fordsportjay

iTrader: (6)

out on track in the e36 m3 on 16th and 29th april at oulton park
i got a set of half worn r888's 235/40x17 rears and 205/40x17 fronts.

what sort of tyre pressures should i be looking to run if its a decent dry day and im pushing fairly hard?

quite new to the trackday scene and first time out on r888's...............
if its damp i also have a set of 245 rear michelin pilot sport and 225/40 conti sports fronts-same sort of question for those if its going to be damp.....

thanks for your help in advance

JjCoDeX75

Hi matey - if it is your first time on R888s, then you are in for a nice surprise.

Only advice on the tyres are that they grip like fuck, and when they let go - by necessity you are going that bit faster. If you style allows for a little bit of slippage, be careful. Also, the tyres dont tend to squeal like normal tyres, so dont use that as an indicator of grip running out!

As far as pressure is concerned, I used to try to assess mine after a few laps to see how I was getting on. If your usual pressure is set at 36psi, then I would start at about 28psi - you will be amazed how much it will increase with temperature.

The alternative is to find someone with a nitrogen machine, and fill them with that instead! Nitrogen is not temperature dependant!

JJ

fordsportjay

iTrader: (6)

should be interesting as the rear tyres seem to light up coming out of every bend on the road(not been out in it on the 888's yet).

Si B

iTrader: (59)

As per JJ above.

I would also use them in the DAMP as well. The only time R888s are not ideal (but still quite fine if you have ANY driving ability) is actual standing water, in which case deffo go back to the Mich's.

Do not over inflate R888s, if they get too hot, they melt easily, and go off quickly. Deffo worth taking it steady to start, 1 lap is all they will take to get warm... but get used to how they "feel". You can REALLY REALLY lean on them when you know just how much grip you have.

If you get a lot of beading of the rubber on the edges of the tread grooves then chances are the tyres are a little too hot (pressures too high). On my Evo I go out on 23/24psi and come in over 30 around 15 mins later. Any longer and they start to get a little squirmy!

Great tyres!

Si

fordsportjay

iTrader: (6)

thanks for the info guys

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

I agree. I start them with 24psi on the Turbo and they get up to 36-38

CliffRS4

iTrader: (1)

I'm gald someone asked this as I was wondering what pressures to do with the R888's as I may well be doing the GP Circuit at Silverstone on Thursday.

Think I'll start with 24psi as my tyres did bead a little on the outer part at Brands Hatch.
Could have been to higher pressure once they had warmed up.

Damn they grip though!

Luca

iTrader: (2)

Which compound have you mate

polly_x

iTrader: (2)

Jay, I would stick my neck out and say to maybe even go as low as 18/20 PSI cold.

I run exactly those sizes on the Westy but obvisouly dont have the weight sitting above that you do. Not saying your a fat barsteward or anything just that your M3 weighs more!

They have amazing stiff sidewalls and as everyone has said heat up quick.

Given all the advice from other users, your probably best off getting them upto temp and then checking the pressure. That way you can play around and get it right.

I think Lee may have actually broken the UK record for PSI in R888's @ Bedford a couple of weeks ago!!!! Pretty sure we saw them up in the late 50's before letting them down a bit!!! Nothing to do with his driving technique of course.......