How much of Today's vehicle performance do you attribute to tires?

Ginsu Tim · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 03:46:17 AM

I was thinking about this the other day ...

if we took an e46 m3 or e90 or whatever and put similar spec & size rubber on it that the e30 m3 had - what would the performance figures look like?

Cars these days have much more rubber on the road and use much softer compounds...

How much of today's performance do you think is related to just the tire size & compound and how much of it do you think is related to chassis balance and fancy suspension?

rave426 · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:05:55 AM

I'd say most of today's cars performance gains are due to tires and suspension/chasis technology.

Even without going too far back. Upgrade a 1995 McLaren F1 with new rubber and suspension and it will be THE car.

jmerc · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:18:40 AM

tires have a major influence on performance

Ogi · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:24:12 AM

I don't care what kind of tech you have on the car, at the end of the day, the only part of the car that touches the road is the rubber. It's the most influential part of the handling characteristics of a vehicle.

jhanford1 · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:46:39 AM

Day to day driving, jack squat apart from ride quality. On the track, I would imagine huge differences.

P4lm3r · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:52:15 AM

Been eating tires every morning for months, hasn't made me a better driver.

jmerc · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:56:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhanford1

Day to day driving, jack squat apart from ride quality. On the track, I would imagine huge differences.

I would have to say you are incorrect. Run a set of PS2's in thirty degree weather then get back to me.

jhanford1 · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 05:12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmerc

I would have to say you are incorrect. Run a set of PS2's in thirty degree weather then get back to me.

Why on God's green Earth would I be in 30 degree weather?

Seriously, what happens? They turn to stone and slide all over the place? I'll be in the market for new sneakers in 6 months or so, and probably can't afford PS2's. Any recs? Miami Beach weather BTW.

Ogi · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 07:08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhanford1

Why on God's green Earth would I be in 30 degree weather?

Seriously, what happens? They turn to stone and slide all over the place? I'll be in the market for new sneakers in 6 months or so, and probably can't afford PS2's. Any recs? Miami Beach weather BTW.

ROFL

I hear you brother, living it up in San Diego... weather report said tomorrow will be 58 degrees, I better break out my parka.

MrBooby · Thu, Jan-28-2010, 07:41:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhanford1

Why on God's green Earth would I be in 30 degree weather?

Seriously, what happens? They turn to stone and slide all over the place? I'll be in the market for new sneakers in 6 months or so, and probably can't afford PS2's. Any recs? Miami Beach weather BTW.

You got it. Winter tires are made to withstand the cold temperatures and remain relatively soft in the snow, which is why they wear out faster on dry roads. While summer and all-season tires get hard as a rock.

Thu, Jan-28-2010, 03:46:17 AM	#1
Ginsu Tim Salty, Nutty, Bland. Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 9,136 Reputation: 0 Location: Seattle	How much of Today's vehicle performance do you attribute to tires? I was thinking about this the other day ... if we took an e46 m3 or e90 or whatever and put similar spec & size rubber on it that the e30 m3 had - what would the performance figures look like? Cars these days have much more rubber on the road and use much softer compounds... How much of today's performance do you think is related to just the tire size & compound and how much of it do you think is related to chassis balance and fancy suspension? __________________ 2006 Carbon Black M3 - Dinan SSK, CSL rotors, Bimmerworld SS brake lines, PFC 06, Apex Arc 8, Gravel: carefully distributed throughout chassis & some body panels (for ballast) 1988 Alpine White 325ix (OO==[][]==OO)

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Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:05:55 AM	#2
rave426 Kinda almost had a 3sum Join Date: Jul 2006 Age: 28 Posts: 22,823 Reputation: 0 Location: Fast + Furious=Gigantic	I'd say most of today's cars performance gains are due to tires and suspension/chasis technology. Even without going too far back. Upgrade a 1995 McLaren F1 with new rubber and suspension and it will be THE car.

Thu, Jan-28-2010, 04:46:39 AM	#5
jhanford1 Captain Parker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,119 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 '96 LEXUS GS 300 '70 FORD MUSTANG Reputation: 0 Location: Boca Raton	Day to day driving, jack squat apart from ride quality. On the track, I would imagine huge differences.