Tyre theory question - any ideas? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

openroad · 26th May 2006, 14:23

Driving alone last night in torrential rain, the DSC lighting up like a catherine wheel at times, got me thinking ...

Is it possible to construct a tyre whose grip and handling characteristics are better in the wet than in the dry? Is that physically possible? Just curious really about the physics.

cableguy · 26th May 2006, 14:58

Wet weather racing tyres would be your only option I believe, but unfortunately not legal on UK roads.

Try Goodyear Eagle GSD3 F1's as they are superb in wet weather, equally impressive in the dry and also have a very good wear rate. I have them on my winter OEM wheels and there is no better in wet weather IMO.

C.

Luke@tirerack · 26th May 2006, 16:03

is it possible? ... yes but, the sacrifice to make a tire which is better in the wet than the dry are too great.

I agreed with the Eagle F1 GS-D3 recommnedation

Kin Mak · 26th May 2006, 16:30

Are Dunlop 9000s not ment to be really good in the wet as well? I have em on mine... Irish weather you know.

Luke@tirerack · 26th May 2006, 16:32

the Sport 9000 is designed to be pretty good in wet conditions but, the design of the rubber compound (which is rather dated) could be improved

Beamer_usa · 27th May 2006, 06:33

Goodyear Aquatread!

from way back 15+years at least!

olis1 · 27th May 2006, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by openroad

Driving alone last night in torrential rain, the DSC lighting up like a catherine wheel at times, got me thinking ...

Is it possible to construct a tyre whose grip and handling characteristics are better in the wet than in the dry? Is that physically possible? Just curious really about the physics.

I think it is possible to contruct a tire that has more grip in the wet then the dry due to materials that work well at the colder wet temperatures but don't work well when the heat up like in dry running. You see this in formula 1 racing where the cars will be running wet weather tires and as the track dries up they will actually be aiming for the wet spots to keep the tires cool and running within their spec temperature.

Now with all that said, its not possible to make a wet tire work better in the wet then a dry tire in the dry if that's what you meant. The physics just aren't there. Less overall grip available.

Jon

EM5PWR · 27th May 2006, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Wet weather racing tyres would be your only option I believe, but unfortunately not legal on UK roads.

Try Goodyear Eagle GSD3 F1's as they are superb in wet weather, equally impressive in the dry and also have a very good wear rate. I have them on my winter OEM wheels and there is no better in wet weather IMO.

C.

they are A+++ in the wet and A-- in the dry..