Drag Radials on a DD? Nitto 555R, my quest for traction.

[doberzus]

Just got these 285/40R18 Nitto 555Rs mounted on my bone stock F80 with 18"s.
Fitment is spot on(only a size up from stock)

First impressions with only 10 miles on the tires. Well I have them aired down to 24psi for better wear and of course, traction! It was 65 degrees out today, and I decided to test them out to give my initial thoughts, turned off TC completely, car was in Sport throttle and Comfort for both suspension and steering, put it into 1st, mashed the throttle from about 5-8mph and it hooked!!

A quick shift into 2nd gave me a slight chirp, then proceeded to hook and go up to 65 with NO spinning, going sideways, etc. Mind you it was 65 degrees out.

Maybe once the factory mold wears off and It will be in the 80-90s I can finally launch it hard with no wheel spin. I can use 1st now, and pretty happy.

Now let's see how long they last. Hoping to use them through September(5-8k miles at most). Will provide more feedback with more miles and warmer temps.

Quick pic after install

[Reach]

You're not the only crazy one, I've got two NT05R's in the garage. Just waiting for consistently warmer temps.

[schnell325]

I think you're crazy if you think they'll last 8k miles

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by schnell325

I think you're crazy if you think they'll last 8k miles

I have been doing some heavy research on these tires, and the guy's on the Cobra/GT-500 forums swear by them for their 500-700WHP, DD/Street needs. Most are getting 8-10k miles out of them, some even use them for street/strip and get 6-8k miles out of them. The key is to have them in the 23-26psi range, they will wear out quick at 30+psi.

That's the plan, to see how long they will last, and how much grip they can offer. I only have 3500 miles on the car since November. I will probably have to switch them out for winter tires before 5k miles. I don't feel guilty wearing them out quick though.

I can pin 1st from a roll, can't launch it just yet...not warm enough.

BTW, they look so damn good! So meaty and purposeful.

[schnell325]

Well if you can get even 4K, let us know. That would be very tempting

[Bizall]

So OP, what was the overall verdict?

[9SECDD]

I daily drive Mickey Thompson drag radials. The traction is well worth it.

[Bizall]

Originally Posted by NJ-M4

I daily drive Mickey Thompson drag radials. The traction is well worth it.

What size are you running? How are they are highway speeds? Have you tried anything else other than the Mts?

[Harveyd396]

I had the M/T street drag radial, 305/35-19, stock rims and suspension. I own 2016 M3 manual trans, approx 550 whp. The traction in 1st is incredible, no wheel spin at all. Turned 11.5 on the 1/4 mile. Down side, my car wiggled slightly over 80 mph, they rubbed over speed bumps, scary in the rain.

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by Harveyd396

I had the M/T street drag radial, 305/35-19, stock rims and suspension. I own 2016 M3 manual trans, approx 550 whp. The traction in 1st is incredible, no wheel spin at all. Turned 11.5 on the 1/4 mile. Down side, my car wiggled slightly over 80 mph, they rubbed over speed bumps, scary in the rain.

550whp, incredible traction, 11.5 in the quarter. Haven't folks posted low 11s (if not 11.0) with the various stage 1 and 2 tunes on stock tires. Those tunes are good for 500whp.

[FriedPiston]

Originally Posted by MNoob

550whp, incredible traction, 11.5 in the quarter. Haven't folks posted low 11s (if not 11.0) with the various stage 1 and 2 tunes on stock tires. Those tunes are good for 500whp.

6MT vs DCT.

Also, 305 on 19x10 wheels mean the tires are bulging over the wheel. It doesn't provide a full 305mm width surface contact, and will handle like crap under fast cornering, or sharp turns.

FWIW, I've cut a 1.8 60' and 11.4s (calculated) 1/4 mile run with 275/35/19 595RS-RRs.

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by nars3000

6MT vs DCT.

Also, 305 on 19x10 wheels mean the tires are bulging over the wheel. It doesn't provide a full 305mm width surface contact, and will handle like crap under fast cornering, or sharp turns.

FWIW, I've cut a 1.8 60' and 11.4s (calculated) 1/4 mile run with 275/35/19 595RS-RRs.

I'm tempted to get a set of 18s for the rear with drag radials just to put on every once in a while.

[Harveyd396]

That's exactly correct, I cannot shift as fast as the DCS and I'm always afraid to break something such as the half shafts. The Manual is for the fun, not the low times. I went for the RE71R's after the Mickeys. Really great tires, out of the hole traction not as good as the M/T but close. Handling was excellent and got 20,000 miles. But got tired of the noise, they howl on certain roads. Now with 46,000 miles I've calmed down and my third set of tires are the Conti Extreme Contact Sports, front- 255/40-19, rear- 295/35-19. these are very good all around tires, very quite and great in the rain. I can still light them up in 1st gear but they hold 2nd gear well. Handling is excellent.

[9SECDD]

Originally Posted by Bizall

What size are you running? How are they are highway speeds? Have you tried anything else other than the Mts?

305/35-18s.

They are great on the highway. They are great at 135mph.
Drove to dragstrip, cut 1.65 60 foot with them, ran 10.35 @136mph, and drove home.

Fine in the rain. Just don't overdrive the conditions. Replace them when the tread wears down. They do not last long.

Yes, tried Toyo R888s, Bridgestone RE71Rs, Hoosier drag radials. Nothing beat the Mickeys if traction is key. Spinnin aint winnin.

[apexit]

I have about 10k miles on my 888's at ~32psi on the rear only. They are at the wear bars now. My DD, no burn outs, no LC launches etc.

[FriedPiston]

Originally Posted by MNoob

I'm tempted to get a set of 18s for the rear with drag radials just to put on every once in a while.

Most popular setup is (Apex) 18x11 ET44 with your choice of 305/35/18 Nitto or MT.

[terryM4]

Originally Posted by nars3000

Most popular setup is (Apex) 18x11 ET44 with your choice of 305/35/18 Nitto or MT.

Originally Posted by nars3000

Most popular setup is (Apex) 18x11 ET44 with your choice of 305/35/18 Nitto or MT.

This is the setup that I am going with, however the black EC7s are still on backorder and haven't shipped yet (ordered them on Cyber Monday). May call and have them change it to the Anthracite color just not sure how they will look on the Mineral Gray M4.

[Graves]

Former vette and Mustang guy and DD Nittos or other DRs is perfectly fine. I got a lot of life out of mine as long as I wasn't laying drag at every single light. The Nitto's offer great traction and are much better in wet conditions than others. I have also used R888s and those were freaking amazing tires. I got great life out of them and they had serious grip. I have always ran 335/30 R18s out back and never had any issues. I don't think you will regret getting them.