So I switched from RE-11 to RS3
 

I went from 285 35 19 RE11 to 285 35 18 RS3. I have only driven them on the street. To be honest, there is really no dramatic difference between the two. If you tell me the RS3 is a little faster, I would not argue with you. Yet I don't think it is leaps and bounds over the RE11. As a street tire, I can say new to new, the RS3 is noisier and bumpier due to the stiffer sidewall. It also seems to me the RS3 is a heavier tire too. Still, everything seems to be meeting my expectation so far. I will have to get on the track/autox next month to get more definite result.

There is one thing I am going to warn you. If you are going to run 18s, prepare to scrap everything on the road. With the RS3 being smaller, I am now scraping every speed bump here. It is beyond annoying to have to slow down for every bump. I scraped over ten times today because of the lowered height. I did forget to check the speedo. With the 285 35 19, the speedo was nearly dead on accurate. I would assume the small tire will make it off 3mph or so. I will have to find that out when I am not in rush hour traffic

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to your track impressions. I love my RE-11s, and when it's time to switch, these might be my next set.

in actuality the Re11 has stiffer construction over the RS3. RS3s are known for their softer sidewall compared to RE11 and AD08.

you will not see the added performance benifit from the RS3 putting around on the street. they have a higher optimum heat range then a RE11, so they wont really shine until after a good warm up lap or two on track. RE11's "turn on" sooner for sure. Also, and i may be mistaken, but i though the MPH reading was based off the transmission, so tire diameter shouldnt effect it, but like i said i could be wrong

My average speed was 30mph in rush hour, so I don't get to feel that much other than noticeable increase in ride stiffness. The tire also felt heavier as I was changing them. I also have my track equipment in my car, so I wasn't in any condition to turn the car fast. Oh yeah, forgot I only had quarter of a tank too. I don't want to be stranded either.

I am debating if I should head to Buttonwillow this Sunday. It seems to be a small turn out, but it is 200 miles from here and Sears Point and Laguna seems more appealing (they are not really available this month)

road course duty is where the RS3s show their strength. so where ever you go to try them out at those three, you will notice the difference, feel was and most likely lap time also. they are surprisingly good in the wet on track(then again so are the RE11's)

btw on a side not, what width wheel are you running in 18 front and rear?

the reading is based off the transmission speed thats correct. but remember the transmission doesnt touch the road, its the tires. for example if the transmission is spinning at 2000 rpm, you can have a 14" wheel or a 22" wheel, the speedometer wont know the difference, but you'll be traveling at WAY different speeds

Both are pretty solid tires, for sure. I found the RS3 would become stickier at temp in comparison to the RE-11, but the RE-11 was more directionally nimble. I would be interested to experience the new Direzza 2 and RE-11A and compare them.

The scraping is the exact reason why I went with a 275/40-r18 setup when I was looking for track rims and tires. Unfortunately there are limited tires in this size but it does keep the stock diameter/height as close as possibly to the 275/35-r19. Haven't had any issues bottoming out other than in the usual spots. The RE-11, toyo r888 (which I bought, LOVED them on the track), and nitto NT01 come in this size.

thank you for the clarification

RS3's suck as a single driver AX tire in our area most of the season at cool events. They work great as warmer temp tire or when you have a co-driver. If you have an opportunity to do Marina they will be slip sliding. Decent track tire.

Michelin and Dunlop compounds usually do a little better with cool stuff

rs3 wasnt meant to be a low temp auto x tire

On hot California tracks, I am glad I have them on. The more you push them, the better they get it seems. I wish my suspension and brakes were the same lol.

<3 rs3.

thanks for the review

maybe it's just me but the review was worthless.