Quote Originally Posted by spetz
Can you still get C drives or is it an old model?
Or is C drive what replaced the A539's?
The C drive range and the recently released A drive range is the new generation of tyres from Yokohama. The A539 series is an evolution of the old and legendary A509s. A few frens of mine have C drives in their cars but none drive too aggressively but they ride very well and pretty quiet and they are all v happy with them.

I have a set of BF Goodrich G force sport in 195/50R15 in my EG Si on a set of fat fives and they are great. The tread pattern, sidewall stiffness and breakaway characteristics are v simliar to the Bridgestone RE711s which they don't bring in anymore. Not dissimilar to the BRG GIIIs but much less flexy in the treads esp when the tyres are new. They are made in Thailand, $139each I paid and won't hesistate to get another set. The BFG's used to be the bogan choice of tyres in the bad old days, but now they are wholly owned by Michelin with right up to date R&Ds and know how from the parent company.

As for semi-slicks, I whacked on my set of race tyres (BRG RE540s) from my old BMW2002 racecar onto my E30 3 series for fun for a week. They were horribly noisy ie they rumble, grumble and resonate the whole car but of course much more grip than the BRG S02 tyres I normally had of the same size. Aside from the noise issue and a lot less gentle breakaway on the road they are a lot more puncture prone as they pick up every little rock on the road and of course other debris. With so much attraction to debris on the road your fenders behind the tyres would get a good sandblasting as well.

If it's possible it's best to buy the best hi performance road tyres you can get and another set of semi slick DOT legal race tyres and use that for track work and the occasional fast blast on the streets. They work the best after a trackday wihen all the tyres are nicely scruffed up so why not leave them on for the week following? I'm sure you'll have lots of fun doing that.