nitto Nt01

[sambb]

Can anyone give feedback on the Nitto NT01 semi's. I'm seeing them around pretty cheap at the moment but haven't experienced, seen or heard much about them. They have treadwear of 100 so are getting towards an R888. thoughts?
sam

[vwthunder]

I was looking at buying some, supposed to be made in the same factory as the R888's, i dont think there is too much difference between the NT01 and the R888's

I managed to find some R888's so stuck with them

[tinto]

I had a staggered set on my S15, and would buy them again at the right price (my set came to around $900 delivered) from ozzytyres.
Incredible bang for your buck and stuck to the track really well.
I've had R888 before, so when I read that they're essentially the same tyre with different tread I jumped in and wasn't disappointed.

If you read the sidewall they're "for competition use only", so I'm not sure I'd want to daily them. It would be a waste of good rubber too.
They're noisy, but all R comps are... You don't buy them for comfort

[sambb]

Thanks all. Yeah I've found a few things about how they are made in same factory (hopefully still Japan) as the R888's, and that they are even the exact same compound as R888's just that the sidewalls are slightly softer. I wouldn't know if any of the above is true now that R888's have morphed into R888R's. Either way they look like the cheapest R compound <= 100 treadwear around atm.
I was surprised to see that 595RSR's were a 140 treadwear. Anyone know what the new 595 RSR-R treadwear rating is?

[Martin]

The treadwear is not a good indication of performance
They are not DOT legal, so a cop could give you a ticket and your insurance "could" be declined in an accident

I have a pair that I only used once on the rear of a 350Z at a track supersprint event
They became slippery/greasy when they got mildly warm, absolute rubbish compared to a Dunlop 03G or Hankook Ventus TD

[sambb]

The not DOT legal bit is ok, they are for comp use only but not good re the over heating. I know this might sound like twisted logic but I'm actually after something that grips with bugger all heat in it for hillclimbs. Sounds like they went off quickly as they got hot, but how did they grip when they were coming up to temp? Same as any other or good? Were they brand new when you used them?

[kaanage]

I have a pair that I only used once on the rear of a 350Z at a track supersprint event
They became slippery/greasy when they got mildly warm, absolute rubbish compared to a Dunlop 03G or Hankook Ventus TD

I've heard similar things about the R888 with heavier, more powerful cars yet I know a couple of seriously good drivers who have used R888s on smaller, lighter cars with no complaints.

So who knows? The NT01 may work OK with the Polo even if they didn't work with the 350Z

[Water Boy]

Ive used R888 on a Mk3 golf and loved em. ~1200kg car heated up nicely.

[Martin]

The not DOT legal bit is ok, they are for comp use only but not good re the over heating. I know this might sound like twisted logic but I'm actually after something that grips with bugger all heat in it for hillclimbs. Sounds like they went off quickly as they got hot, but how did they grip when they were coming up to temp? Same as any other or good? Were they brand new when you used them?

They were brand new - they were nothing to write home about when green and cold
I had well worn second hand (and smaller) Dunlop 03G's at the front and the car was unbalanced due to having much more grip at the front

Sounds like you need a soft compound...

[Martin]

I've heard similar things about the R888 with heavier, more powerful cars yet I know a couple of seriously good drivers who have used R888s on smaller, lighter cars with no complaints.

So who knows? The NT01 may work OK with the Polo even if they didn't work with the 350Z

Yes, it's possible

[seangti]

I ran a mixed set-up of old R888's and bridgestone RE55s, the bridgestones were significantly better than the R888's. Though they were both old tyres with lots of heat cycles so the only take away is that the RE55's handled the heat cycles and age much better than the R888's.

I now run Kumho V70's in a medium. I have shagged one on a single afternoon from over heating. From the reviews, they seem popular amongst the hill climbers and have 3 compounds pending size. If the price is right (based on your research and expectations), I'd try the Nitto's.

[sambb]

Thanks Sean. I got some scary prices for the kumho's a while back but that was for 16's. I'm going to be running 205/50/15 and maybe 195's on the back which should be cheaper, so i'll re visit the kumho option. If that doesn't happen then it'll be the Nitto's. They are only $200 a tyre in my size atm!

[seangti]

FSPORT – Kumho Motorsport Tyres, Race and Rally Tyres, Race and Rally Wheels, Velo Seats, Motorsport Accessories
V70A 195/50 R15 Med $210