What tires are available for the R8?

[KfabR8]

Since we have a great thread on wheels for the R8, thanks to Rich @ OEM, I thought we should start one up for the rubber to put on these wheels. (and since I'm in the market for some new rubber for my ADV's, I figure I'll snake the info and see what happens; I've searched the forums and found answers, but they're all over the place. )

Let's start with brands that offer tires in the sizes we need/use.

Bridgestone
Continental
Hankook
Kumho
Hoosier
Michelin
Pirelli
Yokohama

Who have I missed? Seems like either Bodhii or BZ888 had posted another brand that they were impressed with.

A couple of the mfgs (doing my research on Tire Rack) offer track biased tires - Michelin, Pirelli and Hoosier

I know that a lot of the members of the site really like the Pirellis, while some of us not so much (and I'm really starting to think this is a very personal preference that's much related to driving style/ability).

The PS2's are always well received.

I'm hearing good things about the Continentals - anyone have any experience with them other than Tire Rack's input?

How about the other brands - anyone running them and have an opinion?

If you do have an opinion, please share how you've come to this and also your driving style/habits and such. If you're an aggressive driver or track your car, please state so, as it can make a large difference in how you come to your opinion.

[desperado]

Great idea! (I've added this thread to the FAQ.)

While I'm hoping we get a lot of capsule reviews posted in this thread, I think it would also be helpful to list the tires by category. I've listed tires (mostly) alphabetically by manufacturer within each category. I'll try to keep it updated as further recommendations are posted in this thread.

This list only includes tires which are available in sizes which are a reasonable fit on both of the OEM wheels (8.5Jx19 front & 11Jx19 rear). So I am only including tires available in sizes of 235/35R19 or 245/35/R19 for the front as well as 295/30R19 or 305/30R19 for the rear.

Legend: *=most popular. +=available in 20" sizes

• Summer Performance (Street use)
  • Pirelli PZero [This is the OEM tire fitted on the R8 by Audi. Audi-spec tires are marked R01]
  • Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
  • Continental ContiSportContact 3
  • Continental ExtremeContact DW [DW=Dry+Wet]
  • Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 2 [PS2]
  • Michelin Pilot Super Sport [PSS - this tire is the new improved version of the very popular PS2; newly available!]
  • Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08
  • Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta
  
  
• All-Season Performance (Three-Season Street use)
  • Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
  • Continental ExtremeContact DWS [DWS=Dry+Wet+Snow]
  
  
• Winter (Winter-only Street use)
  • Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
  • Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II
  
  
• "Cup" Tires (Dual Use for Street & Track)
  • Hankook Ventus R-s3
  • Michelin Pilot Sport Cup [PSC]
  • Pirelli PZero Trofeo
  
  
• DOT R-compound (Dedicated track tire. While technically street-legal as required by some racing classes, use on the street is NOT RECOMMENDED by their manufacturers)
  • Hoosier R6/A6
  • Toyo R888
  
  
• Competition (Not Street Legal)
  • Pirelli Slick
  • Pirelli Rain

[desperado]

Another thought: Someone who has researched availability might want to start a separate list for tires available in the plus sizes; i.e., 20" wheels.

EDIT: I've added a few "plus" signs to the list above, but need to know what other tires you are using on your 20 inch wheels.

[RXBG]

FYI- new michelin pilot supersport. bridges gap between ps2 and cup tires. on sale only 2 days ago!!!

[M3R8]

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D is what I run currently. I'm pretty sure they also offer normal (summer) rubber at the sizes we need.

[desperado]

@RXBG & M3R8: Thanks for the info, I have updated the list.

I've also added the Toyo R888 to the list of Tires that fit the R8. Here's the capsule review:

Toyo R888
These are a DOT R-compound which is street legal but recommended for the track only (plus dry-weather driving back and forth). While fairly rugged for a track tire, they do not have variable block sizes, so can develop a pretty loud whine when they get worn. I've been through quite a few sets and, given the use, I get good life out of them. They are very rigid, so don't like large slip angles. If your driving style is loose you won't get good life out of these. If they were not so loud I would consider them for a street tire (with the appropriate cautions for potholes and wet weather). Not as sticky as the Hoosier. GMG told me the PZero Trofeo is about as fast as the R888.

[SebringSilver]

Might want to add the Continental ExtremeContact DW to Desperado's list of Summer Performance (Street Use) tires. They are definitely available in both OEM sizes and +1 sizes too (245/30ZR20; 325/25ZR20).

I'm using these tires, and they are absolutely superb. Low road noise, comfortable ride, dry grip equal to the P Zeros, and wet grip that's second to none.

[SebringSilver]

FYI- new michelin pilot supersport. bridges gap between ps2 and cup tires. on sale only 2 days ago!!!

The tread pattern on those look like they really mean business.

[desperado]

Might want to add the Continental ExtremeContact DW to Desperado's list of Summer Performance (Street Use) tires.

Thanks! I added them to the listing.

[desperado]

Pirelli Trofeo
I have a set of the Pirelli PZero Trofeo cup tires. 245/305 sizes. I had them on the car when I did the European Car magazine photo shoot. I did some pretty aggressive driving for their onboard video, and was very impressed with the amount of grip when pushing the car hard on steep and winding mountain roads. The tire was very confidence inspiring, and didn't seem to need as much warm-up as a R-compound tire.

I used them one day in the drizzle at Infineon. It was REALLY SLICK in the morning, and the Trofeos did not display any bad habits. I haven't used them enough to get an idea of their wear life however. Treadwear rating is 60, so they are pretty soft! (By comparison the Hoosier is rated 40, the PSC is rated 80, and the R888 is rated 100; the PZero is rated 220.)

R8Talk supporting vendor GMG Racing told me the Trofeo was one second faster per lap than the PSC tire in the testing GMG did for Pirelli using their Porsche race cars. There are only a few (six?) Pirelli Motorsports distributors in the USA who can get the Trofeo, and GMG is the original one.

I should mention that Pirelli prohibits the Trofeo from being shipped or used when temperatures anywhere along the route will be below 40 degF! By comparison the R888 is limited to 15 degF. This could be a very limiting restriction to general use of the Trofeo as a year-round street tire in many areas of the world.