Fall / Winter Tires for R Model

[Tomster]

I just ordered a set of 305's and 325's. They have as of now 5 of the 305's left.

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[nastang87xx]

The OP referred to the R...

Yeah I know. I was just referring to there not really being a huge problem with running squares tires on a setup that's only staggered by .5 inches. I probably wouldn't run 305's on an 11.5" inch wheel either but that's also my personal preference.

 

[DrumReaper]

Yeah I know. I was just referring to there not really being a huge problem with running squares tires on a setup that's only staggered by .5 inches. I probably wouldn't run 305's on an 11.5" inch wheel either but that's also my personal preference.

Same thinking here bro.

 

[Bosshog]

Not bad then, especially considering they are essentially R-comps. Might be worth a shot at that price!

Well hopefully I can report back on daily use vs. track day use. . I've seen a lot of varying use on tires and sometimes and often the actual wear goes against what one has read or the opinions of others w/out actual experience with "said" tires.

For example, the stock P zero's on my boss got 18K miles out of them, daily, track use and auto X before they were kaput.

The MPSS started to lose a lot of rubber right off the bat. And probably would have lasted half the miles if not less. (I sold the car and thus not able to run the tires into the ground)

The MPSS have a higher tread wear rating (300) and the P Zero's less (220)

Potentially I was driving a lot harder at the time I installed the MPSS's and had more experience?

Perhaps the weather and environment was harsher to the MPSS's than the P zeros?

So many factors come into play that even reviews or tests online by Tire Rack and other tire distributors aren't exactly "real world" applications. I think to a varying degree (75% or so) they are accurate - but then there's the real world. . which is NOW!

 

[Mike02z]

Well hopefully I can report back on daily use vs. track day use. . I've seen a lot of varying use on tires and sometimes and often the actual wear goes against what one has read or the opinions of others w/out actual experience with "said" tires.

For example, the stock P zero's on my boss got 18K miles out of them, daily, track use and auto X before they were kaput.

The MPSS started to lose a lot of rubber right off the bat. And probably would have lasted half the miles if not less. (I sold the car and thus not able to run the tires into the ground)

The MPSS have a higher tread wear rating (300) and the P Zero's less (220)

Potentially I was driving a lot harder at the time I installed the MPSS's and had more experience?

Perhaps the weather and environment was harsher to the MPSS's than the P zeros?

So many factors come into play that even reviews or tests online by Tire Rack and other tire distributors aren't exactly "real world" applications. I think to a varying degree (75% or so) they are accurate - but then there's the real world. . which is NOW!

One note, you cannot compare tire thread ratings from one brand to another. The criteria manufactures use varies. So a 300 MPSS is not the same as a Conti DWS 300 tread wear rating. There is no industry standard that all manufacturers use.

 

[Bossing]

One note, you cannot compare tire thread ratings from one brand to another. The criteria manufactures use varies. So a 300 MPSS is not the same as a Conti DWS 300 tread wear rating. There is no industry standard that all manufacturers use.

That's true... they are not exactly equal nor precisely alike from manufacturer to manufacturer.

But they're still a gauge on whether the tires are soft/med/hard compounds and can give you an estimate on tire longevity & wear.

 

[Bosshog]

One note, you cannot compare tire thread ratings from one brand to another. The criteria manufactures use varies. So a 300 MPSS is not the same as a Conti DWS 300 tread wear rating. There is no industry standard that all manufacturers use.

Yep, same as fuel consumption - each engine maker has a different formula to obtain fuel consumption data. . . at least in large diesel engines. It's a way to get their product to look the best, but in the end the test is skewed because the formula benefits them.

You can/could match/compare brand to brand in tires, but not cross brands as you reference . .

 

[Tomster]

That's true... they are not exactly equal nor precisely alike from manufacturer to manufacturer.

But they're still a gauge on whether the tires are soft/med/hard compounds and can give you an estimate on tire longevity & wear.

So bosshog was talking about using them for street and track. An 80 UTQG on the Conti's would make them a much softer/stickier tire than the cup 2's (180 UTQG).

A common observation that I have read is that with the cup 2's, they are very soft and sticky and they throw a lot of rocks up off the street (onto your car).

Would it be safe to say that these conti tires with a much lower UTQG rating would make that worse? Furthermore, are these designed as primarily a track tire and not so much intended for street use?

Thanks (either way, I'm keeping them) ;)

 

[Bosshog]

So bosshog was talking about using them for street and track. An 80 UTQG on the Conti's would make them a much softer/stickier tire than the cup 2's (180 UTQG).

A common observation that I have read is that with the cup 2's, they are very soft and sticky and they throw a lot of rocks up off the street (onto your car).

Would it be safe to say that these conti tires with a much lower UTQG rating would make that worse? Furthermore, are these designed as primarily a track tire and not so much intended for street use?

