Tire feedback

[StephanAlfa]

On the fence about choices of my next set of tires vs budget. I currently take 10 point for my tires using BFG-R-1-S but one got corded at Thompson:

Continental = any one has experience on those?

BFG R-1S: I have been using these for the past 3 years, excellent tires but cannot find a good deal on it!

Hoosiers: cannot find a good deal on it and best if bought new (not in my budget)

Toyo Proxes RR = oddly enough only 4 points for those but I hear great things about it

Hancook C71 (softest for my car and size) = I hear good things but they go out fast

I currently have a deal on affordable contis with 2-4 HC but i have no experience with them.
Feedback much appreciated.

[Nbarros]

I've only heard negative feedback from the continental take-offs. Usedracingtires.com currently has a good deal on R1S take-offs. https://usedracingtires.com/collections ... /225+45+17
I bought my Conti challenge wets from them and they have been great.

Nelson Barros
#377 T70

[StephanAlfa]

Thanks Nelson:
I have excellent experience with BFGs ...

I have usedracingtires.com on my list but there's no BFG R-1-S in 245 base ... 245/45/17 is what I am looking for.
Only the Continental: this is why i am asking for feedback before in Invest.

[joncowen]

Stephan,
I think you want 245/40/17, not the 45s. I'm not even sure the 45s exists.
I think you need to make friends with some racers. Lots of them run that size, and win them, so they get new tires cheap, and sell off the older ones after only a hand full of cycles. I have gotten this size that way, even though it doesn't work for the class (i use them as practice tires).

I've run the conti, but not for a few years. They may be different now. I have had hit or miss luck with them. They are either good or junk. I've had a set with one junk tire, and the car will understeer one way, but not the other, for example. And to my eye, all of them looked the same. When they are good, they aren't as good as the R1S. But, they are consistent and pretty easy at the limit. In my experience, they also don't hold air too well, so plan to pump them up the morning of the event, and don't leave the car stored on them.

You might try the Hoosier R7. I'm anxious to try them myself. Tons of people use them, so i suspect you can find used sets fairly easily.

[joncowen]

Oh, and watch out. The 245 Hoosier is HUGE. The 225 Hoosier is more similar in size to a typical 245.

[StephanAlfa]

Thanks Jon:
I now have access to both (used) as follows:
Conti 245/40/17 = with 3/4 thread and/or max 5 HC
Hoosier R7 245/40/17 with 8 HC
Both now affordable within a $50 diff (Hoosier more) so which one???

[paultg]

I have zero experience on any of these tires but they don't call Hoosiers "purple crack" because they suck..

[mattd]

Can of worms, open!

The one thing I will offer is tires seem to be so personal in terms of people's driving style and preference, both from a brand and model, but also in terms of ideal pressures and how they feel as a result. Good example: I love Toyo RR's, I know Troy and Will (and others) don't really like them at all. Hoosiers are supposed to not love a significant slip angle, they reward very smooth driving. I now have at least some experience - ~20 HC's with my R7's, and that has been my observation too. If I drive them back to back with my RR's, which seem to like a little more slip angle, it messes me up a little until I get back to the Hoo-Hoo's. I corded one of my RR's at Thompson (after ~18-19 heat cycles - and they were great right up to the cord, in fact the other 3 tires still have significant rubber on them), so I am going to mount up some Nitto NT01's I have as my first day morning practice tire. They seem to be pretty close to the RR's in terms of longevity and performance, the RR's are probably a smidge faster, but I know Scott R, for example, loves the NT-01's and he is damn fast on them.

The other wild card tire that at least 4 or 5 people in the club are trying out is the new Maxxis Victra RC-1 which I understand is reasonably priced and it looks like they have your size. Maybe some of those folks could chime in and make your project even harder!

Obligatory anti-anti-Miata statement, since it is you, Stephan. Yet another reason why "miata is always the right answer" is 205/50/15 tires are cheap and plentiful! The spec miata Hoosier SM7 (same as the R6, is $179)

[jeffw]

Obligatory anti-anti-Miata statement, since it is you, Stephan. Yet another reason why "miata is always the right answer" is 205/50/15 tires are cheap and plentiful! The spec miata Hoosier SM7 (same as the R6, is $179)

The SM7 is not actually the same as the R6. It's the R6 carcass with the R7 compound.

The R7 carcass has much stiffer sidewalls than the R6.

[mattd]

Obligatory anti-anti-Miata statement, since it is you, Stephan. Yet another reason why "miata is always the right answer" is 205/50/15 tires are cheap and plentiful! The spec miata Hoosier SM7 (same as the R6, is $179)

The SM7 is not actually the same as the R6. It's the R6 carcass with the R7 compound.

The R7 carcass has much stiffer sidewalls than the R6.

Could be. When I was making my decision, Hoosier told me both the compound and carcass between the R7 and the SM7 are completely different.

[StephanAlfa]

I have zero experience on any of these tires but they don't call Hoosiers "purple crack" because they suck..

Indeed, I have the wet kind since I borrowed for that first NHMS event with positive results ...
I like the life of 20 HC from Matt, this is encouraging.
Yes I am a (non-Miata) smooth driver ... so should be easy. Had Hohos in my old Alfa and they were great.

Thanks all for the feedback. Wonder if they are still in stock now.....

[ED9man]

225 street tire (-2), dyno reclass, and maybe a little ballast and you could probably sneak into T40...

Also, do you need to take a point for your LSD? Some E46s must have come with them stock.

[StephanAlfa]

225 street tire (-2), dyno reclass, and maybe a little ballast and you could probably sneak into T40...

Also, do you need to take a point for your LSD? Some E46s must have come with them stock.

Everything I have in this car is all accounted for.
There is no way I could to T-40 ... it would be irresponsible to add more weight and race an "overweight tank" on street tires ...
This car stock already calls for 245 in back ..

[mattd]

225 street tire (-2), dyno reclass, and maybe a little ballast and you could probably sneak into T40...

Also, do you need to take a point for your LSD? Some E46s must have come with them stock.

Hey, who asked you?!?

No more crashing T40 mid-season!!!!