Nitto NT555 G2 long term test and comparison
#1
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Nitto NT555 G2 long term test and comparison
I was recently selected to participate in a consumer test sponsored by Nitto for their new NT555 G2 tire. This thread will serve as my long term review thread as I put the tires through various testing both on the street and at the track.
The tires are 320 tread wear rated, in line with the Sumi HTR ZIIIs that I used as track tires for a season. I'll run them at a couple track outings this year to assess performance and durability. Obviously these are not a purely track focused tire and as such I'll collect lap times as data points but focus on real world performance based on the likely consumer base
Anyways, much more to come shortly. And huge thanks up front to Nitto for offering this opportunity and puling me in as a tester!
The tires are 320 tread wear rated, in line with the Sumi HTR ZIIIs that I used as track tires for a season. I'll run them at a couple track outings this year to assess performance and durability. Obviously these are not a purely track focused tire and as such I'll collect lap times as data points but focus on real world performance based on the likely consumer base
Anyways, much more to come shortly. And huge thanks up front to Nitto for offering this opportunity and puling me in as a tester!
#2
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Initial impressions:
Sidewall seems a touch softer than the OEM Pirelli's, and definitely softer than the R888's and BFG R1's that I've been used to, but that's expected. They are a higher treadwear tire and also the highest sidewall tire that I've run to date, being a 265/40/19 vs 255/40/19 or 275/35/18. That said, the ride is excellent. The tires seem grippy (2nd gear WOT roll to redline resulted in zero tire spin and nice straight tracking), and cornering on my local esses. Road noise is minimal, seemingly less than the OEM tires and far less than the R888's and BFG's that I've driven for limited amounts on the street. The ride over rough roads is very good in terms of comfort and tracking - this complements my note regarding slightly softer sidewall, which lends itself to a compliant ride on the street.
The tires fill the wheel wells nicely on my SR springs, and have a great stance being slightly wider than OEM. Pictures are below from initial installation on my car.
Upcoming testing:
Street driving between now and May 12th
May 13th and 14th - track day at Limerock Park in CT. I'll likely run the Nitto's for one session on Friday and one session on Saturday. I'll also have my R888's there as well as the BFG R1's. I have a lot of data from running LRP with my Sumitomo HTR Z III's, which are comparable in terms of treadwear, so that will be the best apples to apples comparison with data. I'd like to run 1.04's at LRP with the Nitto's. I ran low 1.02's there with the R888's and 1.01.2 with the BFG R1's in the past. Videos, pictures, and data will be provided following that event
In the meantime, I'll add to this thread as I put miles on the tires on the street as well.
Sidewall seems a touch softer than the OEM Pirelli's, and definitely softer than the R888's and BFG R1's that I've been used to, but that's expected. They are a higher treadwear tire and also the highest sidewall tire that I've run to date, being a 265/40/19 vs 255/40/19 or 275/35/18. That said, the ride is excellent. The tires seem grippy (2nd gear WOT roll to redline resulted in zero tire spin and nice straight tracking), and cornering on my local esses. Road noise is minimal, seemingly less than the OEM tires and far less than the R888's and BFG's that I've driven for limited amounts on the street. The ride over rough roads is very good in terms of comfort and tracking - this complements my note regarding slightly softer sidewall, which lends itself to a compliant ride on the street.
The tires fill the wheel wells nicely on my SR springs, and have a great stance being slightly wider than OEM. Pictures are below from initial installation on my car.
Upcoming testing:
Street driving between now and May 12th
May 13th and 14th - track day at Limerock Park in CT. I'll likely run the Nitto's for one session on Friday and one session on Saturday. I'll also have my R888's there as well as the BFG R1's. I have a lot of data from running LRP with my Sumitomo HTR Z III's, which are comparable in terms of treadwear, so that will be the best apples to apples comparison with data. I'd like to run 1.04's at LRP with the Nitto's. I ran low 1.02's there with the R888's and 1.01.2 with the BFG R1's in the past. Videos, pictures, and data will be provided following that event
In the meantime, I'll add to this thread as I put miles on the tires on the street as well.
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dusman59 (5/4/16)
#3
Cobra R Member
Interesting that you seem to get good grip, I've been less than impressed thus far. Not bad, but not great. My V6 can break them lose pretty easily. I still need to try raising pressure a few pounds, and perhaps they really prefer hot weather as its been VERY cool here lately.
Shop set them to 40 and they were pretty greasy feeling. I dropped them to 32 and it's better but not by much. Again, could be temps... Only barely into the 60s during the day. Still want to try 35 pounds and see where it puts me. Feel like the sidewalls aren't holding as well at such a low pressurr and can feel the roll. Almost none at 40 pounds.
Shop set them to 40 and they were pretty greasy feeling. I dropped them to 32 and it's better but not by much. Again, could be temps... Only barely into the 60s during the day. Still want to try 35 pounds and see where it puts me. Feel like the sidewalls aren't holding as well at such a low pressurr and can feel the roll. Almost none at 40 pounds.
#4
Legacy TMS Member
Most summer tires suck when used in cooler temps. Do the 265's have the larger blocks? The tread picture looks pretty agressive. I was considering the 275 40 19 on my Brembo wheels but 265's might be a better fit. I don't track my car but like it to handle well here in the Mountains. Thanks for the info so far.
