It depends on how much track experience you have. And it does sometimes rain when you are at the track and most drivers pack up when it does. I think the hankooks are all right and they are cheap. That is where the Mini is most fun. It is adequate in the dry but it does communicate with you.

Btw, I have a set of Dunlop direzza z1 star specs 215/45 17 on OEM Mini r104 track balanced with tpms for sale if you are interested. Have about 5/32-6/32" left. Used to be my drive to the track wheels/tires and also my wet tires in the rain. I run r-comps in the dry. Looking for $450 for the direzzas with rims and tpms as a set.

 

Forgot to mention, they are also great dry tires. If you use it as dry tires, you should perhaps get 2-3 track days out of them.

 

Hankook RS-3. Amazing grip on the track. I was going to make them my track only tires but grip is addictive. I haven't swapped them out since. You definitely won't be disappointed one bit when you get these tires.

 

Ra2fanatic,

Based on your glowing recommendations , I looked up tirerack to get more info about the tire. To my surprise, it shows up mid pack at best for extreme tires in both tirerack tests and consumer surveys. The usual suspects show up much better such as Bridgestone re11, Dunlop Direzza z1 star specs and Yokohama ad08. I have tried all three of these and can say they are great track tires if you want dot legal tires. Would recommend you try one of these next time to compare.

 

Definitely understand the overall rating system over on Tirerack. I've ridden on RE-11's so that's my only comparo I would have, but I still would choose the RS-3's over them. AD08's have a harder compound compare to these and I have a friend who has a track-only E36 M3 and swears by these tires and they get hooked up on all the tires you listed and he also loves the RS-3s.

My friend's shop also has a 600hp E90 Single Turbo 335i and chooses the RS-3's over the competition. For the price and it's amazing grip, it's hard not to get these tires for track-only use.

 

Slinger - where did you find a tire test of the Hankook RS3? The last tire test of Extreme performance tires on Tire Rack was between the Z1s, Re11s, ADO8s and the Kumho XS. Of those these, all came out about the same in the dry and the 1st 3 were about the same in the wet, with the Kumhos falling behind.

I too have heard really good things about the RS3. They are starting show up around my area with some of the local trackers and autoX'ers.

BTY - I got 4 track days and 3 autoX events out of the Z1s I got from you, chunks and all, and one more track day coming up. I guess I don't push as hard as you.

 

Thanks for the update. Still you are one of the few who would choose rs3 over the RE11. I really like the RE11. Good turn in, lots of feel. I do not find the ad08 to be hard. Just a little noisy and can tram line. The z1 are also noisy but are good all round tire and excels in the wet.

All these three tires are very good on the track and street. Based on tirerack, and some opinions from my track buddies, I would not be running the rs3 in the wet at this time. I will still prefer r-comps in the dry.

 

Eddie,

Cannot believe you got so many days off the Direzza tires. I am surprised but in a good day. You know you have to get rid of them when you see the cords.

You interested in my last set of direzzas?

 

Yes, highly recommend not running these in the wet. The minute you see drops, "slow your role" would be the best judgement.

Among my last track event, there were a huge amount of people running RS-3's.

 

I know all about corded tires having ridden with Sdriver when he corded his at LRP.

As for the Z1s, I haven't even hit the wear bars yet... Turned 2:36 at WGI with 2 in the car, that should have warmed them up. It was enough to toast the brakes but not the tires.

As for your Z1s, I would be interested, but don't need the wheels and the TPMS won't work on my car (they changed in '11), email me.

 

Eddie,

I went back to look at the review. Same one I read. I was interested in wet performance, so that was my lens.

Are you seeing the rs3 more at the track or at autox?

 

Back on track...

I have seen the RS3s more at the track. One thing that I have heard about them is they have softer sidewalls than the other extreme performance tire and you have to get used to that. But everyone says the grip is great with them. Have not seen them on a MINI yet. One other thing I have heard is tires like these with a 140 tread wear are not going to legal for street class cars in autocross. They are moving the limit up to 180.

I have used both the AD08s and the Z1s and would say that they are similar on the track. The Z1s might make more noise, though. Can't say that one has any more grip than the other. The AD08s didn't chunk and wore really well. I had 11 days on them and counting. Given the cost factor and given not that much difference between the 2 tires, I would get the Z1s again or try the Hankooks. It sounds like the RS3 might be a good intermediate step for progressing to R comps.

 

question for all:

I have a 2012 MCS with the challenge 17" wheels. Runflats are all torn up/chunked from my last track day. Next track day is in 2 weeks.

I cant seem to find any 215 rs3 in stock (national backorder). The 225s are available.
Am i going to run into any rubbing issues running 225s? Car is bone stock.

Thanks

 

With the way the offsets are on all stock wheels, you'll be fine with 225. I was also looking for 215, but backorder was not going to even get to me 'til like mid October.

The only way you'd run into rubbing issues is if you run a 12-15mm spacer, which I don't think you'll do anyways unless you had a Brembo or StopTech kit.

I had to run 12mm spacers up front because of the StopTech calipers wouldn't clear my stock 17s.

You'll be fine.

 

I think you should be fine. Alternatively, you can go to another brand.