E36 M3 Track Tyres

[Gouki]

A friend and I have recently purchased an E36 M3 Evo 96N for track days. Firstly the performance is outstanding as a drive back proved that it could keep his E92 M3 honest. Car is very standard but some upgrades will be on the shopping list soon, first of which will be track tyres.

Toyo R888 are very expensive at £200 a corner, what are peoples thoughts on Federal track tyres (half the price)?

Many thanks in advance!

[isleofthorns]

toyos are certainly better... i used some federals and they came apart around brands!
i am going to fit slicks this years, so pm if you're interested in 2 new 888 and some part worns etc

[Gouki]

pm sent

[isleofthorns]

ps.. good choice with the e36!!

[turbotoaster]

You mention track days, are you going to use the vehicle on the road aswell?

[Gouki]

Only really to drive the car to and from track.

[ga41]

A friend uses Hankook Z214 on his CSL and is happy with them. Not sure if they're street legal in the UK though. He's also used Kumho V70 semi slicks and thought they were great value for money.

[BJT]

I have Hankook Ventus R-S2's on my Evo for the dry and a set of Continental Contact 3's for the road and rain.
The Hankook's are great in the dry and very exciting in the wet. I went for Continentals as they have good reviews for wet road use and figured it would be ok for the track also.

interested to see what others are using however....

[Output Flange]

Try the Kumho V70a - not as expensive as 888s but bloody good. The hard compound ones will last roughly forever, too.

[E36GUY]

We use Yokohama AD08. Not as slick as A048s or 888s but very good and extremely durable.

[M3Charlie]

Another shout for Yoko AD08 here. Did about 100 laps at Brands on Monday really pushing it and they were excellent. Much harder wearing than R888s

[ga41]

I have AD08's as my dual purpose track/street tire. They're brilliant for that but will not provide the same performance as a good semi-slick.

[Gouki]

Just to report back, eventually purchased the federals due to price and they held up very well. 60 laps of the Indy circuit at brands and still showing a good amount of tread. They performed very well over the whole evening session and the car felt solid as well. The M3 will be revisiting brands at the end of the month and I have a new dilemma....

Bucket seats to be precise, my partner in crime on this project has a very different build to me - 5'11" 13st (me) vs. him at 6'2" 15st and would like to try before we buy. Many years ago I recall there being plenty of stores with wheels, seats and bodykits but now there seems to be a bit of a drought these days. Any recommendations for shops in the Kent, Essex, London area?

Thanks again!

[houlbt]

The hard Kumho's are an excellent tyre in the dry and will last a really long time... I'd certainly go with those. I have loads of part worns as we run them on the race cars.

[leem5]

I second Mr BJT with regards to the RS-2's, though consider slicks as they are also available.
Have heard good reviews about the Federals, glad they performed for you.

[BJT]

leem5 said:

I second Mr BJT with regards to the RS-2's, though consider slicks as they are also available.
Have heard good reviews about the Federals, glad they performed for you.

They were fun in the wet Lee at Donington!

[leem5]

Said they would be feller, mint in the dry and fun when moist ;-).

I've fitted the M5 with AD08's, see if it helps with my traction issues. Will keep you updated with the recent updates, as there's more four legged companions to come!