Trackday tyres....what do you recommend?
Discussion
I'm looking for some new tracckday tyres for my BMW E30 M3
I've been using GG/2G (medium) Toyo 888s in 215/50/15 size. However, they are getting more expensive and, whilst I like the tyre for grip and performance, the fronts, especially, wear out very quickly...The last set lasted only 2 trackdays (Brands Indy and Cadwell), albeit for quite a few laps.
The car is lightly modified...lowered suspension on AVO adjustable dampers and Faulkner springs and polybushed throughout. Car weighs approx 1250kg and runs standard brakes with Black diamond front discs, oem rears and Ferodo DS2500 pads...engine power is circa 220bhp.
Tyres need to be available in either 215/50/15 or 205/50/15 and road use isn't an issue as I have a set of 16" rims with Avon ZZ3s for road use (and wet trackday...
Anyone recommend me something with your experiences of the performance.
I've been using GG/2G (medium) Toyo 888s in 215/50/15 size. However, they are getting more expensive and, whilst I like the tyre for grip and performance, the fronts, especially, wear out very quickly...The last set lasted only 2 trackdays (Brands Indy and Cadwell), albeit for quite a few laps.
The car is lightly modified...lowered suspension on AVO adjustable dampers and Faulkner springs and polybushed throughout. Car weighs approx 1250kg and runs standard brakes with Black diamond front discs, oem rears and Ferodo DS2500 pads...engine power is circa 220bhp.
Tyres need to be available in either 215/50/15 or 205/50/15 and road use isn't an issue as I have a set of 16" rims with Avon ZZ3s for road use (and wet trackday...
Anyone recommend me something with your experiences of the performance.
Shaun_E said:
Kumho Ecsta V70A in Hard (K90) compound available in 205/50R15. They take a lap or 2 to get heat into them but then work well. I use them on a Caterham for track days and on the road and I understand that they are the control tyre for the BMW RDC championship.
V70A are more expensive than R888s!!I have tried (albeit a well used set) some while back...They overheat and wear fairly fast, IMHO
The BMW guys use them cos they have to, but those I know and have spoken to don't rate them all that highly...
Your Caterham weighs a good bit less (maybe half) than my M3 does...what works well on a light car may not work on a heavier one as well.
I have considered these, but the R888s are better value...The performance of these, once hot, are better than any other road legal tyre I've used...I just wish they would wear a bit better! (and cost less...)
E36GUY said:
Running Yokohama AD08s on our e36. Very impressed with both grip and durability at the moment but I don't have anything other than experience of road tyres to compare them to so they are hugely better than standards anyway!
AD08s are a bit cheaper than R888s...but how do they compare with something like Toyo RIRs or Hankook RS2s? Both these are significantly cheaper again than the AD08s and appear to be similarIs it normal for the fronts to wear faster than the fronts? I wonder if it might point to your driving style or the car's geo, which if altered a bit might at least give you more even wear.
Given they might only last a handful of days anyway it's probably worth a punt on the Hankooks. That might help you decide if the extra bucks for the R888s are worth it.
Given they might only last a handful of days anyway it's probably worth a punt on the Hankooks. That might help you decide if the extra bucks for the R888s are worth it.
RS-2s would be worth a go, they are not quite as good as R888s in the dry but still very good. However, I think they have been discontinued, so getting them might be difficult.
I would say however, they are truly diabolical in the wet.
Was at Spa this week with a mate, we both normally run R compound tyres, but we both decided to run "normal" tyres as the forecast was frankly a bit crap. I used Kumho KU39s on my Elise, he had AD08s on his GT3. Both pretty impressed with our tyres, especially in the wet, but not bad at all in the dry.
As others have said its a track day not a race, so if cost is an issue I'd seriously consider the Kumhos - they were a completely bargainous £308 for four. Fitted.
I would say however, they are truly diabolical in the wet.
Was at Spa this week with a mate, we both normally run R compound tyres, but we both decided to run "normal" tyres as the forecast was frankly a bit crap. I used Kumho KU39s on my Elise, he had AD08s on his GT3. Both pretty impressed with our tyres, especially in the wet, but not bad at all in the dry.
