That's because the rivals had a killer marketing strategy. When they first came out everyone was stoked.

To switch off the rivals I needed something that had similar grip but better feedback, the v2 rs3 is that. Much better feedback and the grip is similar if not a little better. i'm glad they are a 200qutg so i can use them for LS Fest.

 

lol,

Original post basically asked for a comparison between RS3 V1 and/or rivals.

 

Great set of tires. Plenty of grip and have a very high wear rate.

 

Here's some interesting track vid I got this morning. I'm following Thomas Hiromoto ("Miatamoto") around MSR-C. He's in an S2000 with RS-3 V2 (not sure on size -- should have looked more closely). I'm in my Red car with 225 Rivals. Certainly not an apples-to-apples comparison (he's got a faster car and is a better, far more experienced driver), but based on this the tires seem pretty even. I'd say the trick to driving the Rivals is to get accustomed to their noise:


Also, don't forget that Rivals are made in Tuscaloosa, AL by American workers.

 

S2000 on 225s?

I haz confusion.

245s fit all around with ease...?

 

Well, actually, I guess I didn't really look that closely at his tire size. They were the new Hankooks though. I asked.

 

Edit: S2000 was on a square setup of 255/40R17s. Here's vid from his vantage point:

 

I too was at Road Atlanta on Aug 2-3 on BFG Rivals and I found this thread because I am eyeing the RS3v2 as my next tire.

On RA, my 225 rivals liked 36 psi hot on all four corners (driver's side had a lower cold pressure) with 1.8 F and 1.3 R camber with 0 toe.

That said, I don't think rivals can grip sealed asphalt at all after a couple heat cycles. Folks with newer Rivals and RS3v2's are destroying me on a freshly sealed autox lot where I used to be able to hang with them and even end up mid pack.

 

some personal data on RS3V1 vs Rival vs RS3V2 for people trying to decide between them.
-2300lb/low boost approx. 200whp. TMP/Cayuga road course. low speed/bumpy track. no other changes to car/similar weather/etc.

-1:20.0-RS3V1-30PSI-15HRS-consistent high 20's low 21's. Numb turn in, twitchy at limit, tough braking, got harder to get temp. towards end but never cycled out.
-1:19.7-RIVAL-35PSI-18HRS.-consistent high 20's low 21's. nicer than RS3V1 to drive, fantastic braking, easy to control at limit, quick to get temp. Badly cycled out, fastest lap when tire was new. End of life could barely get into 20's.
-1:19.2-RS3V2- 30PSI.-only 3 days on them so far. consistent mid to low 19's. numb turn in. otherwise , more grip, similar braking, way better putting power down.

 

Rivals are coming out with a S version, supposed to get up to temp quicker.

 

Any updates from those of you that have had the rs3 v2's for some time?

Going to be trying my rs3s instead of the old rivals for a track day soon even though the rivals have been great. Sorry for keeping the spirit of the rivals alive in this thread.

Based on my experience with Rivals on the track, they communicate well but for autocross it seems like slides are much easier to correct with the RS3's even though they're not as loud IMO.

 

my rs3v2 are almost worn out at this point. laptimes are still like new, definitely did not cycle out.

 

<p></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>are you using them as dual duty street and track tires? or pure track tires.&nbsp;</p><p>How many track days have you gotten out of them?</p>

 

no street. flat tow to track. approx. 15 days. average 2hrs/day. plus 6X20min. W2W.
expecting 2-3 more days, max.

 

Any of you guys seen this with the RS3's? These are my friends off his NB, 195/55/15's on 15x6.5 and 3 track days and a few autox on them. He runs like 33psi hot, stock suspension and he isn't rubbing anywhere. They're really chewed up at the outer edges, only on his left tires (the track is predominantly lefts). Just from the tire rolling over?

 

Overheating. Run more pressure in the hot months to cool the tire.

 

^^^more camber would help too

 

Definitely. Always max front camber . . . always.

The RS3V2s are a cool weather tire though. I was able to get chunking even in April with cool, damp weather.

 

That sucks. the old ones were champions in the heat

 

Good info here. I have been debating which tire to get for my project and I think I have been sold on the RS3's. I had a set on my FD but never really drove them hard. Thanks.