Some Auto-x pics and review on E30S50's performance...

[nando]

Many autocrossers here in WA state tend to agree with this and I was reluctant to try it for myself until a mid summer autocross that was around 60 and cloudy with a few damp patches on the track. Grip was high and stayed level for the entire length of each run on the Toyos. The day before had nearly identical conditions without the damp spots. I was running 1 year old A3S05's, Nando in his IX was on stickers. Couldnt get the tire temps above 85 in either case and they just dont seem to work well unless you get them over around 100 (co-drivers help with this). With this overall lack of grip, you have to "tip-toe" around on these tires in these conditions. Not so on the toyos.

that was fun. I almost spun like 5 times...

[matt]

I think I have 22 e30 wheels... 4 15s, 4 16s, and all the rest are bottlecaps.

[etxxz]

mazur, i'm glad you make use of the car that you have. you have a great setup and your s50 seems to be running nicely. good job on the swap

i drove in Sebring int. raceway (FL) this summer with an m20 so we'll see how the 3.2 changes that experience :D

I think I have 22 e30 wheels... 4 15s, 4 16s, and all the rest are bottlecaps.

^^ lol and i thought that 13weaves (14-1xcurbed) + 3x 17" montegi (4-1xcurbed) was plenty of rims considering i go through 8-12 tires at most drift event

[dinanm3atl]

Funny how everyone seems to love the RA1 and I think my dad had them on his camaro back in 87...


Hehe.. My dad didn't have a camaro nor RA1's but... actually had a white e30 m3 but anyways what I am getting at is there are WAY BETTER tires out there in the price range. The RA1 is soon to be replaced and is a RELIC... Way old tech. Yes it still works but damn it is old hehe

[Charlie]

I am getting at is there are WAY BETTER tires out there in the price range. hehe

And those would be? The Hoosier & Kumho R compounds run nearly $100 more a tire. The Avons have a "spotty" reputation at best. This leaves what else, Hankook?

The RA1 is an excellent, long lasting tire. At full tread depth, it's an excellent rain tire, and shaved it makes a nice, consistant R compound that can run full sessions without going off noticeably.

-Charlie

[nando]

I was going to say, if there was a much better tire for the same price, why wouldn't people be using them already?

[10/10ths]

The Avons have a "spotty" reputation at best. This leaves what else, Hankook?

I would never run Avons either...a friend of mine ran a set of avon slicks a couple of seasons ago for track use with a few autocross events. He said a full tread RA1 had more grip than that tire and he was just waiting for them to wear out to get his money out of them. If I remember, they cost as much as a Hoosier.

Two years ago I picked up some Hankook (ventus?) tires from a spec Miata racer. (qualifying tires) Not sure of the specific model but it was a medium compound that had been shaved, similar to an RA1. It was a great track tire from what I remember, but I made the mistake of trying them for autocross-they for sure need heat before they work. But I got my $40 bucks out of them!

[Brian D]

Mazur, I PM'd you. Let me know.

[cheades]

A BBK is ONLY useful if youre cooking your pads and/or fluid. You dont mention that anywhere. What you do mention is lack of bite, which almost entirely has to do with pad compound. You need to make up your mind. You want more bite but you want to run them on the street. Mutually exclusive for the most part. Get a set of pads for the track, HT-10s or PFC01s. HP+ are really just not that aggressive.

I would also look into new rotors or getting your current ones cleaned and rebed the pads. After my last track day swapping back to regular pads I noticed a distinct lack of immediate bite, they are better now but it took a while for them to get better.

Had the RA-1's for a little while now and yes they are great on the track, only autox'd once with them and they weren't bad and definitely better than Hoosiers in cold weather.

[Mystikal]

I'm late to the party, but wanted to chime in with my opinion. nando and Charlie (as usual, take note people) are spot-on.

Also, your traction issues are partially to blame on the R-S2's. They have absolutely terrible longitudial traction, a result of the massive void area. Under both braking and acceleration they lag way behind other tires in the class. Even if you didn't want to switch to the 14" R-comps, moving to a 215/45/16 RT-615 will actually improve your traction.

Jay

[matt]

I'm late to the party, but wanted to chime in with my opinion. nando and Charlie (as usual, take note people) are spot-on.

Also, your traction issues are partially to blame on the R-S2's. They have absolutely terrible longitudial traction, a result of the massive void area. Under both braking and acceleration they lag way behind other tires in the class. Even if you didn't want to switch to the 14" R-comps, moving to a 215/45/16 RT-615 will actually improve your traction.

Jay

That's what I run and they're awesome.

[mazur]

I'm late to the party, but wanted to chime in with my opinion. nando and Charlie (as usual, take note people) are spot-on.

Also, your traction issues are partially to blame on the R-S2's. They have absolutely terrible longitudial traction, a result of the massive void area. Under both braking and acceleration they lag way behind other tires in the class. Even if you didn't want to switch to the 14" R-comps, moving to a 215/45/16 RT-615 will actually improve your traction.

Jay

I'm probably going to opt for a set of 225 RA-1's for the 14's.

But if I did stick with street tires, would not 245 RS-2's be better than 215 RT615's longituedly?

[Mystikal]

I'm probably going to opt for a set of 225 RA-1's for the 14's.

But if I did stick with street tires, would not 245 RS-2's be better than 215 RT615's longituedly?

Perhaps. However with their soft sidewalls, I wouldn't like them much on 8" wide rims. You'd be sacrificing response and stability for straight-line traction.

Jay

[Axxe]

Stay away from 225's on weaves or caps. Steering response sucks monkey balls, and 205's have almost as much grip without the steering response loss. With the 225's it takes the car an extra split second to "set-up" for the corner, which is fine on track, but autox with it's transitions ends up in very unsatisftying understeer as the tires try valiantly keep up with the wheels. It's wrestling with the wheel, not fun at all. If you go to r-comps, stick to 225's on the 8 inch wheel (MAX 235). You don't need anymore grip than that unless you are being super competitive or have 300 + whp. I'd recommend trying the 215/45/16 RT-615's first, as they have razor sharp response and high grip, as well as very linear loss of grip.

[10/10ths]

Stay away from 225's on weaves or caps. Steering response sucks monkey balls

Monkey Balls? Nah, they dont suck that bad. Caps/225's I wouldnt try, but 225's on weaves is surprisingly good.