As others have said its a track day not a race, so if cost is an issue I'd seriously consider the Kumhos - they were a completely bargainous £308 for four. Fitted.
Very odd your 888s lasted such a short time, esp if were GG compound, I've run 'em on e30 & got a lot more than that out of them, other then when had crap geo & ate them up.
You heat cycled before 1st track day I assume?
The 888s don't last the longest it has to be said, Mich Cups or A048s you should find longer lasting & are a better tyre.
You heat cycled before 1st track day I assume?
The 888s don't last the longest it has to be said, Mich Cups or A048s you should find longer lasting & are a better tyre.
tertius said:
Not really in line with the "cheaper" part of the OP's question though ...
I think you have to divide purchase price by number of trackdays serviced though, in order to understand what 'cheap' is. Can't just be headline retail price.As Braddo mentioned, I'd be wondering why the fronts are wearing so quickly. I've run a set of R888s on my E36 this year. Four TDs in the bag and there's plenty of life left in them.
And ours get driven hard!
V8mate said:
tertius said:
Not really in line with the "cheaper" part of the OP's question though ...
I think you have to divide purchase price by number of trackdays serviced though, in order to understand what 'cheap' is. Can't just be headline retail price.As Braddo mentioned, I'd be wondering why the fronts are wearing so quickly. I've run a set of R888s on my E36 this year. Four TDs in the bag and there's plenty of life left in them.
And ours get driven hard!
tertius said:
Yes fair point. Though equally its not just tread wear that determines life - either R888s or A048s will last me ages based on wear, but they get heat cycled to death before they run out of tread.
I'm interested in this. How do you know/can you tell that tyres have been through too many heat cycles?V8mate said:
tertius said:
Yes fair point. Though equally its not just tread wear that determines life - either R888s or A048s will last me ages based on wear, but they get heat cycled to death before they run out of tread.
I'm interested in this. How do you know/can you tell that tyres have been through too many heat cycles?I appreciate everyones' input on this...
It's only a trackday, true, but I do want to maximise the enjoyment and performance of the car, hence why I have been using R888s...
I did heat cycle them at the first trackday (Brands Indy) and then used them again that day and at Cadwell, but the fronts are shot with the canvas showing through in a couple of spots on the shoulder...The were running hot 42psi...
The fronts wear faster because under cornering the car leans on the front corner...and on most right-hand UK circuits the front left tyre takes the most abuse. Even my old racing 2002 with very stiff suspension and ARBs would wear the front left out most quickly...
My car hasn't got tyre shredding power so the rears take much less of a battering...
However, I will agree that headline price isn't the only thing that affects the value for money aspect...longevity and performance also play a part...Hence why I am asking if anyone has experience of and can recommend (or not) particular tyres in appropriate size that compare with R888s...
I'm tempted to buy slicks...the work out about the same price new (as R888s) but can be had pretty cheap as part-worns...The only issue is that some trackdays don't allow slicks!
It's only a trackday, true, but I do want to maximise the enjoyment and performance of the car, hence why I have been using R888s...
I did heat cycle them at the first trackday (Brands Indy) and then used them again that day and at Cadwell, but the fronts are shot with the canvas showing through in a couple of spots on the shoulder...The were running hot 42psi...
The fronts wear faster because under cornering the car leans on the front corner...and on most right-hand UK circuits the front left tyre takes the most abuse. Even my old racing 2002 with very stiff suspension and ARBs would wear the front left out most quickly...
My car hasn't got tyre shredding power so the rears take much less of a battering...
However, I will agree that headline price isn't the only thing that affects the value for money aspect...longevity and performance also play a part...Hence why I am asking if anyone has experience of and can recommend (or not) particular tyres in appropriate size that compare with R888s...
I'm tempted to buy slicks...the work out about the same price new (as R888s) but can be had pretty cheap as part-worns...The only issue is that some trackdays don't allow slicks!
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