Federal 595RS-R tyres

How do people rate these for the coop? Is anyone running them? The site search didn't throw up anything on them and at half the price of R888's I wonder why?

From the little research I've done they don't seem like a bad option! Especially at that price??


THESE!

£84 a tyre at Camskill. They look good

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Federal/SS595-SUPER-STEEL.htm

is it those? on that site all federal tyres are "budget" so will be a bit cheaper. didn't rate very highly to be honest, depends what you're using them for Martin

No Steve its these, the RSR version, track tyres apparently

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Federal/595RSR.htm

Check the ratings on that

Seems a really good rating...will have to see how cheap we can get thes

Hmm, interesting. And £84 a corner, a damn sight cheaper than 888's.

Still need some tyres for Spa

I've got these on 17" wheels seem very good

I think I'm going to push on and get some of these for spa!!!

From what I've read they are v good for the money!

The general feel is they are as good as the r888's in the dry but not as good as them in the wet!

My dad had these fitted to his Alfa spider.

Ok in the dry, poor in the wet we found.

Also after 2 months, they started cracking badly between the treads.

For me they don't make bargepoles long enough...

My daily runner, an Audi S8 had two of these fitted to the rear when I got it, the dealer had fitted them and they were brand new.

They tried to kill me twice, both at relatively low speed, they are dreadful and I'd be reluctant to use them on the side of a boat. I binned them within a fortnight and sold them to some poor sod for his BMW on ebay, I doubt he's still on this mortal coil.

They are dangerous and not worth the (little) money they cost.

Are you sure your are talking about the RSR's. These are track day tyres. All the reviews I've seen are complementary. My only personal concern is the wear rate

Yep that's a good point, they were they're top end 20" max rating tyre, can't recall if they were RSR's I can recall they were absolutely bloody awful........

strange. . . .

I had the 595ss on my coupe when I first got it and thought they were great, millions times better than the Avon ZZ3 they were replaced with

And from what I rememnber they were at least as good as the Falken 452's I have just now, only stayed with the Falkens because the Federals are difficult to come by.

Paul

Thats the thing, the standard 595's are totally useless from all accounts. Only the RSR's are worth looking into!

cough cough

Ah I see, I stand corrected then

2nd fastest coupe today at Curborough using these tyres

Haha I know, SOLD

Completely forgot to come and check them out and ask you loads of annoying questions

You were running these Steve?!? Damnit I was talking to many people today about these new Federals. So, how do they go? Did you have them at Donny the other week? And do I get some for Spa?!?

I'm very impressed with them. I did have them on both times at Donington this year.
Its up to you if you get some for Spa, but for the price they seem excellent
Not seen any bad reviews from anyone who's confident they are commenting on the RSR's

What are they wearing like after those 2 sessions, and yesterday?

The rears as you would expect have little wear, the fronts especially the near side have wear on the inner and outer edge. I'd say they are about 40-50% worn

Where did you get them from Steve? and Dan if you get some before I do let me know where from and I'll do the same

Got mine from http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/. Very few places sell the RSR because the are classed as motorsport tyres

Just had a look on the website they dont seem to do them any longer

That's not too shabby after 2 days at Donny and yesterday's little blast. I only got 4 track days from a set of 888's last year. What profile are you running, 45 or 50?

Mart - Camskill are doing for £84 a tyre, plus delivery. So £345.96 the set. And they only have 50 profile in stock

Mine are 215/40/17. Gives the same overall diameter as the 50 profile 16"

Of course! Well, I think I may plump for them, in 205/50/16 form.

How did you get on at Spa with the tyres

Pretty good to be fair, a little scrubbing to be expected.

I drove there did 2 hours on the track and drove home and they have still got plenty left. They could do it all again easily.

I'll be getting them again for sure

Another vote from me. Like mayzon, did around 2 hours on track, drove there and back on them, and have a bit of light scrubbing. Grip levels were good at Spa too.

Not tried them in anger in the wet yet though.

Off to Castle Combe action day tomorrow so they'll get 40 minutes or maybe an hours more abuse, depending on how many track sessions I can get out on!

Let us know how they fair up Dan, I hope its wet for you now

I'm very surprised at some of the comments about the normal 595's.

I've got the SS-595's on mine and it is an outstanding tyre, wet or dry. And they last incredibly well and the handling is superb.

I will most definitely buy these again.

Which size?

The RS-R tyres are no longer available in 16" at camskills

I've got 17" on mine.

I have 215/40 17" now but I'm thinking of buying 235/40 17" and why not test Federal SS-595. Do you think they will fit?

225's might fit, but I doubt 235's will.

I've used the Super steels 595 before and they are indeed pretty good for the price. Last forever and good dry grip.. Pushed hard in the wets though and it's a whole different story.

