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Thread: Streetable track tire recommendations

  1. #1
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    Streetable track tire recommendations

    I feel like this gets brought up all the time, but my search didn't turn up anything recent. My e36 M3 serves as my HPDE car and basically is driven on the street a handful of times a year and to-and-from the track. I'm looking for recommendations for tires that are great on the track and can still play nice on public roads. Not too worried about wet weather performance but obviously better would be ideal.

    I've only been to about 4 or 5 events so far and I am going from 205/45 and 215/45 stretched trash Falken tires to 235/40r17 all around. I don't need the ultimate grip but just need a more confidence-inspiring tire. I was planning on picking up some Federal 595 RSR's but they have gone up in price and down in availability. As always, I would like to spend as little as possible but I don't mind spending a little extra if it's truly worth it. I'd prefer to get a tire that will last a few seasons and not just a handful of heat cycles.

    So far I have on my list to consider:

    Nitto nt05
    Nitto nt01
    Falken Azenis RT615K+
    Toyo r888r
    Toyo RA1
    Dunlop ZIII

    Any suggestions? I like the price point of the nt05's but sound like they can get greasy pretty quick.

  2. #2
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    NT01's are absolutely fantastic in the DRY and by far my preference for a DE tire.

    For a dual duty tire thought, the RT615k+ is a great tire if you can get them, also look at the latest Maxxis VR1, Nankang AR1, and the brand new Conti Extreme contact force options.

    I would eliminate the ZIII, NT05, and R888R right off the bat and also focus on the 245/40/17 tires size to open up options. Good luck!

  3. #3
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    All of what olemiss said.^^
    I run the AR1's in 245/40-17. equal to the NT01 (NT01 not available in 245/40) in every way and perhaps a touch quicker.
    I keep a set of Hankook RS4's as back up for rain and lead follow instruction. Not the absolute fastest tire. But very capable and by far the longest lasting track tire I've ever used.

  4. #4
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    just as the e36 track car Facebook group question...
    any 200TW will be fine with your skill.

    a 2 year old tire thread is recent enough

  5. #5
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    Toyo RA1 are good tires. I run them on my turbo E36 M3. More normal tread pattern than NT01R, so probably better in wet and worse in dry. I have driven tires that are scary in the rain and that is no fun. I’d rather not have to go 55. But if you live in a warm dry area or simply don’t drive your car unless the weather is perfect then that is not an issue.

  6. #6
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    The RT660 is better than the RT615k+, is as fast as the A052 from Yokohama but doesn't overheat as quickly and seems to have better wear characteristics. For longevity the new Conti option that olemiss mentioned is supposed to be the successor to the RS4 in terms of 200TW that is maybe a tick down on overall pace but is quite durable.
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  7. #7
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    I just got a set of RE-71R from tirerack for around 136 per tire. Don't know if they are still available. Haven't driven them on the track yet until after next week at Summit Point.

  8. #8
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    For a dual duty tire, it really comes down to 2 things. Does the tire need to last some amount of miles as a road tire, and does it need to work in the rain? The answer to those 2 questions will drastically change which type of tire you want. For example, I would not want to drive a set of 1/2 worn NT01s 100mi home in the rain.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by matthugie View Post
    The RT660 is better than the RT615k+, is as fast as the A052 from Yokohama but doesn't overheat as quickly and seems to have better wear characteristics. For longevity the new Conti option that olemiss mentioned is supposed to be the successor to the RS4 in terms of 200TW that is maybe a tick down on overall pace but is quite durable.
    My understanding (no direct experience) is that the RT660 wears much quicker than the RT615k+ on track. Of course everything is a tradeoff of grip versus longevity but have heard nothing but good things from folks that have used the RT615k+ in a HPDE setting. AR1 deserves serious consideration as well....
    Last edited by olemiss540; 06-01-2021 at 09:19 AM.

  10. #10
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    I'd go with Hankook RS4 if HPDE/street. They'll be slower than the 100tw options in the dry, but a lot nicer for casual and rain driving, plus they should last much longer.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by olemiss540 View Post
    My understanding (no direct experience) is that the RT660 wears much quicker than the RT615k+ on track. Of course everything is a tradeoff of grip versus longevity but have heard nothing but good things from folks that have used the RT615k+ in a HPDE setting. AR1 deserves serious consideration as well....
    I've only driven on the RT615K+ in an autox setting but I didn't care for the feel and they would get greasy on a 2 driver car, even when sprayed. On track may be a different experience and I haven't heard anything from those have tried both Falkens, but the rest of the comparison is from GRM tire test results and anecdotes from other drivers who have tried different tires.
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  12. #12
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by rirc View Post
    I just got a set of RE-71R from tirerack for around 136 per tire. Don't know if they are still available. Haven't driven them on the track yet until after next week at Summit Point.
    Yep! And at that price I bought two sets — but it's a model close-out, so when they're gone, they're gone. A friend who is a longtime instructor and active racer says they're consistently within a half second per lap of his normal race tires, which is more than good enough for my casual track use. Longevity remains to be seen, but at that price it almost doesn't matter.

