Tire Talk Megathread

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Good observation. This canted sidewall shape you mentioned is also known as 'trapezoidal' inflated shape. It's a design strategy for gaining cornering power for 'free' so to speak. Up to a certain point, a wider rim width is better and serves to allow the tire a 'more stable foundation' especially under cornering loads. Hence, in this example a 27/65-18 can also be mounted on an 11.5 inch wide rim per the Racing Catalog. Perhaps my layman's term straight up and down sidewalls choice of words is the not the best, but in comparison to the rounded passenger car or SUV tire inflated shapes we see on the street it suffices to convey the concept. Take a look at eighteen wheeler steer axle semi truck tires and you will see a similar strategy being employee due to the huge forces those tires must generate.

Yea I understand. My point is that it’s only free if you have unrestricted wheel width, which our cars do not up front. We need moooreee front tire.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by spxxx

Thought I'd bump this thread with my experience driving on the new Nexen Sport-R Sur5 tire.

Sizing:
- The only size that fits our cars easily is the 275/35/18, I was worried that it'd run narrow and be a big downsize from my 285/30 Rt660's... I was very wrong, these things are meaty. They run nearly as wide as 285 RT660's. They also have really square sidewalls and run taller than most 275/35's so you may have some rubbing. Unfortunately, since they are much taller than 285/30/18s, the gearing felt even longer and the lack of torque was very pronounced up the hills.

Grip:
As documented in the GRM tests, these things are STICKY... I was looking for something with slightly better wear than the Rt660 and was willing to give up some pace but these seem to check both boxes. The info I received from TPM said they wore much better than RT660/A052's but grip nearly as well with much less drop-off after a few laps. I can confirm this 100%... I took them to Laguna and saw similar lateral grip as my wider RT660's and they weren't uselessly greasy after 1-2 hot laps like A052s or Falkens. I actually ran my fastest lap of the day (1:40.9) on the 10th lap of a 12 lap session. They did seem to like running at higher pressures of around 39psi hot, my pyrometer is ghetto so I'm not 100% sure of this but I'll try to get more data next weekend.

Wear:
This is what I really cared about since all of these new cheater 200tw tires have massive grip (minus Continental but that's not their goal)... going through a set every 3-4 days was eating into my track budget so I was debating picking up DH scrubs or trying the new Nexens. I can confirm that these hold up to abuse/wear much better than my RT660 and don't have any weird chunking or splitting issues. With the wear I saw after Laguna, I'm hoping they'll be good for 4-5 more events depending on HC behavior. Picture attached of LR tire.

I'll follow up after my next event at Thunderhill on Saturday.

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.

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.

Thanks spxxx, good info here! Tires I've tried in the somewhat recent past: Cup 2's, RE-71R's, DH scrubs, Supercar 3R's, and most recently the RT660.

RT660's were great on pace (got PR's with them at COTA) but hate that I can only get 2 hot laps on them before they fall off a cliff.

I'm now setting my car up for part-time DH scrubs (or maybe the new Yoko A0-55's) when I tow and something with a tread when I don't. These Nexens may be the answer. Fwiw I tried doing cool down laps with the RT660's but really had to come into the pits and sit a bit before the pace would come back. This was with 265/35R18 fronts and 275/35R18 rears.

Will report back if I try the new Nexens, thanks again for the info.

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Thanks spxxx, good info here! Tires I've tried in the somewhat recent past: Cup 2's, RE-71R's, DH scrubs, Supercar 3R's, and most recently the RT660.

RT660's were great on pace (got PR's with them at COTA) but hate that I can only get 2 hot laps on them before they fall off a cliff.

I'm now setting my car up for part-time DH scrubs (or maybe the new Yoko A0-55's) when I tow and something with a tread when I don't. These Nexens may be the answer. Fwiw I tried doing cool down laps with the RT660's but really had to come into the pits and sit a bit before the pace would come back. This was with 265/35R18 fronts and 275/35R18 rears.

Will report back if I try the new Nexens, thanks again for the info.

That's awesome, I'd love to chat more about what you're doing to optimize for Slicks.

Edit: misread your username...

[slcook54]

Debating Conti ECF or RE71RS next, anyone have any thoughts?

Currently on the NT01 and don't love the sidewall, it tends to squirm a lot under braking.

[Gossypiboma]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Thanks spxxx, good info here! Tires I've tried in the somewhat recent past: Cup 2's, RE-71R's, DH scrubs, Supercar 3R's, and most recently the RT660.

RT660's were great on pace (got PR's with them at COTA) but hate that I can only get 2 hot laps on them before they fall off a cliff.

I'm now setting my car up for part-time DH scrubs (or maybe the new Yoko A0-55's) when I tow and something with a tread when I don't. These Nexens may be the answer. Fwiw I tried doing cool down laps with the RT660's but really had to come into the pits and sit a bit before the pace would come back. This was with 265/35R18 fronts and 275/35R18 rears.

Will report back if I try the new Nexens, thanks again for the info.

What are your thoughts on the 3r's? I'm interested in trying them.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by slcook54

Debating Conti ECF or RE71RS next, anyone have any thoughts?

