Federal 595RSR Reviews - Page 3

Given 76% while driving a Toyota GT86 (235/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
I'm on my 3rd set of RS-Rs which I use on the road and the track.
My 1st set was 235/40-17 and they were great - superb dry grip, firm sidewalls, good on the road, great on-track and reasonable wear.
My 2nd set was 225/45-17 and they were not good. The 225/45 size is the only one with a much shallower tread, so they wore out quickly. It also felt like the sidewalls were soft and the feel on track was squidgey, but they gripped OK.
My 3rd and current set is 235/45-17 and they're very similar to the 235/40s - very nice for road and track and I'll definately buy them again, but NOT 225/45-17s!!
Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on January 21, 2015
Given 39% while driving a BMW Z3M Coupe (225/40 R18) on mostly town for 1,000 spirited miles
I have this tires on BMW Z3M Coupe S54, 225 40 18 front, 255 35 18 rear.
In past 1500 miles, mostly fast driving, I am very disappointed... Those are my first semi-slick tires and I expected to have extra grip. No big difference to any other summer tire. Braking similar, cornering similar...
Noise is very very intense...
After 1500 miles, I can see clear sights of wear. 30% less profile on the middle and 70% on the inner side. I have some drifts, but to kill tire in 2000 miles, with no extra performance? Give me a brake!
Helpful 16 - tire reviewed on January 17, 2015
Given 54% while driving a Ford Fiesta ST (195/50 R15) on track for 0 spirited miles
If you are track enthusiast and use your car only for track days than I you should know there are better track day tires.

I don't know why they classify this tire as a track day tire as Federal has FZ201 model that is a track day tire.

Minus:
Sidewalls are not enough stiff and with racing suspension your car will feel like riding on a balloon.
Thread compound is road type silica, not like proper slick tire so it's lacking of grip compared to other tire brands.
Feedback is a mixture and it's not as good as other tires give. They do not announce loosing grip limit as other tires do.
On every tires they thread pattern split, broke... it's the way of how they are made.
Noisy - normal for track day tires.
Plus:
Cheap = best value for money
Long life
This tire will outperform majority of street tire brands and types so I do recommend to anyone who want to have a ultra performance road tire and usable on track too!
If you are track orientated and counting 0.1 of second then look for a proper track day tire.
Helpful 19 - tire reviewed on November 18, 2014
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Given 96% while driving a Porsche 996 GT3 (225/45 R17) on track for 500 spirited miles
have heard great things and can confirm these are superb....they stick to the road like baby poo to a blanket. and for the money they are unmatched.

went from a road based Pirelli tire (rosso) to these and the step up in grip is very noticeable in the dry. I would say another 40% and they last longer when hot on track too.

sidewalls are much stiffer but that is good for fast road and track work. little harder on the road as you have less flex to absorb the bumps. but well worth the slight change there.

they even work in the wet and far better than the toyo 888 or pilot cup sport (which are lethal in the wet). the directional tread pattern helps out with water dispersal.

keep a look out on Tireleader, Camskill or Mytires for the best deals.

I got into a set for a 911 GT3 for just over £450 delivered. they only got to 285 wide on the rear but being a track tire they are squarer so about the same as a road going 295 which is ideal.

running a 235 on the front and the turn in is so much sharper. has got rid of that turn in understeer you get on a 911, you can lean on the tire and get on the power that bit earlier so its much smoother all round.

ignore the tire brand snobbery and buy these. I can get 2 sets for the price of 1 Michelin or Pirelli. I will always chew threw 2 sets of rears for every 1 set of fronts so this is even better.

