Advan A052s in 265-295/35/18 or RS4 in 265-295/40/18

[Kung Fu English]

I am going to switch to a staggered 18" setup and after running square 275/35/18 RS4 for 3 years track and autocross with mild wear, I had reserved myself to the nearly stock height RS4 in the 265/40/18f and 295/40/18r.

I have heard now the A052s are the new hot tire and actually available in 18" sizes that will fit and be 200 TW legal. 265/35/18f and 295/35/18r. I autocross 6/year and maybe 2-4 track days per year.

I would jump on the A052s but I worry about going even shorter. I wanted to hit more closely to OEM diameter for straight line grip but wanted to hear from people who know more than I do.

[F80Speed77]

A052's are indeed the new hautness but there will be a bunch of new 200TW stuff out in the spring (BFG and Falken have updated tires coming). Also something to keep in mind, A052's are going to wear the front outside shoulders really quickly unless you have good camber.

[OhioRiderAaron]

Please try them out and report back. I really wanted to use them this year but I didnt think there was a suitable size for 18 or 19s.

[FlyingLow78]

I just ordered some for my 513Ms. I’m using them next month at Imola for a brake/suspension/tire test. I went only 10mm wider front and rear. I’ll update this thread next month. Hopefully it’s not a wet track...

[FlyingLow78]

Update: these tires are super sticky. I drove on them to/from the track and for a combined total of three hours on track and they provide outstanding lateral traction. I was gentle on the brakes while I’m getting used to them, but this weekend I should be going to Monza for a brake torture test. These are a great deal when sized for the 18” OEM wheels, so I can’t imagine using anything else.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by OhioRiderAaron

Please try them out and report back. I really wanted to use them this year but I didnt think there was a suitable size for 18 or 19s.

+1

Especially, please benchmark versus RE71R and Cup 2

[Lappy]

I would personally set a goal of what you want to accomplish. If you want to be on the best 200tw tires, yokos are the answer. HOWEVER, they will wear the quickest, and if you are not running at least 3 degrees of camber you will destroy the outside edges faster than any other 200tw offering. They have softer sidewalls, have more lateral grip, and put down power exceptionally well. Like I said, if you chasing the last couple tenths, go for it, if you looking to just have fun, there are other far better/cheaper options. The RE's can be flipped, come in a wide range of sizes and are cheaper.

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by FlyingLow78

Update: these tires are super sticky. I drove on them to/from the track and for a combined total of three hours on track and they provide outstanding lateral traction. I was gentle on the brakes while I’m getting used to them, but this weekend I should be going to Monza for a brake torture test. These are a great deal when sized for the 18” OEM wheels, so I can’t imagine using anything else.

Did you go 265-295/35/18 or with the OEM size 255-275/40/18?

[NYG]

I'd love a comparison to NT01s.

I know the RS4s outlast NT01s but they don't grip as well.

But NT01s still last a long time and it's hard to find a comparable tire of longevity vs life for that value.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by NYG

But NT01s still last a long time and it's hard to find a comparable tire of longevity vs life for that value.

Toyo RR is a super value for a 40tw tire

It has lesser grip after a some heat cycles but then it’s consistent all the way to the cords. Obviously more grip than 200tw like re71r

I’m surprised the 275/35/18 and 305/35/18 combo isn’t discussed on these forums. Is it because everyone who uses R tires goes all in for HoHos?

(I use toyo RR and re71r in my SM track car)

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by NYG

I'd love a comparison to NT01s.

I know the RS4s outlast NT01s but they don't grip as well.

But NT01s still last a long time and it's hard to find a comparable tire of longevity vs life for that value.

RS4 last a while. I have had for 3 seasons of 6 autox and 2-4 track days per season and they still have a ton of tread left, but are heat cycled out. They have no grip left at all. NT01 are just a different beast from what I understand. Not sure if comparable to the AD08R though.

[FlyingLow78]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

Did you go 265-295/35/18 or with the OEM size 255-275/40/18?