Try Demontweeks for the 16's, they had some a couple of weeks ago!

I bought the last set in 16s camskills had before Spa

But make no mistake, the RS-R's are in a whole new league compared to the super steels or any other Federal tyre.

Prior to the RS-R I would have never let a set of Federals anywhere near my coop as I value my life too much. A more appalling tyre I don't think exists

The RS-R has changed my view on Federals, but ONLY this type. I wouldn't even run super steels on my pushbike. I can only hope my comments convince anyone not to buy these and may help save lives.

Another hour on track at Combe yesterday and the front left is starting to scrub. Plenty of life left in them though, and again very happy with their performance

Was like a free for all out there, very enjoyable, hope the watching public enjoyed it as much as I did!

Sorry Dan, but I completely disagree with you. I think it's a great tyre. I've had Bridgestones, Pirelli's, Eagle F1's and all sorts of tyres on my car before and for an all round tyre, I would have the 595's over any of these anytime.

Is it the front left where you have that hub issue ?

Nothing appears wrong with the hub, the front left typically gets the brunt of wear due to going clockwise round track and hence all the right hand turns.

Good news Dan, was it wet at all?

It hasn't rained since I've had them on so I got no idea of the wet capabilities yet?

Pay the money and buy the 888's i say.
Works out about £25+per tyre more.

Where you buying your tyres from?

The cheapest price diff we found was at least £50 a corner, that's a serious discount!

Old thread..I just bought a set and wonder if anyone else tested the RS-R?

I will use my set on a Alfa Romeo 75.

I did, Ok on the road but very poor on track.

Really? Were you using them on an Alfa?

I've found them to be a very competent track tyre on my 20vt. And long lasting too.

Same, great track tyre imo, especially for the price.

Had mine put on before spa 2011 and still have them on now. 2 of those tyres will also be doing spa 2012

Hovedan and mayzon!

What size are you using?

Are you sure yours were the RSR's ?

205/50/16, as they don't do 225/45/16

And my entire set of four bought for Spa 2011 will be making a return trip in 2012. Plus I've done around 4 other track days on them.

Ow yes im sure, had a very accomplished race driver also try them round Rockingham & Oulton and even he said they were unpredictable, Mine still have plenty of life left in them if any one wants to make an offer?

Not the tyre for my coupe

I'm on 205/45/16, prefer the smaller profile!

Okay!

I also have 205/45/16 on the Alfa. I let you know what I think about them after my first track day in May.

Cheers
Freddan

I received my tires and after looking at them they look very "street" to me.

I always thought that the wider the better...

For example, if you look at the new Sciroccos, Seats or Ford Focus race versions, they all use 245 or more and they have the same horsepower as a tuned coupe...

Any thoughts on this ??

I don't think 245 will fit the standard coop rim

In what sense? You mean the tred design or?

Yes I think the tread pattern looks more like a street tire. When I looked at pics I thought it looked like a R888. I don't mean it is bad in any way I just made a small observation

They do look similar though the RSR's have the 2 extra grooves inbetween the main tred!

For those that want to see

Feds

Toyo

Nice pics!! Better than the ones I saw.........

Hovedan and mayzon!

What air pressure do you use for the Federal RS-R tires at the track & for the street?

On the road, same as recommended pressures, ie 39 psi front, 32 rear.

On track, very much depends on the conditions, but typically I would run around 28 on front and 24 on rears and play around from there. This is with the 50 profile standard size tyre. As always, very much down to many factors, not least the setup/spec of the car, track conditions, driver preference... And more!!

How much neg camber do you use?
Edit: saw on TorqueStats that you use -1 deg.
Any toe in / out?

Any feed back from you guys that used Federal RSR's at Spa?

I used Federal's at a track day some days ago and I was surprised by the performance. Not as good as Toyo R888 but very close.

I can really recommend this tire if you going to a track day and can't afford Toyo's.

Next track day is coming soon (29/6). I let you know how it goes.

I used the feds all round at spa 2 years ago and only on the rear this year.

Very impressive performance and half the price of toyos. It was dry both years so can't speak for wet weather performance but at that price, who cares

Dan has used them for 2 years at spa too, he'll give his opinion!

Indeed, in fact I've used the exact same set of 4 at Spa for 2 years running, plus a further half dozen approx track days.

Having just removed them to inspect a few tears I noticed after Spa, I am a tad concerned to find these rips extended to cracks completely across the tyre surface on all four tyres.

I'll report back next week when I'm home and can investigate more.

Prior to this, I'd say they performed very well on the coop, but have heard mixed reviews amongst different car owners. The Evo and scooby 4x4 crew seem to rate them, but anything light of the lotus exige ilk have reported some unusual handling effects...

