Nitto NT 05 or Dunlop Star Specs? ?
05-19-2010, 04:06 PM
#26
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Have you had an opportunity to compare/test the two personally? What specifically about the NT05s did you not like? I'd love to hear some more independent feedback/data. The only independent comparison I've read so far was the link I posted above . . . that user set a new class/course record on the NT05s.
Last edited by _AMG_; 05-19-2010 at 04:09 PM.
05-19-2010, 04:24 PM
#27
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Im happy he set a course record. And i have driven on both tires thats why i gave my opinion or else i would keep my mouth shut. I have driven an m5 with the dunlops and i was very impressed with them, And i also have driven a z06 with nt05's they are also great tires but for "MY PERSONAL TASTE" i would choose the dunlops. Seemed to me they have better grip overall, especially in the wet. The nittos are not very noisy compared to the goodyears that were on the z06, they have excelent grip but i would choose the dunlops over the nittos becuase those are the tires i like.
05-19-2010, 05:45 PM
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05-19-2010, 05:49 PM
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05-19-2010, 06:27 PM
#34
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2013 Chevy 427 Torch Red
None at all but I am using 265's in the rear due to the 4# weight advantage over the 275's(at least according to mnfr specs) My car has H&R springs also which lowered the car nearly an inch. At the limit handling is much improved but as you can see my fronts were already worn before the last track weekend and absolute toast afterwards. Glad I brought the car on a trailer!
05-19-2010, 06:39 PM
#35
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Buy drag radials, run the correct (low) pressure, and be sure to do a burnout to heat 'em up before you accelerate out of every stop! 
But for real....
I have NT05 rears right now. I will be replacing them with Star Specs or Advan AD08s. IMO the NT05s need to be on the track (road course) and have heat in them (a few laps) to get sticky. For the street, I still spin them too easily with enough throttle, either off the line or on a roll. I think the NT05's stiff sidewalls do not help. I don't drag-race, but AFAIK softer sidewalls and lower pressure are what put the power down. NT-05s are not that tire. They have a lot of tread, but for impromptu stoplight takeoffs, I'm not seeing the advantage.
For street, I think NT-05s are not quite right for the rears. I still have my stock Pirellis on the front. With NT-05s on the front, you'll probably get crisper-feeling turn in. They do remind me of Hoosiers, the way they feel and sound (lots of noise/rumble, esp as they wear... and, rock-stiff sidewalls in the corners, which I like) but without the grip... likely because I'd need to do some burnouts or road course laps to get them sticky. On the street that doesn't seem to happen.
As far as lap records.... I can see how NT05s could do that... notice he said "street tire" record. The NT05, Yoko AD08, Star Spec etc... are all new-generation performance "Street tires" that are really more like an R-compound, even a "slick" with grooves, although... they are often classifed at competition events as "street tires." When you're running a tire that by all comparisons performs more like a "track tire", but is classified as a "street tire" ... well, you're going to set a new "street tire" record.
I know Emilio BTW and he is a great driver (not your average C63 stoplight runner, but a road course nut) and I agree with his sentiments. But I think many people who don't run road courses often mistake a fast-lapping road course tire for a grippy street tire. Conditions that make a tire good on the road course don't necessarily exist on the street.....my .02 FWIW it's a free country so feel free to disagree!
But for real....
I have NT05 rears right now. I will be replacing them with Star Specs or Advan AD08s. IMO the NT05s need to be on the track (road course) and have heat in them (a few laps) to get sticky. For the street, I still spin them too easily with enough throttle, either off the line or on a roll. I think the NT05's stiff sidewalls do not help. I don't drag-race, but AFAIK softer sidewalls and lower pressure are what put the power down. NT-05s are not that tire. They have a lot of tread, but for impromptu stoplight takeoffs, I'm not seeing the advantage.
For street, I think NT-05s are not quite right for the rears. I still have my stock Pirellis on the front. With NT-05s on the front, you'll probably get crisper-feeling turn in. They do remind me of Hoosiers, the way they feel and sound (lots of noise/rumble, esp as they wear... and, rock-stiff sidewalls in the corners, which I like) but without the grip... likely because I'd need to do some burnouts or road course laps to get them sticky. On the street that doesn't seem to happen.
As far as lap records.... I can see how NT05s could do that... notice he said "street tire" record. The NT05, Yoko AD08, Star Spec etc... are all new-generation performance "Street tires" that are really more like an R-compound, even a "slick" with grooves, although... they are often classifed at competition events as "street tires." When you're running a tire that by all comparisons performs more like a "track tire", but is classified as a "street tire" ... well, you're going to set a new "street tire" record.
