Time for me to get some race rubber for my '95 M3. I mostly do auto-x with a track event here and there. Car has the x brace and koni SA's with stock springs for suspension. Borla exhaust and euro hfm/chip/intake with 3.38 rear diff for power.

As much as I'd like to style myself as a hot shoe, reality is that I do this for fun and won't really be competitive against the top guys in my class. So I'm looking for a decent race tire that's predictable and has good wear.

I'm probably going to mount them on a set of 17x8 Borbet Type E's. ($169 each from Tire Rack!:clap: )

I'm thinking about the new Kumho Ecsta V700, the old kumho victoracer and the Yoko A032R's.

Any thoughts?

I think the jury is still out on which of the Kumho's is faster - the Ecsta V700 or the Victoracer. When I run Kumho, I mostly use the Victoracer because it comes in a good size for my car - 255/40-17. The Ecsta has a good 18" size, or the much smaller 235/40-17. Tough choice. However, I hear that Kumho may change the Ecsta compound again later this year, which may make the Ecsta the way to go...

The Yokohama A032 is definitely a step down in grip/speed than the Kumhos. Instead of the Yokohama, I'd suggest taking a look at the Toyo RA-1. It's a little faster than the Yokohama and is supposed to get really good wear.

All of these tires are probably a tick slower than the Hoosier autocross tires. However, Hoosier is changing over to the steel-belted R tires, and I don't know how they're going to compare with the old A3S03...

Jim

Jim,

Did you have to roll the rear fender lips to avoid rubbing with the 255s, or were you able to make 'em fit without any modifications?

Rear fenders are rolled, front fenders are rolled. Tires are on 17x9" rims with a spacer on the front to clear the strut. Pretty standard M3 setup in my area...

Jim

Josh, if you want some tires cheap I'll part with the V700s I have. There's a couple events left in them, especially autocross. 225/45 and 255/40. How's $50?

Sure Ry, that sounds good to me. When do you want to get together so I can pick them up?

In talking to the Tire Rack, they told me that the rubber compound on the old Victoracers was the same as the new ectsa V700's. One of the main differences is that the new V700 is directional and has a bit more tread so it's a little better in the wet.

I'm not sure if I could fit a 255-40-17 in the front, the new V700's are appealling because they come in the proper 235-40 size...

Nope, I don't believe they're giving you correct information. The rubber compound on the Ecsta is different from the Victoracer. Also, the carcass design is different between the two tires. When the Ecsta V700 first came out, the rubber compound was rumored to be exactly the same as on the Victoracer. However, the Ecsta compound changed at least once after release.

Jim

Hmmm... Changed for the better or worse? One thing is for sure, the kumho race tires sure are alot cheaper than the Hoosiers!

As I said earlier, the jury is still out...

Jim

Ran an auto-x last Sunday on a set of new Ecsta V700s in a 235/40r17, they handled a lot better than my old worn Victoracers...I think they're great bang for the buck...