Mixing Tyres

[benm3evo]

Hi,

We're relatively new to track days, have done 2 so far in our R53 Mini Cooper S.

Currently, it has some crappy old ditch finder tyres on it which, to be fair, have been ok on the track (especially in the wet!) but we've always had a plan to replace them with something proper when we've got the funds for a spare set of wheels.

We've got the next track day booked in April & my mate has acquired a new pair of Nankang NS-2R tyres. We're considering getting those fitted to the front & leaving the rears as they are for now but I'm just concerned what affect this will have with all the grip up front.

We take it pretty steady on track & aren't looking to set the world on fire so is it likely to be ok or is it likely to become silly/stupid/dangerous!?

Cheers

[E-bmw]

As you will get much better grip one end over the other it may seriously affect the balance of the car, I wouldn't, but others may.

[brillomaster]

i wouldnt... NS2Rs will be miles, miles better than ditchfinders, it'll be fine, right up to the point that you turn in on nice warm fronts, only to find the cheapo rears overheated and turned to mush 2 laps earlier, and you have a massive oversteer moment like the rear of the car is on castors.

wait until you can put a full set on. if you absolutely must mix and match, i'd put the NS2Rs on the rear, so you have nice safe understeer if you push past the limit - which'll actually feel pretty similar to what it does now, probably...

[PJ_Parsons]

Change all the tyres to the NS2R. You pay all that money to do the track day and invest lots of time. At least turn up with a car that will be fun and safe to drive. NS2R’s are not exactly big money.

[PJ_Parsons]

Change all the tyres to the NS2R. You pay all that money to do the track day and invest lots of time. At least turn up with a car that will be fun and safe to drive. NS2R’s are not exactly big money.

[Electric Blue]

You must enjoy snap lift off oversteer!

[e46m3c]

brillomaster said:

i wouldnt... NS2Rs will be miles, miles better than ditchfinders, it'll be fine, right up to the point that you turn in on nice warm fronts, only to find the cheapo rears overheated and turned to mush 2 laps earlier, and you have a massive oversteer moment like the rear of the car is on castors.

Done it before and it’s great fun but a bit sketchy as rears can be good one corner and gone the next. Mine was cup2 front ditchfinder rears on 300bhp rwd so the difference was probably more dramatic. Fantastic fun tho. Unlimited turn in grip

Probably wouldn’t do it again.

[benm3evo]

Cheers for the replies.

Confirmed what I thought really.

We have decided to put 4 good road tyres on it & save the NS-2r's for when we've got a spare set of wheels. We don't want to commit to the NS-2r's yet incase it rains & ruins our day!

Thanks for the advice.
Cheers.

[Hard-Drive]

My experience with ever so slightly mis-matched tyres, on a road car, in the dry...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...