I know Emilio BTW and he is a great driver (not your average C63 stoplight runner, but a road course nut) and I agree with his sentiments. But I think many people who don't run road courses often mistake a fast-lapping road course tire for a grippy street tire. Conditions that make a tire good on the road course don't necessarily exist on the street.....my .02 FWIW it's a free country so feel free to disagree!
05-19-2010, 07:48 PM
#36
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I have NT05 rears right now. I will be replacing them with Star Specs or Advan AD08s. IMO the NT05s need to be on the track (road course) and have heat in them (a few laps) to get sticky. For the street, I still spin them too easily with enough throttle, either off the line or on a roll. I think the NT05's stiff sidewalls do not help. I don't drag-race, but AFAIK softer sidewalls and lower pressure are what put the power down. NT-05s are not that tire. They have a lot of tread, but for impromptu stoplight takeoffs, I'm not seeing the advantage.
For street, I think NT-05s are not quite right for the rears. I still have my stock Pirellis on the front. With NT-05s on the front, you'll probably get crisper-feeling turn in. They do remind me of Hoosiers, the way they feel and sound (lots of noise/rumble, esp as they wear... and, rock-stiff sidewalls in the corners, which I like) but without the grip... likely because I'd need to do some burnouts or road course laps to get them sticky. On the street that doesn't seem to happen.
As far as lap records.... I can see how NT05s could do that... notice he said "street tire" record. The NT05, Yoko AD08, Star Spec etc... are all new-generation performance "Street tires" that are really more like an R-compound, even a "slick" with grooves, although... they are often classifed at competition events as "street tires." When you're running a tire that by all comparisons performs more like a "track tire", but is classified as a "street tire" ... well, you're going to set a new "street tire" record.
I know Emilio BTW and he is a great driver (not your average C63 stoplight runner, but a road course nut) and I agree with his sentiments. But I think many people who don't run road courses often mistake a fast-lapping road course tire for a grippy street tire. Conditions that make a tire good on the road course don't necessarily exist on the street.....my .02 FWIW it's a free country so feel free to disagree!
06-06-2010, 04:18 PM
#37
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06-06-2010, 05:06 PM
#38
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06-06-2010, 06:08 PM
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2009 040 Black C63, 2009 Arctic White G55, 2012 Storm Red CLS550 4Matic
06-07-2010, 04:57 AM
#40
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Thanks alot for the input. I was going nuts trying to figure out if the 275s would fit.
06-07-2010, 11:29 AM
#41
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'10 C63 AMG
I went with NT 05
I got them from Texan tire... Dave 954-989-6522
385 installed...
265-35-18
They are way better grip wise than stock pirellis...
but they do make some more noise...
385 installed...
265-35-18
They are way better grip wise than stock pirellis...
but they do make some more noise...
06-08-2010, 12:07 AM
#43
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Super...saw your pitch factors in the other thread...my tire guy SWEARS 275's wont fit on stock wheels without either A) bending the fender, or B) changing pitch...do your findings support this claim? We have a lot of pessimist tire/exhaust guys here all of a sudden. But I WANT that extra tread.
Also, with your setup, will you have problems if you were to do hard turn-ins?
Also, with your setup, will you have problems if you were to do hard turn-ins?
06-08-2010, 12:28 AM
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Super...saw your pitch factors in the other thread...my tire guy SWEARS 275's wont fit on stock wheels without either A) bending the fender, or B) changing pitch...do your findings support this claim? We have a lot of pessimist tire/exhaust guys here all of a sudden. But I WANT that extra tread.
Also, with your setup, will you have problems if you were to do hard turn-ins?
Also, with your setup, will you have problems if you were to do hard turn-ins?
My personal experience:
I fit an 11.22" wide, 25.91" tall Nitto NT555R Drag Radial (285/35-18) on my stock wheels without any rubbing issue. They would certainly fit better on a 9.5" wheel, but I had zero issues with daily driving and some aggressive launches from a dig. Many others have run this tire as well for dragstrip use. Drag Radials + LSD = Serious Traction.
I'm currently using a 10.79" wide, 25.63" tall Nitto NT05 Tire (275/35-18) on my Forgestar F14 wheels (9.5" ET53). It doesn't rub anywhere and I've tested this with some VERY aggressive cornering in both directions. (Amen for deserted parking lots)
There is a lot more data and many additional photos in the links in my signature.
Last edited by superlubricity; 06-08-2010 at 12:35 AM.
