200tw tires for Track use

[DerHase]

@DerHase Why'd you switch to the v730s?

Got the set for $665 shipped during a DTD sale a few months ago. Honestly wasn't expecting the RT660s to last this long. I am making changes to the car (sway bar etc) so having fresh tires is wise before fiddling with things. (I intend to test front sway bar stiff vs soft in May, and maybe some VCDS and tune related stuff as well).

Also just wanted to try something different. My last 4 or 5 sets of tires have all been RT660s.

Edit: also I've found that selling used but not trashed tires a bit early you can make back a bit more. Maybe not so much on this size, but on my Mazda2 when I autocrosses a lot I'd buy a set of RE71Rs at the beginning of the season for $450-500, sell them less than half worn in June-July for $200-250, and buy another set, and sell those again the following spring for $200-250.

I'm still only buying "one" set per year $$$ wise... But was on fresh tires not heat cycled out again halfway through the season.

 

[mrmatto]

There are some crazy good deals on V730s out there right now

 

[jay745]

9 days? They look almost new. Why are you swapping tires with that much tread left? Are they heat cycled out?

I say the same thing to myself when I swap tires, my rs4's always visually look great even after 10+ days, but they heat cycle out

 

[GTIfan99]

I say the same thing to myself when I swap tires, my rs4's always visually look great even after 10+ days, but they heat cycle out

RS4's wear like iron though. According to GRM, V730 wear better than 660's and those lasted me 1 track day and 14 autocroses until they were completely bald.

 

[DerHase]

To be fair, VIR really isn't terrible on tires. Mostly shoulder wear on the LF.

Since these are asymmetrical, should be able to keep wear even by swapping side to side between days every weekend on track, and front-back between weekends.

Edit:
Got them all mounted up and hooned around a bit to mate the pads back to the rotors again, scrub in the tires, etc.

Definitely feels better than -old- RT660s. These things are QUIET too

 

[GTIfan99]

To be fair, VIR really isn't terrible on tires. Mostly shoulder wear on the LF.

Since these are asymmetrical, should be able to keep wear even by swapping side to side between days every weekend on track, and front-back between weekends.

Edit:
Got them all mounted up and hooned around a bit to mate the pads back to the rotors again, scrub in the tires, etc.

Definitely feels better than -old- RT660s. These things are QUIET too

Yeah, I was surprised how quiet the V730's were. The 660's, no so much.

660's have more overall grip, and other than the weird separation line, are wearing well.

 

[DerHase]

Yeah, I was surprised how quiet the V730's were. The 660's, no so much.

660's have more overall grip, and other than the weird separation line, are wearing well.

Yeah those tread splices are nothing to worry about. I believe I have posted photos in this thread at a couple different points. That last one with the 6 tires they're all circled in paint marker. Some are nearly gone except for faint portions.

They don't go to the inner carcass, and will fade away as the tires wear more.

 

[MonkeyMD]

Found these if someone needs some cheap 200TW tires. Not sure how good the Federals are though. But for $78 per tire for 255/40 R17. Not bad.

https://tirestacks.com/products/fed..._content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic

I actually ended up ordering the V730 for $160 from Simple Tire. Wanted the RT660 and was strongly advised to get the Re71RS, but for my driving level, didn't make sense to pay $250 & $500 more respectively.

 

[Ezekiel81923]

I have the RS-Pro's on my car. Albeit in 235/40/18. Noisy, but a good tire. I had the regular 595 on the car before and they were also a good tire for what you pay. The pro's are grippier

 

[GTIfan99]

I wouldn't think twice about using the pros for track days at $78. That's crazy.

 

[DerHase]

They're (it's*) cheap for a reason...

 

[MonkeyMD]

They're (it's*) cheap for a reason...

View attachment 272496

Didn't see that. LOL

 

[DerHase]

So I hate the V730s. They get greasy as hell fast (even in 45-55F weather) within about 3 laps and start pushing bad. I settled on 31psi hot all around for reference (no idea what anyone else is running).

Also they absolutely suck in standing water too (which I somewhat expected due to the tread design)...

Though they were quite good in damp conditions or as long as there wasn't too much standing water (or at higher speeds).

 

[manu97]

So I hate the V730s. They get greasy as hell fast (even in 45-55F weather) within about 3 laps and start pushing bad. I settled on 31psi hot all around for reference (no idea what anyone else is running).

Also they absolutely suck in standing water too (which I somewhat expected due to the tread design)...

Though they were quite good in damp conditions or as long as there wasn't too much standing water (or at higher speeds).

Pucker factor 11

 

[SouthFL_Mk7.5]

Wish I could give you a MK7 comparison for the V730 but I ran my set on the ILX at 34-36psi tire temp as driven to the track. They were ok. Ambient temperatures were in the high 80s.