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[beattiecj]

Hi All,

As track day season approaches I am gearing up with new tires and wheels (EC-7s) and planning to run 235-40-R18 up front and 265-35-R18 rear. I will be on stock suspension with Carbotech XP10 pads, with plans to do coilovers at some point.

For 2017 there seems to be many new choices in the 200 tread wear ultra-performance tire selection.

Can anyone provide input on the following tires?

My requirements are to get close to 10K miles, 5-10 Track Days, not swap tires driving to and from the track and no fender modifications to get the tire to fit.

Brand: Bridgestone
Model: Potenza RE-71R

Brand: Dunlop
Model: Direzza ZII Star Spec, is there a newer version coming out?

Brand: Falken
Model: Azenis RT615K+ and RT615K

Brand: Hankook
Model: Ventus R-S4, I have left out the R-S3 as I cannot find it on Tire Rack and assume the R-S4 is the replacement.

Brand: Kumho
Model: Ecsta V720

Brand: BF Goodrich
Model: G Force Rival

[drunkenup]

Word on the street is there is a Dunlop z3 next quarter or after. There is a leaked image of its tread pattern and contact patch improvement somewhere. I am very happy with my Z2 SS and they may still be running a rebate for them on tirerack. They run pretty wide and are very square compared to the rs4 which has tapered edges like the re71 now. Amateur testing reveals the rs4 a half second-second behind the rival S (and probably re71r).

[Rudy@tirerack]

I would recommend the Hankook RS4 or Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec. These tires seem to have decent wear with great performance.

The Bridgestones are super fast but wear pretty quickly.

[tock172]

In terms of grip, I've found nothing can touch the RE-71R aside from dedicated R-compund tires. Yes, they wear extremely fast, but that's the common tradeoff for performance.

[lowbudgethero]

RE-71R are probably better with grip,
but Z2 star specs might be on sale soon if the Z3s come out

I personally have the Z2s and like them

[deesea]

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

RE-71R are probably better with grip,
but Z2 star specs might be on sale soon if the Z3s come out

I personally have the Z2s and like them

are the ZIIs a squared off shoulder, or a rounded off one?

[lowbudgethero]

Originally Posted by deesea

are the ZIIs a squared off shoulder, or a rounded off one?

it's pretty squared off, they are about 10mm wider than my old PSS, both 255

[Ginger_Extract]

None of those tires are going to last 10 track days, unless you're just not pushing very hard. Of the bunch, get the Dunlops. They'll last the longest and have the best street manners.

[deesea]

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

it's pretty squared off, they are about 10mm wider than my old PSS, both 255

Awesome. Thanks, I think the Direzza's are going to be my next set.
Perhaps a 225/255 combo since the tires are so wide and front fitments will be tight.

[geeyore]

I've run 235/265 RE-11 on Apex 8.5/9.5 EC-7 wheels but there was rub in some track corners. 225/255 were better with very little rub. Also Nexen SUR4 which are grippy but very noisy on the street. I was considering RE-71s, but another guy at the track pointed out to me the degradation on the tire surface of his RE-71's, and we speculated it was tire heat. Some people more knowledgable than me have called the RE-71 an "autocross tire" because of that, while others have said they're fine on track.

After a few years I've given up on finding the right street/track performance tire with the right fit. Pretty soon it'll be DOT R or slicks on separate wheels, hauled in the back at the moment, which brings up a new kind of fitment problem. So that's probably lead to a Hoyt hitch and "luggage" trailer.

[Rallim]

Also another vote for the Dunlops. A few track friends have very good things to say about the Re-71's, and I found the old Rt-615s a little eh. Seemed the least sticky out of everything I've run for sticky tires

[beattiecj]

Originally Posted by geeyore

I've run 235/265 RE-11 on Apex 8.5/9.5 EC-7 wheels but there was rub in some track corners. 225/255 were better with very little rub. Also Nexen SUR4 which are grippy but very noisy on the street. I was considering RE-71s, but another guy at the track pointed out to me the degradation on the tire surface of his RE-71's, and we speculated it was tire heat. Some people more knowledgable than me have called the RE-71 an "autocross tire" because of that, while others have said they're fine on track.

After a few years I've given up on finding the right street/track performance tire with the right fit. Pretty soon it'll be DOT R or slicks on separate wheels, hauled in the back at the moment, which brings up a new kind of fitment problem. So that's probably lead to a Hoyt hitch and "luggage" trailer.

@geeyore

Thanks for the input.

Were you running any spacers and how much camber were you running with the 235s?

[Hops128i]

I have a dedicated track/autocross set of 245/40-17 ZII's. Although i have a 128i, i've done 40+ autocross runs and 4 track days (well 3 of those were track nights) and they still have a good amount of tread left. The ZII's are also ok in the rain. But i did have to roll the rear fender with 1.5 degrees rear camber.... probably wouldn't need to roll with 2 degrees.