surlynkid

That is the dreaded tread splice issue. Huge problem seen on 275/35-18 used on E9x M3s. There was a period of date codes that seemed affected, but new production seems okay. Many M3 folks contacted Nitto to get free replacement. I have a new set but have not tracked them yet.

Cloudspin

Mine are 245/40/18 and 305/35/18, purchased in January 2014. Do you know of any M3ers that kept driving on them? I talked to a Cayman owner I know who says he kept going on them. The split isn't that deep (he said) and it went away as the tire wore. I'm hesitant to try that. Thank you.

tcsracing1

they shouldnt crack like that. What pressures are you using? Perhaps they are part of the bad batch?

I have 12 track days on my nittos and they do not look like that....

Fellas here in florida run em to the cords!

surlynkid

Here is the huge M3 issue.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=810859

Cloudspin

That's why I bought them..

dwost

Hmmm this is interesting. Wondering if it's a design flaw?? I do drive to and from the track which is why I assumed I ran over something. Very curious for feedback.

usctrojanGT3

8 days? Wow, I get a little over 4 on mine.

usctrojanGT3

Maybe that is why the 305/35/18 are now on back order...maybe they are trying to fix this splicing problem?

usctrojanGT3

How the hell do you get 12 days on your NT01s and I get 4-5???

Mvez

No, they are on back-order because now all 997 owners have a great DE tire to use.

I have two sets, one from last year, and a brand new one from this year with no issues. Every R-comp has issues from time to time, and to be honest, the 911 loads a tire very heavily. If you overdrive them while brand new, on a 911, they will grain slightly, but that's because of user over-driving, not because of a defect in the tire. Driving to and from the track with lots of negative camber may be heating the inside to much and causing splits on the track.

A LOT more M3 owners drive to and from the track, perhaps that's why they are developing more cracks as well.

No idea really, but I'm sure Nitto will figure it out.

In general, user error tends to be a contributing factor. Make sure you guys are running them at correct pressures, bring them up to temp carefully....don't just go out on the outlap and set flyers...never a good idea.

TRAKCAR

I've seen NT01's do that a lot.
Seems to happen on fast tracks, there something that tears them apart.

For RS drivers; I still have RA1's in RS size left!
Shaved to perfection.

$250 shipped and going up $25 next week and another the week after that.

dwost

Thanks Mvez for the info. I put a request into Nitto to see about the splitting issue. Will post my findings. What pressures are you running? I know there are MANY variables, just curious where you are at.

AudiOn19s

I've have two different 245's do that and a set of 255 Toyo 888's (similar tire same parent company) also do that....though none as bad as yours did.

One set I threw out, one I drove through it as they were pretty low when I noticed it and as the Cayman guy stated, for me, the crack went away when the tire got to where they are good.

Weird with the loads on the rear of our cars I've never had an issue with the 315 rears. You'd think that's where you'd see it.

I do drive mine to and from the track for what it's worth.

Mvez

that's because you drive flat out.

I've had RA1's do the same thing, but not quite as bad. I just drove on them till they corded and monitored it. It's just a judgement call. It does look like you have considerably more tread wear on one side of the tire, perhaps that has something to do with it, or not at all. I'm typically between 32 and 36 hot....typically 32-34 front, 34-36 rear....pretty much all of us run the same pressures, so I doubt that's the problem.

I'm sure Nitto will give some guidance.

Spyerx

I've yet to see chunking or splitting. Running about 32-33 hot front, 34-35 hot rear and feels good. I'm a little faster now so this set will probably only last me about 6 days. I drive to and from track.

Appreciate the pics, will keep an eye out on this.