Mart - what did yours look like when you removed them?

There's still usable rubber on them, so would be disappointing to be binning them with usable levels left

''depends what you're using them for Martin''

...he was going to make a garden feature with them with pretty bedding plants

Yea like I mentioned in the past Dan, I found some cracks too. Though I'm sure they are not as big as yours as they've had less track use but I did find it concerning.

Saying that though I'd be happy to put them back on for a track day as I don't think the cracks are as bad as they look!

anyone used these tyres for drag racing yet? how good compared to toyos R888 (drag racing) ?

I have just brought some for my 17s ( not fitted yet) I have no experience with drag racing but there cheap for a sticky tyre and I am sure there be fine, but I would image if money is not an issue there are better dedicated drag tyres out there.

No cracking that i can see on mine, but there are chunks missing out of them If you havent bought them yet ...... dont its that simple, im sure if there going to be used as 'just road tyres' they would be fine, but they are no track tyre

A few of us have used them as track tyres with no issues! Yes they have been known to crack but not after a real beating and many many laps on the track.

Still a good budget track tyre! Would still rather run these on the track than any other road tyre in this price range

I'm currently in the midst of a claim against Federals' "no cracking" 4 year guarantee that I mentioned previously in this thread:

595RS-R Cracking issue

These tyres are now back in the far east at Federal's HQ being investigated by their technicians.

However - this claim on my part is (I'll admit) more bourne out of optimism than expectation as I've had many a track day on them, and have been impressed with their levels of grip for the money.

But the cracking and chunks breaking off are still concerning that's for sure

Out of interest which way were the mould lines on yours? My friends are in two halves that run the circumference of the tyre split down the middle, where mine are in lots of parts that go across the tyre, dont know if that makes a difference?

Hi Dan
I have exactly the same on both fronts, let me know how you get on with a refund i wouldnt mind jumping on the band wagon
However mine showed after two track days

There seem to be 3 mould lines on mine.



I'll tell all as soon as it reaches a conclusion. Hopefully it'll be positive and you can also return your set. Who did you buy them from, as all returns have to be dealt with between UK supplier/manufacturer rather than end customer/manufacturer?

Holy thread resurrection!!

I have today received a letter from Federal (Japan), with a full refund for my tyres.

So, for everyone who'd previously expressed interest in how this panned out - go file your claims

A month ago I went to a 3-day track event in Serres (Greece).I have used 2 Federal RSR tyres that were made in 2007 and the other 2 RSRs were made in the end of 2012.

Yesterday I saw that the older ones have a little cracks, but the newer ones don't have any signs of cracking...May be they (Federal) have solved that "cracking issue" already...

2007?

I thought the tyres were only made from 2010? Certainly weren't available before I bought my set here in the UK.

Any further updates dan? Can get 4 for £320 from camskill. Would look for these on the track coupe.

I would avoid these. mine have splits in them despite having minimal wear, and having only covered circa 2,000 miles. I haven't used them on track, only 3 squirts down Santa Pod.

Cheers pal. What a shame.

What further updates are you expecting Reubs? I've had a full refund, that's the end of the story as far as I'm concerned.

Running Yokohama A048's and some older Dunlop DO1J's and some bald P Zero competition dry tyres (effectively slicks but loads of rubber on them!) now.

Didn't know if they refunded or replaced and were new sets any better.
DLT are not so not a viable replacement it seems then.

Depends if DLT is running on the older or newer manufactured tyres. I can't really fault them for their cost on grip and performance, but the safety aspect is the concern.

DLT - when were yours made?

Used them at Spa 2 years running mate and still going, well over 10000 miles now! The set I had have been great!

i've bought one set on 2011, for nurburgring & spa trip.... result ? cubic rubber so over 80miles per hours horrible vibration ... and cracked tires after spa 3 round.

but i've loved them, for cost _& overall performance.

Now, on month ago, purchased nnew set, made on late of march 13, and fantastic, no vibration, no faulty holes on pattern.. damn good tires. also on nurburgring & spa again, made on 3/4 august no problem at all.

very happy

So my theory is true. After 2012 Federal have made some changes to the compound of the tyre and it doesn't crack.

4500 miles after the 3-day track event and still no cracks or problems with the late 2012 RSRs!

Look at the date when those videos about 595 RSR were uploaded So I am pretty sure that they start producing them 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHYlC5sk6Go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AmQQ5DW2zE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg3wFHOb4LI

That's excellent news, I will grab myself another set once I've killed on my Yokohama AO48's next Was generally happy with the level of grip the old compound gave too.

Win win!

Thats my choice of tyre sorted aswell.

Is camskill the best place to buy still?