Moroso track event-a blast
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Joined: Jul 2003
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C32 AMG
Dr Chill, nice on the times compared to the competition! I haven't driven the new 500x500x500 Viper but the older one I drove scared the ***** outta me. I wouldn't want to try that car on a busy track.
I still can't believe MB put 265's on the E55 rears. I guess maybe the massive power oversteer (assuming ESP is off) is intended to offset some of the push/understeer caused by the heft of the car?
I still can't believe MB put 265's on the E55 rears. I guess maybe the massive power oversteer (assuming ESP is off) is intended to offset some of the push/understeer caused by the heft of the car?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
"Sorry, but I would not bother with low-budget tires on an $85k car. That's how accidents happen. I would not put 712's on a $30k car for that matter. Tires are the single most important factor in vehicle dynamics, second only to the driver. When I see budget tires on a nice car, I can expect that car gets only budget maintenance- not a car I would want."
So, you are equating price with quality. Well, sometimes that works and other times you pay more for less. I have run the Nitto NT555's, Continental Conti Sport Contact's, Good Year F1 GS-D3's, Bridgestone SO3's. While the Kumho Escta Supra 712's were not the best at overall traction, they were the best all around everyday street tire I have used in the last 4 years. I travel around 50,000 miles a year in my three Mercedes automobiles and there is no other tire I would rather live with on a daily basis than the Kumho's.
I have not necessarily seen a direct link with price and performance of the tires I have used on my cars. Some of the more expensive tires such as the Nitto 555's were marginal at best but they were not cheap. The Goodyear F1's have great grip but are noisy and wear very fast. The Continental's did not heat cycle worth a damn and lost grip early in the tire life. IMHO the Bridgestone's were not that good in the rain but other's like these as great all around tires. I give most of the brands a try so I can honestly say I know the difference between the tires.
So, you are equating price with quality. Well, sometimes that works and other times you pay more for less. I have run the Nitto NT555's, Continental Conti Sport Contact's, Good Year F1 GS-D3's, Bridgestone SO3's. While the Kumho Escta Supra 712's were not the best at overall traction, they were the best all around everyday street tire I have used in the last 4 years. I travel around 50,000 miles a year in my three Mercedes automobiles and there is no other tire I would rather live with on a daily basis than the Kumho's.
I have not necessarily seen a direct link with price and performance of the tires I have used on my cars. Some of the more expensive tires such as the Nitto 555's were marginal at best but they were not cheap. The Goodyear F1's have great grip but are noisy and wear very fast. The Continental's did not heat cycle worth a damn and lost grip early in the tire life. IMHO the Bridgestone's were not that good in the rain but other's like these as great all around tires. I give most of the brands a try so I can honestly say I know the difference between the tires.
Last edited by BlownV8; Nov 17, 2003 at 11:37 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Houston, TX
Let me back pedal a little - price and quality are not necessarily proportional. While the 712's are not total POS, but why not spend an extra $30 per corner for the MX's? We're talking about an $85k car, not an Eclipse.
Some of the specific problems I have with 712's are -
1)They are some of the narrowest tires per size - in 255/35/18 they are almost one INCH narrower than an SO3.
2)Many people in the M3 realm have non-alignment, non-tire pressure problems with outer treadblock wear, as well as out of round issues, and even sidewall blow-outs.
3)Minimal rim lip protection compared to an SO3 or Pilot Sport. The $$ saved per corner gets wiped waay out when the rims kiss the curb. The chrome-shadow paint on the newer BMW and Merc rims is impossible to touch-up.
Don't get me wrong, I am a total cheapskate whenever possible. I love the EL-CHEAPO Kuhmo V700 track tires which cost 50% less than a Hoosier, and sometimes I buy tires USED - I have a garage full of 20 or so used Hoosier Grand Am Cup track tires that have about 90% tread and cost $70 each. I just cannot see wearing cheap Sketcher shoes with a new Armani suit- doesn't look right.
Some of the specific problems I have with 712's are -
1)They are some of the narrowest tires per size - in 255/35/18 they are almost one INCH narrower than an SO3.
2)Many people in the M3 realm have non-alignment, non-tire pressure problems with outer treadblock wear, as well as out of round issues, and even sidewall blow-outs.
3)Minimal rim lip protection compared to an SO3 or Pilot Sport. The $$ saved per corner gets wiped waay out when the rims kiss the curb. The chrome-shadow paint on the newer BMW and Merc rims is impossible to touch-up.
Don't get me wrong, I am a total cheapskate whenever possible. I love the EL-CHEAPO Kuhmo V700 track tires which cost 50% less than a Hoosier, and sometimes I buy tires USED - I have a garage full of 20 or so used Hoosier Grand Am Cup track tires that have about 90% tread and cost $70 each. I just cannot see wearing cheap Sketcher shoes with a new Armani suit- doesn't look right.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
"While the 712's are not total POS, but why not spend an extra $30 per corner for the MX's? We're talking about an $85k car, not an Eclipse."
The MX's were not even a thought the last go around but maybe the next set will be the MX's.
"just cannot see wearing cheap Sketcher shoes with a new Armani suit- doesn't look right."
Yeah, I see what you mean.....Sam Walton looked a little weird driving that old beat up truck.
The MX's were not even a thought the last go around but maybe the next set will be the MX's.
"just cannot see wearing cheap Sketcher shoes with a new Armani suit- doesn't look right."
Yeah, I see what you mean.....Sam Walton looked a little weird driving that old beat up truck.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Porcelain Bus
Whoever said that the Nitto NT555 is a bad tire, I'd have to disagree. I had 2 prior sets of Nittos on previous cars and my friend loves them on his Porsche 996 turbo. So far over the week I've had them they seem to handle as good it not better than the more expensive Conti sportcontacts that came from the factory. With tires, more expensive does not mean better.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The NT555's do perform pretty poorly compared to other tires on the market. The Continental Sport Contacts are really bad too. They have a really poor rating on www.tirerack.com compared to other tires in their segment. See for yourself: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....tiSportContact
Last edited by BlownV8; Nov 19, 2003 at 09:19 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 232
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From: Boca Raton, FL
2003 E55,2005 Ferrari F430 Spider, 2005 Corvette 427 TT, 2005 Range Rover
Originally posted by BenzoAMGpower
what do u guys think of the Bridgestone Potenza S03s?
what do u guys think of the Bridgestone Potenza S03s?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 280
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From: Houston, TX
SO3's are absolutely awesome as a Max performance tire. I can turn laps within 2 sec of Hoosier race tires with the SO3's on my M3 street/track car. They are so good that I use them for rain tires.
Treadlife has exceeded Pilot Sports, SP9000's, and MXX3's for me (I don't get more than about 7k miles out of these tires on the rear). I have about 12k on my SO3's so far with about 50% tread left.
They are fatter than any other tire I know of per size, and all have a very nice fat rim protector.
Treadlife has exceeded Pilot Sports, SP9000's, and MXX3's for me (I don't get more than about 7k miles out of these tires on the rear). I have about 12k on my SO3's so far with about 50% tread left.
They are fatter than any other tire I know of per size, and all have a very nice fat rim protector.