  13. #13
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    Best cost per heat cycle: NT01
    Fastest laps: RT660s (Lasts only 3-4 track days)
    Lowest overall cost: Federal RS-RR
    Last edited by golgo13; 06-03-2021 at 11:29 PM. Reason: clarification

  14. #14
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    How are the federal 595's? Seems like they might be getting more back in stock and prices are going back down. I'm seeing mixed reviews. As of right now I think I might go with NT01's or RT615's if they come back in stock.

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  16. #16
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    ContiForce is still too new to have a lot of data. If you're not trying to set records and just want the tire to be consistent and last forever, Hankook RS4 and Yoko AD08R. Once they harden a bit from heat cycling, sure you lose time but they almost stop wearing unless you slide them.

  17. #17
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    I'm keeping an eye on the Conti's. They bought Hoosier a few years back.

    I like that they have targeted track, endurance events. I'm pretty sure you have to get in line to get them now.
    So only time will tell. There was a new Nankang 200tw that became available this spring. Haven't heard any reports yet.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by ewrjontan View Post
    How are the federal 595's? Seems like they might be getting more back in stock and prices are going back down. I'm seeing mixed reviews. As of right now I think I might go with NT01's or RT615's if they come back in stock.
    Which 595s? There are like six 595 tires.

  19. #19
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    Yokohama ADVAN Fleva V701

    https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...RatingsReviews

    Discount/Americas Tire has them too, but not on their website.

    I put these on my DS1's (235/40/17)last October and have about 4000 miles on them now. I have driven in sub 32* temps numerous times and through this last cold and rainy Atlanta winter days without any lack of grip once warmed up(and the do warm up quick and keep heat in them). They have a good amount of grip in the wet too. I was on Road Atlanta during the Shush session in March during the SCCA weekend and they had great grip in low 50* air temp and overcast.

    I will be at Road Atlanta in a few days for an HPDE and the weather might not be the best; 82* and 59% of scattered thunder storms. Hopefully I get a few dry session in before the rain. Will update later.
















    Last edited by AJLM34A; 06-08-2021 at 08:48 PM.
    [IMG][/IMG]

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by golgo13 View Post
    Which 595s? There are like six 595 tires.
    oops. Was talking about 595 RS-R's.

    I looked more into Hankook RS-4's and I am leaning towards those or the Falken 615K's the only problem is, than the RS-4's don't come in 235/40r17. They do carry 225/45r17 which I can do as I will be throwing these on DS1's however, I wouldn't mind having 235/40's so I can throw them on slightly wider wheels when I get them in the next season or so. With how long RS-4's sound like they last, I feel like I could be stuck with 225 for a while. My question is, will the 225 vs 235 size make a noticeable difference?

  21. #21
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    Depends how hard you drive. If you're sliding all four tires every lap, the narrower the tires are the faster they will overheat. If it were me, I would trade whatever wheels you have now for something 17x9, even Rotas if that's what is in your budget, and run the 255/40/17 Hankooks. That gives you the ability to just churn out laps even in the summer heat and pretty much have a blast till you run out of fuel.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by AJLM34A View Post
    Yokohama ADVAN Fleva V701

    Discount/Americas Tire has them too, but not on their website.

    I put these on my DS1's (235/40/17)last October and have about 4000 miles on them now. I have driven in sub 32* temps numerous times and through this last cold and rainy Atlanta winter days without any lack of grip once warmed up(and the do warm up quick and keep heat in them). They have a good amount of grip in the wet too. I was on Road Atlanta during the Shush session in March during the SCCA weekend and they had great grip in low 50* air temp and overcast.

    I will be at Road Atlanta in a few days for an HPDE and the weather might not be the best; 82* and 59% of scattered thunder storms. Hopefully I get a few dry session in before the rain. Will update later.




    I did five 25 minutes session at Road Atlanta on these Yokohama's and they held up to all I was willing to give them. I have not be in an HPDE at RA since 1995 (before 10A&B) and I did not want to over do it since I wanted to relearn the track first. The tires had plenty of grip and I never felt them wanting to let go. It did not rain any while I was on the track and it was about 85*.

    Well worth $640.

    Screen Shot 2021-06-14 at 7.08.26 PM.jpg
    Screen Shot 2021-06-14 at 7.09.23 PM.jpg

    Screen Shot 2021-06-14 at 7.11.45 PM.jpg
    [IMG][/IMG]

  23. #23
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    I keep a set of Hankook RS4's as back up for rain and lead follow instruction. Not the absolute fastest tire. But very capable and by far the longest lasting track tire I've ever used. teatv.ltd

    net banking
    Last edited by paulvijayji; 06-21-2021 at 05:20 AM.

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    [IMG][/IMG]

  25. #25
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    Thanks for that video.

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