Road Legal Semi slicks.... which to choose?

So if I would want to get a set of 246/40/R17's, which would be have the best bang for the buck?


Toyo Proxes R888



Yokohama Advan A048



Kumho Ecsta MX KU15

(Not really semis, but also in the same "race spec" category)


Federal 595RS-R






Or are there any other that are recommendable?

If you're considering the MX, also consider the NT05 from nitto, and the Z1 Star Spec from Dunlop. Out of those pictured, I'd go for the advans, and then the R888s.

NT05 is not a semi slick from what i know, the Dunlop is for sure not a semi slick. The NT01 IS a semi slick. There are a few out there. Micheline pilot sport cup is good but damn expensive.

The Proxes888 may be good. The yokos i know are expensive also.

Yokohama Advan A048
+++1

Originally Posted by n2Bimmer

NT05 is not a semi slick from what i know, the Dunlop is for sure not a semi slick. The NT01 IS a semi slick. There are a few out there. Micheline pilot sport cup is good but damn expensive.

The Proxes888 may be good. The yokos i know are expensive also.

Yeah I know the nitto and dunlop aren't semi's, but he mentioned that he was considering the Kumho MX, which is also not a semi and is also not as good of a tire in comparison to the NT05 or starspec IMO.

Originally Posted by n2Bimmer

NT05 is not a semi slick from what i know, the Dunlop is for sure not a semi slick. The NT01 IS a semi slick. There are a few out there. Micheline pilot sport cup is good but damn expensive.

The Proxes888 may be good. The yokos i know are expensive also.

Are those the tires that the csl used? The ones where quote jeremy clarkson said"you have to sign a waiver saying you under stand that they dont work in the wet or if its a bit chilly out."

Originally Posted by mestupmonkydude

Are those the tires that the csl used? The ones where quote jeremy clarkson said"you have to sign a waiver saying you under stand that they dont work in the wet or if its a bit chilly out."

I believe so yes.

Originally Posted by Activ3

Yeah I know the nitto and dunlop aren't semi's, but he mentioned that he was considering the Kumho MX, which is also not a semi and is also not as good of a tire in comparison to the NT05 or starspec IMO.

Your right.

A lot of those tires dont even fall into the same categorie performance or dollar wise... What do you plan on doing with the car? First time tracking it?

If this is your first time, I suggest getting a DOT Street tire. Something like a Dunlop Z1 SS, Bridgestone RE11, Toyo R1R, Yoko AD08, Hankook RS3 are all great tires to start the learning process. Once you have narrowed down that learning curve, then R-Comps should be your next step.

R-Comps generally hide your driving capabilities and shouldn't be used to start out with.

-Charles@VMRWheels

It's not my first time tracking. I have around 10 laps around the Nordschleife already, but with my 19" CH's and Vredesteins. I was looking see what would be a better track setup if I do chose to get smaller and lighter wheels. Cost is just as much of an important factor as traction in this case.

Originally Posted by Rayce185

It's not my first time tracking. I have around 10 laps around the Nordschleife already, but with my 19" CH's and Vredesteins. I was looking see what would be a better track setup if I do chose to get smaller and lighter wheels. Cost is just as much of an important factor as traction in this case.

I would suggest looking into all the street tires iv listed above. They will offer a larger curve in your grip/stability then those Vredesteins you are running. The tires above are all the top of the line street tires on the market for track use.

Iv personally driven on track with Dunlop Z1 SS, Bridgestone RE01R (older RE11), Toyo R1R, Yoko AD07 (older AD08), Hankook RS2 (older RS3) and would recommend each and every one of them. I hope all these recommendations can help aid you in your purchase. Be safe and have fun!

-Charles@VMRWheels

Originally Posted by Rayce185

It's not my first time tracking. I have around 10 laps around the Nordschleife already, but with my 19" CH's and Vredesteins. I was looking see what would be a better track setup if I do chose to get smaller and lighter wheels. Cost is just as much of an important factor as traction in this case.

still a noob. Only worth noting if it's a triple digit number.



Staying on the better priced, extreme sport summer tires would be my advice. Lower tire costs, usually better hydroplaning resistance, and they probably offer more grip than your current spring rates can handle.

If money is an issue, semi-slicks or slicks don't make much sense.

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

I would suggest looking into all the street tires iv listed above. They will offer a larger curve in your grip/stability then those Vredesteins you are running. The tires above are all the top of the line street tires on the market for track use.

