Uniroyal Rainsport 3

[bigjeff5591]

I  know there are thousands of tyre related posts and that's my problem !
Its time for new tyres and I have a simple question - are Rainsport 3's any good ? - car is a "weekend toy" and I  plan to get a couple of track days in this year, so grip, feel and handling are more important than longevity.

[shnazzle]

I can definitely vouch for them as a great every day tyre. Very very impressive in the wet.
Very comfortable.
But not for track days. They're softer than a baby's stool sample.
Wouldn't call them communicative. But they're not dull like Toyo T1-Rs either.

As I said, great all-rounder, one of the best. I'd want them on our Skoda. I fling the 2 around too much though.

Maybe a cheap set of stock alloys (I would have given you mine for free) with Yokohama AD08Rs and your nice wheels on Rainsports?

[1979scotte]

Agree with the above.
Good tyre for general use but not the best for handling and not a track day tyre.
I love my AD08R just as shnazzle does although the price of Federal 595 RSR is tempting even if they aren't in the ideal sizes.

Also if you value feel hope you are running stock or similar sizes big wheels and tyres offer more grip but less fun in these cars IMHO.

[bigjeff5591]

Thanks - starting to understand why there are so many posts ! Not concidered the Federals (cant justify  the cost of Yoko's) but now have 2 options.
 Ref wheel sizes, standard PFL - Mr T must have spent millions on designing the MR2 and i'm prety sure the standard sizies were chosen for a good reason ! (big after market wheels are usualy about show not go IMHO)

[s12vea]

Again I rate these tyres, have them on our family ford kuga and my previous Clio rs200

Wet grip very impressive and road noise reduced

Plus they are easy on the wallet  s;) s;)

[LeoD]

Great tyres.

[secla]

Better than t1rs. Probably the best you'll get in that kind of price range.

[Gaz mr-s]

I had them on an MX  5.  I didn't like the soft sidewall.  I have a FL, so not sure if you can get the rear size required, but I fitted Falken ZE914.  Confidence-inspiring in the wet. Supposedly quite quiet, but not my impression, but the '2' isn't a quiet car...

[Ardent]

Have to agree with all of the above.
I didnt realise rainsports were available in our sizes.

Have them on the golf 4motion. Love love love.
They are now, my go to tyre. Great tyre, for comparatively budget tyre money.

I have ran the Falken ZE914 on the 2, and was very happy with those as well.

[bigjeff5591]

Appreciate all the responses, it sounds like Rainsports then - and hope any track says are wet !

[shnazzle]

Fine choice. You won't regret it.
We did 900 miles through windy roads in Scotland on them and were great all the way even when picking up the pace a bit

[ChrisGB]

I'm told some people run them as full wets for racing.

[shnazzle]

Well there you go  s:) s:)

A couple extra psi and you're off

[LeoD]

Excellent in the wet on track, especially with extra PSI as shnazzle says. I would go with 10% higher.

[tets]

i'm having a set as wets this year for hillclimbing and sprinting - Nangkang AR-1's for the dry

[ChrisGB]

i'm having a set as wets this year for hillclimbing and sprinting - Nangkang AR-1's for the dry

Will the AR-1s get hot enough on a light car in a sprint? I've heard they take some work to get heat in them.

[tets]

i'm having a set as wets this year for hillclimbing and sprinting - Nangkang AR-1's for the dry

Will the AR-1s get hot enough on a light car in a sprint? I've heard they take some work to get heat in them.

I've done quite a bit of reading and would have gone Yoko but they aren't E Marked anymore but the AR-1 does grip well from cold - have a read of the below which sort of swung it for me!
 m http://trackdays.ie/track-day-tyres/ m

[bigjeff5591]

Thanks for the link, helped to  put things into perspective - cat A is what I want - and as cost effective (cheap !) as possible - car is a weekend toy after all - anyone used the Nankang: NS-2R ?

[ChrisGB]

I almost went for AR1 last year, but thought they may be a bit too tricky in the wet, so went R888R. Let us know how you get on with them!

[tets]

will do - there's some great reading about the AR-1's on the American forums!

General consensus is on the 1 lap sprints, fantastic grip in the first few bends when cold, very difficult to lock up so a lot later braking but in the fast bends when warm not as much lateral grip as some of the more expensive tyres - they are heavier than the other tyres in their class which could prove a problem but the amount of rubber on the tarmac (lack of tread) compared to others should hopefully compensate for that under hard acceleration.
Basically a lot of people are setting PB's on them cold and hot so got to be worth a punt!!
edit - in the dry hence the Rainsport 3's for the wet!!

[LeoD]

Thanks for the link, helped to  put things into perspective - cat A is what I want - and as cost effective (cheap !) as possible - car is a weekend toy after all - anyone used the Nankang: NS-2R ?

Yes, running them at the moment and find them very good for the price. Loud on the road but very good on track, hold the temps quiet well, wear is very slight compared to road tyres. Good in the wet too.

Only problem is grip is so good, tail out happens very quickly!!!

[bigjeff5591]

Thaks Leo - are they OK on the road in the rain ? - we do live in the UK afteter all. I appreciate that what I want doesn't actually exist - but what's the best compromise for a week end toy ?

[s12vea]

They are great road tyres in the wet

[LeoD]

Thaks Leo - are they OK on the road in the rain ? - we do live in the UK afteter all. I appreciate that what I want doesn't actually exist - but what's the best compromise for a week end toy ?

As s12 says they are very good in the wet and work well on the road. They are perfect for a weekend car and even better on track!

[bigjeff5591]

Looks like I will be giving the Nankang: NS-2R's a go then ! -