[mrkurt]

There's not much information about tracking an i8 out there, except for one thread about tires melting. So that's exciting.

Has anyone put better tires on the stock turbine wheels and had good success?

[MrRob]

I've been looking but I don't think there are any other makes for the 215/45 fronts. Did think about whether a 235/40 would fit on the rim but most knowledge says 225 is widest for a 7.5 inch rim. I think there are other options for the rear but I don't really need more rear grip. Anyone ever thought about swapping the front and rear wheels. Sounds silly but it could help to even up the balance a bit.

[mu2002cs]

I am an advanced HPDE driver. I cannot out drive the stock tires. Could they be more sticky, yes. Would it improve my track time, doubtful. In working with Bridgestone, we have found that 28psi cold, all around, is the best tire pressure.

Tracking the i8 is an interesting experience. It likes long tracks over short tracks due to hits high speed capabilities. The regeneration effect actually allows you "set" the car by lifting off the accelerator vs braking into a high speed turn. Very nice!

The downside - once ambient temperature hits 80 and/or track temperature hits 100, recharging of the battery shuts down to avoid over heating. Early morning, cool sessions, are the best and usually you can do an entire run without running out of battery. Unless the track has a charging station, the best way to recharge the battery is to wait for the charging system to cool down, then drive the car in sport mode for 20-30 minutes (normal driving) to get back to approx. 75% charge.

Basically, unless you are an excellent track driver, and, you can keep the battery charged, its unlikely you will out drive the tires.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

I am an advanced HPDE driver. I cannot out drive the stock tires. Could they be more sticky, yes. Would it improve my track time, doubtful. In working with Bridgestone, we have found that 28psi cold, all around, is the best tire pressure.

Tracking the i8 is an interesting experience. It likes long tracks over short tracks due to hits high speed capabilities. The regeneration effect actually allows you "set" the car by lifting off the accelerator vs braking into a high speed turn. Very nice!

The downside - once ambient temperature hits 80 and/or track temperature hits 100, recharging of the battery shuts down to avoid over heating. Early morning, cool sessions, are the best and usually you can do an entire run without running out of battery. Unless the track has a charging station, the best way to recharge the battery is to wait for the charging system to cool down, then drive the car in sport mode for 20-30 minutes (normal driving) to get back to approx. 75% charge.

Basically, unless you are an excellent track driver, and, you can keep the battery charged, its unlikely you will out drive the tires.

Very interesting feedback - thanks. Good to see evidence that wider isn't automatically better.

Most people seem to complain about front end slip. Frankly, I've had that issue only in the wet or on a very uneven surface.

The interesting question for me is: how quick do you think the i8 is? Maybe the tires can't be outdriven because the car is underpowered. Kidding.

[mrkurt]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

Basically, unless you are an excellent track driver, and, you can keep the battery charged, its unlikely you will out drive the tires.

Good deal! That's reassuring, especially because I'm not an excellent track driver.

Have you worn through a set of the stock tires yet? How long did they last?

[mu2002cs]

I have 9500 miles on my 2014 i8. Plus roughly 8 hours of actual high speed track time. At least 7500 miles has been long distance driving including interstates and twisties. Overall I am pleased with the tire wear. I project 15k tire life. The Bridgestone track rep told me to rotate the front tires as the outside edge was wearing faster than inside edge. This is a direct result of the track time.

One other note - I do not drift the car.

[mrkurt]

Wow, you were not kidding about keeping a charge. There was an SCCA track night in Joliet, IL last night and it was about 85 degrees out. The track actually had a charger, but I didn't use it between the first and second session ... it took me from 0 to 22% between the second and third. Kind of interesting to feel the difference with and without a charge.

Tires were fine. My driving skills, not so fine.

[mu2002cs]

Good for you for taking your i8 to the track. It's the best place to learn about the capabilities of your car, and yourself. Better to learn on the track than on the street!

[Twitch Massacre]

I'm running P-Zeros 245 upfront 285 in the back but I'm on aftermarket wheels. The car handles much better and drives more comfortably. I've noticed no change in efficiency. Most likely because the stock wheels, despite being laughably narrow are heavy as boulders.

[JasH]

Originally Posted by Twitch Massacre

I'm running P-Zeros 245 upfront 285 in the back but I'm on aftermarket wheels. The car handles much better

What I'd expect

[JasH]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

I am an advanced HPDE driver. I cannot out drive the stock tires. Could they be more sticky, yes. Would it improve my track time, doubtful.

Really? More sticky, or wider tyres would not improve your track time? Hard to believe, although I'd accept the suspension may require modifying to cope if the grip is significantly improved.

If you believe that, I'd respectfully suggest you were not driving the i8 at its limit. (I've not tacked mine yet though.)

