Tire Time

[MrMike]

Here ya go, fresh off the press.

It looks like they did the AD09 last year but not this year. I went back to watch that video also.

The AD09 seemed to get praise overall even though it was slow. Consistent and predictable.

The SC3's consistency and heat tolerance looks really nice but I'm concerned about it's durability as discussed earlier in the thread.

Michelins seem overrated in this segment.

Some of the ratings don't quite line up with the Grassroots Motorsport chart. The Tempesta seems to need a lot of warmup and the SC3 seems like it has quite good heat tolerance.

I guess you have to take each test with a grain of salt and consider plus or minus half a rating because of the different environments.

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[NightmareMoon]

It looks like they did the AD09 last year but not this year. I went back to watch that video also.

The AD09 seemed to get praise overall even though it was slow. Consistent and predictable.

The SC3's consistency and heat tolerance looks really nice but I'm concerned about it's durability as discussed earlier in the thread.

Michelins seem overrated in this segment.

Some of the ratings don't quite line up with the Grassroots Motorsport chart. The Tempesta seems to need a lot of warmup and the SC3 seems like it has quite good heat tolerance.

I guess you have to take each test with a grain of salt and consider plus or minus half a rating because of the different environments.

Yep grain of salt. Honestly I hear the SC3 is pretty good all around. On a hot day I drove a set and liked it.

The Vitours are actually fine in cool dry colditions even before warming up but very bad in the wet.

My favorite tire is the A052. It may fall off some when overly hot but its a superhero in just about every other condition. Its not as razor sharp as some but its got grip for days.

The Re71RS is probably the best all around in the 200TW group. A boring choice because it has so few flaws.

 

[TonyNJ]

ive brought my search down to

-Continental dws 06 *all season

-General Gmax-RS *Summer tire

I run both of these currently on 2 different cars for 2 different purposes.

The DWS 06 is great in the cooler weather but a little sloppy in the summer, so I take them off then. They're 305/30/20s. Heavy car.

The General is surprisingly nimble summer tire for the price. 285/35/19s on a much lighter car and I'm very happy with them.

Hope that helps.

 

[MrMike]

Yep grain of salt. Honestly I hear the SC3 is pretty good all around. On a hot day I drove a set and liked it.

The Vitours are actually fine in cool dry colditions even before warming up but very bad in the wet.

My favorite tire is the A052. It may fall off some when overly hot but its a superhero in just about every other condition. Its not as razor sharp as some but its got grip for days.

The Re71RS is probably the best all around in the 200TW group. A boring choice because it has so few flaws.

The A052 and RE71RS look to be excellent, but I don't think I'm skilled enough to benefit from their extra grip. I think something with less grip and more durability would help me learn. SC3 almost seems like a middle ground between them and AD09/ECF.

 

[GTP]

@MrMike are you comparing the TW #s of the different tires?

 

[MrMike]

@MrMike are you comparing the TW #s of the different tires?

Yep, generally looking at 200TW.

 

[GTP]

Yep, generally looking at 200TW.

That's the reason to eliminate the ECF tire, not because it's not available in 275 (because it is, at least with 40 profile).

Going from summer tire to Cup2 305 transformed the handling of my car. Get ready for increased fun factor.

 

[MrMike]

That's the reason to eliminate the ECF tire, not because it's not available in 275 (because it is, at least with 40 profile).

Going from summer tire to Cup2 305 transformed the handling of my car. Get ready for increased fun factor.

ECF is 200tw, ECS02 is 340tw.

I am hype for the jump to a real track tire though!!

 

[GTP]

ECF is 200tw, ECS02 is 340tw.

I am hype for the jump to a real track tire though!!

Oh yeah, my bad. You're referring to the new Conti ECF 200tw tire. Yeah, not in 285. I was confusing the two models. Sorry.

FYI I worked really hard on alignment before putting on the Cup 2 tires. Getting at least 5 weekends out of them.

 

[Dave2013M3]

My vote is the ContiSportContace 02 in the 285/35/19 size.

 

[SBR70.3]

Have you looked into the Potenza RE71RS? They are available in the size you are looking for. Outstanding track tire that isn't too bad on the street. Only gripe I have is it picks up every rock on the road.

 

[jay_larold]

I also wanted to try the Continental ECF but their sizing for 19" wheels is peculiar. So I went with the GY SC3's in the same size you are looking for (285/35/19) and I have no complaints at all. I'm not an auto cross or time trials guy, but I find that they do just fine over the course of a 20 minute track session, free of any drama. I think you could get the number of track days you are hoping to get out of them if you are a smooth driver. I've done maybe 6 track days on them and a decent amount of road miles and the wear seems great so far. Can post a pic of them later if you'd like. I'm not sure what your situation and requirements are, but my car isn't my daily and generally only goes out in nice weather.

 

[MrMike]

The back-order on GY SC3 was too long for my taste, so that sealed the deal on the AD09. I'd have to consider the car parked for the year if I ordered GY SC3s. Getting the AD09s installed on 9/26.

 

[jay_larold]

Availability is King! The SC3's used to be a good deal, too, but not so much anymore. I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Ugh these reviews are killing me-too many choices. Just burned up my original gen RT-660's in 305/30/19 square after two track weekends at Putnam (~10hrs total track driving time plus autrocross before that). I'm in Novice Solo, about to move to intermediate and weighing discounted 660's (1200 a set), 660+, and older date buy 3 get 4th free ECF's. It's amazing how many choices there are between tires.

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