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[135gofast]

Over the weekend, i installed Arc8 285/35 Hankook RS3s on the rear, with 255/35s on front. Initially, with a 5mm spacer on the rear, but the rubbing was out of control in the rear (fenders not rolled). While doing research on fender rolling, i decided instead to remove the 5mm spacers. That works fine, as long as your mount the tires while the springs are partially compressed, otherwise you cannot mount this fat a rear wheel/tire combo.

For what it's worth, imho, 275/35 V12s had less grip (ie. more slippery) than the stock RE050 245s. They were really fun for "letting it all hang out", but not so great for faster laptimes (different kind o fun:-) I've posted a few times in the Tracking forum about my experience with V12s and soft sidewalls at the track & autox.

The RS3 have about 5 miles on them. Already they are louder (but that's fine), stiffer (that's fine too) and tons more grippy than the V12s. I summize this, because even in 50 degree weather, 2nd gear WOT didn't engage traction control (no flashing triangle on dash). Only 1st gear WOT did in my brief testing (assuming straight line acceleration).

imho, if you are thinking about V12s... look into the RS3s instead. I'll post again in a couple of weeks after my first event and the tires have been broken in.

[1speedbike]

Great review! I feel like the RS3s are certainly one notch up the performance ladder, but wouldn't do nearly as well in the rain. The V12s are surprisingly capable in the rain, especially considering their price, but from the tread design of the RS3s, it doesn't look like there's too many channels for the water to run off into, causing some hydroplaning risk. Just be careful in the rain, and if you happen to take it out while it's wet, be sure to let us know about the wet traction on these in your next update! Depending on your review, I might upgrade from my V12s to these if they're decent when it's wet out

[135gofast]

Last season i was autoxing a Miata on Star Specs, battling alot of Miatas on RS3s. The RS3 drivers always complain about the rain. This year, I'll find out.

In any case, 285s on the 1 look mean.

[int2str]

I didn't think these two tires are in the same category...

V12: Treadwear 280 = Sporty but durable
RS3: Treadwear 140 = Grippy performance tire

I run the V12's as my daily driver wheels. The RS3's are more for auto-x/track, no?

[DriveHard]

I love the RS3's BUT they are on a set of dedicated track wheels.. Personally i would not like theses on my DD when it rains... they are wiggily

Ive used them for 12 track days, and about 12 autox's... They need heat to work... chilly auto x day, and you will chase your tail all day.. chilly track day not so bad as 1 or 2 warm up laps is all they need and then you can do all you want. Rainy track day ( which i had last year at Lime Rock ( actually downpoor, weekend of the hurricane, got out of there just in time to get home before all hell broke loose..LOL ) my time was 4 sec. slower than my fasted time there..... thats not so bad in a DD that i owe money on LOL ...

for the money and the tread wear, you cant beat it.

I go with a square set up so i can rotate...

[Clovef]

Thanks for the write up. I am trying to decide between a rs3 star spec level tire and a pss evo v12 styel tire for my dd/autoX car. The rational side tell me to get the v12s but the fun side of me wants some rs3 or star specs. Decisions decisions.

[135gofast]

Originally Posted by int2str

I didn't think these two tires are in the same category...

V12: Treadwear 280 = Sporty but durable
RS3: Treadwear 140 = Grippy performance tire

I run the V12's as my daily driver wheels. The RS3's are more for auto-x/track, no?

I agree with you now :-) If you go by the treadwear and manufacturer's guide, yes, you are right. I unfortunately read a Car and Driver review that convinced me the v12s would be ok for autox. At the time, no one was sure whether Arc8s with 255/35's could safely fit on the front, so 245/35, a rare tire size, was available in the v12s.

[135gofast]

Originally Posted by Clovef

Thanks for the write up. I am trying to decide between a rs3 star spec level tire and a pss evo v12 styel tire for my dd/autoX car. The rational side tell me to get the v12s but the fun side of me wants some rs3 or star specs. Decisions decisions.

What rationale is that? You can use any of them all summer long.

[135gofast]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

I love the RS3's BUT they are on a set of dedicated track wheels.. Personally i would not like theses on my DD when it rains... they are wiggily

Ive used them for 12 track days, and about 12 autox's... They need heat to work... chilly auto x day, and you will chase your tail all day.. chilly track day not so bad as 1 or 2 warm up laps is all they need and then you can do all you want. Rainy track day ( which i had last year at Lime Rock ( actually downpoor, weekend of the hurricane, got out of there just in time to get home before all hell broke loose..LOL ) my time was 4 sec. slower than my fasted time there..... thats not so bad in a DD that i owe money on LOL ...

for the money and the tread wear, you cant beat it.

I go with a square set up so i can rotate...

True, i'll be facing that this year. But then again, all summer tires are slower in the rain, moreso for race tires.

[turbowolfe]

135gofast - I see in your sig that you have camber plates (-2 deg) and m3 front bits. How low is your suspension set at? I am assuming, no rub? Did you have to modify anything for the RS3's to fit in front? Reason I ask is I was going to get the RS3's for my car on ARC-8s but was a bit gun shy about the fitment.

I havent ordered anything yet, so I may get these.

[135gofast]

The 285 rears were a much bigger issue for me, they rubbed over everything and anything. But the fronts, so far they seem fine. I've only driven a few miles and nothing that would simulate autox or track driving g-forces. Shockingly, i'm only running about -1.94 camber in front. I thought i would have to dial in more camber for them to fit without rubbing.

I'm on stock shocks and springs and have no fender mods at all. I have Koni sports & H&R springs sitting in storage ready to install, but now i'm afraid of what will happen if install them.

Better off to leave it as is, with no rub, than install the shocks/springs and have a bunch of rubbing issues!?

Originally Posted by turbowolfe

135gofast - I see in your sig that you have camber plates (-2 deg) and m3 front bits. How low is your suspension set at? I am assuming, no rub? Did you have to modify anything for the RS3's to fit in front? Reason I ask is I was going to get the RS3's for my car on ARC-8s but was a bit gun shy about the fitment.

I havent ordered anything yet, so I may get these.

[fboutlaw]

Originally Posted by 135gofast

Over the weekend, i installed Arc8 285/35 Hankook RS3s on the rear, with 255/35s on front. Initially, with a 5mm spacer on the rear, but the rubbing was out of control in the rear (fenders not rolled). While doing research on fender rolling, i decided instead to remove the 5mm spacers. That works fine, as long as your mount the tires while the springs are partially compressed, otherwise you cannot mount this fat a rear wheel/tire combo.

For what it's worth, imho, 275/35 V12s had less grip (ie. more slippery) than the stock RE050 245s. They were really fun for "letting it all hang out", but not so great for faster laptimes (different kind o fun:-) I've posted a few times in the Tracking forum about my experience with V12s and soft sidewalls at the track & autox.

The RS3 have about 5 miles on them. Already they are louder (but that's fine), stiffer (that's fine too) and tons more grippy than the V12s. I summize this, because even in 50 degree weather, 2nd gear WOT didn't engage traction control (no flashing triangle on dash). Only 1st gear WOT did in my brief testing (assuming straight line acceleration).

imho, if you are thinking about V12s... look into the RS3s instead. I'll post again in a couple of weeks after my first event and the tires have been broken in.

135gofast, can you comment on where you were rubbing, and why you had to compress the spring to get the wheel on? Was it just on the outer fender (metal part) or was it compressing up into the fender liner?