15x9 wheel, more than 225, less than 275?
 

So right now I have the 15x9 ULs with 225 45 15 RS3 tires all around, a decent combo.

I am wondering about street/ DOT tires, not really slicks.

245 40 15 (only DOT tires found are Maxxis RC-1 and they're a slick tread but 100 treadwear)
275 35 15 (only Hoosier slicks , nothing I'd run for the street, 40 treadwear)

Victra RC-1 | Maxxis USA

I take the car out 2-3 days a week during the warm months, and might take it to work, the gym, class, and then a fun drive the long way home. Needless to say, I'd never get them hot enough.

So help, for next year and better grip, should I go for a wider tire, or a stickier tire? I haven't researched the options in years since I got the RS3 and they were $104 a piece, so that sealed the deal for me. Of course, I was down 100hp/100tq at that time so now I need more. Wet traction is irrelevant as it's a sunshine car only.

There isn't anything wider than 225 on a 15 that's a street tire.
What you have now is already one of the most popular street tires, in one of the most popular sizes.

If you don't care about wet traction, I would say the BFG Rivals would be a solid option. But like 18psi said, nothing bigger than a 225/15.

You have the best street option.

Maxxis 245 with cut thread pattern would satisfy the looks department and would maybe behave in a shower. Not $104 though...

I have the old RS3, and I'm not really sure what's new about the Version 2 in practical terms. I did look at the BFG rivals also. Hows the NT-01 compared to the others?

Never thought of this, and now that I think about it, I don't know anyone who could cut in a tread pattern for me and it sounds very expensive. How much are the Maxxis anyway?

Deals with heat better.

Just pick one of the 225/45s. It really doesn't matter for the street.

The R1R and R888 also fall into what I'd consider an acceptable price point at $170 a piece

I also hate how the BFG looks from the side with the tread chunks rolling around to the side. I wouldn't let it sway me away from good performance, but I think tires with a smooth wall look tons better

R888s are a waste on the street. R1Rs have horrific lifespans and in that size, aren't as fast as the RS3.

Same. When I look for tires, I mostly base it off of sidewall appearance and tread pattern.

That's why I run Falken Azenis RT-615Ks and paint the sidewalls white myself.

the RS3 v2 basically fixed the biggest wrong with the original RS3, aka being useless unless you were racing on the surface of the sun. Its probably the best option in 225s right now.

I've ran through a set of 225 Rivals and also a set of new 225 RS3 v2's. The Rivals lasted me about 10k street miles with a few donuts and drifts here and there. The RS3's look like they will last about 10k as well with street driving and about 10 autocross events. IMO, I liked the way the RS3's handled over the Rivals, and it seems like the RS3's are wearing slower as well. I also experienced pretty good wet weather traction with both tires up to the wear bars. I drive an MSM with all the bolt on mods, so roughly 200whp.

All street, no track, RS3v2. Any track time, Rivals. Rivals tolerate heat better.

The production 245 RC-1's are too wide for a 9" wheel. Rival and RS3 are about as good as it gets with stock fenders. We have a hand grooved set of 245 RC-1's going onto 10's but that NB will have 30mm wider fenders F&R.

Where does one acquire these fenders?

One no longer does unfortunately. Mine are not for sale, sorry.

This makes me super sad

Other people still sell larger front fenders and rear overfenders/flares.

I don't want flares but if you can point me to these fenders for an NB I would appreciate it.

Buy an NA, pick from a couple different makers, profit. Or just buy that NA in the classifieds that already has all the AK wide body bits and a fastback transfer your parts and sell the NB. Probably end up cheaper than buying a pair of fenders. :P

Thanks for the completely useless information.

maybe if you didn't use my tire thread for ur wide body you'd get better answers. Anyone else have something useful to contribute?

Emilio, if guys run 275 slicks on the 15x9 how is a 245 too wide? My fenders are rolled and lightly pulled

245s will fit on a 15x9 but it won't be ideal. They really need a 10" wheel. They also won't fit under your fenders without cutting or new wide body fenders, hence my questions as I am looking at utilizing a wider tire for the track. I have been researching this a lot. For street driving there is nothing really better, from a practical standpoint, than the 225s on the market. You really should get a second set of wheels and tires for the track and autocross if you need more grip.

No one really runs the 275s on 15x9s anymore, most people are on the 15x10s now and some are even moving to the 15x11s. My fenders are cut to shit now to fit them and flared a pit with pliers. The plan over the winter is to craft completely new carbon/kevlar fenders because I dont trust that autokonexion can make me a set of aero fenders this decade.

Sounds like I'm stuck with the 225 a while.

I've been contemplating putting 17x275's on my NA, getting beaten by an NA 350 in traction was frustrating. I think I'll wait for the 2016 model and trade up :P

Hey so what about this, again, a street car, but I like to have fun. I don't know if the RC-1 will get hot enough on the street

225/45/15 RC-1 $155ea
225/45/15 RS-3 $115ea
For a 15x9 UL

Thoughts?

The RS3 should be more than enough for the street. If you are pushing the limits of that tire you better be on a closed course or you're being an idiot.

your screwed to a 23" tall tire. welcome to miata land. 225's are the biggest street tire out there. slicks you can go to a 245-275

You are aware that the RC-1 is a slick, right?

Yes. I'm not sure if DOT approved means it's just ok to go to the track, or if it's usable on the street.

DOT approved means its legal on the street.

DOT in the states just means it means the minimum requirements and is legal (federally) to drive on public roads. The RC-1 falls into this category. States have their own laws regarding tread. In practice, this is what will get you a rep ticket, since the RC-1 has no tread, just two circumferential grooves like a Hoosier.

The 225 RS3v2 is a pretty well rounded tire. They don't have the best feel, but they are the fastest, most drivable ultra summer tire. One rain shower will ruin your Maxxis day, leave them to hpde's.

I liked the Rival, until I tried the RS3v2. It was much better driving 10/10th, I was immediately faster autoxing the RS3v2. For reference I disliked the v1.

Funny cause I kinda like my V1. I dunno, they're old. Maybe I'll get the V2 in the spring. Just wanted to see if I could get any more grip for the street.

How badly you want it?

Toyo R1R 245/35-17 Worlds biggest 23" street tire? Bye bye stock fenders, hello Mr Bogart.