Currently on the NT01 and don't love the sidewall, it tends to squirm a lot under braking.

id skip the ECF and go 71RS, the ECF doesn't have the feel you, seem to be looking for. the ECF doesn't really give a lot of driver feedback. /inmyopinion

[spxxx]

Anyone here have multiple events on the new RE71RS? Wondering how they wear compared to the RT660 or OG RE71R.

[slcook54]

Originally Posted by spxxx

Anyone here have multiple events on the new RE71RS? Wondering how they wear compared to the RT660 or OG RE71R.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...s-200tw-scene/

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Originally Posted by Gossypiboma

What are your thoughts on the 3r's? I'm interested in trying them.

They're awesome. When they're in stock. Which is like never. Lol

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by slcook54

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...s-200tw-scene/

Yep, read the reviews but I'm looking for longer term wear info (ideally on heavier cars).

They look promising unless they wear like Yokos.

[tsk94]

They sound very fast, but I have a suspicion they'll also wear fast on these cars lol.

[slcook54]

I'm happy to trial them. I'll get them after these NT01s, which have 3-4 days on them currently.

Will report back.

[Davisca455]

Originally Posted by slcook54

I'm happy to trial them. I'll get them after these NT01s, which have 3-4 days on them currently.

Will report back.

…I don't think you are understanding the urgency here?
I'm thinking you should switch now and report back ASAP.

Assuming your current NT01s are 275/35/18 square, so I can "store" them for you…

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by Gossypiboma

What are your thoughts on the 3r's? I'm interested in trying them.

Originally Posted by sc_tr0jan_m3

They're awesome. When they're in stock. Which is like never. Lol

Yeah, this is the problem. A few notes on them, I think they are the fastest I've had besides Pirelli DH scrubs, and did get a solid PR on them at my local track (running 275 square, though they run wide). I like that they took a bit to warmup and then seemingly lasted the rest of the session, 4-5 laps of PR potential, could also do one cool down lap and snap them back a bit. All said, can't get them and haven't really had the chance to fairly compare them to RT660 for max PR potential.

Another thing to be aware of, they are not a great street/track combo tire, they wore somewhat unevenly for me and the amount of rubber balling up off them is insane, enough would attach to my inner rims to completely unbalance them. View them more as a dedicated track tire vs something like a Cup 2, RE-71r, even RT660 that has better street manners. Have heard A052 also has good street manners but haven't tried those. So kind of depends on what you are going for.

[Bartledoo]

Yea 3R is fast af, but harder than f to get. Bridges the gap between A052 and DH scrub imo. Never got to put exact numbers to it though, because I’ve only driven 3R on other peoples’ cars…

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

Yea 3R is fast af, but harder than f to get. Bridges the gap between A052 and DH scrub imo. Never got to put exact numbers to it though, because I've only driven 3R on other peoples' cars…

Are you (or anyone else here) running DHs in 285/645/18?

I only ask because I mounted some but had major rubbing at full lock and didn't feel comfortable running them on track (bad enough that it gouged my tire on the frame behind the rear of the FL fender liner). I'm fairly certain that my shop overextended the SPL Thrust Arm and compensated with the tie rod/LCA to get my toe dialed in which would push the hub back in the wheel well (maybe?) this would explain my lower caster number too.

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by spxxx

Are you (or anyone else here) running DHs in 285/645/18?

I only ask because I mounted some but had major rubbing at full lock and didn't feel comfortable running them on track (bad enough that it gouged my tire on the frame behind the rear of the FL fender liner). I'm fairly certain that my shop overextended the SPL Thrust Arm and compensated with the tie rod/LCA to get my toe dialed in which would push the hub back in the wheel well (maybe?) this would explain my lower caster number too.

Yea I ran 285/645 on 18x10 et25 (didn’t need front spacers on my setup but ran them to move the wheel out some) and both 285/645 and sometimes 305/645 on 18x10.5 et25 no spacer

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

Yea I ran 285/645 on 18x10 et25 (didn’t need front spacers on my setup but ran them to move the wheel out some) and both 285/645 and sometimes 305/645 on 18x10.5 et25 no spacer

Gotcha... you're the 5th E9x driver I know running this size without issue, 99% sure it's an alignment problem. Thx!

[spxxx]

Haven't seen any long term reviews of RE71RS wear characteristics so I decided to be a guinea pig again after running the Nexens (just bummed they don't offer anything wider for our chassis).

Should have them mounted up to my new Titan7s before BW on the 16th (hopefully) and Sonoma on the 24th!!

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by spxxx

Haven't seen any long term reviews of RE71RS wear characteristics so I decided to be a guinea pig again after running the Nexens (just bummed they don't offer anything wider for our chassis).

Should have them mounted up to my new Titan7s before BW on the 16th (hopefully) and Sonoma on the 24th!!

We appreciate it, thank you!

[tsk94]

Any chance anyone has experience with Maxxis VR-1's?

[Gossypiboma]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

Yea 3R is fast af, but harder than f to get. Bridges the gap between A052 and DH scrub imo. Never got to put exact numbers to it though, because I’ve only driven 3R on other peoples’ cars…

Tirerack doesn't even list the 275/35/18 size for the 3R anymore. Don't know if that's temporary or not.