Federal RS-RR review

[BRZedsDeadBaby]

Federal Tyres gave me a set of RS-RR tires at cost as long as I were to post honest review here on the FT86 forum. This review is for spirited street use and will be updated once I hit the canyons and any racing events.

I ended up mounting 235 40 on my 17x9 +35 Weds TC105N. Federals run wide so 235's are more like 245's. It feels good to finally have some performance tires. I'm having a hard time breaking traction on hard turns (even while running on E85); it also makes for getting on/off freeways a whole lot more fun. The car also seems to accelerate and stop faster as well. Paired up with a proper alignment, I've gained full confidence in my car's handling.

The only drawback is that these tires are loud; it sounds like there's a lawnmower or small plane following me everywhere I go. I'm coming from Hankook Ventus V12's, so the noise is new to me; however, I don't mind the noise as my car is so much more fun to drive. I won't ever go back to basic tires.

I've run on two sets of V12's before getting these RS-RR's. The V12's were great as a daily and a lot grippier than the stock Michelin Primacy HP's. I've been doing a lot of autocross events and canyon carving; what I noticed is that after a short amount of time, the V12's will lose its grip. I'm hoping that these RS-RR's will solve that issue.

If you were ever reluctant to pick up some performance tires for your 86, you should not hesitate. Proper tires will unlock your car's true potential. I heard that these RS-RR's are very comparable to Hankook RS3's but a whole lot cheaper.

I will edit this post once I put them to use at the canyons or the track.

[DustinS]

I loved my RS-Rs. Unfortunately when it was time for new tires neither were available in the states. The RS-RRs will be my next tire when the time comes. Looking forward to your review.

[Clipdat]

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to post it! I will seriously consider these for the new tires that I need, but I'm concerned that my usual size 245/40/17 will be too wide, if they really do run a size larger.

Also, what a cool tread pattern! Looks like flames or something!

Originally Posted by BRZedsDeadBaby

If you were ever reluctant to pick up some performance tires for your 86, you should not hesitate. Proper tires will unlock your car's true potential. I heard that these RS-RR's are very comparable to Hankook RS3's but a whole lot cheaper.

[ryoma]

the tread does look pretty cool, but I wonder how it will do in the wet... probably won't matter in socal though lol

[ZX88]

Federal Evos are also really good for the price.

[Gabzor]

Originally Posted by ryoma

the tread does look pretty cool, but I wonder how it will do in the wet... probably won't matter in socal though lol

they suck in the wet lol, they're also pretty noisy.. but oh man are they sticky

[BRZedsDeadBaby]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to post it! I will seriously consider these for the new tires that I need, but I'm concerned that my usual size 245/40/17 will be too wide, if they really do run a size larger.

Also, what a cool tread pattern! Looks like flames or something!

Thanks for the feedback. I was running 245 40 17 on my V12's and RS-RR's don't come in this size; so it was a toss up between 235 40 or 235 45. I decided to go with 235 40.

The tread on these do look pretty cool.

[venturaII]

Rats...no 16's....

[86•BRZ]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to post it! I will seriously consider these for the new tires that I need, but I'm concerned that my usual size 245/40/17 will be too wide, if they really do run a size larger.

Also, what a cool tread pattern! Looks like flames or something!

I run 255s all around on 17x9+35 and they fit, albeit just, I ground that little rear bumper tab off first.

[Gabzor]

Lol looks better than my RSR on the daily.. they take a little warm up time, but man when they get warmed up.. they get a lot quieter, and you can't stop smiling.

[HachiRo]

I got a chance to try out the RS-RRs (friend got them from a Nasioc vendor) and holy F*** they're great!

Noise - Hella. Legit, they're noisy tires, but for those who have heard R888 or even RS3, they're just slightly louder.
Grip - Hella. Cold they're fine, not bad at all. Warmed up? The grip is very VERY comparable to Hankook RS3. I might even go as far as to say slightly better, but may because I ran these at a good tire pressure and ran my RS3s with less attention to tire pressure.
Price - Amazing. So the treadwear on these are supposed to be a bit more than the last, 200 which is the same as the RS3. I still believe they might wear a bit quicker, but for the price (roughly 70% of RS3's in 18s) really makes up for it.
Overall: They're a great budget tire for those looking to do spirited driving, maybe even a track day or two. I wouldn't mind using it for daily driving/on the street tbh. The noise can be a bit annoying for passengers, but if you're driving alone it'll probably just make you wonder if it's your car making sounds or the tires rather than the actual loudness of the tires that gets bothersome.

Take my review with a grain of salt as I'm not some pro or track driver. I do touge runs here and there and recently got rid of my RS3s for the rainy season. I'm comparing what I felt as far my as my knowledge goes of RS-RRs to my RS3s.

[86•BRZ]

I've had 6 days out of my set for roughly 50% wear with a little street driving here and there, i usually swap them. We usually do 6 sets of 5 hot 60 seconds laps. i reckon they'll be good for 10-12 days a set if looked after. Obviously your milage may vary but this seems very good so far.

[Decimus]

Used these exact tires at 86fest track day and they were amazing. Tires are LOUD... Very loud. But ive gotten used to them. Im running 255/40/17 on 17x9 +45 rpf1. They wear good at the track and daily isnt bad either. No slip no chirp during hard turns. These tires are anazing and ill definitely buy again... But this time in 235/40/17 or something smaller lol

[RaceFreely]

Originally Posted by BRZedsDeadBaby

Federal Tyres gave me a set of RS-RR tires at cost as long as I were to post honest review here on the FT86 forum. This review is for spirited street use and will be updated once I hit the canyons and any racing events.

I ended up mounting 235 40 on my 17x9 +35 Weds TC105N. Federals run wide so 235's are more like 245's. It feels good to finally have some performance tires. I'm having a hard time breaking traction on hard turns (even while running on E85); it also makes for getting on/off freeways a whole lot more fun. The car also seems to accelerate and stop faster as well. Paired up with a proper alignment, I've gained full confidence in my car's handling.

The only drawback is that these tires are loud; it sounds like there's a lawnmower or small plane following me everywhere I go. I'm coming from Hankook Ventus V12's, so the noise is new to me; however, I don't mind the noise as my car is so much more fun to drive. I won't ever go back to basic tires.

I've run on two sets of V12's before getting these RS-RR's. The V12's were great as a daily and a lot grippier than the stock Michelin Primacy HP's. I've been doing a lot of autocross events and canyon carving; what I noticed is that after a short amount of time, the V12's will lose its grip. I'm hoping that these RS-RR's will solve that issue.

If you were ever reluctant to pick up some performance tires for your 86, you should not hesitate. Proper tires will unlock your car's true potential. I heard that these RS-RR's are very comparable to Hankook RS3's but a whole lot cheaper.

I will edit this post once I put them to use at the canyons or the track.

Can't wait for your track review!