205 NT01 vs 225 RS3 on a x8
 

So the age old question rears its ugly head again...

I've got a set of 15x8 6ULs and I managed to pick up a set of 225 RS3s about a year ago when TireRack actually had them in stock. While these things grip like mad, I don't like the weight. I don't feel I have the power or the skill to really put these things to good use, and they have kinda made the car feel... numb?

I've been using these as a second set of tires for AutoX and track days (1 so far :noob: ) and I'm looking to get back the nimbleness the car has with my street tires (195 sDrives on NB 15x6.) The NT01s would not really be for street use. I don't mind doing the tire tail thing or a small trailer to get back and forth to track events. One way distances are 223 miles to T-Hill, and Buttonwillow is 175mi. Laguna Seca is in my backyard ;)

I don't have the budget for the 15x9s everyone keeps saying I should run, but I can get a set of 205 NT01s and sell my 3,000 mile RS3s to make up the majority of the cost. New years resolution is to do enough track days to actually kill a set of tires this year.

Soooooo.... should I man up and keep the 225 RS3s or sell them and pick up some stickier/lighter 205 NT01s?

imo, just run what you have

but a friend of mine just mounted 225 NT-01 on his 15x8 and got FTD at the first autox event. That never happened when he ran 225 RS3 on same wheels.

I think Im also going to pick up a set of 205/50 NT01's. 546 shipped from discount tire via ebay-100 rebate = 446 is a really good deal
My car is primarily a track car, but I'd drive these tires up to THill and back, probably at least 6-7 times a year. Interested to hear other people's thoughts.

edit - just bought the set of NT01s

Yep, this is exactly what I'm thinking about doing. I just don't like the RS3, they feel too damn heavy to me and I can't imagine going to a wider rim will solve that.

I'm afraid life may have eaten my tire budget, but we'll see.

Edit: Scenturion, I see you are in the SF bay. 2 things: norcalroadsters.com? & did they charge you sales tax on those tires?

yup, I have an account by the same name on NCR, thats where I saw the deal on tires: http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/7098...source=twitter

Also, no shipping, no sales tax. 547 shipped with a 100 MIR. I wasnt planning on getting NT01s, but the price was too good.

Awesome, that's exactly the info I was looking for. I haven't spent much time on NCR recently, I need to get back on there. :bigtu:

I don't think you want to drive them to/from Thunderhill - see this post by Savington.

Hmmmmm interesting. I mean, too late to not buy them now ;)
I'm curious to know how many heat cycles is too many.
I'f im driving to the track for 10 trackdays/autox's a year, thats 20 added heat cycles, right?

Good to know. That $100 will probably go to a hitch and tire tail or a mini trailer. Now to search...

Why, hello there!
 

The girlfriend called and asked me why there are bald tires on the porch, and what my intentions were for these "death tires"

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1333044019

Apparently BECAUSE RACECAR is not an acceptable answer in my household :giggle:

Such a nice pic.

Girl friend doesn't ride in racecar, because "death tire".

And did you reply, I plan on taking you for a ride;)