The quest for wider wheels and tires, 295, 305 and beyond...

[MasterC17]

I can certainly appreciate a nice set of TE's! Unfortunately, I'm a bit abusive on wheels, so I've never pulled the trigger lol!

But there's no denying they are a pretty stunning/timeless wheel...I have to admit I almost went ahead with these! Photo Credit: ZEVCentric 19x10 ET30

As far as tires for this season, I've already purchased one set of 275/35/19 Kumho Ecsta V730's - they seem to be a really well rounded tire AND the bang for the buck is great! Not the fastest for a single lap, but tread longevity and heat tolerance seem to be really good. The RT660's were definitely better than the A052 in both regards, and I think the pace was very similar. So, trying these out as my race tires for the Model 3 Challenge.

I would still like to find another set of tires to set those PB's though. I'm considering the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS in a 285/35/19. They appear to be similar to the A052 and RT660 as far as pace is concerned. Unfortunately, no 295 or 305 available, so I have to imagine it will be a hair slower? Still want to try it though, especially given the legacy that the RE-71R left behind!

I'm also considering the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R in a 305/30/19 - I actually intended to run these last year but they kept sending me tires with DOT codes 3-5 years old! Not sure I want to go through that pain again. Yet, it should be considerably faster than the A052 or the RT660...so...I might just give it another shot.

Who else is running some wide tires for the 2023 season? What did you install and why? I know one member recently squeezed some 305's on under the stock bodywork, so we need to see some more mega setups from the community!

 

[gearchruncher]

It's interesting- in AutoX, the A052 and RT660 aren't considered the same at all. The A052 is way faster.
Have you looked at RS4's? They're the king of 200TW tires on the track if you care about wear at all. They have 305's...
If you can run Supercars, why not go full Hoosier R7's?

 

[MasterC17]

It's interesting- in AutoX, the A052 and RT660 aren't considered the same at all. The A052 is way faster.
Have you looked at RS4's? They're the king of 200TW tires on the track if you care about wear at all. They have 305's...
If you can run Supercars, why not go full Hoosier R7's?

Agreed the A052 seems to be the faster AutoX tire. On the track however, I've seen one or the other come out ahead in testing, and I think the heavy weight of our cars isn't suited great to the A052. They seem to overheat pretty quick on the road course, which I think causes lap times to suffer. The RT660 admittedly isn't that much better, but I can usually squeeze out a few laps before a noticeable drop-off in grip. Could just be my bad driving

I actually ran the RS4's for a year and really didn't like them. They take a few laps to get up to temperature, at which point SOC has dropped, so you're just never really in the sweet spot. When cold, they were pretty sketchy to drive on. I think they're great for an ICE car looking to turn lots of laps, but they just didn't work with the 3 very well. I have heard the Continental ExtremeContact Force has similar characteristics to the RS4 as far as longevity and heat are concerned, BUT warm up very fast - so that might be worth a look!

I guess I've just never really been a fan of the Hoosier's feel! And they are far and away the most expensive option.

 

[superflyrolla]

We have a TE37 in 19x9.5 +28 / 19x10.5 +31 for anyone who wants to mount 265/275 front + 295/305 rears.

Curious why vendors are pushing staggered TEs? Seems to me a 19x10.5 +31 square would be a lot better set up. (Spacers on the front depending on rotor thickness)

 

[MountainPass]

Curious why vendors are pushing staggered TEs? Seems to me a 19x10.5 +31 square would be a lot better set up. (Spacers on the front depending on rotor thickness)

Square for life.

 

[stevehifi]

Agreed the A052 seems to be the faster AutoX tire. On the track however, I've seen one or the other come out ahead in testing, and I think the heavy weight of our cars isn't suited great to the A052. They seem to overheat pretty quick on the road course, which I think causes lap times to suffer. The RT660 admittedly isn't that much better, but I can usually squeeze out a few laps before a noticeable drop-off in grip. Could just be my bad driving

I actually ran the RS4's for a year and really didn't like them. They take a few laps to get up to temperature, at which point SOC has dropped, so you're just never really in the sweet spot. When cold, they were pretty sketchy to drive on. I think they're great for an ICE car looking to turn lots of laps, but they just didn't work with the 3 very well. I have heard the Continental ExtremeContact Force has similar characteristics to the RS4 as far as longevity and heat are concerned, BUT warm up very fast - so that might be worth a look!

I guess I've just never really been a fan of the Hoosier's feel! And they are far and away the most expensive option.

I'm surprised you guys haven't mentioned Nankang AR-1 or CR-S. Very cost effective and great overall for road race.
Some of the fastest guys (ICE Car) at my local track run the AR-1.

CR-S is very good at time attack, very close to A052.

Nankang AR-1 - Competition Tire from Phil'sTire Service

Nankang AR-1 - 100 treadwear (100 UTQG) DOT Competition Tire - Tire Shaving available - Heat Cycling available $20 per tire

philstireservice.com

Nankang CR-S v1 - Competition Tire from Phil's Tire Service

Nankang CR-S v1 - 200 treadwear Competition Tire - Tire Shaving / Heat Cycling available - perfect for autocross, time trial, endurance racing

philstireservice.com

They have 275/35/19 and 305/30/19 in sizes

 

[MODEL+]

Curious why vendors are pushing staggered TEs? Seems to me a 19x10.5 +31 square would be a lot better set up. (Spacers on the front depending on rotor thickness)

19x10.5 +31 square may require spacers (like you said) and some fender massaging. I personally don't mind running staggered on these cars. With that being said, I have no problem with selling a square 10.5 set. I'm just letting you know what I have on-hand


Danny

 

[dsgerbc]

I neither of those were on the approved list of SCCA Nationals last year, so few serious people tried them. May change this year.
I'm probably gonna try some A052s for autox, at least until it gets really hot.