#5
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Interesting that you seem to get good grip, I've been less than impressed thus far. Not bad, but not great. My V6 can break them lose pretty easily. I still need to try raising pressure a few pounds, and perhaps they really prefer hot weather as its been VERY cool here lately.
Shop set them to 40 and they were pretty greasy feeling. I dropped them to 32 and it's better but not by much. Again, could be temps... Only barely into the 60s during the day. Still want to try 35 pounds and see where it puts me. Feel like the sidewalls aren't holding as well at such a low pressurr and can feel the roll. Almost none at 40 pounds.
Shop set them to 40 and they were pretty greasy feeling. I dropped them to 32 and it's better but not by much. Again, could be temps... Only barely into the 60s during the day. Still want to try 35 pounds and see where it puts me. Feel like the sidewalls aren't holding as well at such a low pressurr and can feel the roll. Almost none at 40 pounds.
#6
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Most summer tires suck when used in cooler temps. Do the 265's have the larger blocks? The tread picture looks pretty agressive. I was considering the 275 40 19 on my Brembo wheels but 265's might be a better fit. I don't track my car but like it to handle well here in the Mountains. Thanks for the info so far.
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5.M0NSTER (5/4/16)
#10
Banned
Join Date: August 2, 2013
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Derek,
Unrelated question. That arrow on the bottom of your driver side door... is it to indicate the jack point to lift one side of the car?
#11
Cobra R Member
AA muffler/tire in Brighton. I usually buy my tires there, and occasionally have them do exhaust work as well when I don't feel like it or its a real PITA job. Pretty good crew and their prices are generally decent. I've also had them do oil changes when I have been super busy (which isn't often).
#14
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Yup, that point will lift front and rear wheels evenly. And I marked the Jack so I know how far to slide under the car. Makes it easy at track days for quick rotation or bleed or whatever
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SGwick (5/5/16)
#16
Shelby GT350 Member
Wow, the sidewalls do look pretty big! And I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything good about Nittos. All I ever hear is people complaining about them
#17
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
I'm quite happy so far with street performance.
#19
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Initial impressions:
Sidewall seems a touch softer than the OEM Pirelli's, and definitely softer than the R888's and BFG R1's that I've been used to, but that's expected. They are a higher treadwear tire and also the highest sidewall tire that I've run to date, being a 265/40/19 vs 255/40/19 or 275/35/18. That said, the ride is excellent. The tires seem grippy (2nd gear WOT roll to redline resulted in zero tire spin and nice straight tracking), and cornering on my local esses. Road noise is minimal, seemingly less than the OEM tires and far less than the R888's and BFG's that I've driven for limited amounts on the street. The ride over rough roads is very good in terms of comfort and tracking - this complements my note regarding slightly softer sidewall, which lends itself to a compliant ride on the street.
The tires fill the wheel wells nicely on my SR springs, and have a great stance being slightly wider than OEM. Pictures are below from initial installation on my car.
Upcoming testing:
Street driving between now and May 12th
May 13th and 14th - track day at Limerock Park in CT. I'll likely run the Nitto's for one session on Friday and one session on Saturday. I'll also have my R888's there as well as the BFG R1's. I have a lot of data from running LRP with my Sumitomo HTR Z III's, which are comparable in terms of treadwear, so that will be the best apples to apples comparison with data. I'd like to run 1.04's at LRP with the Nitto's. I ran low 1.02's there with the R888's and 1.01.2 with the BFG R1's in the past. Videos, pictures, and data will be provided following that event
In the meantime, I'll add to this thread as I put miles on the tires on the street as well.
Sidewall seems a touch softer than the OEM Pirelli's, and definitely softer than the R888's and BFG R1's that I've been used to, but that's expected. They are a higher treadwear tire and also the highest sidewall tire that I've run to date, being a 265/40/19 vs 255/40/19 or 275/35/18. That said, the ride is excellent. The tires seem grippy (2nd gear WOT roll to redline resulted in zero tire spin and nice straight tracking), and cornering on my local esses. Road noise is minimal, seemingly less than the OEM tires and far less than the R888's and BFG's that I've driven for limited amounts on the street. The ride over rough roads is very good in terms of comfort and tracking - this complements my note regarding slightly softer sidewall, which lends itself to a compliant ride on the street.
The tires fill the wheel wells nicely on my SR springs, and have a great stance being slightly wider than OEM. Pictures are below from initial installation on my car.
Upcoming testing:
Street driving between now and May 12th
May 13th and 14th - track day at Limerock Park in CT. I'll likely run the Nitto's for one session on Friday and one session on Saturday. I'll also have my R888's there as well as the BFG R1's. I have a lot of data from running LRP with my Sumitomo HTR Z III's, which are comparable in terms of treadwear, so that will be the best apples to apples comparison with data. I'd like to run 1.04's at LRP with the Nitto's. I ran low 1.02's there with the R888's and 1.01.2 with the BFG R1's in the past. Videos, pictures, and data will be provided following that event
In the meantime, I'll add to this thread as I put miles on the tires on the street as well.
Just saying lol.
#20
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Wer traction tested a it yesterday... Good traction compared with the R888's and similar to pirellis. Significantly better than the sumi's I had 2 years ago!
Should finally have data and lap time info next weekend!