[M2guru]

Anyone try these and have an opinion?

FIREHAWK INDY 500


They seem well rated (but rears are out of stock so I went with the much more expensive Pilot Sport 4S to be installed after my next track day in one month).

[PLF69]

I ran them and I know a few ppl who do too. You basically get 85-90% of the performance/confort of Michelin Pilot Super Sport for 1/2 the price.

I think price for price they are the best tires you can buy right now.

[M2guru]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I ran them and I know a few ppl who do too. You basically get 85-90% of the performance/confort of Michelin Pilot Super Sport for 1/2 the price.

I think price for price they are the best tires you can buy right now.

Any of those folks (or you) track the car/tires? I get the impression that the 4S is a better street tire than track tire. Wondering if the 500 is the same...

[PLF69]

Of course it is.

I tracked them in my 2010 miata and like any street tire when youdon't have enaugh camber the shoulder wore out first, I found them quite resistant but keep in mind the miata was a 2500lbs car.. Like I said they are like bargain version of the original Pilot Super Sport.

As for the 4s, from my obervations and reading they are far superior to both ! Of course they are not great track tires but they are as close as you will ever get to dual duty, confortable street and capable of going to the track without busting them too easily.

Keep in mind there is ALWAYS a trade off somewhere, be it price, noise, stiffness, heat resistance, absolute grip etc. Whats cool is they keep coming out with new better stuff.

[M2guru]

Originally Posted by PLF69

Of course it is.

I tracked them in my 2010 miata and...Whats cool is they keep coming out with new better stuff.

Thanks. I am hoping to buy my first set of track tires/rims next year, so I am a newbie as it relates to the performance of track tires. The reason for my question was really because I got the impression that the stock Conti's were better on the track than the PS and was wondering where the 500s fit in that spectrum.

[F87E30]

I actually plan on getting the Firestone's when the stock Contis need to be replaced. The Michelin is likely the better tire but at half the price for the Indy 500's it's hard not to give them a shot. I've heard very good things about them and for the money, they are a steal.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by M2guru

Thanks. I am hoping to buy my first set of track tires/rims next year, so I am a newbie as it relates to the performance of track tires. The reason for my question was really because I got the impression that the stock Conti's were better on the track than the PS and was wondering where the 500s fit in that spectrum.

If you are going to buy wheels anyway get the Hankook RS4 tires. Go down one inch in wheel diameter. This saves weight and the wheels are cheaper. The Hankooks have a really stiff sidewalk so even without camber in the car they stand up well to heavy track use.

[makeitbetter]

Can anyone comment on road noise between the P4S and the Indys? My understanding from my current OEM Conti's is that the 4S is much improved. I can barely hear myself think in the M2 with these Conti's when driving down these under repaired CA roads.

This is a daily driver and I wouldn't mind saving 1/2 if the performance is 90% and the road noise is comparable!

[Anthony1s]

Originally Posted by makeitbetter

Can anyone comment on road noise between the P4S and the Indys? My understanding from my current OEM Conti's is that the 4S is much improved. I can barely hear myself think in the M2 with these Conti's when driving down these under repaired CA roads.

This is a daily driver and I wouldn't mind saving 1/2 if the performance is 90% and the road noise is comparable!

I've had these Indy's on my Saab 93 Aero a few years ago to replace my RE-11's when they were discontinued. Due to the tread design, tire noise is quite high and water rejection is quite low. I can also say tread compound is significantly less sticky than the Conti 5P's that I am running on my M2 right now. Which I've gauged only by touching and looking at the compound, since the M2 and Saab are different vehicles. The Firehawk Indy is more-so an aggressive looking tire than a great performing tire.

[cooler2442]

Have a friend running these, he is saying they are stickier than the PSS's but not as sticky as the P4S. Are we sure they are less sticky than the PSS?

[M2Cmtl]

I run these on my F31 and they are slightly noisier than stocks. The grip is amazing but I would only recommend these tires as track tires as they are very hard to balance properly and always vibrate (had two shops rebalance them). Also, when you leave the car overnight, the tires will develope slight low spots that go away after a few miles, but still annoys me as sometimes I take off and the tires feel completly off balance. Next set is going to be Michelin. I can only imagine that these issues are exasperated on wider tires on the M2.