I just looked and I went with OEM sizes. That's a good thing in my case because clearance to my brake cooling scoops is an issue.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Toyo RR is a super value for a 40tw tire

It has lesser grip after a some heat cycles but then it’s consistent all the way to the cords. Obviously more grip than 200tw like re71r

I’m surprised the 275/35/18 and 305/35/18 combo isn’t discussed on these forums. Is it because everyone who uses R tires goes all in for HoHos?

(I use toyo RR and re71r in my SM track car)

That's my setup.

I hear real bad heat cycle issues exist with the 888R and 888.

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by FlyingLow78

I just looked and I went with OEM sizes. That's a good thing in my case because clearance to my brake cooling scoops is an issue.

Would you (or anyone else actually) recommend the OEM sizes or the shorter diameter, wider 265-295/35 stagger?

[FlyingLow78]

After lowering my car with Nitron coilovers, I don’t see a lot of room to go much wider without using spacers or custom wheels. The tires, when cold, have a tendency to flex quite a lot at the sidewalls, and I actually knocked one of my camera mounts off just backing out of the garage due to insufficient clearance. My coilover sway bar mounting point is already really close to the front wheel. Wider is nice for grip, but it starts to get a little hairy on OEM 513Ms, and shorter has the effect of shortening the overall gearing. I go to really fast tracks like Monza, so I don’t want shorter gearing limiting my top speed or making the car any lower than it already is, which risks damaging my brake cooling scoops.

I’m more risk-averse since my crash last year, so I’m sticking with the OEM sizes.

[FlyingLow78]

Originally Posted by Lappy

I would personally set a goal of what you want to accomplish. If you want to be on the best 200tw tires, yokos are the answer. HOWEVER, they will wear the quickest, and if you are not running at least 3 degrees of camber you will destroy the outside edges faster than any other 200tw offering. They have softer sidewalls, have more lateral grip, and put down power exceptionally well. Like I said, if you chasing the last couple tenths, go for it, if you looking to just have fun, there are other far better/cheaper options. The RE's can be flipped, come in a wide range of sizes and are cheaper.

I concur with all of this, but I’m only running 2.2 degrees of camber up front. I guess I need to push harder? Otherwise solid advice.

[Kev608]

Originally Posted by NYG

That's my setup.

I hear real bad heat cycle issues exist with the 888R and 888.

What is the issue with the R888R? I have ordered these and this statement makes me nervous!

[NYG]

Originally Posted by Kev608

What is the issue with the R888R? I have ordered these and this statement makes me nervous!

My buddies all get about 2 track days out of them before the grip drops significantly. The only car in our group that has lasted an entire season with one set of tires is mine and I spent half of the season on a stock alignment. I'm really hesitant to switch away from NT01s.

I ran my 2:10.70 at the Glen after 10 track days on the tires.

[Kev608]

Originally Posted by NYG

My buddies all get about 2 track days out of them before the grip drops significantly. The only car in our group that has lasted an entire season with one set of tires is mine and I spent half of the season on a stock alignment. I'm really hesitant to switch away from NT01s.

I ran my 2:10.70 at the Glen after 10 track days on the tires.

Ok, will the 295/30 R888R will still have more grip than the 275/35 NT01?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by NYG

That's my setup.

I hear real bad heat cycle issues exist with the 888R and 888.

You are using Toyo RR in 275 front, 305 rear width?

How do you like it?

[NYG]

Originally Posted by Kev608

Ok, will the 295/30 R888R will still have more grip than the 275/35 NT01?

I can't say from personal experience about grip. You gotta tell us!

Originally Posted by nicknaz

You are using Toyo RR in 275 front, 305 rear width?

How do you like it?

Sorry, I meant I use 275 front and 305 rear but with NT01s.

[Kev608]

Originally Posted by NYG

I can't say from personal experience about grip. You gotta tell us!


Sorry, I meant I use 275 front and 305 rear but with NT01s.

I've got 295/30ZR18 R888R up front and 315/30ZR18 NT01 in the rear. I haven't actually tried the 275/35ZR18 NT01. I feel like it'll throw the geometry off too much. I'd have to move to the 305/35ZR18 rears. I may grab a set for science.