Thanks (either way, I'm keeping them) ;)

Tomster, read the link / review above. . I think these tires were tested/compared to the MPSS and not the MPSS Cup 2's. Considering my experience with the MPSS's and the cost of these Conti puppies - I went with the more affordable tires and ditched the idea of getting MPSS's for Fall/Winter non track use.

 

[nastang87xx]

That's true... they are not exactly equal nor precisely alike from manufacturer to manufacturer.

But they're still a gauge on whether the tires are soft/med/hard compounds and can give you an estimate on tire longevity & wear.

Bridgestone has taken a lot of heat for rating RE71R's at 200. They wear out idiotically fast. That was clearly autocross influence.

 

[Tomster]

Tomster, read the link / review above. . I think these tires were tested/compared to the MPSS and not the MPSS Cup 2's. Considering my experience with the MPSS's and the cost of these Conti puppies - I went with the more affordable tires and ditched the idea of getting MPSS's for Fall/Winter non track use.

Thanks for the reply. One of the reasons I asked what I did was based on what some of the members were talking about with this tire compared to the cup 2's.

These ARE track-intended tires... I have friends with Porsche GT3/4 cars that used these and they grip just as good or close to Cup2's. Some argue even a tad better... they remind me of my "Dunlop Sport Maxx Race" tires on my GT4.

They grip well, sticky well, but as stated they can wear out fast... faster than Cup2's which are higher treadwear rating anyway (more than double). If these tires were standard prices, I wouldn't have bought them.

The minimum tread review talked about the Conti's vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup and Toyo Proxes R888, which led me to read the reviews over at tire rack where most used the same comparison.

I guess the whole point of my question was is this a suitable normal street use tire or is it more specifically designed for the track? I have an R coming and the first thing I am going to do is get those carbon fiber wheels off the car and put a set of 6gr wheels on along with these tires. For the price, I guess whether they are a suitable street tire or not, they will be fine.

Another possible use for these tires would be for track days in the track pack I currently have. Based upon what I have read, they are much more suited for the track than the MPSS that are currently on the car. I've always been a believer that the biggest difference between the R and the TP is the tires. Go from a MPSS to a cup 2 and I think it would be a dramatic difference. These Conti's are probably closer to a cup 2 than MPSS.

So that's about what I got from the reviews. My only concern was are they a decent street tire as well. Again, you cant go wrong with the price....

Thanks again for the reply. You guys have a great day

 

[krt22]

Tomster, read the link / review above. . I think these tires were tested/compared to the MPSS and not the MPSS Cup 2's. Considering my experience with the MPSS's and the cost of these Conti puppies - I went with the more affordable tires and ditched the idea of getting MPSS's for Fall/Winter non track use.

They were not compared to the MPSS, but were compared to the original sport cup and the R888. Both essentially R-comps.

 

[Tomster]

The new tires arrived today..... they look real nice. 305's in the front and 325's for the rear. I'll get around to ordering the 6GR R spec wheels when they start building my R. Slap these new keds on and I should be ready to go.

Thanks for the heads up Bosshog!

 

[Bosshog]

The new tires arrived today..... they look real nice. 305's in the front and 325's for the rear. I'll get around to ordering the 6GR R spec wheels when they start building my R. Slap these new keds on and I should be ready to go.

Thanks for the heads up Bosshog!

Damn, that was FAST!! My 325's showed up today from Vegas, the 305's are coming from Indiana. . should be here by the end of the week. The 6GR wheels shipped and sorry to say, I got the last set of gloss black ones (or at least that's what Paul told me.) They do have plenty of satin and graphite I was alerted! I wanted to keep the exact stock look (even though either satin or graphite look great) but with the gloss black mirrors and painted roof - got to keep it shiny IMO.

 

[Jb350]

Tomster, read the link / review above. . I think these tires were tested/compared to the MPSS and not the MPSS Cup 2's. Considering my experience with the MPSS's and the cost of these Conti puppies - I went with the more affordable tires and ditched the idea of getting MPSS's for Fall/Winter non track use.

Definitely an awesome deal, I bought a set as well. For > $900 for a set of track tires is a no Brainer, and thanks for the heads up. That being said your rationale is a little off. The comparison tests you are quoting are comparing Michelin Pilot sport cups(not PSS), and toyo r888 ( both essentially track tires) and while the contis performed better in the wet than those 2, does not mean they are a good daily tire for any season. The tests are also from a few years ago, hence why they are compared to the original Sport Cup and not the Cup 2s. Thesee tires are an excellent value for a set of summer/track tires, but believe me, MPSS will be far superior in the wet, especially when the weather cools down(the Contis NEED heat), and will last much longer. All I'm trying to say is that the value in these tires is buying them for the track, buying them as a cheap alternative to MPSS for the cooler months, you will be disappointed.

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