After researching tires to death I decided to go with RS-3's. I have a 03 Track with 18 by 8 front and 18 by 8.5 rear rims. Stock tires were 225/45 and 245/45 I got 245/40 and 265/40 this time around, I know that the fronts fit in the recommended range, 245 up to 8 inch width, and the rear rim should be 9 inches for the 265's.... well I said," fudge it", and went with it anyway...
I'm so glad I did. The car handles like a dream, the front is planted the understeer is gone and the braking is sick. I was afraid the rear might roll due to the narrow rim, but hell no, it's so solid and predictable, it makes me grin every day for two weeks now. The side walls are so strong and the tires communicate the amount of traction through the steering so well, I have full confidence in them. I am so much quicker around the same canyon roads I have been driving on for years, just schooled a new Cayman S and an Audi S5 recently. I can't wait for wifey to send me to get something so I can take a ride (She bought me the tires as a B-day gift...and she is hot... I know ..I'm lucky I have a plenum spacer, intake, dual exhaust, strong sways, engine damper, a light fly wheel and a great clutch, the z is by no means a beast but has great reliable power that would break traction in first gear on hot dry pavement with ease, well not any more!!! Just a great surge forward with no drama.... I guess what I'm saying is THESE TIRES ARE GREAT!!!
From 1 to 10 Dry grip and overall performance...Totally Subjective IMO rating
Hankook RS-3 (10)
BF Goodrich KDW2 (8)
Potenzas (7)
Wet traction is ok, and I mean I did not get these tires or car to drive in a blizzard in Los Angeles..... when it rains I drive very slowly
Thanks for reading my rant.... I'm done now.... well
Sticky Icky, Fat as Hell, Meaty Chunky... asphalt eaters!!!

 

excited much?

I have been thinking about trying these tires as the potenza's cost more then my suspension. I haven't heard many bad reviews on them and they are half the cost.

 

I find the sidewalls are a little soft but that's probably good... the tires like heat and pressure for best performance.
I seemed to be getting the most out of them when I pulled off the track and the tires were about 42-43 psi and hot. Although I could not tell you what temperature. At 35 psi and cool the sidewalls flex and roll a bit.
They are a great track tire. I've heard some complaints from people with different priorities about road noise.

 

Been using the tires for quite a while and love the way they work at the track. They handle the heat very well.

 

Okay dokie..

SOOO... how hot is your wife?

 

Love my RS3s when they are nice and warm, did a bit of spirited driving today and there was a some wet sections, they dont like wet, at all they only feel a little better then NT05s...lol

 

NT05's sucked in the wet, havn't been able to drive my RS3's in the wet yet. So far lap times are better with the RS3, sidewall is softer on the RS3, this gives them a much better ride on the street on the way to and from the track. RS3 is a better track tire, either on will work fine on the street and canyons.