Best track tyre for road in 205/45/R16

[Bear Head]

182 FF, standard wheels.

The car is currently on above size.

The car's running Pilot Sport 3's on the front and they're incredible. P Zero Nero's on the rear. The fronts are wearing down and will be due some soon.

I do about 5k miles a year, often not even that as it's simply a nice dry day weekend car. Doesn't do track days but occasional wet use.

The car currently has 205 45 R16s on it. Just wondering why I'd want to run 195s, would it have any big bearing on looks or price or? Would I be best sticking to the 205s?

I've wondered whether to just stick with the PS3'S but prefer the look of the slicks and with my limited miles, can really have my pick of tyres mileage wise.

So,

What should I go with, in which size and weight rating and where should I get them?

Cheers.

 

[LeeRS]

Nankang ns2r for the price.
Semi slick, great in dry. Meant to be decent in the wet aswell but they are a slick so....

 

[Bear Head]

Nankang ns2r for the price.
Semi slick, great in dry. Meant to be decent in the wet aswell but they are a slick so....

They do look a good tyre. Would you go for 180 tread? How many miles would you get road wise? And what's the road noise like?

 

[LeeRS]

I have the road version of these, the NS2.
road noise wasn't something I had taken into account as I have a loud IK and a fairly raspy exhaust so I cant hear the road noise.
I do about 6k a year max so I'm in the same boat as you.
I'm not sure what you mean by 180 tread though? Ive not run slicks on the road before but i have read a lot of people do run these.

 

[Bear Head]

Ah. Haha. Yeah. I've got a pretty loud setup so I know what you mean.

The tread patterns mate, the 180 tread pattern is the 'hard' so I wondered if they'd be best for the road opposed to their softer one which I worry may wear a bit quick?

 

[imprezaworks]

how many trackdays will you be doing?

 

[Bear Head]

how many trackdays will you be doing?

None mate most likely! Just want some good grip!

 

[imprezaworks]

Just get rs3 or ps3

 

[Bear Head]

Just get rs3 or ps3

I've already got the pilot sport 3's but wondered if I'd be better with the Dunlop or Nankangs tbh?

 

[imprezaworks]

Ah ok. No imo

 

[Budgie]

If purely for road use, stick to PS3's.

Buying track tyres for looks is like drinking Champagne and lemonade.

 

[Bear Head]

If purely for road use, stick to PS3's.

Buying track tyres for looks is like drinking Champagne and lemonade.

Right okay. I'll go with them then. Always thought they were great tbh just wondered if there was anything better?

 

[imprezaworks]

You could spend all day looking at reviews mate, I have before.

The PS3 are supposed to be spot on so in your case continue to use those.

The thread title threw me as you arnt doing trackdays lol

 

[Goodj]

Goodyear
Eagle
F1

 

[Bear Head]

You could spend all day looking at reviews mate, I have before.

The PS3 are supposed to be spot on so in your case continue to use those.

The thread title threw me as you arnt doing trackdays lol

Hahaha. Yeah probably wasn't the best thread title. I just like the fact some track tyres get excellent reviews and they're obviously cheaper and look awesome lol.

They're fantastic tyres. Never ever had any issues. Got Pzero's on the back but this is how the car was when I bought it.

I only do 4 - 5 k a year so wondered if the PS3'S would be wasted as they're a road tyre, they're obviously designed to last, but I'm not bothered about that due to the limit mileage I do.

 

[imprezaworks]

I have rsr's on the track car. They are good when cold but a more dedicated road tyre are much better. When warm its the other way round.

Stick to what you know mate and don't drive yourself mad looking for a better tyre, unless you have lots of free time that is, lol

 

[Advikaz]

I really rate PS3's, noticed this morning the inside edges are going on the abarth (usual story).

I'll be ditching the Pzero's which are w*nk for the Michi's

 

[Bear Head]

I have rsr's on the track car. They are good when cold but a more dedicated road tyre are much better. When warm its the other way round.

Stick to what you know mate and don't drive yourself mad looking for a better tyre, unless you have lots of free time that is, lol

I've just had a week in robin hoods bay mate. Plenty of time haha. I've bought all sorts lol. Not used to having time to sit and look at stuff hahaha!