they seem to last fairly well too even after a full on track day at Bedford and have shown not much sign of wear! cracking tire all round.
Helpful 19 - tire reviewed on September 25, 2014
Given 91% while driving a Skoda Fabia 1.4 (210/40 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Can I just make a note for the review below about them splitting? they have done that on mine and all my friends who use them too, and we contacted federal, its perfectly normal, its the way they are moulded, and they are perfectly safe, you will see if you keep using them, its just a moulding line, and you wear through it shortly. perfectly normal, perfectly safe.
Helpful 14 - tire reviewed on September 17, 2014
Given 70% while driving a Peugeot 306 GTI6 (205/45 R16) on track for 250 spirited miles
They are really good on trackdays.
Warming up quickly.
But they lasted 20 lap on the Nordschleife.
They simply split across the tread.
Ruined.
So if you drive fast trackdays choose R888.
Helpful 12 - tire reviewed on August 13, 2014
Given 87% while driving a Audi S3 (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 8,000 spirited miles
When I first bought my S3 back in January, the tires on it were a combination of Acceleras, and a Triangle (wtf). It was a wet day when I test drove the car, and putting the power down, I slid across the road into the other lane, frightening the salesman.
Knowing this was just the tires, I knew I'd be replacing them within the next 2 weeks. Bring in the RSRs. Tried and tested on many of my friends' track cars, so I knew they were good.
I've had them on for 8000 miles now, and they're still going strong. A good few thousand left in them. Excellent in the dry. To the point where I've never reached the limit because it would be too fast.
Wet grip, again super. Total confidence in them, and you have to be going pretty hastily to get them to break away or under steer.
I don't seem them as being necessarily noisy, as I've always had performance tires, so you kind of get used to a noisy tire being "the norm", although they're certainly not as loud as 888's are when you get them wound up on a track!
Would definitely buy again unless I find another track tire with good reviews and decide to give them a go.
Quite confident I can see out the summer with these, then move onto a more wet weather orientated tire for the winter.
Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on August 1, 2014
Given 73% while driving a Renault Megane R26 (235/45 R18) on track for 1,000 spirited miles
good affordable tires for both road and track use
Helpful 13 - tire reviewed on July 6, 2014
Given 86% while driving a Skoda Fabia vRS (215/40 R17) on a combination of roads for 3 spirited miles
As I do allot of track days, I have decided to use these as my "summer" tires, as the reviews have been positive, even in rain, which some track tires massively struggle in ....
My car is set up for track, brakes, suspension, roll bars ect upgraded... last trackday the tires were the weakest area, ...
Firstly on the road.... the dry grip is phenomenal.... On the public road I couldn find the limit , as I would be going WAY too fast ....
In the wet, suprisingly good, I was expecting worse... they cut rivers on motorways at 70 mph without issue, and handle in the wet pretty much like my mid range maxxis Z'1 did (which i rate as a good tire!) so no problem there, big relief as these will be my day to day tires!
turn in is sharp, they have a very stiff sidewall, it sharpens up the steering response.
They are noisey... if your car is a motorway cruiser all day for your job, these are not for you! if you value fuel economy they are not for you, I have lost 5mpg since fitting them over my winter tires! however, as a day to day summer tire on the road (for someone like me who doesn't mind the noise or fuel economy) I am impressed..

On the track! my first track session on them was Castle coomb, a track I have driven twice before in this car, so can compair :)

conditions were damp to dry, in my car the tires dont need heating up (my car generates allot of heat in the tires with the brakes and diff ect ) however others have said they need heating a bit to get the best, they are quite a hard compound I think... Turn in is awesome, there is a distinct lack of roll on the sidewalls, and ultimate grip was massively UP on the previous times... I could brake later, and carry MUCH more speed round the corners... as I went quicker, they didnt overheat and go wobbly as road tires tend to , they held together well, the tread didn't roll over, and didn't seem to take much wear .... (5 mill at my cars last service!) and thats after about 3,000 miles, so I'm very happy with that!

in summary , a track tire that doesn't offer much compromise on other track tires, yet can be used every day on the road, is reasonably priced, and wears reasonably well! I have found my summer tire of choice, and they will be tested on a whole day at blyton park soon! and several more track days in the summer, If they survive all that , i will definatly be buying again!
Helpful 15 - tire reviewed on May 9, 2014
Given 80% while driving a MINI Cooper S (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 4,000 average miles
Amazing value. Grips almost as good as 888's but cost half as much and lasts longer. Of course I'll buy them again. Who wouldn't?
40 laps round Nordshleife. 50 laps round Kinnekulle ring with 3000 miles of normal driving in between and still only half worn.
Helpful 18 - tire reviewed on April 23, 2014
Given 37% while driving a Volkswagen Passat (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 18,000 average miles
Will not buy again. Too loud and not comfortable. Only god thing is wear and funny price for 65€/p
Helpful 13 - tire reviewed on March 10, 2014
Given 80% while driving a Toyota GT86 (235/40 R17) on mostly country roads for 4,000 spirited miles
Superb!! I really enjoy the dry grip and exceptional braking that I get from these tires. Not yet sure how long they'll last, but my first 4000 miles show very little wear despite a lot of spirited driving. A very pleasant surprise!!
Helpful 15 - tire reviewed on August 25, 2013