R3V Mountain Crew at High Plains Raceway

[Bimmerman325i]

I'm also a huge fan of the R-S3, but this concern you guys seem to have about finding "talkative" tires is a bit hard for me to understand. Most race tires make no noise at all. The way you tell when a tire is developing a slip angle is by feel (it's pretty obvious). Tire noise varies greatly from one tire to another and is largely meaningless.

If you aren't able to feel when a tire is slipping, then that's a sign you're overdriving the car. Back off, smooth out your inputs, and pay attention to how the car feels as the suspension loads up in the corners. All the information is there!

Personally, I hate noisy/squealing tires. Very annoying!

Well, none of us are instructors or all that experienced in feeling grip through the steering wheel, so it's nice to have more clues as to tire behavior than just what the wheel transmits.

[Emre]

I'm also a huge fan of the R-S3, but this concern you guys seem to have about finding "talkative" tires is a bit hard for me to understand. Most race tires make no noise at all. The way you tell when a tire is developing a slip angle is by feel (it's pretty obvious). Tire noise varies greatly from one tire to another and is largely meaningless.

If you aren't able to feel when a tire is slipping, then that's a sign you're overdriving the car. Back off, smooth out your inputs, and pay attention to how the car feels as the suspension loads up in the corners. All the information is there!

Personally, I hate noisy/squealing tires. Very annoying!

[OhioriderAaron]

Great series of photos and nice review on the RS3's! May just have to get those instead of the SSpecs :)

[Bimmerman325i]

I was there in a red E36 M3 that both Bishop and Cloudbase drove, and I'm the guy who rode with Ben and instantly preferred the RS3s. They really are talkative but not annoyingly so...my brand new Star Specs gripped, but it was always a guess how long before they'd break loose and slide. I'm nowhere near experienced enough to tell by feel rather than sound so having tires that didn't talk was actually disappointing. I got in a couple slides and minor two wheel off moments simply because the tires didn't say anything....until they lost all grip.

I'm buying a set of RS3s as soon as the SS wear out, that's for damn sure.

I had so much fun that day. Cannot wait to go out again.

pics of my car, courtesy of blefevre

[Bishop]

Considering the tread wear rating and my driving... They're not that bad... I learned on the star specs that tread goes bye bye on the street quickly, so the hankooks were taken off quickly... I forgot I gave you a ride too lol, looks like I'm doing a decent job selling these tires haha

[blefevre]

Brad the pic of Ben's car in the turn is freakin tits man. Great shot.

Thanks! If I end up with one good shot per photo session it makes me happy.

Also, it looks like the RS-3's took a beating. They might not last long, BUT I am still getting a set after that day :)

[gverelli]

Wow Bishop what a review lol. Now I definitely have to get them!! Got me excited when I have no money haha. But seriously, I will get them before the first event in June

[Cloudbase]

Yeah man, no worries. We'll make it work.

[Bishop]

Thanks Alex, I texted you this morning (slept right through the phone ringing apparently) and then ran off to class.... PM'd you too... ;)

[Cloudbase]

Hey guys I've been working all day or I would have jumped in sooner.

Terrible video. If I wanted music over engine noise I have my own play button.

I want to listen to the fucking beautiful M-Coupe.

cool vid but i want to here more engine noise too... i did check out your pictures tho, and your e30 build/restoration album is awesome!

I added music because there is just wind noise, no engine noise. The Hero Cam doesn't capture much other than wind noise unless it's mounted down close to the air dam.

Here's one with S54 growl:

this. btw, is the video sped up?

The video is at 130% speed, so it isn't actually sped up that much, although the difference makes it look painfully slow. This is more a function of super wide angle lens then actual speed.

Brad the pic of Ben's car in the turn is freakin tits man. Great shot.

I'll get a longer clip of Ben's lines up soon.

[Bishop]

this. btw, is the video sped up?

Yes, but Alex mostly put this vid together to be a highlight reel kind of... He told me that if I wanted, which I do, he'll post a longer video of the track. If I can get in touch with him before then, I'll request no music and at normal speed. Though, the cam was mounted on the windshield, so wind noise would probably be all you can hear. I was going to post this, but I'd LOVE some feedback from the more seasoned guys on my line and I'm open to suggestions!

@Bishop, How did the RS-3's feel?????

I love em. Hands down, I love them more than the Dunlops, and I'll say that time and time again. I love the Hankook RS-3's.

I love the Hankook RS-3's.

I love the Hankook RS-3's.

I love the Hankook RS-3's.

Now, I went from 17x8 wheels, 235/40-17 star specs, to 15x8, 225/45-15 RS-3's... With the larger star specs I felt they really strained the car and I never really drove all that confidently. Also, it was very notable that the star specs don't talk to you... at all... They're quiet.... quiet.... quiet... scream and then let go... I hated this feeling.... The RS-3s made plenty of noise and were a BLAST to drive on! Instilled so much more confidence than the star specs ever did, felt like there was less strain on the car, and they talked, and talked, and talked, and then RIGHT as they let go (understeer) they got much louder, but were VERY easy to get back under control. I absolutely loved how my car changed... and yes, your mileage may vary, I don't care, between the two setups I've tested, I'd prefer the 15s w/ RS-3s over and over again. I just feel they were better and more fun... GAWD were they fucking fun... For those who wanna defend the star specs, go for it, that's your gig. I got to drive that M-coupe w/ star specs, as well as bimmerman's semi-prepped e36 m3, also on star specs, and pushing those cars I felt the same thing.... More power, still no noise... It wasn't confidence inspiring.. Now, I can't speak on Alex's behalf (cloudbase) but I can speak on David's since i don't think he chimed in, but he rode in my car and instantly said he preferred the RS-3s simply because of how talkative they were... It's nice being able to hear what the car's doing and he said he'd be buying a set of Hankooks when his 2 sets of start specs are dead.

Now, bitch if you want about my review, defend the star specs, etc. etc. etc.... This was my feeling, and I had a set of star specs on my STi as well was the e30 before switching to the RS-3.... Love me some Hankook.

/mini-rant



Again! Really interested in hearing feedback from seasoned track junkies! Always wanting to improve on my driving, braking, etc. etc. etc.

[gverelli]

@Bishop, How did the RS-3's feel?????

[leegf]

Terrible video. If I wanted music over engine noise I have my own play button.

I want to listen to the fucking beautiful M-Coupe.

Im pretty sure if you listened to the audio from the camera you would just get wind noise.

this. btw, is the video sped up?

[blefevre]

Brad, can I get the hi-res of that last turning shot so I can get a new sig made?

Sure thing, PM me your email and I will get it after work.

[Bishop]

Brad, can I get the hi-res of that last turning shot so I can get a new sig made?