread contact patch as a 295 RT660.

They're equally as fast as the 660's but wear much better and last a full 20-30min without dropping off a cliff. That being said, the compound definitely takes a little longer to warm up. They legit act like a racing slick, I need a durometer but they're pretty hard when cold and turn into what feels like a 50tw when hot.

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by spxxx

Just saw this, yeah the Nexens are thick and have a super square sidewall. I didn't measure but between them running wide + their sidewall design, I'd expect that these 275/35/18's have the same tread contact patch as a 295 RT660.

They're equally as fast as the 660's but wear much better and last a full 20-30min without dropping off a cliff. That being said, the compound definitely takes a little longer to warm up. They legit act like a racing slick, I need a durometer but they're pretty hard when cold and turn into what feels like a 50tw when hot.

Nice 👍 these sound like an absolute contender.

Grabbed some CRS (despite the naysayers). Will see how they go after 5-6 sets of yokes

[b4hand]

Does anyone have experience with the Hankook Z214? As I transition into making the car more TT focused and having a set of slicks around, I'd like to work my way up to that.

[CorruptCommie]

Originally Posted by b4hand

Does anyone have experience with the Hankook Z214? As I transition into making the car more TT focused and having a set of slicks around, I'd like to work my way up to that.

Also interested on Z214 or F200 slicks, especially how they compare with Pirelli/Michelin takeoffs, if anyone has experience with them. Have not found much except on rennlist, and made it sound like it wasn't worth the switch over, but I'm getting frustrated with the takeoff selection I've been getting.

[e36clubracer]

Curious also on the z214s. There are several people on Rennlist that say they are similar in performance but slightly better wear than the Hoosier R7s. For the price I think I may give them a try in the future.

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by b4hand

Does anyone have experience with the Hankook Z214? As I transition into making the car more TT focused and having a set of slicks around, I'd like to work my way up to that.

Here's some
.
Super-Street Hankook Ventus Z214 - Tire Review
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/mo...k-ventus-z214/

Tire Reviews:
https://www.tire-reviews.com/Tire/Ha...entus-Z214.htm

Rennlist Thread:
https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...214-vs-r7.html

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Here's some
.
Super-Street Hankook Ventus Z214 - Tire Review
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/mo...k-ventus-z214/

Tire Reviews:
https://www.tire-reviews.com/Tire/Ha...entus-Z214.htm

Rennlist Thread:
https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...214-vs-r7.html

So what would be the step below these? I thought they were similar to Proxies RR's but I guess I didn't read hard enough

[rhyary]

Some subjective information on the new ECS force.

Thursday at NYST I was riding a long in a 1 series with S65 transplanted and weight removed and after market suspension. Pretty stiff car, more setup for Watkins Glen then NYST.

His tires were the Force.
He came from RT660.

He said the RT660 stick like glue. That was his perspective.

The Force were definitely loose. The car tended to oversteer. He was straggling to keep planted.

To me it felt like the Force rubber is just harder.

The wear was excellent. two days open track at NYST is harsh. But the Force looked great to me after two days.

The pace was mostly 1:41-1:42 with his best 1:39.

I suggest to take the PSI down: 4psi in the rear and 2psi in the front and driver reported that car felt better. But I don't think he went faster.

In short nothing new to report as expected. Harder rubber last longer but give somewhat in the stickiness department. I think specifically to NYST it is an excellent 200tw tire for this track.

If you can go fast! :-)

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by rhyary

l Force were definitely loose. The car tended to oversteer. He was straggling to keep planted.

Yea my car is also looser with the force, particularly on entry and exit. It doesn’t combine lateral and longitudinal grip as well as other tires, but has relatively good longitudinal and lateral grip. It does slide nice and progressively in both dry and wet. I guess coming from only using slicks, any street tire would feel more progressive, though.

[rhyary]

To Clarify,
The Force is excellent front tire for NYST, but I would not used it on the rear. I don't see a need to give up grip in the rear since NYST, and other tracks, don't chew up the rears with E92 M3.

Different story on high torque engines like Corvettes, F80 or G80. But this is an E92 M3 forum.

[Bartledoo]

The E9X can be setup to chew front and rear almost equally though. Mine wear about the same front and rear.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

The E9X can be setup to chew front and rear almost equally though. Mine wear about the same front and rear.

This is interesting to me.
I have never had an issue in the rear wear wise.
At times I had a grip issues but not wear.

I would love to understand this better if you don't mind to elaborate. What wears out? center? Sidewall? How do you setup the car to wear the rear?

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Anyone get to try the new Yoko A055s? I'm about to step up to a stickier tire. Considering Hoosiers, Hankook Z214s, and scrubs. Kind of leaning towards the Z214s - cost.

Tire rack should have a test out in the new Yoko slick in a few weeks. They’re testing it vs the R7
If you’re ever in Dallas or don’t mind paying shipping we get lots of 250/265 18 scrubs off a GT4 usually $50-100/tire depending on heat cycle count