HPDE Tire for 2023 - Options, Options, Options

OK, so I am narrowing down my list of options for my next set of tires. My current Maxxis RC-1 v1's have been a disappointment based on my previous NT01 experience ESPECIALLY under braking. Need the forum wisdom on my options. 2650 lbs, e36, 400whp/wtq LS, fender flares. HPDE DRY USE ONLY. 17x10" square APEX wheels.

Option 1: Maxxis RC-1 V2
- Pros
Cost of 260 bucks a tire
Preferred sizing of 275/35/17 (24.5" diameter allows lower ride height and less interference)
GRM Editors claim a greatly improved tread compound on the V2 compared to V1

- Cons
Better not be like last set

Option 2: Nankang CR-S
- Pros
Preferred sizing of 275/35/17
Supposedly fast

- Cons
Expensive at 310 a tire
Longevity a concern compared to the other two options which further adds to the expense above

Option 3: NT01
- Pros
I know them and love them
longevity, value, speed, and slip angle combo I prefer

Cons
- 255/40/17 (25" dia) would be the narrowest tire of the 3 (but does fit a 10" wheel) or I move to 275/40/17 (25.5" dia) and deal with the extra 1/2" diameter from a clearance standpoint by raising my ride height accordingly to get the extra 0.5" tire width on each corner.

I know my alternatives are somewhat limited due to the wheel sizing I selected originally. So GRM, what would be your vote?

The Maxxis fall off so hard and their longevity is meh.

I've heard good things about the Nankang and the Nexens. 

You also have more options at the 275/40/17 range like the RT615k @$203 and RT660 @$257

A falken 660 255 will be more like a 275 in most other brands and at $215/tire will give you amazing performance.

bobzilla said:

A falken 660 255 will be more like a 275 in most other brands and at $215/tire will give you amazing performance.

Hard to tell exactly because nobody other than tire rack lists tread width. But in section width the 275/35 maxxis is wider than the 275/40 RT660 and the 255 NT01 is nearly identical to the 255 RT660.

Without having any personal experience with the NT01 or maxxis, I'd probably lean towards making one of the sizes of RT660 work.

Olemiss540 said:

OK, so I am narrowing down my list of options for my next set of tires. My current Maxxis RC-1 v1's have been a disappointment based on my previous NT01 experience ESPECIALLY under braking. Need the forum wisdom on my options. 2650 lbs, e36, 400whp/wtq LS, fender flares. HPDE DRY USE ONLY. 17x10" square APEX wheels.

Do you have a build thread on your car? I'd enjoyed learning more about it!

This thread looks familiar... 

dyintorace said:

Olemiss540 said:

OK, so I am narrowing down my list of options for my next set of tires. My current Maxxis RC-1 v1's have been a disappointment based on my previous NT01 experience ESPECIALLY under braking. Need the forum wisdom on my options. 2650 lbs, e36, 400whp/wtq LS, fender flares. HPDE DRY USE ONLY. 17x10" square APEX wheels.

Do you have a build thread on your car? I'd enjoyed learning more about it!

Yup. Hope its OK to link here: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2470075-Olemiss540-s-WAR-Machine-LS1-E36

Rodan said:

This thread looks familiar... 

Shhhhhhh

DirtyBird222 said:

The Maxxis fall off so hard and their longevity is meh.

I've heard good things about the Nankang and the Nexens. 

You also have more options at the 275/40/17 range like the RT615k @$203 and RT660 @$257

Maxxis has been strange, given they became the Spec E30 tire a year ago, I still cant find much real life (endurance use) feedback on the RC-1. 

Thanks for the other 275 options, gives me something to think about, especially the RT660 versus tried and true NT01s or the value prop of a 200 dollar 615k I know is well liked. 

Can't give much advice other than for DE it's really hard to beat the NT01's.

Sounds like it's time to add another tire test to the calendar. 

Olemiss540 said:

DirtyBird222 said:

The Maxxis fall off so hard and their longevity is meh.

I've heard good things about the Nankang and the Nexens. 