[Twitch Massacre]

Originally Posted by JasH

Really? More sticky, or wider tyres would not improve your track time? Hard to believe, although I'd accept the suspension may require modifying to cope if the grip is significantly improved.

If you believe that, I'd respectfully suggest you were not driving the i8 at its limit. (I've not tacked mine yet though.)

Oh yeah I'm lowered on H&R springs as well. Lot less body roll.

[IS350]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

I am an advanced HPDE driver. I cannot out drive the stock tires. Could they be more sticky, yes. Would it improve my track time, doubtful. In working with Bridgestone, we have found that 28psi cold, all around, is the best tire pressure.

Tracking the i8 is an interesting experience. It likes long tracks over short tracks due to hits high speed capabilities. The regeneration effect actually allows you "set" the car by lifting off the accelerator vs braking into a high speed turn. Very nice!

The downside - once ambient temperature hits 80 and/or track temperature hits 100, recharging of the battery shuts down to avoid over heating. Early morning, cool sessions, are the best and usually you can do an entire run without running out of battery. Unless the track has a charging station, the best way to recharge the battery is to wait for the charging system to cool down, then drive the car in sport mode for 20-30 minutes (normal driving) to get back to approx. 75% charge.

Basically, unless you are an excellent track driver, and, you can keep the battery charged, its unlikely you will out drive the tires.

Thanks! Any pics? How does this car compare to your previous track cars?

[Mehrvarz]

Originally Posted by Twitch Massacre

Oh yeah I'm lowered on H&R springs as well. Lot less body roll.

Is the model of springs you bought Model # 28787-1?

[SlipperyGary]

I'm planning to get Bridgestone RE-71R tires in the spring for autocross. I'll let you know how well they work. Will likely go with 245/40R19 all around.

[dbronnik]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

I'm planning to get Bridgestone RE-71R tires in the spring for autocross. I'll let you know how well they work. Will likely go with 245/40R19 all around.

How did they work?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by dbronnik

How did they work?

He wrote that almost 2 years ago lol.

I run RE71Rs on my e92 M3 street and track. The RE71R is a fantastic dual purpose tire.

The i8 tire is fine for cornering speeds below 40mph. Above that is downright scary, particularly on higher on speed lateral cornering like 70mph and above. My X5 is faster around those types of corners.

[zorgzx]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

He wrote that almost 2 years ago lol.

I run RE71Rs on my e92 M3 street and track. The RE71R is a fantastic dual purpose tire.

The i8 tire is fine for cornering speeds below 40mph. Above that is downright scary, particularly on higher on speed lateral cornering like 70mph and above. My X5 is faster around those types of corners.

Are we talking abut the same tyre as std fitted to european i8's Bridgestone S001? I was surprised very positively, decent grip, great wet weather ability, low noise. And mine are 2 and 3 years old. Ofcourse a set of pilots would grip better, but I'd rate them in the same category as Top level continentals and the likes?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by zorgzx

Are we talking abut the same tyre as std fitted to european i8's Bridgestone S001? I was surprised very positively, decent grip, great wet weather ability, low noise. And mine are 2 and 3 years old. Ofcourse a set of pilots would grip better, but I'd rate them in the same category as Top level continentals and the likes?

The thread is about tires for track use. The standard i8 tire is made for optimum gas mileage, comfort and low road noise, not lateral grip. The i8 is very well balanced as is tossable and fun at low speeds but that's not because the tire is good...it's because the car is good. Higher speeds get dicey because the car relies more upon the mechanical grip of the tires and aero, of which the i8 has neither (again the trade off is lower fuel consumption).

The i8 would need wider wheels, track tires, alignment, upgraded brakes at a minimum to see a track day. And that will be at 236hp as the battery will run out quick and even then common everyday cars will be passing you at track day.

[dbronnik]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

He wrote that almost 2 years ago lol.

I run RE71Rs on my e92 M3 street and track. The RE71R is a fantastic dual purpose tire.

The i8 tire is fine for cornering speeds below 40mph. Above that is downright scary, particularly on higher on speed lateral cornering like 70mph and above. My X5 is faster around those types of corners.

Yeah I know its old post, hence the smiley. Also know RE71R is a hell of a tire (run them on all our autox setups). Just wondering how the 245 square fared on the i8 at autox.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by dbronnik

Yeah I know its old post, hence the smiley. Also know RE71R is a hell of a tire (run them on all our autox setups). Just wondering how the 245 square fared on the i8 at autox.

Gotcha....please let us know what you think about them. The i8 could be a nice auto x car since it's light and has great balance and performs really well at low speed transitions.

[jcpca356]

I did three track days in the last 3.5 years and just replaced my stock tires

18 year experience in HPDE events

Originally Posted by mrkurt

Good deal! That's reassuring, especially because I'm not an excellent track driver.

Have you worn through a set of the stock tires yet? How long did they last?