He he he, I like the politically incorrect statements. I like technology too (I am a Nerd, even if I do not have a Tesla). What I hate is misinformation or when the government gets involved. If a product is good and useful it will work. Otherwise, it just comes down to buy time... with our money

 

It is only brilliant, and worth anyone's money, if the environmental AND operational costs of the car are a savings to the consumer and the nation. Neither has been established. The rest is %$#@.

It is like the cash for clunkers deal. Just tell us that the economy is in the can and as a matter of stimulus, we are going to help the car companies move the inventory that is stuck on their lots. Don't feed us a load of garbage that it is for some environmental benefit. No matter how bad my 10 year old gas guzzler is in terms of carbon units if I were to drive it all day, every day for the next 10 years, it will not cost nearly as much to the environment as the energy cost, pollution costs, and waste of raw materials of manufacturing, painting and assembling the new car that replaced it. Minerals mined, plastics derived from petrochemical cracking and processed, painting, particulate emissions, tire fabrication, plants powered, cars transported, batteries made, fresh plasticizers released into the environment (ah those new car smells), etc., etc. etc. And what happened to the old car? Maybe parts were recycled. Maybe it was shipped off to some other country where it still lives and pollutes to this very day.

I share the objective of most environmental and conservation groups. I abhor their short sited thinking or their hope that we will go back to walking or a horse and buggy. If a solution is going to be green, make sure it is really green - then it gets my support (like energy from tides, etc.) Then, and only then might there be a reason for the government to provide incentive for adoption.

Otherwise, please always remember the 10 most feared words in the English language: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."
JMO

 

Reminds me of this one: http://freakonomics.com/2010/09/08/h...eps-on-giving/

 

I love that book! Sorry to have hijacked your excellent thread. To get it back to topic - staggeringly good looking wheels!

 

Sorry for the confusion. I am not saying the Tesla (or any other electric car) is brilliant. I am saying the way he is selling and marketing the cars is potentially brilliant. He is guaranteeing a buyback value up front. He is trying to change the way we buy cars.

I agree with the statements. Leave the market alone and let’s see who wins.

Marc

 

No need to apologize, it is frustrating for many of us and yes I do hope that one day common sense prevails, although I'm less hopeful than I once was.
By the way, those wheels are gorgeous, especially with your car color.

 

Are you still running the R888 on the CH-Rs?

How do you like the R888, I know a lot of ppl hated them in the M3 crowed and a lot of ppl I speak to don't rate them highly. Just not much choice out there for us yet.

The CH-Rs are 19s?

Thanks!!

 

Yes, I am still running the R888 on the 19" CHR's (same size as before in fact 235/35 for the front and 305/30 for the rear). As you mentioned, we do not have a lot of choice I have seen that Hoosiers (more grip?) are available in the same size, but have no experience with them. I could not find NT01's (cheaper/longer life?) in the right size but I may have to double check. Having only driven the 991 with the OEM PZero's, Michelin PSS and R888, there is no doubt that the R888 are a significant improvement over street tires (and that PSS are better than the PZero). A lot more grip and sidewalls that are rigid enough. Not a perfect road feel but it may be the case with other track tires as well.

In brief, I am happy with my R888, they improve the grip and my lap times by a few seconds and stay predictable. Maybe I'll change my mind after I can try something else, but it's all I can say for now...

 

Brake pads upgrade - initial report

My 15" Brembo BBK came with Ferodo F1000 pads that were a disaster on the track (they did OK in terms of stopping the car but they were gone in less than a week end). I then went for HP2000 that had better performance, but I still chewed 70% of the front pads in one week end.

I just installed Pagid RS29's and had one track day at Atlanta Motorsports Park (relatively slow track, does not put a big toll on the brakes).



Here's some initial feedback:
-the bite is still OK when the pads are cold
-the brakes remain perfectly consistent lap after lap, in all situation
-when hot, they are more difficult to modulate than the HP2000. They are also a lot more aggressive and get you much faster to lock/ABS (totally normal I guess)
-the wear after one track day was negligible... and with very little brake dust
-so far, no squealing at all on the street (probably to come later)

I am going to Road Atlanta for the week end and that's where I'll be able to put the RS29's to the test, slamming the brakes at 150mph each lap before 10a.

They are at least 50% more expensive than the HP2000 but they should also last much longer and prevent from missing the last Sunday session because the pads are gone

So far, so good. More to follow after the week end

 

I have used RS29s for years, I use them now also in the 991 C4S. They are by far my fav track pad. Great modulation and they freakin last forever!!! Strange thing is that in BBKs, they don't get to noisy, but in OEM applications they are really loud after a track day.

Not sure what you paid for them, but if you need a new set let me know, I can probably get them cheaper.

 

If i remember correctly, we used to run the R888 on spec Miata. Now run Hoosiers. Not so much about better or worse grip but how fast they come in, fall off and sessions you can get with them.

I did run Hoosiers on my old S4 on the street. Ton a fun but you had to keep an eye on them for they were susceptible to cuts and punctures. Halarious running around a 25 mph cloverleaf at 80mph. Driving in the rain was like driving a flat bottomed swamp boat.

Marc

 

Thanks a lot. Do you have any data about usability/durability of Hoosiers vs R888 on the spec Miata? (even if it is a very rough guess) I'll probably try Hoosiers next time I change my track tires to give it a try and get another point of reference.

Serge

 

Shoot. You are asking me to go far back in my brain’s databank.

We ran Toyo RA1s then moved to R888 for a year. Back to RA1 then to Hoosier SM6 (same as A6 just stamped different for spec Miata comp).

We didn’t really like the R888 but our cars weigh a lot less than the Porsche. It was an issue with sidewall. I spoke with a buddy and he remembers that they lasted longer. Grip was about the same as the Hoosier but we like the feel of the Hoosier better.

My buddy says that the Porsche guys he knows like R888 better than the Hoosier (for what it is worth).

My personal opinion is that you are not going to go wrong with either. Both will provide tremendous grip. In SM we may like one tire over another for a very small difference that you may not notice or even care about at a track day.

I really like using the standard street tire. The grip is predictable and allows you to work on your driving while keeping corners speeds a little lower. They are also more forgiving and can provide a little more feedback than r-compound tires.

Marc

 

I've been running the RS29s on the BBK for a track weekend at Road America and they seem to show hardly any wear....they did make a lot of noise in commuting traffic...now switched to HP2000 for the street and love them. Hated the ferodos even for the street.

Getting the GIAC ECU software installed this week / over the weekend. Requires my dealer to ship the ecu to GIAC.
Having a dyno graph run before and after, so will be interesting ...

Btw - I do like the R888s. Looking for an economical way to put 165s in the front for next season ....

 

Do you not find the R888s incredibly loud? I just had them installed and on the highway they have a hum that's nearly as loud as my engine. Is something wrong? The feel fine. It's just a sound, but still annoying.