Tyres alternative to Cup

[billyboysm3]

Are they available in 19"/CSL fitment?

Not sure as Id buy a set of 18's for track.

[Mike RT4]

Hey Mike...yes, new addition now finds me in new forums Need to get this old forum ID changed but the admin guys didn't respond to my request.

I would like to think there is not a major difference in the compounds. Of course the weight and its distribution in the 911 platform is different - The 996GT3/GT4 are circa 1350kg vs 1500kg(?) in an E46 M3...lighter for the CSL of course.

On the 6GT3 I would run about 29 PSI F / 31 PSI R given the road cold pressures are 32/39. So would be interesting to see what pressures people are running here. At somewhere like Spa and Silverstone during the afternoon session I could run the car almost relentlessly - ok, depends on your pace of course. I'd be doing circa 2.49/2.27 Spa/Silly.

At the ring 5 laps (imho) is a bit crazy for the average amateur (you excluded of course )...and you know I've had the issue or two on a long stint.

I am also running with the conspiracy theory (unproven and baseless) that Michelin have changed the Cup 2 compound since launch. My early sets on the 6GT3 were brilliant and very hard wearing. My later sets particularly on the GT4 have been a little less consistent and less hard wearing...I wonder whether Michelin decided to shorten the lifespan as they were far out compared to the competition.

Compared to Cup+ tyres, I love the mid corner 'feel' from the Cup 2 tyres...whatever magic they have done with the sidewalls, with a stiffer set up they really communicate how much grip/slip you have at each corner.

...finally, the platform also makes a difference. In the 911 platform where you use a lot of weight management to generate grip at each axle, tyre wear is fairly consistent and relatively longer lasting, in the mid engined GT4 with higher entry speeds I've found the cup 2s wearing much more with the fronts providing only 2 track days (geo of course improves this a little)...so again will be intrigued to see how these characteristics play out in the E46 platform.

..sorry, for the long post hopefully not completely off topic!

We try to keep them at around 32/33psi hot.

Would be interesting to see how you get on with them with the E46.

As stated the Direzzas are in a different league, but not sure if the NVH would be okay on the road - perhaps Billy can confirm?

[billyboysm3]

I found the dunlops better than cups on the road, felt grippy in wet and damp conditions. Didn't think the road noise was to bad, can't really hear anything in the cabin any how

[alexk]

Not sure as Id buy a set of 18's for track.

Unfortunately my brakes are too big for 18" wheels...

[LaSource]

Unfortunately my brakes are too big for 18" wheels...

Same here. My front discs are 362mm but I think they may just fit 18" ARC-8s

(Sorry, non CSL content!)

[conleth m3]

interesting you think the newer cup2's might be a different compound, gt3. im on my second set of cup2's on the 997 gt3rs and bought N0 spec as not much difference in price.

my previous set ( fitted oct'14) were not porsche spec and i found them very very good on the gt3, needed to get pressures correct, usually about 31F and 32-33R, but wore very evenly, lasted 9 trackdays on front, rears were good for a couple more probably, think fronts wore more as faulty pressure gauge ment i was running them ~27F which was too low

the N0 set i have on now has a little more understeer and dont feel quite as stable, but still very good. about 50% worn after 4 trackdays, so quite similar to previous set.

id put the lower grip feeling down to being N0 rather than normal cup2's

[LaSource]

That's a very interesting point. I think my first set were not N rated as they had only just come out...and I strongly suspect the second set were N rated. That could explain the differences in wear rates. I think I have both sets in the garage so will check.

On the GT4 I've been using N rated (as the car is still under warranty) and these have been wearing at an alarming rate. Some of this is down to the GT4 just eating front tyres whilst standing still!!

[billyboysm3]

Same here. My front discs are 362mm but I think they may just fit 18" ARC-8s

(Sorry, non CSL content!)

Apec Arc 8 and some dunlops will do the trick

[conleth m3]

That's a very interesting point. I think my first set were not N rated as they had only just come out...and I strongly suspect the second set were N rated. That could explain the differences in wear rates. I think I have both sets in the garage so will check.

On the GT4 I've been using N rated (as the car is still under warranty) and these have been wearing at an alarming rate. Some of this is down to the GT4 just eating front tyres whilst standing still!!

i think that could be it, will order normal ones for my next set. have heard the gt4 can be heavy on tyres! but an awesome bit of kit


mike i think youre right - smaller operating window, outside that loose grip but if can keep them stable they work really well. just a couple of psi too high and they feel greasy