Nittos

[PeterB]

Kumhos V70A, Bridgestones Re55, Yokohama 50s or Dunlop D01 are definitely quicker than the Toyo R888s (I guess 0.5 sec or more at Wakefield), but are substantially more expensive in a 205x50x15.

I go Toyo for the price, reasonable wear and versatiliy as I run hillclimbs as well as track days and drive on them to the circuit (while they have legal tread). The Toyos seem to launch well at the hillclimb, which makes up for a little less track grip, and are consistent over the life of the tyre. I have not raced on them, only supersprints of 5 laps or so, so don't know how they would last over a race distance.

[manga_blue]

I've consumed 3 sets of Toyo R888s and 1 of Dunlop D03Gs over the past few years. The Toyos are definitely not slower than the Dunlops but they are about 40% cheaper. Generally I can't say I see people on other tyres having more grip, except I know I can usually run down people on Kumhos towards the end of the longer (15-20 minute) sessions.

I've run the Toyos flat out in the Winton 6 hour events in 75 minute sessions with no problems. Similarly they've done a few 30 minute sprint sessions. Like any R-spec you can overheat them if you really hammer them on a hot day but they'll regain their grip if you back off a bit for half a lap. The great thing about the Toyos is that they'll forgive you for overheating them and just return to normal without permanent damage, unlike the Dunlops which were permanently stuffed by the heat from one long drift through the Winton sweeper. The Toyos tend to get faster and faster as they wear down, so I've set my best times on them when they were almost on the canvas.

I get about 15 track days out of the Toyos (and I'd probably get 50 track days if I only went to NSWRRC events ). I have a new set of Toyos from Taleb waiting in the shed now which cost $189 each for 195/50r15s.

[Guran]

On that recommendation I just gave Taleb Tyres a call as I need a new set of R-specs and thought I'd have a go with R888 if they're THAT much cheaper than my current Bridgestone RE55S ($330 each, a year ago). Unfortunately for me, the smallest size they get in is 15" and I need 185/60R14. Looks like it's Blair's Tyres and the local outlet at Warilla quoted $268 each. Curse the supersprint & club regs for not letting me use 15" rims . I also tried Gordon Leven for some Bridgestones. Apparently they're not importing the old RE55S any more and have moved to RE-11S (nothing on Bridgestone Australia website about this), for which I was quoted $339 in 185/60R14. Reckon I'll save myself $284 and the hassle of travelling to Emu Plains, and will give the R888s a try this time.

[manga_blue]

I wonder what Demon Tweeks are like for shipping tyres? AUD114.94 for 185/60R14 R888s, in stock.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Url.do?r= ... Z9,2CXSL,1

[hamx5ter]

I wonder what Demon Tweeks are like for shipping tyres? AUD114.94 for 185/60R14 R888s, in stock.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Url.do?r= ... Z9,2CXSL,1

Ordered a set of tyres for my daily. Ordered monday, tyres were here on the Friday.

[rossint]

I'm very impressed with the NT-01's, a little softer and grippier than the R888's I had before them, they are as grippy in light rain as they are in the dry but in heavier rain they have less grip than R888's. I just did a 6hr regularity on the Nittos, drove for 1.5hrs at about 90% pace and the tyres were consistant for the whole session, they get up to heat a bit quicker than the R888's as well.
I got over 2 years out of my R888's, I do around 3000km's a year made up of about 10 track days, driving to and from the track and a bit of driving to the shops etc, will be interesting to see how long the Nittos last.
At the end of their life the R888's were just as grippy through the corners as when they were new but were lacking under brakes, a lot easier to lock up a wheel.

[manga_blue]

I'm very impressed with the NT-01's, a little softer and grippier than the R888's .....

Interesting to hear that. It'd be good to have a sensible alternative to the R888s and softer would probably be better for me.

[Smokinscotty]

Cheers guys, great info!
Glad to hear the toyos recover well because my car is turbo'd and I have big fat feet. I expect them to get a workout.

Scotty

[rossint]

I'm very impressed with the NT-01's, a little softer and grippier than the R888's .....

Interesting to hear that. It'd be good to have a sensible alternative to the R888s and softer would probably be better for me.

Theres not much in it and it could just be the tread pattern (or lack of it) that I'm feeling but the Nittos do feel like you can push them a little bit harder.

[Tony]

I'll be in the market very soon for some new tyres and am wondering if there are any updates regarding the medium to longer term performance of the Nitto NT01's.

Currently leaning towards R888 (@ $238 ea), but not ruling out NT01 (@ $249 ea). Kumho V70A at $300/tyre is out of my (very limited) budget at present.

[project.r.racing]

Noticed recently the Nittos in 205/50R15 went from $199 to $249 RRP. Sucks!!!

[beavis]

Noticed recently the Nittos in 205/50R15 went from $199 to $249 RRP. Sucks!!!

Supply demand..... they have been gaining in popularity recently.

[project.r.racing]

Yeah, kinda figured the reason for it.

But being a good tyre at a low price will create demand. But will a good tyre at a high price create the same demand.

The price isn't that much higher. But it is enough to make you think twice about them. R888s are now cheaper.

[Okibi]

I just did a search for R888 205/50/15 x 4.

Tirerack.com worked out as $556.38 AUD + shipping ($355ish?) = around $910
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk $678.64 AUD + 269.78 shipping = $948.42

[project.r.racing]

R888s in 205/50R15 work out to be around $1012 including shipping if you buy them from an oz seller. Not much difference oz vs usa I see. normally see better value from tirerack.

The NT01s are $$1056 including shipping from same oz sellers.

shipped = metro qld.

I might try to dig up some prices on RS3s also, see how they compare at the moment.