 

[dsgerbc]

have on-hand

And that's the major problem with Volks. If you want a square 19x10.5 set of them, it's gonna be what, like, 8 months wait?

 

[MODEL+]

And that's the major problem with Volks. If you want a square 19x10.5 set of them, it's gonna be what, like, 8 months wait?

Yeah... easily 8-12+ months.
The last batch of 19x9.5 +28 TE37 Ultra M-Specs we ordered took about a year to come in
It's the name of the game but these wheels basically sell themselves.


-Danny

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

Square for life.

295/315 A7 was a little quicker than square for some hill climbs. I was 2 seconds faster on the hill in my pic than on 295s and still really consistent across all runs.

 

[MountainPass]

295/315 A7 was a little quicker than square for some hill climbs. I was 2 seconds faster on the hill in my pic than on 295s and still really consistent across all runs.

What about 315 all around?

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

What about 315 all around?

That was my idea if I can afford it. Might need to wait a season though. Also need a different way to bring the wheels in that case. Doubt 2 315 fit as a passenger?

 

[MasterC17]

I'm surprised you guys haven't mentioned Nankang AR-1 or CR-S. Very cost effective and great overall for road race.
Some of the fastest guys (ICE Car) at my local track run the AR-1.

CR-S is very good at time attack, very close to A052.

Nankang AR-1 - Competition Tire from Phil'sTire Service

Nankang AR-1 - 100 treadwear (100 UTQG) DOT Competition Tire - Tire Shaving available - Heat Cycling available $20 per tire

philstireservice.com

Nankang CR-S v1 - Competition Tire from Phil's Tire Service

Nankang CR-S v1 - 200 treadwear Competition Tire - Tire Shaving / Heat Cycling available - perfect for autocross, time trial, endurance racing

philstireservice.com

They have 275/35/19 and 305/30/19 in sizes

Interesting - the feedback I've heard from the few people I know who have tried them hasn't been flattering - but the tough part with tires is that they are very subjective and most testing methods aren't great!

Here's one test I've found - 200-treadwear tire test | Falken vs. Yokohama vs. Nankang

The CR-S/CR-1 is compelling to a degree ($376/ea), especially since comparable RT660 ($422) and A052 ($423) just keep going up in price.

However, the following makes me think it suffers from heat like the A052, which our cars are really good at making!

"Mid-corner grip felt similar to the Yokohama’s, but it quickly saturated the tire with heat as laps progressed."

Would be sweet to just be able to buy them all lol!

There's also the Nexen N FERA Sport R - but at $457 it's a bit ridiculous - what happened to the days of the cheap SUR4G?

 

[dsgerbc]

Anyone thinking of Rival S 1.5? Lots of CAM-? people use them on heavy cars and say they handle heat well. The 305/30/19 size exists for them as well.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

I was thinking of trying 275-18" Falken RT615K+ for Auto X. better reviews on tirerack than the 660s
& only $237
My sur4g are basically slicks & slippery AF. Should be a rough weekend taking them to the cords & it’s cold ( was a really nice $800 set!)

 

[gearchruncher]

I was thinking of trying 275-18" Falken RT615K+ for Auto X.

For anyone considering these, the 615's only go to 18" so you have to have downsized your wheels.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

For anyone considering these, the 615's only go to 18" so you have to have downsized your wheels.

but my P came on 18"s ;P
I’ve got 4 1-/2 sets of 18” now - quite a few 10.5” & pair of 11”+ smaller stuff.
Rather have 18” than 19” all day. If they’d just make appropriate diameter sizes that’d be nice

 

[MasterC17]

Anyone thinking of Rival S 1.5? Lots of CAM-? people use them on heavy cars and say they handle heat well. The 305/30/19 size exists for them as well.

I've heard good things about them, but no personal experience! They are on the more affordable end which is nice.

 

[dance.parrot]

I'm surprised you guys haven't mentioned Nankang AR-1 or CR-S. Very cost effective and great overall for road race.
Some of the fastest guys (ICE Car) at my local track run the AR-1.

CR-S is very good at time attack, very close to A052.

Nankang AR-1 - Competition Tire from Phil'sTire Service

Nankang AR-1 - 100 treadwear (100 UTQG) DOT Competition Tire - Tire Shaving available - Heat Cycling available $20 per tire

philstireservice.com

Nankang CR-S v1 - Competition Tire from Phil's Tire Service

Nankang CR-S v1 - 200 treadwear Competition Tire - Tire Shaving / Heat Cycling available - perfect for autocross, time trial, endurance racing

philstireservice.com

They have 275/35/19 and 305/30/19 in sizes

I’m on my third set of AR1s and I’m very happy with them. They take 1 minute to heat up, but then are good to go. Tread life is good, 40 laps at the Nurburgring, but that’s a high speed track and not very hard on tires. I don’t have anything to compare them to on the Model 3 other than street tires.

Initially I was on 265s, and now 275/35R19. They a very noisy. No problem for the track, but other than driving to the supercharger, you don’t want to keep these on for street.