You also have more options at the 275/40/17 range like the RT615k @$203 and RT660 @$257

Maxxis has been strange, given they became the Spec E30 tire a year ago, I still cant find much real life (endurance use) feedback on the RC-1. 

Thanks for the other 275 options, gives me something to think about, especially the RT660 versus tried and true NT01s or the value prop of a 200 dollar 615k I know is well liked. 

My experience with the Maxxis in Champcar racing with a FWD car is that they are good for about 7-8 hours before they just fall flat on their face. Tread will last for a 14 hour race. We can get two races out of a set by rotating tires but they aren't our favorites. 

RS-4s on the other hand, while not the fastest, offer consistent tread wear and confidence through the course of a 7-14 hour race. We can get about 3-4 races on a set depending on the track and the surface. 

I only have autox experience with the Falkens so not much input for track days on that end. 

I know Continental has a 200tw tire out there too but it's priced out of its league. 

David S. Wallens said:

Sounds like it's time to add another tire test to the calendar. 

You guys should test some of the oddballs too. Like the Contis, the Nexens, the Nankangs. 

Just dropping this here for those who might have missed it: Ultimate track tire guide | 200tw, 100tw, street-legal track and R-comps.

David S. Wallens said:

Just dropping this here for those who might have missed it: Ultimate track tire guide | 200tw, 100tw, street-legal track and R-comps.

Missed it? That's gotta be the most popular car related article/writeup GRM has ever done and is reference frequently on every forum I'm on.

David S. Wallens said:

Sounds like it's time to add another tire test to the calendar. 

Yes! A tire test focused on an HPDE Warrior use case concerned about dry track performance only perhaps? I would think that would be the absolutely largest test audience/readership and would be perfect with all of the compounds out now.

I hear the CR-S has a new compound out very soon? I am leaning that direction now due to the awesome sizing availability.

DirtyBird222 said:

Olemiss540 said:

DirtyBird222 said:

The Maxxis fall off so hard and their longevity is meh.

I've heard good things about the Nankang and the Nexens. 

You also have more options at the 275/40/17 range like the RT615k @$203 and RT660 @$257

Maxxis has been strange, given they became the Spec E30 tire a year ago, I still cant find much real life (endurance use) feedback on the RC-1. 

Thanks for the other 275 options, gives me something to think about, especially the RT660 versus tried and true NT01s or the value prop of a 200 dollar 615k I know is well liked. 

My experience with the Maxxis in Champcar racing with a FWD car is that they are good for about 7-8 hours before they just fall flat on their face. Tread will last for a 14 hour race. We can get two races out of a set by rotating tires but they aren't our favorites. 

RS-4s on the other hand, while not the fastest, offer consistent tread wear and confidence through the course of a 7-14 hour race. We can get about 3-4 races on a set depending on the track and the surface. 

I only have autox experience with the Falkens so not much input for track days on that end. 

I know Continental has a 200tw tire out there too but it's priced out of its league. 

Thanks, that's a huge help. I am used to Nittos that never fall off drastically. That's probably part of the reason I dispise my current V1 RC-1s is due to them being cycled out instead of their actual peak performance. They just can't handle anything more than 60% brake pedal before locking up...

David S. Wallens said:

Sounds like it's time to add another tire test to the calendar. 

Any news on the upcoming CR-S compound update? Holding off on ordering anything for the time being.

DirtyBird222 said:

I know Continental has a 200tw tire out there too but it's priced out of its league. 

Conti ECF probably, similar to the RS4 but much better cold performance, I'm eyeing those as a long-lasting HPDE+autocross+weekend tire for my Toyobaru. Very expensive though.

Olemiss540 said:

David S. Wallens said:

Sounds like it's time to add another tire test to the calendar. 

Any news on the upcoming CR-S compound update? Holding off on ordering anything for the time being.

Patience, grasshopper.  All will be revealed very soon.  But there's no point knowing if you can't actually buy them, so synchronicity is key. 

Boats, shipping containers, dock crews, logistics...it's all a bit murky these days.

I'm really interested in the new CR-S but if they don't increase the available sizes, I'm out of luck. My wheels are 15 and 16 inches.