Whats the best 245/45/17 Tire for racing?

[M junky]

I got some 17x8" track wheels with a 35 offset and was wondering whats your guys opinions on best track tire
with grip and somewhat lasting after a track day.I'm looking for a
235/45/17 preferably.Thanks for the info

[SG_M3]

Toyo RA1's will grip well and last a while, Kumho v700's are more grippy but have a much shorter lifetime. I'd try some shaved Toyo's, 4/32's. BTW, you will have to use a 235/40/17.

[M junky]

Thanks for the info,SG_M3,I was just going to ask you about having to go 235/40/17 over 45 series.I saw your track setup
and was curious how's that setup sticking?I'm new to the shaved
race tires,What excactly is that?I noticed that the Toyo RA1 comes in 235/40 or 45 17,which is better and why.Thanks again

[Matthew C Smith]

a 45 series tire will be a bit tall for the e36

I'll move this to the track talk.

[SG_M3]

Go with the 235/40 most everyone runs that size or 255/40.

I going to use the r comps at my next DE, i've only been using street tires previously. When you shave tires you are reducing the tread on them from, for the toyos 8/32 to 4/32 and allowing the tire to wear better and have more grip.

[Matthew C Smith]

Does anybody make a 245 40 R17? Hoosier maybe?

255's just seem like too much of a hassle to fit. Although, the 245 hoosiers daddy's are probably massive....

[M junky]

Thanks for the advice,I'm going to get the Toyo's.The shaved ones that is.

[SG_M3]

Matt, they do make 245/40 HooHoo's, but they don't wear near what the kumho or Toyo's.

255's maybe be a hassle to fit, but they are so

[Matthew C Smith]

True, the hoosiers wear sucks. I don't think I'd ever consider them for just fun stuff like HPDE or recreational autox. They are best left to National Autox or the real deal racing.

[GMGBMW]

Run Hoosiers......... Or we have Michelin Pilot sport cups and they are stickier then both the Toyo's or the Kumho's and last numerous heat cycles.........

[Matthew C Smith]

Originally posted by GMGBMW
Run Hoosiers.........

I don't think so

somewhat lasting after a track day

I bet a set of hoosiers wouldn't last more than 2 weekends

[GMGBMW]

If you properly heat cycle hoosiers you can get more than 2 weekends out of them....
Granted they are the softest of the tires that are available.
If you are looking for long life then I would prefer a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup over the Toyo or the Kumho. Any day,.,

Also keep in mind that tires do deteriorate after they are heat cycled and and are often no good before they are worn out mechanically..

Fabryce

[SG_M3]

I realize heat cycling will kill any r comp tire. But I'm not racing, I would rather give up some absolute grip for more wear, I'm just a weekend warrior.

[Matthew C Smith]

The Michi PSC's are nice tires from what I hear. They've got 2 problems from what I can see.

1) They're expensive as hell! (granted they last longer and have lots of grip)
2.) You can't get them in any of the standard e36 chassis sizes. You'd have to stuff 255's all around in there which is NOT just a throw and go install.

Outside of that I haven't heard too many complaints. But they're still new and not too many e36's are using them currently.

Toyo's RA-1 is a pretty nice tire if you're looking to have some fun with an R comp and still get pretty good wear. They're are fairly forgiving at the limit, but don't make a whole lot of noise in my experience.

The Kumho's are a bit pricier, probably require shaving unless you're very careful with them and can adjust camber, and have more grip than the RA-1.