[flybigjet]

Which one?

Bridgestone RE-71RS or Micheline Cup2 Connect for HPDE's/Open Lapping.

They're *literally* the only two tires that'll work in 255/35/19 & 275/35/39.

No Auto-X, no Gymkhana, no Time Trials, no daily driving-- just to the track and back.

TIA--

R.

[///MPhatic]

The 71RS is going to give you better grip overall, but the Cup2 is going to last longer and be more forgiving, so it depends on your goals.

[AUSf22]

RE71RS! I love this tyre and I've driven on both.

[flybigjet]

Well, THAT just clears things right up, doesn't it?

Half the posters say "Cup2C".

The other half say "-71RS".

Head? Explodey.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Well, THAT just clears things right up, doesn't it?

Half the posters say "Cup2C".

The other half say "-71RS".

Head? Explodey.

You're going to have to pick; grip (71RS) or longevity (Cup2).

[driver91]

Just got the
71s mounted up
Ill
Let
Ya know

[ashmostro]

If it's a dual purpose car, go with the Cup2's. They will last much longer and are way friendlier on the street.

The comments above are all accurate as well.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

If it's a dual purpose car, go with the Cup2's. They will last much longer and are way friendlier on the street.

The comments above are all accurate as well.

I've got street wheels and track wheels. These are ONLY for driving 1+15 to the track the night before, track day/HPDE, driving home that afternoon.

Still haven't made a decision, but I've got until mid-June to decide.

R.

[ashmostro]

What's your run group/experience level? Are you looking for qualifying laps or consistent endurance?

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

What's your run group/experience level? Are you looking for qualifying laps or consistent endurance?

I run A-Group/Advanced.
No timed events or racing. Just open lapping, HPDE and trying to get technically better.

I swapped to two wheel sets as I was tired of destroying my street tires every few events (PSSS & MP4S).

I rather liked the Cup 2 Connects, other than they tended to get greasy towards the end of the session, the cost and short life (5-6 days). Although I definitely don’t like the ride/feel of the Cups on the street (stiffer sidewall I’d guess?) they’re fun at the track.

So I’m toying with trying the RE71RS, but unsure if they fit.

Took A052 might work as well, but I’d have to go down to 245/265 from 255/275.

R.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

I run A-Group/Advanced.
No timed events or racing. Just open lapping, HPDE and trying to get technically better.

I swapped to two wheel sets as I was tired of destroying my street tires every few events (PSSS & MP4S).

I rather liked the Cup 2 Connects, other than they tended to get greasy towards the end of the session, the cost and short life (5-6 days). Although I definitely don’t like the ride/feel of the Cups on the street (stiffer sidewall I’d guess?) they’re fun at the track.

So I’m toying with trying the RE71RS, but unsure if they fit.

Took A052 might work as well, but I’d have to go down to 245/265 from 255/275.

R.

The Yokohama AD09 is in stock for 255/275. It's close enough to that group that I would probably try them. They placed last but the times are all very close in the TireRack YouTube roundup.

[ashmostro]

Are you running sufficient negative camber, and what are your cold tire pressures set to? In my experience, Cup2s get greasy when they over-pressure. Their carcass is pretty stout.

[ashmostro]

Btw, I run the 180 TW Mercedes specific Cup2s in those sizes and they have been great. Better than the 240 connects in the stock sizes were.

And I always order track tires with heat cycling to extend their lifespan appreciably.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Are you running sufficient negative camber, and what are your cold tire pressures set to? In my experience, Cup2s get greasy when they over-pressure. Their carcass is pretty stout.

-2.5 camber in the front, 28 cold on the C2C’s.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by AUSf22

RE71RS! I love this tyre and I've driven on both.

This.

[ashmostro]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

-2.5 camber in the front, 28 cold on the C2C’s.

Pressure is good. Could use more camber but that won't be what is causing the fading at the end of the session. You're probably driving past the capabilities of the tires. Might be a good to try out the 71's

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Pressure is good. Could use more camber but that won't be what is causing the fading at the end of the session. You're probably driving past the capabilities of the tires. Might be a good to try out the 71's

The -2.5 camber's a compromise for something that works for street/track without adjustment.

[ashmostro]

Yeah. I run 2.9 comfortably on a dual purpose car but it's all about driving style on the street to split that hair.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes!

[medphysdave]

This could soon be another option coming to a Costco near you.

https://www.thedrive.com/guides-and-...nce-track-tire

[M2guru]

I am here to add to the information to help people make a decision.

Starting point: RE71RS (275/35-18) - brand new - zero miles. Square 9.5 Apex rims.

Below are the pics from the outside/left (clockwise) tires (F and R) after two days of track driving and street driving to/from the track (250 mile round trip). Advanced/Instructor group. Example video of session (yes, that's snow):

- ~50 laps (~1:50/lap, 2.5 miles)
- ambient temps were 32-42F
- tire pressures were at 36-38 hot
- front has -3.1 camber and rear has -2.0 camber (not adjusted for the street)

[medphysdave]

Those look pretty good to me. Temps look like they stayed cool. How did you like them?

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by medphysdave

Those look pretty good to me. Temps look like they stayed cool. How did you like them?

Agreed, the wear looks good for 50 laps. The car looks like it could use more front negative camber.

These worked well with 3 degrees of static negative camber on my S2000 but that chassis utilizes a double wishbone setup which gains far more negative camber under load.

BMW's need more than 3 degrees to optimize the contact patch of these very sticky tires. You'll need a pyrometer to determine what is optimal. However, this wear is not bad at all for an alignment that also works on the street.