I'll stick with the pilot sports.

Next question.

Mine are 205's, what effect would buying 195's have? Would it reduce the offset and bring the tyres further in? Or would it look good being more stretched?

 

[imprezaworks]

I'm happy with the 195, 205 may scrub depending on how low you are

 

[Bear Head]

I'm happy with the 195, 205 may scrub depending on how low you are

I'm on 205's at the moment, spaced 20s on the front on cooksports 10 on the rear. Would this make my wheels look a bit sunk in again?

 

[imprezaworks]

A little. Stick with 205

 

[RS Charlie]

Is Fred still working at BTM? Did he not move country? Can't remember

If purely for road use, stick to PS3's.

Buying track tyres for looks is like drinking Champagne and lemonade.

This depends IMHO.

My RST is similar in use to the OP's Clio. One set of tyres went old before they wore out! On the NS2Rs however, I doubt I could choose another tyre on it for the money ; While the suspension and rebushing helps it is a fun car and a very grippy one to drive, more than I thought a Mk3 Escort could do (I would say it is as planted as my old 944 Turbo was on KWv3s, maybe more if I had a few more brave pills).

 

[Bear Head]

This depends IMHO.

My RST is similar in use to the OP's Clio. One set of tyres went old before they wore out! On the NS2Rs however, I doubt I could choose another tyre on it for the money ; While the suspension and rebushing helps it is a fun car and a very grippy one to drive, more than I thought a Mk3 Escort could do (I would say it is as planted as my old 944 Turbo was on KWv3s, maybe more if I had a few more brave pills).

Exactly mate.

Think it's just the want of a tyre that's not going to crack before I've worn it out!

The NS2R do look great. I'd imagine in the hard compound for the road.

 

[bozothenutter]

Latest EVO has a tyre test...can't believe the ps3 comes out somewhere in the middle....has tech noved on that much since it came out?

 

[Mr Plums]

Latest EVO has a tyre test...can't believe the ps3 comes out somewhere in the middle....has tech noved on that much since it came out?

What comes top?

 

[bozothenutter]

Contisport 5...don't they are available in our sizes though

 

[RS Charlie]

Latest EVO has a tyre test...can't believe the ps3 comes out somewhere in the middle....has tech noved on that much since it came out?

IMO it is unfair to say that .

The PS3 was designed to be a premium car tyre with a sporting edge for Michelin. They have the PS2 for that and the development of that tyre, the SuperSport as their flagship sports tyre.

However, alot of the performance tyres are only available in at least 17" sizes IME, and even then only some of those sizes, with 18" and 19" seeming to be more common ground.

This is partially one reason why I went with the NS2-Rs on my Escort RST. I wished to say with the 195/50R15 size but almost nothing was available in that size bar possibly the following:

• Toyo T1-Rs - I found these OK but not great - way too much flex ; the PS3s are a superior tyre here
• Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance - These are meant to be good
• Yoko Parada Spec II
• Yoko AD08R (more track orientated)
• Toyo R1-R (more track orientated)
• Michelin PS3 - I would have mostly chosen these if I did not buy the NS2-Rs.

For my 172 the choices were pretty similar unless I went to 205/45R16.

 

[dann2707]

I'd stick with pilot sport 3s mate.

I used them on track too and they were fairly decent!

Going to rain sport 3s would be a massive downgrade btw.

 

[imprezaworks]

Have you tried both mate?

 

[Mr Plums]

Have you tried both mate?

He owns both, ps3s on his 182 wheels and rs3s on his 1.2s

 

[imprezaworks]

Okie dokie then

 

[Pat 182]

Hi lads I'm on NS2R med/hard 205/45/16 they were superb on trackday at mallory
In warm weather. On the road they need to get some heat in them??!! Not too bad in wet
Think soft comp on road would be spot on for the price
Not much choice for 16" to be fair

Cheers Pat

 

[Timmsy]

I've had some federal RSR's on mine since feb and I've probably done well over 5k miles, need to swap front to back soon to even the wear out but other than that they perform really well. Fantastic dry weather performance and good wet performance, nice and progressive. Temp plays a massive part with them though. Got them in 205/45/16 for around £200 for the set plus fitting.