Brakes Wheels 2nd Gen Tires New purchase = Happy Feelings

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by Redbeard, May 7, 2011.

  1. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    Try this guy. I know he does shaving but I'm not sure about heat cycling. Nate Jones Tire | Signal Hill, CA (562) 597-3369
     
  2. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    That's not really close. 40+ miles. I just might have to go tear up the neighborhood a bit.
     
  3. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    Sorry. Only one I know besides Discount Tire and TireRack. They heat cycle at the distribution centers. :(
     
  4. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    Okay so better dry traction notes: One word comes to mind: Amazing. They have impressive levels of dry grip. There are a few freeway on-ramps/off-ramps that are good for feeling grip and breakaway points around where I work and live. These tires just stuck and stuck. Beyond where my Starspecs would normally squeal and let go. I didn't want to push it too far and half-ass heat cycle them so I actually don't have notes on how they feel as they break away.

    One thing I noticed I freely admit is unsubstantiated personal experience that make NO logical sense. However it seemed like the effort with the steering wheel was REDUCED with these tires than the 360 treadwear / 205 wide tires I normally DD on. :crazy::confused:

    Final verdict for what little street driving I did: Not a street tire for me. They will wear out fast on the street. They have monster grip new and I'm sure the dry grip is there as well but I have my suspicions on the quality of wet grip once you start wearing the tread down. They are noisy as well. Not as bad as some tires but enough that on a day-to-day basis it would be annoying.

    There are cheaper, quieter, better wet traction tires out there that I would go for before getting these.

    Track impressions will be posted most likely next Monday.
     
  5. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    Post Track Analysis

    *Skip to the bottom if you don't want the blow-by-blow and just want the verdict*

    1st Session: I took the tires out the first session and heat cycled them as per earlier in the thread. During the cycling I noticed right away that the grip levels were far beyond the Starspecs. They retained heat fairly well even when "cooling" in the paddock. I waited until there was about 10mins left in the session and went back out. I took about a half of a lap (3.1 mile road course by halfway they are to temp) to get the tires back warm again and started pusing the limits. Tires responded well had monster grip. So much so I didn't really find the limit of the tire in the first session. I got one full hot lap in and then they signaled the end of the session. I parked it on the paddock and checked the pressures. I was running a bit high (39-40 psi front; 38psi back) so I dropped them to 36 psi while hot. Then it sat for about an hour before...

    2nd Session: Went out warmed up the tires and really hammered them. These tires are amazing. They don't have as much grip as the NT-01s I have run on before but the grip level difference is small. The biggest advantage these have over the Starspecs is thier breakaway charictaristics. As I pushed it I got into a couple turns wher I was getting a bit sideways. However, it wasn't for long and it was completely controlable. There was good "talk" from the tires telling me how hard I was pushing them. When they would break away it was progressive and predictable. The best part is they were like that the WHOLE SESSION. There was no "greasy" tire effect towards the end of the session. They stayed consistent, even when I wasn't. Though that is another story.

    3rd & 4th Sessions: More of the same. With me becoming more consistent.

    End of the day: I gave the tires a thorough looking over only to discover one last suprise. On the tread of the tires new there are these little flames that are about 1/32nd" deep. They had been removed "mostly" on the front and they were still clearly visable on the rear. I suspect these tires will live for quite a few track days.

    Overall: Great "street class" tire. They have wonderful track manners in treadwear and breakaway charictaristics. Grip levels are impressive for a street tire. They still aren't as good as an r-comp, but I expected as much.

    For Me: These will work well for me since I am lazy and don't like changing tires in the morning at the track. I can change them the day before and drive to the track on them. I stopped "worrying" about the tires after the second session. I just ran. It was easy to figure out where they gave out and how to run right-up to that limit and a bit beyond and still keep control. Now, this did lead to the problem of me driving harder and getting my brakes hotter than I have before, but that is a whole other thread...
     
  6. Grim

    Grim New Member

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  7. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Isn't also best.... if you can.... to remove the vehicle weight from the tire after the hard heat cycling so the tire acclimates without the "flat spot"?
     
  8. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Yes, but I would think this brand/model are not as susceptible as a proper R-compound tire.
     
  9. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

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    Thanks for the detailed write up! I can't wait to order mine for T-Hill in July.
     
  10. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    Yes

    And yes.

    These super sticky street tires are charting new territory with regards to tire care and handling. They're virtually an R-comp tire, yet you could still get 15,000 street miles out of them.
     
  11. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    In echo of BThayer23 Yes and Yes. :D

    This tire isn't as soft as an R-compound and these didn't "sit" for 24-48 hours either. Not enough time for a tire to "flatten" on a side if it was that soft.

    Interesting to see what comes next. :Thumbsup:
     
  12. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
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    I see the rack has listed 225/45/17 in the Ventus RS3, what are the potentials these would fit my R56 which is sitting on TSW springs and MINI struts?

    Rack is showing them at $116 per tire.

    Don
     
  13. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    How much camber?
     
  14. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    I doubt it my 215/45's just barely fit under the arches.

    You could probably trim some plastic to make them fit.
     
  15. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    I'd advse against 225/45/17s. They are too tallk of a profile. Try the 215/45/17s. You'll be happier. One thing to note is that these tires run a bit wide in comparison to other 215s.
     
  16. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
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    Good inputs, camber is stock setup for the 09 JCW with the TSW springs.

    Guess I will stay with a 215/45 to be safe, if/when.

    Not in any hurry, with all my travel, I will not get any track days until September and October. :cryin:

    Thanks for the replies now back to the OPs topic.

    Don
     
  17. Grim

    Grim New Member

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    +1 for the 215's. I've used the 225's for competition prior to the 215's release. They worked great and made me love the tire, but it takes a good amount of camper and will eat up the fender liners. The 215's give more flexibility with set up.
     

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