Track tires, Toyo R888's vs Nitto NT01's.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 366
Likes: 8
From: Charleston, SC
E55K, Black on Black. C63, Black on Black. SRT-10 NightRunner 363of400
Track tires, Toyo R888's vs Nitto NT01's.
We've had several threads in this forum discussing best tires for the track etc etc. I've been running the R888's successfully on my cars at the track for a good while. However, they have their drawbacks. First they are noisy. Secondly, and most importantly, they are directional. As you guys know, you must rotate your tires after a day at the track or your tires won't make it to lunch the next day. Unless you have a mount and balance rig on hand, this requires removing and remounting the 888's side to side. I have a two day event coming up this weekend, so I figured this would be the perfect time to try out the Nitto NT01's. They can be rotated in short order without a trip to the shop. I had them heat cycled and mounted this week. My first impressions are that they look good and that they are not quite as loud as the 888's. They humm whereas the 888's make a grinding sound.
I will post my opinion on these after the weekend and will give you guys my thoughts. Has anyone done a comparison like this? Any thoughts?
Don't mind the ugly lug nuts, this car goes through a lot of tires.
I will post my opinion on these after the weekend and will give you guys my thoughts. Has anyone done a comparison like this? Any thoughts?
Don't mind the ugly lug nuts, this car goes through a lot of tires.
Last edited by Bigtickets; Sep 4, 2015 at 01:19 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 80
From: Houston - Clear Lake
C63 coupe, Z3M Roadster garage queen
Confused - how exactly does this help?
I understand that this lets you swap left-side tires to right and visa versa. However, my problem has usually been more wear on the outside of all four tires which necessitated removing them from the rims and remounting them on the opposite side of the car.
I understand that this lets you swap left-side tires to right and visa versa. However, my problem has usually been more wear on the outside of all four tires which necessitated removing them from the rims and remounting them on the opposite side of the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,074
Likes: 2,867
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Good thread - subbed.
I've been looking for a 19" R-compound. Thinking about trying the R888 in 295/30ZR19. Width is only 11.7" inflated vs 11.22" for my Nitto drag radials for example, so they should probably fit with 10mm spacers barely.
Anyway, let us know how they work out. Too bad the NT01's don't come in 19" sizes.
I've been looking for a 19" R-compound. Thinking about trying the R888 in 295/30ZR19. Width is only 11.7" inflated vs 11.22" for my Nitto drag radials for example, so they should probably fit with 10mm spacers barely.
Anyway, let us know how they work out. Too bad the NT01's don't come in 19" sizes.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 53
From: Cincinnati Area
C63 507 with BS Body; 2008 SLK 55
Usually the left outside shoulder wears more than the right due to tracks usually being run clock-wise (hence more right turns than left turns). Swapping the right with the left before day 2 therefore helps.
More negative camber also helps. That is why I installed the K-Mac camber plates.
The Michelin Sport Cup 2s are also non directional, only inside/outside. They can also be swapped between left and right side.
More negative camber also helps. That is why I installed the K-Mac camber plates.
The Michelin Sport Cup 2s are also non directional, only inside/outside. They can also be swapped between left and right side.
