Tire Upgrades

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by BAE

I know they can handle a 20 minute track session in 3,700 lbs M3.

that's really good!

[xwd]

The RS3 is probably the fastest street tire you can get if you are planning on doing both track days and autocross. The RS3s have better grip at full tread depth and take heat very well. They don't work that well in the rain.

The top tires for street tire autocross classes are the RS3, Star Spec, and for certain cars the Toyo R1R. However, the SCCA has made the RS3 and R1R illegal starting in January since they only have a 140 treadwear rating. The Star Specs have very stiff sidewalls for a street tire and run extremely wide size wise. If you had to take a poll I would say the Star Specs are probably the preferred tire, the stiff sidewalls and the fact they have good grip with low heat makes them more preferable, especially on lighter cars. But they do not do well when overheated so on larger cars the RS3 is probably more preferred.

The AD08, despite what Tirerack shows, has not shown to be the tire to have in autocross. it's also expensive and doesn't last as long as some of the other tires.

[BAE]

Got my PSS tires from Tirerack. I was a little disappointed they were produced in week 2, 2011. That means they are 1,5 years old already. I have bought a bunch of tires from them and they have always been less than 6 months old. I have sent them an e-mail asking what their policy is on how old tires they can sell to full price.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Meh, I bought old BFG KDW2 on closeout. No care.

[WiKKiD]

RS3 Don't last for shit!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[BAE]

Here is the answer I got from tire rack about selling 18 month old tires. Fair enough.
.................................................. ...............
Tire Rack works with the global tire manufacturers we represent to procure the latest production available. Our tires are never stored outdoors or in containers exposed to the elements and we utilize inventory control systems that rotate tires through our warehouses.

However low-volume specialty and seasonal tires that cannot be produced on an ongoing, economically reasonable basis are often only produced periodically by their manufacturers. Typically these tires won’t re-enter production until preexisting supplies have neared exhaustion, which can result in some chronologically older tires arriving at our warehouses that have previously been properly stored in the tire manufacturers’ warehouses or in transit to us.

Fortunately by having eliminated the negative influence of temperature extremes and exposure to direct sunlight, these new un-mounted, un-driven tires are known to age very slowly. You can learn more about tire aging and how to determine the age of a tire on our website ant the following URLs:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=138

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=172
And

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

[Khyron686]

Just a bump to see if anyone used the Mich PSS in autoX this season, and how it went? Seems odd that a "good at everything" tire beat the *spec's?

[SEC]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

For those whose eyes are glazing over at the mention of AutoCross, these tires are still excellent for summer road use, not just competition. I've logged around 15,000 miles on a set of Extreme Performance tires on the street and they've still got about half their tread left.

So here's a simplified choice sheet:

..a good summer tire that's comfortable but will hold up on the on-ramps and occasional fun twisty road, get Ultra Performance tires. Examples include:
Bridgestone RE760

I've had a few sets of RE760s over the years on my Miatas. IMO, it's a great street tire at a good price. The feel and grip are about what I want when I'm exploring the limits on the street. If I decide to replace the OEM tires, this is what I'll buy.

I have to say, I'm suprised the OEM tires continue to improve as I get more miles on them. There's less howling when pushed and I think the feel is improving as well. Their still a pretty poor choice.

[Tiremonkey0824]

Originally Posted by schtebie

I read through this list when I was trying to find information on the new Falken FK-453 tire. This survey seems to have some gaps... I'm sure there are more "max performance" Michelin tires than just the Primacy 3 that could have made it into the test. The Bridgestone Pole Position S-04s surprisingly don't show up either.

Just ordered a set of fk453's from work to go with my rpf1's. Will let you guys know some time next week how it goes.

[WiKKiD]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mcoupe

I vote for these tires as well.

Me too by far way better then rs3,xs and others which I've had

[execute1902]

Anybody ever personally try out the Riken raptor zr? I've read only good reviews and they seem like a good budget tire. Also somebody told me michelin makes them, not sure how true that is

[Helios]

I just ordered a full set of these to go on the new wheels I have coming in.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tnum=44WR7FHI5

Good deal (under $110 each), IMO, for 245/40/17s plus a $60 mail-in rebate (2 days left for the offer) for ordering 4. The tire has great reviews for an ultra high performance summer tire and I like what Firestone did with the tread design.

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by BAE

I agree with you. AutoX is not representative for lapping on a track. If you want to win in non-R-compound classes in AutoX you go with AD08, if you want to minimize lap times you go with some R compounds. But if you want one tire for 5 days on track and 360 days on road, I think the PSS is close to an optimal tire pt. It is 2 lbs ligher than the AD08. That made the difference for me.

I have been told they can take quite a lot of heat on the track. We will see. If they melt after 5 minutes I am back to AD08's. I know they can handle a 20 minute track session in 3,700 lbs M3.

The AD08R has pretty stiff sidewalls. For reference my stock E90 M3 with camber plates set to -2.4 and track pads at Summit with camber did a 1:25.1 with PSS, 1:25.4 with AS3 (freak lap but I couldnt replicate it like other tires), 1:24.8 with AD08R, 1:24.3 RA1 and 1:23 (mid somewhere unsure the tenth) with ToyoRR.

The AD08R WILL cycle out with tons of meat left and no grip. DO NOT under any circumstance drive them below 40 degrees.

FWIW, the M3 is a DD and I went with AS3+. They are phenominal tires (now has 385whp vs 335 stock back in the days) and handle the power well. The sidewall is a tad softer and overall last a while. Comes with crazy long wear warranty from Michelin as well.

If you WANT to win the 200Q rating street tire war, get the RE71R which is faster than both RA1s and AD08R (by a margin).

AD08R did last a while on track without heating on this 3900lb pig (with me in it).

Since then, FRS is the track car of choice for me and getting 255 RE71R next week.

Lutfy

[Impureclient]

Originally Posted by Helios

I just ordered a full set of these to go on the new wheels I have coming in.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tnum=44WR7FHI5

Good deal (under $110 each), IMO, for 245/40/17s plus a $60 mail-in rebate (2 days left for the offer) for ordering 4. The tire has great reviews for an ultra high performance summer tire and I like what Firestone did with the tread design.

I went from PSS to those and will probably never go back to the Michelins as good as those Firehawk Indy 500s are.
Still unsure how the PSS is supposed to be a stickier tire as it takes much more effort to break the rear-end loose now.
It will last longer, definitely grips better, handles 80+ mph in puddles with no hydroplaning and might even be a little quieter too.
You'll be happy with them I'm sure.