Nitto 555r vs. NT-01

[Black Majik]

Orginally compiled and posted by asian312:

Just digging around... (slow day = good Monday). Found some positives on the R2 models, but not much on the just the 555r. I think I'll play it safe and move towards the NT-01, or maybe be the guinea pig for the 888s

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1950824

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1939127&page=5

Year / Model Reviewed:
1986 Corvette Coupe

Summary:
I got these tires nearly new on a set of wheels that I needed. The only reason that I got them was because they were mounted on the wheels that I was purchasing, and I saved about $1000 this way. I was initially happy with them as they seemed quiet enough at freeway speeds, and did okay in the dry. They're a joke in the wet if you have a car with any amount of torque. I can't count the number of times I've gone to change lanes or slowly accelerate up a hill and lost traction. It's irritating, and makes you look like you're trying to show off. I recently did a track day, and as I have no particular fondness for them, left them mounted on my wheels for the day. The first couple laps around the track I was very impressed with their grip. After they heated up properly, I felt the opposite. Though they lose traction in a linear and predictable fashion, they still lose traction way too early. A friend with a similar Corvette with Bridgestones the same size was able to carry over 30 mph more through one turn. For a similar price, I'd get Falken Azenis RT615's, or for a little more, and good wet traction, Bridgestone Potenza RE750, or for really good wet traction, Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's.

Strengths:
They look cool, easy to break loose if you're trying to show off.

Weaknesses:
They're just okay, nothing special, better tires can be had for the money.

Similar Products Used:
Bridgestone Potenza RE750

[hndaklr]

Just from my personal use and preference. I had Nitto 555 extremes back in 04'. I didn't feel as though they gripped well and they absolutely blew in the rain.

In 05 I put a set of Cooper Zeon's on the car. Better handling wet and dry, felt safe at highway speeds on rainy days. They have been on three different DSM's so far with about 35k miles on them. They need replacement due do age and the fact that they are starting to dry rot, but they still have good tread.

The wife's car came with Bridgestone Potenza's, can't remember the exact tire, but they were summer tires with a super low tread rating, they handled better than any tire the DSM ever had ( her car handles better also, so comparison may be slighted a bit), but they only got 18k miles before we had to replace them. They were replaced with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position with Uni-T, and I absolutely love them, plan on putting a set on the DSM if I don't sell it next month. Don't wanna sell it, but new baby = new plans, and who knows, I may replace it with an EVO or something with a L92 one day....

[asian312]

The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position were my first set of track shoes and loved them for their wet/dry performance. Nitto has now released a slightly harder compound to the NT-01, but more twisty track specific. The NT-05s are designed to complete against Falken's Azenis.

Between the NT-01s and R888s, there's very little in performance between the two. Take into account price and the NT-01s are my preferred choice.