Tire Review Nitto NT05

HP Autosport · 01-24-2009, 09:53 PM

Vehicle used: HP Autowerk’s project 335i with M3 spec front and rear control arms, subframe bushings, anti-roll bars, TC Kline coil-over suspension with camber plates, and light weight 3-piece Forgeline ZX3 wheels. Alignment settings were at an aggressive -2 front camber, close to +10 front caster, and minimum toe. Rear camber was set at -2 with factory spec toe-in. In our evaluation, we used 245/40R18 mounted on 18X9” on the front and 275/35R18 mounted on 18x10” wheels out back.

We had the chance to do loops in downtown Santa Barbara, a 500+ mile round trip to Monterey, CA., and a few sessions on the famous Laguna Seca Raceway. If you have not had the chance to drive this famous track, do it, and experience the famous Cork Screw for yourself! The combination of the above routes allowed us to experience noise comfort, ride quality, everyday handling, and the occasional track day.

On the road the NT05 is a great summer tire with excellent traction and steering response. The tread noise on the highway was surprisingly low for such a high performance tire and aggressive tread design. However, some growl can be heard at very low road speeds through our high durometer M3 spec control arms bushings, high rate coil-over springs, and camber plates. Ride quality was a bit on the firm side, with sharper impacts felt by the driver through the steering wheel and seats, but smooth on medium to large bumps. Although it’s not an all season high performance tire, its wet performance was decent with good grip. To our surprise tramlining is not an issue with this tire.

On the 11 turn Laguna Seca circuit the NT05’s performed flawlessly, provided excellent grip in the turns, under nearly 1G deceleration from the huge 355mm Stoptech brakes, and coming out of the last turn before the front straight in second gear with nearly 400 horses trying to break both tires loose through the Quaife LSD. Predictability, steering responsiveness, and excellent traction make this an excellent tire choice for both the street and track. In addition, the breakaway characteristics were very smooth and controlled, with plenty of audible warning.

e92phreak · 01-25-2009, 12:55 AM

Nice review Harold! So far, that's two great reviews from both you and l4wr3nc3 (Law).

HP Autosport · 01-27-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92phreak

Nice review Harold! So far, that's two great reviews from both you and l4wr3nc3 (Law).

Give the NT05's a try, great for both street/track!

KKelly · 01-27-2009, 12:13 PM

This thread means nothing without laptimes. Come on, fess up. :-)

BMW MotorSport · 01-28-2009, 12:50 AM

Great review.

HP Autosport · 02-04-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW MotorSport

Great review.

Thanks!

HP Autosport · 04-10-2009, 02:54 AM

Bumping this product review!

CV335 · 04-10-2009, 09:55 AM

Harold...have you done any comparison between the NT05s and the Invo's. Based on the comparison specs from Nitto's website the NT05s provide the best drive performance (dry) while the Invo's had superior ride conform, quiteness, and wet performance. For these reasons I picked the Invo's over the NT05s. Since the NT05's are in the "street driving" category I'm just curious if there is any discernable difference between these 2 tires for spirited driving or if you can only tell the difference at the track.

HP Autosport · 04-10-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CV335

Harold...have you done any comparison between the NT05s and the Invo's. Based on the comparison specs from Nitto's website the NT05s provide the best drive performance (dry) while the Invo's had superior ride conform, quiteness, and wet performance. For these reasons I picked the Invo's over the NT05s. Since the NT05's are in the "street driving" category I'm just curious if there is any discernable difference between these 2 tires for spirited driving or if you can only tell the difference at the track.

The Invo's are going on the car next week. However, for best dry performance and street/track, get the NT05's. If you are looking for a tire that gives superior ride quality and quietness, Invo's will be the way to go.

CV335 · 04-10-2009, 10:42 AM

My car is a daily drive, so I bought the Invo's....hopefully I'll get them installed on Monday. From what I read the NT05's had the edge on dry pavement (track use), but overall for normal street use the Invo's were better. Thanks for the feedback. Hope to read your review of the Invos soon

HP Autosport · 07-29-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CV335

My car is a daily drive, so I bought the Invo's....hopefully I'll get them installed on Monday. From what I read the NT05's had the edge on dry pavement (track use), but overall for normal street use the Invo's were better. Thanks for the feedback. Hope to read your review of the Invos soon

I can tell you the Invos are very close in performance to the Michelin PS2's. The slightly down side is in the ride quality, the PS2's seem to take freeway expansion joints and lane reflectors much better than the Invo's.

uberschnell · 07-29-2009, 12:10 AM

I ran the NT05's for the first time at this months Laguna Event. Compared to RT-615's far more grip and side walls comparably stiff. Loved them.

