Difficulty choosing a sticky tire....

[z31maniac]

I finally purchased some different wheels for the E30. So I'll now be running a 235/40/17. I'd like to run a 245/40/17, but I don't think there is enough room with a 17 x 8 ET 25.

The car will be the daily when its nice out (but to work and back is less than 4 miles a day) and will see the occasional Auto-X and HPDE.

I've even had a couple friends suggest just running an unshaved RA1 since it will stand up better to track duty and I have a short commute that won't even warm the tires up. I'm not so sure I like this idea.

I've been leaning towards the RT-615. Another friend here who is an avid autocrosser tells me I should be going after the new Dunlop Direzza Star Spec.

I haven't received the latest GRM yet to see if the did their test yet.

Opinions?

[whiltebeitel]

You could get away with the RA-1's. The Azenis tend to heat up too much for DE's, at least here in Texas. The Direzzas are also cheap and faster than the Azeni, I don't think they have te same temp issues as the Azenis.

If you want other alternatives, the Bridgestone RE-R01 and the pricey Advan Neova are very competitive AX tires. the Advan starts it's sizes in 17"

[z31maniac]

Paging Mystikal.......

[2002maniac]

I've driven a few cars with RA-1's on the street. They actually make pretty decent street tires. Especially if you dont drive much.

[Coouuper S]

BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2

Hands down best tires I have had so far. Azenis heat up to fast and wear out fast. The KDW 2 tires last a very long time and take a while to heat up. Very sticky with the right tire pressures and a great tire for street driving.

[z31maniac]

^That was my first choice, but I keep thinking Extreme Summer Performance is what I want.

Been looking the Direzza Star Spec.

[Coouuper S]

Those kdw2 are extreme summer tires. Both tires look great and are faily the same price. However, the KDW2's have alot more thread on them which will last you alot more longer. They also have a higher speed rating.

[z31maniac]

Those kdw2 are extreme summer tires. Both tires look great and are faily the same price. However, the KDW2's have alot more thread on them which will last you alot more longer. They also have a higher speed rating.

KDW 2's are Max Performance Summer, not Extreme Performance summer.

[Coouuper S]

lol

[Mystikal]

Paging Mystikal.......

Here.

I really like the KDW2 and I've made this known, but for your purposes (so little street miles), go with something more aggressive. The KDW2 is just about the perfect dual-purpose no-compromise (well, least compromise) tire in my opinion, but you barely touch the street. FWIW, I just mounted my 235/40/17 KDW2's on my M3 yesterday, I'll be breaking them the next few days and flogging them in the mountains this weekend. :)

For what you want, look at the all-star list: AD07, RE-01R, Z1. The RT-615 heats up too fast for long track sessions, although it would be very quick for the first 10mins or so. The R-S2 is an option, but it's just not on the same level as the first 3 tires I mentioned. Unshaved RA-1 is a possibility, but will require a little more care than the street tires here. I wouldn't bother going that far, especially on a car you're not familiar with yet.

[z31maniac]

Good deal.

Keep this thread updated after your weekend experience with the KDW2's. I remember seeing a GT Mustang out at Hallett last month that was running them in the rain at an HPDE, and they seemed to do very well.

[z31maniac]

Well after getting off the phone with Tire Rack, I think I'm just going to go ahead and get some KDW2's.

The rep told me there are approx. 14 sets of the Direzza D1 on backorder ahead of me, had I put my name on the list. And Neova's and RE01-R's would over $200 for a set of either close to $300 for the Neova's.

[z31maniac]

Well hell, it looks like ALL the STX tires are on backorder or not released yet in the size I need.

Only thing availbble is the Yok Neova, which mounted and balanced are going to run around $1100!!!!!

[Mystikal]

lol, nice. You'll be happy with the KDW2s if you have to go that route. Even at 33/36psi (started with OEM spec to get a baseline) I'm pretty impressed with the response these things are giving me.

[z31maniac]

If it came down to the KDW2's or the RT-615 for my use what would you say?

I'm thinking I'll probably spend the rest of the year at the Auto-X, then HPDE next year. Just because I can ride a sportbike at the track doesn't mean I'll have a handle on this car yet.