06-08-2010, 12:39 AM
#45
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Most 18" 275-width tires are between 10.75"-11.00" wide and are roughly 25.6" tall. They should fit a 9" wheel without issues. Many manufacturers even list 9.0" as the minimum approved rim for use in that size. It ultimately comes down to the actual width and the actual shape of the tire. Some tires are more blocky/square than others and this may cause a problem in some scenarios. The area with the least amount of clearance is the passenger side inner-wheel well near the suspension. This area is very, very tight.
My personal experience:
I fit an 11.22" wide, 25.91" tall Nitto NT555R Drag Radial (285/35-18) on my stock wheels without any rubbing issue. They would certainly fit better on a 9.5" wheel, but I had zero issues with daily driving and some aggressive launches from a dig. Many others have run this tire as well for dragstrip use. Drag Radials + LSD = Serious Traction.
I'm currently using a 10.79" wide, 25.63" tall Nitto NT05 Tire (275/35-18) on my Forgestar F14 wheels (9.5" ET53). It doesn't rub anywhere and I've tested this with some VERY aggressive cornering in both directions. (Amen for deserted parking lots)
There is a lot more data and many additional photos in the links in my signature.
My personal experience:
I fit an 11.22" wide, 25.91" tall Nitto NT555R Drag Radial (285/35-18) on my stock wheels without any rubbing issue. They would certainly fit better on a 9.5" wheel, but I had zero issues with daily driving and some aggressive launches from a dig. Many others have run this tire as well for dragstrip use. Drag Radials + LSD = Serious Traction.
I'm currently using a 10.79" wide, 25.63" tall Nitto NT05 Tire (275/35-18) on my Forgestar F14 wheels (9.5" ET53). It doesn't rub anywhere and I've tested this with some VERY aggressive cornering in both directions. (Amen for deserted parking lots)
There is a lot more data and many additional photos in the links in my signature.
The thing that makes me mad is the guy just LOOKED at the wheel well, and said, "275's going to sit too high and too far out...and when you hit a pot hole, the fender-being stronger-will likely blow the tire out".
He talked me into these #%!!%$ 255/18 Falken 452's I have on the rears now...they actually appear thinner than my 235/18 Pirellis on the front.
I may need some more data, but if you say they fit your OEM wheels (and wheel wells) find, then I believe it.
06-08-2010, 01:04 AM
#46
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Most 18" 275-width tires are between 10.75"-11.00" wide and are roughly 25.6" tall. They should fit a 9" wheel without issues. Many manufacturers even list 9.0" as the minimum approved rim for use in that size. It ultimately comes down to the actual width and the actual shape of the tire. Some tires are more blocky/square than others and this may cause a problem in some scenarios. The area with the least amount of clearance is the passenger side inner-wheel well near the suspension. This area is very, very tight.
My personal experience:
I fit an 11.22" wide, 25.91" tall Nitto NT555R Drag Radial (285/35-18) on my stock wheels without any rubbing issue. They would certainly fit better on a 9.5" wheel, but I had zero issues with daily driving and some aggressive launches from a dig. Many others have run this tire as well for dragstrip use. Drag Radials + LSD = Serious Traction.
I'm currently using a 10.79" wide, 25.63" tall Nitto NT05 Tire (275/35-18) on my Forgestar F14 wheels (9.5" ET53). It doesn't rub anywhere and I've tested this with some VERY aggressive cornering in both directions. (Amen for deserted parking lots)
There is a lot more data and many additional photos in the links in my signature.
My personal experience:
I fit an 11.22" wide, 25.91" tall Nitto NT555R Drag Radial (285/35-18) on my stock wheels without any rubbing issue. They would certainly fit better on a 9.5" wheel, but I had zero issues with daily driving and some aggressive launches from a dig. Many others have run this tire as well for dragstrip use. Drag Radials + LSD = Serious Traction.
I'm currently using a 10.79" wide, 25.63" tall Nitto NT05 Tire (275/35-18) on my Forgestar F14 wheels (9.5" ET53). It doesn't rub anywhere and I've tested this with some VERY aggressive cornering in both directions. (Amen for deserted parking lots)
There is a lot more data and many additional photos in the links in my signature.
Last edited by _AMG_; 06-08-2010 at 03:56 AM.
06-08-2010, 09:09 AM
#47
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Hankook's. Save your money unless its for the track. I hook up awesome with my Hankook 275's. How often do you really get to do the twisties on the street? Never for me in NYC.
06-08-2010, 02:25 PM
#48
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06-08-2010, 02:29 PM
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