01-24-2009, 09:53 PM	#1
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 4094 Rep 55,854 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	Tire Review Nitto NT05 Vehicle used: HP Autowerk’s project 335i with M3 spec front and rear control arms, subframe bushings, anti-roll bars, TC Kline coil-over suspension with camber plates, and light weight 3-piece Forgeline ZX3 wheels. Alignment settings were at an aggressive -2 front camber, close to +10 front caster, and minimum toe. Rear camber was set at -2 with factory spec toe-in. In our evaluation, we used 245/40R18 mounted on 18X9” on the front and 275/35R18 mounted on 18x10” wheels out back. We had the chance to do loops in downtown Santa Barbara, a 500+ mile round trip to Monterey, CA., and a few sessions on the famous Laguna Seca Raceway. If you have not had the chance to drive this famous track, do it, and experience the famous Cork Screw for yourself! The combination of the above routes allowed us to experience noise comfort, ride quality, everyday handling, and the occasional track day. On the road the NT05 is a great summer tire with excellent traction and steering response. The tread noise on the highway was surprisingly low for such a high performance tire and aggressive tread design. However, some growl can be heard at very low road speeds through our high durometer M3 spec control arms bushings, high rate coil-over springs, and camber plates. Ride quality was a bit on the firm side, with sharper impacts felt by the driver through the steering wheel and seats, but smooth on medium to large bumps. Although it’s not an all season high performance tire, its wet performance was decent with good grip. To our surprise tramlining is not an issue with this tire. On the 11 turn Laguna Seca circuit the NT05’s performed flawlessly, provided excellent grip in the turns, under nearly 1G deceleration from the huge 355mm Stoptech brakes, and coming out of the last turn before the front straight in second gear with nearly 400 horses trying to break both tires loose through the Quaife LSD. Predictability, steering responsiveness, and excellent traction make this an excellent tire choice for both the street and track. In addition, the breakaway characteristics were very smooth and controlled, with plenty of audible warning. Attached Images
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01-25-2009, 12:55 AM	#2
e92phreak General 392 Rep 21,745 Posts Drives: E92 335i TiAg/E46 323i TiAg Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.50] 2000 E46 323i [0.00]	Nice review Harold! So far, that's two great reviews from both you and l4wr3nc3 (Law). __________________ 07 E92 335i \| TiAg \| Step \| Padl \| Cmft \| Alum Trm \| PDC \| Nav \| Assist \| Sat \| Lthr \| Prem \| Sprt \| Rear Splr \| RDSport Quads \| iPod \| V1 \| LT Refl \| VS Clear Bra \| OEM Lip \| KWV2 \| Mtec Sides \| BBS LM-R 00 E46 323i \| TiAg \| 5sp \| Sport \| Roof \| RDSport Cams \| RDSport tune \| RDSport Shift \| Volk LE37 \| M3 spoiler \| PSS9 \| SuperSprint \| Brembo
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01-27-2009, 12:13 PM	#4
KKelly Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan (manual) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Carlos, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [0.00]	This thread means nothing without laptimes. Come on, fess up. :-) __________________ Kevin '07 335i Sedan, man, sport, Silver/Black '95 M3 track car, Avus/Dove, AST 4200's, etc. Prior BMW's: '91 M5 Alpine White/Black '89 325i
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01-28-2009, 12:50 AM	#5
BMW MotorSport Banned 104 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 95 Avus M3 and 07 E90 Fam Car! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: So Cal, Simi Valley iTrader: (4)	Great review.
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04-10-2009, 02:54 AM	#7
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 4094 Rep 55,854 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	Bumping this product review!
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04-10-2009, 09:55 AM	#8
CV335 Major 67 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: '06 MCS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TX iTrader: (5)	Harold...have you done any comparison between the NT05s and the Invo's. Based on the comparison specs from Nitto's website the NT05s provide the best drive performance (dry) while the Invo's had superior ride conform, quiteness, and wet performance. For these reasons I picked the Invo's over the NT05s. Since the NT05's are in the "street driving" category I'm just curious if there is any discernable difference between these 2 tires for spirited driving or if you can only tell the difference at the track.
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04-10-2009, 10:42 AM	#10
CV335 Major 67 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: '06 MCS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TX iTrader: (5)	My car is a daily drive, so I bought the Invo's....hopefully I'll get them installed on Monday. From what I read the NT05's had the edge on dry pavement (track use), but overall for normal street use the Invo's were better. Thanks for the feedback. Hope to read your review of the Invos soon
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07-29-2009, 12:10 AM	#12
uberschnell Brigadier General 680 Rep 4,077 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	I ran the NT05's for the first time at this months Laguna Event. Compared to RT-615's far more grip and side walls comparably stiff. Loved them.
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