I need some help! I have a 2005 MCS with 17 R99's and stock dunlop sp9000
runflats. A few weeks ago I went to a local autocross with some friends. It was my first time and boy was it a reality check. I did ok but need alot more experience to get good.
The thing that bothered me most was the lack of grip from the runflats!
This got me thinking about my next set of tires.

Can someone recommend a good double duty tire. One for everyday driving and weekend autocrossing?

Would Michelin exalto pe2's be a good choice?
Maybe Eagle F1 gds3's.

Thanks
Shawn

 

In the end, if you want to be competitive, your best bet is to buy a set of dedicated wheels and tires, although this does depend to some extent on your local club rules with regards to R-Compounds vs street tires. I'm new to the mini world and intend to AX my mini for fun this year in a stock class so I'm going with the Falken Azenis which are considered a street tire, are fairly cheap and give grip levels close to some of the slower r-compound tires. If your club allows any DOT approved tire and you wish to at least be able to be within a few seconds of your competition, Kuhmo 710s or Hoosiers are your best bet. But neither of these tires, despite being DOT approved, should be used on the street for more than a few miles and only if there isn't the slightest possiblity of rain (I.e if you live fairly close to where you AX and its a nice day, its not completely insane to drive there and back on them). I had (actually still have, just don't use them any more) a set of Eagle F1s for my 911 which I track and AX. Having occasionally been forced to run them at an AX when my track tires corded, my rough guestimate is that Hoosiers on a roughly 75 second course are 5-6 seconds faster than the Goodyears. If you can run r-compounds and you absolutely can't get a second set of wheels, I'd say the Toyo RA-1s are you best bet for a tire that can last a year on the street and a season of AX. A fun tire, but can't muster the ultimate grip of a Hossier at full depth and it too, dependng on how hard you drive will ultimately turn into a slick, at which point its effectiveness in rain (or at least standing water) is zero.

 

S03's GS-D3's are my choice.

good tread life, great grip.

S03's have very sharp turn-in response but heavy.
GS-D3's are basically all rounder except sidewalls are a tad softer.

 

Thanks for the info guys. It looks like I will have to step up to 215/45/17
to get the gds3's or azenis. Is there any handling drawbacks when going from a 205 to a 215 or is it better?

I wonder if 205 S03's are as heavy as 215 gds3's. Hmmmmm.

Shawn

 

IMHO you can't go wrong with the Falken Azeni RT 615. I have the RT-215 (former model) in 215-45-16 on stock xlites and they are very sticky and wear is adequate. I run them on street and autocross. If weather is hot, though, you may need to spray them to cool them between autocross runs.

 

If you are just starting out in AX the single best thing you can do to improve your preformance is to get some AX specific lessons. That more than anything else will improve your times.

Actually, better to get the lessons before you get the better tires as the better tire will mask bad habits. And bad habits are hard to un-learn.

 

Yeah, I have a long way to go when it comes to driving. My nervs were shot the whole time during that first autocross event. I haven't really figured out how to get the car to turn quickly around those cones. I was bracking way late and gasing it late too. Looking back on it, I did learn alot.

Next season I plan to get as much practice as I can and try to attend a driving school or two. I'm going to use the runflats till they wear out then gets some better tires.

Those Azenis rt-615's are hardcore looking.....I like it!
Hope they have them in 215/45/17 by the time I need tires.

Thanks
Shawn