AEsco48

Hello, has anyone run "numbers" on if it makes sense to run Rcomps over street tires at the track?

Say you already have a trailer and you neglect the cost of a 2nd set of wheels... Does it make sense?

Have not done any research on what are the recommended tires for a 997.1 GT3, or their cost... Just thinking out loud.

(When I use to have an E46 M3, I picked up 2 sets of new Rcomps for less than street tires, they were great on track and wore better than street tires.)

mooty

no, any r compound will ultimtately cost you more than street tires. you may be grippier, but you will be poorer.

should someone can conclusively prove me wrong. i will provide him with monetary reward.

rnh204

I think OP is comparing top of the line street tires - say the Michelin super sports that are $2k+ Vs. Say a set of NT-01 that are $1k a set.

Maybe that way you are close to break even??

Spyerx

Thing is the r comps wear faster. So even though a set of 18" NT01 are about 1100-1200 shipped/installed and MPSS in 19" are about 1500 shipped/installed, the MPSS are 200 tread wear resting and the NT01 are 100. The Nitto will wear faster. maybe its a wash in this case. Hoosier more expensive. I think that if you're comparing an NT01 to say a Trofeo R or MPSC then maybe the NT01 is cheaper to run. But those are R comps.

I think Mooty is right on this one

996FLT6

Mooty speaks with valid experience with respect to tires. I don't know how many tires he has used but it's an understatement that he could make his neighborhood gated with a tirewall!!!! : ). Mike

hf1

Mooty is right, but another factor is your pace and skill level. At 6/10 pace a street tire will last you longer than an R comp. At 10/10 pace you will also be toasting/thrashing (maybe chunking or also unevenly wearing out) your street tires pretty quickly too. If you are consistently driving at 8+/10 pace, a Nitto NT-01 (with proper alignment to ensure even wear) may end up costing you less than a decent street tire -- with much less sliding around.

flyingpenguin

+1 on the chunking of street tires when driven hard on the track. Anyone share my less than stellar experience with MPSS-es? Fronts and rears are not up to the abuse of a 10+ lap session where enough heat and friction results in quarter size, upto quarter inch deep chunks start flying off the tires.
Oh and Michelin only grants a one time warranty. I got 80% discounted on a replacement set.

Also think it is not just about tread wear but more about heat cycling. Decent street tires like R-S3 or AD08-s loose grip well before cording.

orthojoe

Put me in the group that isn't as impressed with MPSS as others seem to be. Albeit on a different platform (BRZ), the MPSS don't grip very well. The reason I say this is because I have accelerometer data using MPSS on my BRZ on track, and compared it to the OEM michelin Primacy HP (Toyota prius tires). Shockingly, once heated up, they both only sustain 0.9G and start to break away at 1.0G. I have also heard that MPSS will heat cycle out before the tread is worn, but can't confirm for myself yet.

This is very true.

AEsco48

NT-01 only comes in a 235 width in 19"... At least per their web site. Am I missing something?

hf1

Get 18" track wheels.

AEsco48

Are there decent wheel options in 18" comparable to the cost of used OE 19"s?

ChrisF

Joe: Agree with the MPSS's. They were ok but not hugely impressed. I find the RS3's a much better dual purpose tire. Cheaper too.

OP: Lots of variables as noted above. I have run a bunch of different tires and found that the best balance is the RS3's. Running R comp or a more true street tire like the MPSS will always have compromises. That said, I run NT01's. Most grip, least price.

rnh204

Keep a lookout for used 18's.

You just missed out on an awesome deal for some forgeline ga3r in your exact offset too.

kyrocks

I chunked super sports big time. Hoosiers for me. Buy them from 4forme (hoosierdirect.com) and they're not as expensive as you think. For me, compared to michelin sport cups, they make financial sense.

JustSan

Pay to play - my NT-01's are at a 2:1 rear to front replacement ratio on my .1 3. I have 3 track days and 4 AX's and the rear's are spent, but the fronts are 50%. If you are looking for real value, IMO, go with the Hankook RS3's -they do well on the track (only about .2 secs slower than an R compound), and are great on the street. Just guessing here, but I would say the RS3's last at a minimum of 4-5 times longer under the exact same conditions.