[2e9x's]

I just received my new tires yesterday...Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec. Ordered from The Tire Rack. According to SCCAforums.com, these tires were supposedly faster than the RE-01R and the RT-615. I can't wait to try them out...

[Park2670]

Cool, cant wait to hear your reviews on them. Are you running them on the stock wheels or did you get a set of dedicated wheels/tires?

[2e9x's]

I plan to run them on the stock wheels and use them as my daily tires too. NO storage space for an extra set of wheels...

[leftcoastman]

Hey man, if you're going to track more than twice a year - think about a dedicated set of wheels/tires.

You can store em in your parking garage (assuming you live in a condo building or something). You will beat the living hell out of your "combo" tires and they will be noisy and suck in the rain.

I drove home on a set of track'd street tires last weekend and I thought my head was going to explode from the humming!

[2e9x's]

Leftcoastman, you are 100% correct. Unfortunately I don't have room in my garage. Storing them any place else requires the consent of my wife. Now unfortunately she does not share my passion for the sport and I don't like sleeping on the couch...

[Hegemony]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

Leftcoastman, you are 100% correct. Unfortunately I don't have room in my garage. Storing them any place else requires the consent of my wife. Now unfortunately she does not share my passion for the sport and I don't like sleeping on the couch...

Then there is only one answer. Make HER sleep on the couch!!!

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

Leftcoastman, you are 100% correct. Unfortunately I don't have room in my garage. Storing them any place else requires the consent of my wife. Now unfortunately she does not share my passion for the sport and I don't like sleeping on the couch...

Just put them in the den..and put a table cloth over them...two make the coffee table..and the other two are end tables. Easy.

[2e9x's]

You guys crack me up...

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by westwest888

Balls. I'm running RE-01R. Perhaps next season...heh.

RE-01Rs and RT-615s aren't even in the same tier.

I heard the Direzzas Z1s were fast, but I was under the notion they are still behind the AD07s and RE-01Rs in terms of ultimate grip. They seem to be the best value for the grip level though.

I'm planning to try out a set...if I can find FOUR in my size, they seemed to be sold out everywhere. Currently, I am running RE-01Rs.

[Hegemony]

Somewhat related I guess...

I'm hearing that R888s unshaved are supposed to have the same grip as RA1's shaved. Anyone confirm/deny?

[ttdmac]

Hmmm...I was expecting to see a discussion about the pros/cons of Piloti shoes...lol

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by Hegemony

Somewhat related I guess...

I'm hearing that R888s unshaved are supposed to have the same grip as RA1's shaved. Anyone confirm/deny?

I don't have any personal experience, but the R888s on my friend's car seemed to have incredible grip after twp 20 min track sessions. They were unshaved.

Are the RA1s still being supplied to vendors? I thought they were being phased out.

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

RE-01Rs and RT-615s aren't even in the same tier.

I heard the Direzzas Z1s were fast, but I was under the notion they are still behind the AD07s and RE-01Rs in terms of ultimate grip. They seem to be the best value for the grip level though.

I'm planning to try out a set...if I can find FOUR in my size, they seemed to be sold out everywhere. Currently, I am running RE-01Rs.

Take a look at

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...irePageLocQty=

That was the original Z1, not the softer Z1 Star Spec. I suspect the Star Spec will be faster still...

http://sccaforums.com/forums/8/292613/ShowThread.aspx

Here they are talking about the tire at the SCCAForums. Interesting discussion!

The RE-01R is a great tire. I just thought i would give the Dunlop a spin (no pun...well ok...some pun intended).

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

Take a look at

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...irePageLocQty=

That was the original Z1, not the softer Z1 Star Spec. I suspect the Star Spec will be faster still...

http://sccaforums.com/forums/8/292613/ShowThread.aspx

Here they are talking about the tire at the SCCAForums. Interesting discussion!

The RE-01R is a great tire. I just thought i would give the Dunlop a spin (no pun...well ok...some pun intended).

Interesting...link to the Star Spec compound? I might try these out instead of getting another set of RE-01Rs.

