Golf R Observations and Questions

[adzy]

Hi Everyone,

Can anyone suggest tire pressures to run for track days for the Golf R with Dunlop Maxx GT's 18"? About 20C ambient.

I have tried 42 cold. 35 cold. 42 is too high for the rears as they crown too much. Handling seems poorer at 35. Any suggestions? I need to stick to road tires, can't change to R spec tires for track days.

I have had the R on the track twice now. It is very quick for a road car. At Qld. Raceway I am getting times similar to a couple of Nissan Skylines on R Spec tires and I am a novice on the track. I am very impressed with the performance AND so much FUN!! I even find leaving it in Sport mode does the trick regarding keeping the revs in the power band. A truly brilliant car.

I would aim for 40 psi hot as a maximum mate. When starting 35 cold sounds about right, depending on how aggresive you drive though. Best thing to do is grab a guage and measure before and after each session, you will find that pressure will go up around 4-8 psi once the tyre is heated.
However this is just based on my experience as a general rule from other tyres not specific to the Maxx GT, wouldn't think it would differ much though.

[FastGolfR]

I would aim for 40 psi hot as a maximum mate. When starting 35 cold sounds about right, depending on how aggresive you drive though. Best thing to do is grab a guage and measure before and after each session, you will find that pressure will go up around 4-8 psi once the tyre is heated.
However this is just based on my experience as a general rule from other tyres not specific to the Maxx GT, wouldn't think it would differ much though.

Thanks Adzy. I'l try that for the next Time Attack Day coming up. Will try and give those Nissans a run for their money if we are put in the right Class. There will be 2 Golf R's and a Pirelli GTi on the track against many Skylines and others.

[adzy]

Thanks Adzy. I'l try that for the next Time Attack Day coming up. Will try and give those Nissans a run for their money if we are put in the right Class. There will be 2 Golf R's and a Pirelli GTi on the track against many Skylines and others.

Thats the spirit mate! Go the VW's.... its good raising a few eyebrows in a Golf at a track day Make sure you share the joy and post pics or vids

[FastGolfR]

Thats the spirit mate! Go the VW's.... its good raising a few eyebrows in a Golf at a track day Make sure you share the joy and post pics or vids

A couple of experienced drivers came up and said "Gee that thing has a lot of tow for a street car". Yes it sure does raise eyebrows. I'll post some pics after the 26th.

[orkers]

+1 I am in Eltham.... We should do a meet up guys? Who knows Degani Cafe in Eltham? Keen?

Yep, sounds good. Would be good to see Fab's R stationary as it is always going too fast for me to see his wheels!

[adzy]

A couple of experienced drivers came up and said "Gee that thing has a lot of tow for a street car". Yes it sure does raise eyebrows. I'll post some pics after the 26th.

Oh have they! Awesome Have fun bro, give em hell

[adzy]

Oh and I forgot to add (not trying to stir the pot).. regarding the tyre discussion earlyer, are we aware that the RE050A is the world record holder for a FWD around the Nordschleife? It may not be the best in these artificial tests but it does do very well when constant stress and heat are factors like being flogged around the Nurburgring, I would think the RenaultSport engineers know what they are doing when selecting a tyre to beat a world record? But hey, just an opinion... depends what your intended use of the tyre is. I do know that they have a very rigid sidewall construction and handle heat very whilst maintaining grip throughout the temperature increase

8'08'': another record for Renault sport at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with Megane R.S. Trophy

[Candyman]

I never buy tyres based on results from a track test as I don't track my cars

So much more to a good tyre such as roadnoise, comfort, wear ...

[adzy]

I never buy tyres based on results from a track test as I don't track my cars

So much more to a good tyre such as roadnoise, comfort, wear ...

And thats it, we all have our own personal values of what we want and need out of our tyres. All each person can do is buy a tyre which meets their own personal criteria. Some love the stiff aggresive tyres some like the comfy all round ones.

[Corey_R]

I never buy tyres based on results from a track test as I don't track my cars

So much more to a good tyre such as roadnoise, comfort, wear ...

Maybe you should let go of your misconceptions and have a look at some of those links I provided to tyre tests then. You're exactly right that there is so much more to a good tyre. Which is why most of those tests measure roadnoise, comfort, and some even do wear.

The things you mention are what places the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric so highly on most of those round ups, because they also have low noise and good comfort, as well as excellent wet and dry grip. The F1 Asy 2 has now taken that to a whole new level.

[DreamensioN]

The problem with track tyres is that they need a bit of temperature to perform at their optimum. Temps you probably aren't going to see in day-to-day 60-100km/h driving speeds. So for people who buy "track tyres" for everyday use (who think they're getting a better/grippier tyre) are mistaken. Odds are the tyre will perform worse than a purpose designed road tyre.

I myself used to run road-legal semi slicks on my 200SX. They were great for weekend mountain runs, but they were useless when they were cold, and they took a bit of hard driving to get up to temp (and maintain temp). I ended up going back to just normal road tyres.

[Candyman]

Maybe you should let go of your misconceptions and have a look at some of those links I provided to tyre tests then. You're exactly right that there is so much more to a good tyre. Which is why most of those tests measure roadnoise, comfort, and some even do wear.

The things you mention are what places the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric so highly on most of those round ups, because they also have low noise and good comfort, as well as excellent wet and dry grip. The F1 Asy 2 has now taken that to a whole new level.

I currently have them on my GTI

I actually rate them below the original Contis and the previous Adrenalins I had

They are unimpressive on my daily commute of 150km (mix of road types and conditions)

I was specifically replying to the comment on track speed runs

Car will be sold with them on, near new

[dave_r]

I even find leaving it in Sport mode does the trick regarding keeping the revs in the power band.

Yeah I thought sport was perfectly suited to the task as well!

I ran 40psi all round cold in my 19" version of your tyres all the time. Didn't touch them for the track. Seemed fine, wear is even. But I must admit, I don't really get too anal about these things, I'm too much of a lazy hack.

[brad]

Oh and I forgot to add (not trying to stir the pot).. regarding the tyre discussion earlyer, are we aware that the RE050A is the world record holder for a FWD around the Nordschleife? It may not be the best in these artificial tests but it does do very well when constant stress and heat are factors like being flogged around the Nurburgring, I would think the RenaultSport engineers know what they are doing when selecting a tyre to beat a world record? But hey, just an opinion... depends what your intended use of the tyre is. I do know that they have a very rigid sidewall construction and handle heat very whilst maintaining grip throughout the temperature increase

8'08'': another record for Renault sport at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with Megane R.S. Trophy

but is that the generic RE050A or a special build for Renault? Lots of OEM tyres are special OEM build for *that particular car*.

[sabloke]

Not driving a GTI or R but sure make my tyres work hard on the weekend Funny thing is, after a fang on the twisties the rear ones are heating up way more than the front ones, as if the car was struggling with oversteer!
Running on the original Continental SportContact III and 11,000km done so far. I love the grip, fantastic even in the wet, they're quiet and so far seem to wear nicely. The only downside but a major one is price: $520 per corner for 17"s... I assume German performance cars come standard shod with Contis. How do you guys find them?