LukeG

Great tires and that is an awesome price!

Mazdaspeeder

How do these compare to the RC1, RS4, and Rival 1.5? I have the RC1 now, happy with track grip, and I do use them on the street, only in the dry of course. Not sure what tires would work best for me. Was looking to take advantage of the sale. Car is an 04 MSM making 330hp 310tq XIDA suspension, 15x10, etc

AndyHollis

Slower than all of those. Put them at the front of that list and you have slowest to fastest. Wear also follows grip.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

RS4 wears faster than VR-1?
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Mazdaspeeder

Seems like Maxis website isn't taking the coupon code that runs through today, which I assumed meant that it INCLUDES today, maybe poorly worded on their part. The RS4 looks nice also. Honestly all of the tires except the Rival seem to be fairly long lasting, so I wouldn't want to get something worse than my RC-1 because I would likely still have these tires as my driving started to improve and I'd want something to at least give me the confidence I had last year. The RS4 seems nice and is priced reasonably also.

Is there any downside to going with the Rival S 1.5 for a mostly street driven and sometimes tracked car? Know they will wear quicker, but how much quicker in a street setting. I know these are the best gripping of the bunch, but also the most expensive by quite a long shot. I am willing to pay more for something better though.

thumpetto007

iTrader: (15)

As much as I love condoning spending lots of money on something great, it's kind of wasted money on the street.

I went through 2 sets of RE71R tires, around 8000 street miles each. I could NEVER get them hotter than 114*F on the street and I was beyond triple speed limits in twisty roads. It wasn't worth getting a tire that max grip happens at 180*F when I can only reach 60% of that temp. I actually rock snow tires now and I can drive them at 100% which is still very illegal. Our cars handle too well.

I'd recommend something cheap, that wears like iron for the street. Maybe an all season? and save the sticky stuff for the track, where it can actually be used.

my cents

Mazdaspeeder

While I agree with your thought process, they don't really make those kind of tires for a 15x10 and I don't want two wheelsets. My only choice then is to go with the longer lasting of the 245s out there. Some like the Maxxis VR-1, I also talked to a guy who knows a local HPDE NASA guy who said they were "the worst tires he's ever driven". The RS4 is looking more attractive.

I don't drive the car often so lifespan for me is not a huge deal, but as you said, buying a tire I can't utilize is a waste. I was dead set on the VR-1 until the coupon didn't work, and until I started talking to more people.

Maxxis has extended the coupon code for a few more days since they had a website issue, so I have time to decide (or be indecisive)

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

You talked to a guy that knows a dude who had an anecdote. :P

I have VR1s on the purple car. Haven't really driven them yet. I'm coming from RS3s though, so that's my benchmark. If my unskilled hands can't notice a decrease in performance vs some 225/45 RS3s, then i'm good with them.

I'm trusting them enough that i bought a set of 205/50 VR1s for my new car as well. Because they were nearly free. $360 shipped AND a free t-shirt? Sign me up. Twice.

Mazdaspeeder

that some guy happens to be the head of timing for our local NASA chapter but I know opinions are like ********. The guy I talked to had a set on his Exocet when he bought it and promptly removed them for RS4. Not trying to bash the maxxis cause my rc1 have been awesome, just want to get more feedback from actual users (like the two guys in reference here)

thumpetto007

iTrader: (15)

It also makes sense they weren't good on his exocet because the compound is too hard for the light weight car.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

Pls2be explaining.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

You need two wheelsets. A second set of wheels will save you money in the long run three times:

a) you don't wear your sticky tires out prematurely on the street, both actual treadwear and heat cycles
b) your sticky tires don't suffer through a Philadelphia winter (going by your profile). Once they freeze, they are no longer the same tire.
c) you don't crash and total your car when your extreme performance summer tires fail you in the cold and wet.

None of the tires in 225/45 or 245/40 R15, aside from the Hoosier H2O, is suitable for cold and wet. I know of three totals just in my local area due to summer tires in cold and wet conditions. Turbofan can chime in here, he was in the car for two of them.

Your best option is to get a set of NB2 16" stockers and run either the BFGoodrich Comp2AS or the Continental ExtremeContact DWS, both available in 205/45R16. There are numerous other options in this size, but those two are probably the highest performing and can serve you dual duty as wet tires at the track.

thumpetto007

iTrader: (15)

I'm probably wrong, but the harder the compound, the greater stress they must absorb to heat up to their optimal temperature. So a heavier car shouldn't use a really soft compound, because they the tires will get too hot from the stresses of racing. A lighter car shouldn't use a harder compound because the tires will never heat up.

Again, I'm probably wrong, but that's my basic understanding of things

VoBoy

I heard the coupon got extended to today, so try again now before its too late!

NiklasFalk

iTrader: (1)

Want to have fun on the street/twisties? Get some predictable 185 mounted on OEM 15z6". Balanced and "chuckable" but the speeds don't get that high.
You don't need much power either

VR1 on 15x10 for the stance and 15x10 with Hoosier for speed.

No option will be good everywhere.

Getting skinny tires up to operating temp is fun, not the fastest but fun, a quality that is often underestimated since it's easier to hunt measurable performance.

Mazdaspeeder

Car actually gets stored in a warm garage over winter. Doesn't get driven in the cold or slush either. And as far as wet I just want to be able to safely drive in it, not go race in it. Second wheelset is just out of the question, this car spends 99% of its time being driven when it's 60*+ so no need for making this more difficult with a second wheelset and I'm not driving a 300+whp Miata on 185s in the name of safety and clean underwear. I just need a tire that can be driven in spring summer and some of fall, and be able to hold its own on the track, and I need something wider and grippier to give me straight line traction on the street, especially considering the tires don't get gooey. My old 225 Ventus RS3 would light up 2nd and sometimes on a chilly night 3rd gear. These 245 RC1 I can take off from 1st with minimal spin. 245 is my size

the coupon is actually extended by maxxis until the 7th, but I think I made my decision. Thanks for the feedback everyone

Bronson M

iTrader: (1)

I'm really happy with my 245 RS4's, wear has been great and grip is very respectful. Not quite rival s or RE71 but not far behind. What has been surprising is the longitudinal grip, much better than the 225 rival I had before. 2nd gear and up acceleration is no drama.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

It's really not that simple, mostly because stress doesn't just come from static weight.

AndyHollis

I have not back-to-backed that specific one. General trend is what I was trying to describe.

My VR1's lasted a ridiculously long time. I have yet to be able to burn them down fully. Less experience with RS4.

Will know more this weekend. RS4 vs Nexen G vs Rival-S 1.5 for GRM.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

looking forward to it