Iv personally driven on track with Dunlop Z1 SS, Bridgestone RE01R (older RE11), Toyo R1R, Yoko AD07 (older AD08), Hankook RS2 (older RS3) and would recommend each and every one of them. I hope all these recommendations can help aid you in your purchase. Be safe and have fun!

-Charles@VMRWheels

So which do you like best?

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

I would suggest looking into all the street tires iv listed above. They will offer a larger curve in your grip/stability then those Vredesteins you are running. The tires above are all the top of the line street tires on the market for track use.

Iv personally driven on track with Dunlop Z1 SS, Bridgestone RE01R (older RE11), Toyo R1R, Yoko AD07 (older AD08), Hankook RS2 (older RS3) and would recommend each and every one of them. I hope all these recommendations can help aid you in your purchase. Be safe and have fun!

-Charles@VMRWheels

Thanks, the widest available over here are the Toyo R1R and the Hankook RS2, with the Hankooks having the best pricing. are these recommendable, and do they offer much more grip compared to the Vredesteins?

Originally Posted by mkodama

still a noob. Only worth noting if it's a triple digit number.

Considering it's length, that's almost 60 laps around Laguna Seca

I say:
get
dunlop z1 starspec
or
Nitto NT05
or
Hankook RS3
... in that order

... I'm not sure what tire prices are like in Germany, but if they correspond to here, those are some of the best deals in max performance street tires... these are the only tires I would consider to daily

I currently have Bridgestone RE01R only because tire rack had them for cheaper than the above listed tires when they introduced the RE11
brand names like bridgestone provide a cerain level of comfort and good wear when it comes to scalloping and thread separation that sometimes lower end, cheaper tires don't, but for the performance, the bridgestones are absolutely not worth it.
The tires you listed, with the exception of the Kumho MX are made for racing classes that require street legal tires. They're not practical, they last a very short period. The MX is different, it's an old design that is really not bad, but it is outdated and outdone by the tires I listed, it is also a bit cheaper, but not enough to make them a much better value, unless in Germany you find them for some ridiculous price where there's a big gap between them and my above list.
Kumho replaced the MX with the XS, which though good, it is also not better or notably cheaper than the tires I listed, though it is more grippy according to magazine tests than the older MX. I've had the MX before, I've driven briefly on the XS, I do think the XS is better too... but I would choose RS3, Z1 or NT05 first.
My choices are based on my own experiences, discussions with other drivers and magazine or tire rack tests
I wrote a blog entry in may, on high performance street tires, if it helps you: e46nonm tire entry... my perspective has changed just slightly since then as i have gotten to drive a few more of these, but it might give you some insight

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

R-Comps generally hide your driving capabilities and shouldn't be used to start out with.

+1.

Originally Posted by n2Bimmer

So which do you like best?

Iv been running 225/45/15 Toyo R1R's all year on my race car and they have been doing great! The grip they offer is amazing and is up there with the Bridgestone RE01R's I have driven on. I suspect the RE11 and AD08 to be just as good. RS2's would probably be my last choice due to the oily characteristic they offer after a few laps out.

Originally Posted by Rayce185

Thanks, the widest available over here are the Toyo R1R and the Hankook RS2, with the Hankooks having the best pricing. are these recommendable, and do they offer much more grip compared to the Vredesteins?

Considering it's length, that's almost 60 laps around Laguna Seca

I would suggest getting the R1R over the RS2. Grip and consistency differences will play a huge roll in a road course.

-Charles@VMRWheels

While we are on the subject, on average, about how many hours of track time should one have before graduating to semi-slicks? I've got about 8 hours so far.

I feel like I've got the basics. Of course there are some things I can improve upon...consistent throttle control from apex to track out and seeing the flag stations further out.

My plan was to wear my DZ1 SS's out (probably about another 1-2 hours on the track) and then go with r-comps. Sound like a solid plan?

Nitto NT-01

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

While we are on the subject, on average, about how many hours of track time should one have before graduating to semi-slicks? I've got about 8 hours so far.

I feel like I've got the basics. Of course there are some things I can improve upon...consistent throttle control from apex to track out and seeing the flag stations further out.

My plan was to wear my DZ1 SS's out (probably about another 1-2 hours on the track) and then go with r-comps. Sound like a solid plan?

I think hours of track time could be subjective... Iv personally had about 15 hrs of total on track time and I am just about comfortable and ready to hop into R-Comps while a friend of mine is at the same but still greatly improving on street tires.

IMO, staying with street tires as long as you can will definitely cure those small issues you may have before changing to r-comps and letting the grip levels cover up your mistakes.

-Charles@VMRWheels