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Interesting...link to the Star Spec compound? I might try these out instead of getting another set of RE-01Rs.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....t+Z1+Star+Spec

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....t+Z1+Star+Spec

Thanks, I emailed them about whether or not they will stock 245/40 or 255/35 for 17s. These will definitely be my next tires (I have a feeling they will be more pricey than the RE-01Rs though).

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Thanks, I emailed them about whether or not they will stock 245/40 or 255/35 for 17s. These will definitely be my next tires (I have a feeling they will be more pricey than the RE-01Rs though).

Hey dude, have you ever considered R-Comps? I will admit that you LEARN a lot from street tires, it sounds like you've had more than a handful of days under your belt.

Nothing like the grip and ability to operate at high slip angles that R-comps provide.

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

Hey dude, have you ever considered R-Comps? I will admit that you LEARN a lot from street tires, it sounds like you've had more than a handful of days under your belt.

Nothing like the grip and ability to operate at high slip angles that R-comps provide.

I have, but I'm afraid once I go to R-Comps, I won't be able to go back to street tires!

I consider myself a beginner still, as I only have 15 track days under my belt right now (I keep realizing how faster I can go every session). My friend, who has over 120 days under his belt, still runs top tier street tires and does pretty well against the folks with equal experience and rcomps.

I don't hate on people who switch to rcomps sooner than later though, everyone has different needs/wants/5000rwhp.

After I run another set of street tires out, I'll probably switch to rcomps. My main reason right now, is that I only have one set of wheels. I know some people run Rcomps on the streets, but I'm not baller like them!

[sg335]

Originally Posted by Hegemony

Somewhat related I guess...

I'm hearing that R888s unshaved are supposed to have the same grip as RA1's shaved. Anyone confirm/deny?

No. Driven both. The R888 is more similar to the Nitto NT-01 in construction and feel than the RA-1 which is a softer side wall tire and gives more feedback. RA-1's shaved to 3-4/32's will do better than R888 stock tread height. The RA-1's shaved to this measurement look like slicks with two faint groves. R888 stock will feel better than stock RA-1's and will not chunk/feather as bad. I would not run either full tread in the front of a heavy car like the E9x.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by sg335

No. Driven both. The R888 is more similar to the Nitto NT-01 in construction and feel than the RA-1 which is a softer side wall tire and gives more feedback. RA-1's shaved to 3-4/32's will do better than R888 stock tread height. The RA-1's shaved to this measurement look like slicks with two faint groves. R888 stock will feel better than stock RA-1's and will not chunk/feather as bad. I would not run either full tread in the front of a heavy car like the E9x.

Pilot Sport Cups all the way! Quiet on the way to the track, decent grip on the track, quiet on the way home!

And they make decent street tires as well at full tread, even in light to moderate rain!

[2e9x's]

Tires Mounted...First Impressions:

1. The ride quality is MUCH better. There is less impact harshness over sharp bumps (like expansion joints and tree roots). The car moves around less on a bumpy twisty road. It just seems more connected.
2. Steering feel is great. Perhaps a bit more communicative.
3. Noise is about the same. Right now there is a slight noise while turning that I suspect will diminish over time.
4. Grip...well, I have only driven 10 miles. I will report back on this once the mold release burns off.
5. The rears look much more meaty on the rim. When I get a chance I will take a picture.

I took some video on the RFT's. When I duplicate the route on Monday I will take another video. To me, that is the best way for people to compare noise levels. I also put a bottle of water in the frame hoping that would let folks get a feeling for ride harshness.

So far so good!

[2e9x's]

I have done some work to try to make otherwise subjective concepts (like ride quality and noise) somewhat less subjective. Attached you will find a video I shot to try to help. The first frame is of a water bottle going down a really rough stretch of road. Then I shot a video on the freeway to attempt to demonstrate noise. These were shot on 11,xxx mile old runflats set at 34f/37r.

The second sequence is with 30 mile old Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs. Same roads and same conditions. I even set the tire pressures the same. My goal is to eliminate as many "x" factors as possible.

I will wait to do any instrumented testing until I get a few hundred miles on the Dunlops. So far they feel great! The ride quality is much improved and the grip is amazing. Again, I will try some more formal testing soon.

I am also attaching some pictures so you can see how they look on the car. Enjoy.