hahahaha (sorry, my inner 12 year old has to venture out sometimes)
Photos :: Nitto NT555R Drag Radials (285/35-18) :: 2010 C63
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2011 GLK 350, 2013 GT-R, & 2013 RAM 1500
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Note that not all 285s are the same width. The NT555Rs run on the narrow side @ 11.2" wide where many other brands are 11.4" or even 11.5" wide. Diameter and even shape can vary by brand.
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What I like!
What do you think about running those as a full-time street tire on the rears? Would that be insane? 
I'm really looking forward to your impressions of these tires vs the NT-05s since you'll be able to swap back and forth. 
I'm really looking forward to your impressions of these tires vs the NT-05s since you'll be able to swap back and forth.
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So far, in the 800 miles I've used them on the C63 I have no complaints. They are performing admirably during my daily commute.
Once my Forgestar F14s get here (14-weeks and counting
) I'll mount up the NT05s. Feedback to follow.
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I know it might be too early to ask but had you launch the car hard?, any trips to the drag strip or any measuring devices like Vbox, Gtech, etc? I am absolutely sold on these tires.
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From a dig on the street the car will hook nicely if I feather the throttle. I will have personal dragstrip results in mid-July when we rent Woodburn Dragstrip in Oregon State.
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2011 GLK 350, 2013 GT-R, & 2013 RAM 1500
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'15 VW GTI
Tested the drag radials from a dig today...ESP ON, yet when in sport auto, no traction light at all when I dropped the pedal at 1200 rpm. Shifting into second, no light either...Amazing grip and better gas mileage! All of this at about 40 psi on the tire pressure..I can't imagine how they'd hook if I dropped to 30 or so.
It's hard to fully realize the torque of this car until you get a LSD and some drag radials..
It's hard to fully realize the torque of this car until you get a LSD and some drag radials..
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2021 Yukon XL Denali, 2017 GLS450 4MATIC, 1993 Chevy Corvette
superlubricity, correct me if I am wrong but Nitto's prices are fairly reasonable. Perhaps you paid a premium for the wider size (285) but I just purchased a set of Nitto Neo Gens (225 35 ZR 18) to replace my front two tires (had a blow out on the passenger front tire) and they were quite reasonably priced. I previously had ContiSportContact3s on the front. While I still am running ContiSportContact3s in the rear (they were put on brand new 2 months ago when I purchased the car), I can tell the Nittos in the front feel stickier and "grippier" in general, yet softer all around, particularly in turns.
The Neo Gens are not full-out track tires but are Max Performance Summer tires and the tread pattern actually looks somewhat similar to your 555s. At $157 a tire I am more than happy with the performance. However, I have read reviews that the Neo Gens drive great until they wear down, then in a snowball-life effect, they degenerate rapidly - become noisy- and become prone to hydro-plane. I will have to wait for the judgement call on that as I had them installed this past Monday. For the price though I can afford to replace these in 10,000 miles. Not sure about the 555s - any concerns or read any reviews?
The Neo Gens are not full-out track tires but are Max Performance Summer tires and the tread pattern actually looks somewhat similar to your 555s. At $157 a tire I am more than happy with the performance. However, I have read reviews that the Neo Gens drive great until they wear down, then in a snowball-life effect, they degenerate rapidly - become noisy- and become prone to hydro-plane. I will have to wait for the judgement call on that as I had them installed this past Monday. For the price though I can afford to replace these in 10,000 miles. Not sure about the 555s - any concerns or read any reviews?
Last edited by mrobinso; Jul 16, 2010 at 09:26 AM.
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superlubricity, correct me if I am wrong but Nitto's prices are fairly reasonable. Perhaps you paid a premium for the wider size (285) but I just purchased a set of Nitto Neo Gens (225 35 ZR 18) to replace my front two tires (had a blow out on the passenger front tire) and they were quite reasonably priced. I previously had ContiSportContact3s on the front. While I still am running ContiSportContact3s in the rear (they were put on brand new 2 months ago when I purchased the car), I can tell the Nittos in the front feel stickier and "grippier" in general, yet softer all around, particularly in turns.
The Neo Gens are not full-out track tires but are Max Performance Summer tires and the tread pattern actually looks somewhat similar to your 555s. At $157 a tire I am more than happy with the performance. However, I have read reviews that the Neo Gens drive great until they wear down, then in a snowball-life effect, they degenerate rapidly - become noisy- and become prone to hydro-plane. I will have to wait for the judgement call on that as I had them installed this past Monday. For the price though I can afford to replace these in 10,000 miles. Not sure about the 555s - any concerns or read any reviews?
The Neo Gens are not full-out track tires but are Max Performance Summer tires and the tread pattern actually looks somewhat similar to your 555s. At $157 a tire I am more than happy with the performance. However, I have read reviews that the Neo Gens drive great until they wear down, then in a snowball-life effect, they degenerate rapidly - become noisy- and become prone to hydro-plane. I will have to wait for the judgement call on that as I had them installed this past Monday. For the price though I can afford to replace these in 10,000 miles. Not sure about the 555s - any concerns or read any reviews?
If you are looking for feedback on Neo Gens or NT555 street tires, it might make sense to create a new thread. I would do so in Tire Forum as it might get you the info you are looking for.
To summarize, this thread is focused on getting a Maximum Traction "R" compound tire like the NT555R on the back of a C63 with the primary focus being drag strip use and cutting low 60' times. It's nice that 1) they fit and 2) they are very manageable on the street for summer use.
