I'm looking for advice on tyres that will be super grippy 195/45/15 The mk2 will run an abf. And be used mainly for back roads. Road noise isn't a problem, neither is how long they last either really as it'll be a weekend toy. I usually use Toyo proxes t1r but want others options before I go with them again.
Why the low profile? back roads tend to have bumps/dips holes etc why not go up a size as you may find it less Harsh
That was the size in the proxes I found suited best to my driving style at the time. Granted the new setup will have better suspension etc so I could probably get away with bigger profiles, I'm open to any suggestions really.
A few I have used are federal 595s which are good but they are quite wide, a 195 is more like a 205. Also rainsport 1s but there is a rainsport 2 now which everyone raves about. Without going down the road legal track tyre route (R888) it depends on how far you want to go and spend!
I was going to recommend Nankang NS2R but they don't so them in that size. It's not a very common size so limits selection . A 195/50/15 gives you a lot more choice. But that tyre is 3.7% bigger so around 20mm larger in diameter than the 195/45/15 . https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/nankang/ns-2r/195-50-zr15-86w-450711
Have Nankang "come good"? Once upon a time they were regarded as Ditch finders, around here. I'm also looking for a sticky, back road usable 195 50 15 for my mk2 that will work wet or dry.
Mk2 road tyres IMO, I use Rainsport 3. On track, where it is safe this is what I observed. On a dry track were corner speeds are higher and braking can be later, depending on your cars suspension set up and bravery, you need tyres with increased grip and stiffer side walls. So R888 G, A048, Dirreza DZ03G and so on. Those result in a horrible ride as a road tyre! On a wet track, the flexible character of the Rainsport 3 side walls and the tyre blocks provide excellent confidence in standing water while on track. On a road, you could never drive the same on a track, so optimum performance for tyres on a track is never exercised.
The Nankangs you are thinking of are the Ns2's which are very cheap standard road tyres and from my own experience found them okay on the road. The Nankangs that have been mentioned above are NS-2R which are a semi slick. I use them on my mk2 in a 195/50 profile and they are fantastic!! super grippy in the dry and have a B rating in the wet. I've now done 4 track days, 3 trips to the 'Ring and road miles and they still have 2mm left. Picture below is after 1 lap of the Ring Nankang have also brought out an AR-1 which I'll try next, these wont be as good in the wet but they are their equivalent of an R888. All in all I cant rate the NS-2R enough! for 60 corner I dont think they can be beaten.
I found RS3 progressively turn to jelly with increasing under steer/soft shoulder from warm+sunny conditions, but on the other hand they are ridiculously good in the wet and don't suffer badly like summer tyres (15" limitations) when it's damp and cold. I haven't run a full set, only fronts which perhaps makes it more noticeable. At Curby I swapped them to the back bringing old rear summer tyres (Eagle F1) to the front as the track temperature rose significantly. I guess wide track helps to a degree, but I don't know how Sam set such good times on them really on the same day.
Christ, a rainsport 3! As i say, a lot of people with high power MK5 GTI's run them. I'm running Pilot Sport 3's on my MK6 GTI and they are amazing, grip in all weather but they don't go down to 15" sadly.
195/50/15 Rainsports get my vote, I did a few days at Mallory on them never had any issue with them either on the road or with my road weight daily mk2 on the track. my only comment is would be, I did one track day on my OE steels and they seemed to roll a lot more than when on my 7j wider alloys, but I guess that's more to do with the wheel than the tyre.
I always reckon tyres are cheaper than accidents. If you had to pick a single type of tyre to put on your mk2, to drive to the Ring, and lap it, drive home and go to work on, and not sure if it was going to be wet or dry, what would you choose?
Ok all round tyre. Not very noisy into the cabin so pleasant over long distance. Enough grip and sidewall stiffness for a few enthusiastic laps of the ring. Okay in the damp/wet. Sort of midway tyre between full road and full track. Had them on my old MK3 VR6.