Best of luck in your tires choices.
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I guess I wasn't explicit in what I was asking. I was wondering what you thought of the pricing on your 555s. I found that my Nitto's, while not Type-R, were reasonable.
Secondly, I was asking when you did your research prior to buying your tires if you came across any similar reviews of people saying they degenerate rapidly after reaching a certain number of miles and was wondering if you had any concerns. I know you are using these for tracking or racing so wear may be irrelevant to you.
Since I just purchased Nittos (granted that are not Type R as previously mentioned) I was curious.
Secondly, I was asking when you did your research prior to buying your tires if you came across any similar reviews of people saying they degenerate rapidly after reaching a certain number of miles and was wondering if you had any concerns. I know you are using these for tracking or racing so wear may be irrelevant to you.
Since I just purchased Nittos (granted that are not Type R as previously mentioned) I was curious.
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2011 GLK 350, 2013 GT-R, & 2013 RAM 1500
I guess I wasn't explicit in what I was asking. I was wondering what you thought of the pricing on your 555s. I found that my Nitto's, while not Type-R, were reasonable.
Secondly, I was asking when you did your research prior to buying your tires if you came across any similar reviews of people saying they degenerate rapidly after reaching a certain number of miles and was wondering if you had any concerns. I know you are using these for tracking or racing so wear may be irrelevant to you.
Since I just purchased Nittos (granted that are not Type R as previously mentioned) I was curious.
Secondly, I was asking when you did your research prior to buying your tires if you came across any similar reviews of people saying they degenerate rapidly after reaching a certain number of miles and was wondering if you had any concerns. I know you are using these for tracking or racing so wear may be irrelevant to you.
Since I just purchased Nittos (granted that are not Type R as previously mentioned) I was curious.
Anyhow, the price for the NT555R is in-line with other drag radials. The BFG Drag Radial in the closest size (275/35-18) is actually $8 less per pair. ($261 each vs. $265 each)
For me, long-term tread wear is ultimately going to be dependent on the # of passes/burnouts made at the drag strip.
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I don't know how much this means to you guys out there but I just bought my 3rd set from onlinetires.com and each were $229.81. 555R 285/35/18
$499.84 with shipping to my door.
$499.84 with shipping to my door.
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Following-up here. As expected, these tires performed great at the strip. Excellent traction and consistency.
I ran them @ 21-psi (Hot) on a humid/warm day at Woodburrn Dragstrip.
1.796 60', 11.744 @ 119.18 MPH (1/8th 7.595 @ 94.59 MPH)
1.782 60', 11.753 @ 119.17 MPH (1/8th 7.600 @ 94.50 MPH)
1.769 60', 11.754 @ 118.87 MPH (1/8th 7.595 @ 94.40 MPH)
1.788 60', 11.760 @ 119.12 MPH (1/8th 7.605 @ 94.41 MPH)
1.783 60', 11.761 @ 119.00 MPH (1/8th 7.607 @ 94.46 MPH)
I'm expecting even better performance in a week when I head to Pacific Raceways in what should be 20-degree cooler and much drier weather.
There is a nice burnout video in my signature for those who are interested.
I ran them @ 21-psi (Hot) on a humid/warm day at Woodburrn Dragstrip.
1.796 60', 11.744 @ 119.18 MPH (1/8th 7.595 @ 94.59 MPH)
1.782 60', 11.753 @ 119.17 MPH (1/8th 7.600 @ 94.50 MPH)
1.769 60', 11.754 @ 118.87 MPH (1/8th 7.595 @ 94.40 MPH)
1.788 60', 11.760 @ 119.12 MPH (1/8th 7.605 @ 94.41 MPH)
1.783 60', 11.761 @ 119.00 MPH (1/8th 7.607 @ 94.46 MPH)
I'm expecting even better performance in a week when I head to Pacific Raceways in what should be 20-degree cooler and much drier weather.
There is a nice burnout video in my signature for those who are interested.
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Wanted to reply to this thread in case anyone else is considering in the future.
Just got my Nitto 555R in 285/35-18 put on today. Man do these things HOOK! I was wondering why my car felt slower lately - the answer was traction.
It's a very tight fit, but I drove over some of the worst roads in the city, and there's no rubbing whatsoever. The ride is a little 'bouncy', as the sidewalls on these are flexy, but it's not a big deal. Probably wouldn't like to corner hard on these either.
A stopgap measure while I'm waiting for my 19" wheels and tires to arrive, but these will go on the back whenever I go to the track.
Your thread was a huge help superlubricity, thanks again.
EDIT: 2 other quick things. My car is a P31 so it sits lower - still no problem. Also I had to take some major inclines/ramps going back to my garage - no problems.
Just got my Nitto 555R in 285/35-18 put on today. Man do these things HOOK! I was wondering why my car felt slower lately - the answer was traction.
It's a very tight fit, but I drove over some of the worst roads in the city, and there's no rubbing whatsoever. The ride is a little 'bouncy', as the sidewalls on these are flexy, but it's not a big deal. Probably wouldn't like to corner hard on these either.
A stopgap measure while I'm waiting for my 19" wheels and tires to arrive, but these will go on the back whenever I go to the track.
Your thread was a huge help superlubricity, thanks again.
EDIT: 2 other quick things. My car is a P31 so it sits lower - still no problem. Also I had to take some major inclines/ramps going back to my garage - no problems.
Last edited by BLKROKT; Aug 12, 2014 at 12:17 PM.
