Nexen N Fera Sur4 Track & Autocross Review
#1
11-14-2016 | 08:38 AM
Nexen N Fera Sur4 Track & Autocross Review
Background: I'm an experienced autocrosser that has done a couple track days. Most of this has been in an NB Miata but prior to using these tires I did a several autocrosses in the Mini.
Car: R56 S. Koni Yellow Shocks, Swift Spec R springs, IE Fixed Camber plates, Hotchkiss rear arms.
Intake, turbo back 3", FMIC stock tune other than most recent autox on AP OTS map.
Stoptech 600 RBF. Stoptech Sport pads. Stoptech blank rotors
Alignment: -2.2 camber front, -1.5 camber rear. 0 toe
Comparison tires: Federal 595 RSR used when stock, Hankook RS3 used on similar set up without camber plates (less front camber).
Events: Sebring full course track weekend. 7 total sessions, Bay Bottom Crawl long high speed autocross, FL State champs typical autocross (airfield).
Review: Having not taken the Mini on track and this being my first time at Sebring the first day I started taking it easy. By the end of the day and for the whole next day I found brakes to be my limiting factor. Tires did not have the turn in response I desired nor the grip to overcome lack of LSD in 2nd & 3rd gear corners. Otherwise no complaints. No overheating.
I rotated the tires but Bay Bottom Crawl was a different story. Lack of turn in response translated into having to enter elements earlier than desired and limited ability to trail brake effectively. Then came the chunking. The front left tire shoulder was destroyed after 11 runs (2 driver car, 2 day event). The remaining 3 runs did not destroy the tires after being rotated again. Chunking was not an issue the year prior on my daily Hankook V12s and less camber.
Last was a typical autocross for FL State champs in an airfield. Practice day went fine for a little while with 2 drivers but the rear had dangerously less grip than front. Off throttle oversteer was apparent every chance it got. When these tires are low on tread they get much harder and lack grip. My codriver spun the car on her last run and destroyed the one tire that chunked earlier. This was 6 runs each.
I borrowed Rivals for the rear on competition day. Within 6 runs total, both fronts had dangerously chunked and our day was cut short.
I have just written to Nexen and await their response. These issues, particularly the chunking were not apparent with the 595 RSR or RS3. At this point I would NOT recommend this tire. The jump in price for an RS3 is minimal. Or if a cheaper tire is preferred, the new 595 RSRR (which I've used on a Miata) is a better, grippier and more durable option.
Car: R56 S. Koni Yellow Shocks, Swift Spec R springs, IE Fixed Camber plates, Hotchkiss rear arms.
Intake, turbo back 3", FMIC stock tune other than most recent autox on AP OTS map.
Stoptech 600 RBF. Stoptech Sport pads. Stoptech blank rotors
Alignment: -2.2 camber front, -1.5 camber rear. 0 toe
Comparison tires: Federal 595 RSR used when stock, Hankook RS3 used on similar set up without camber plates (less front camber).
Events: Sebring full course track weekend. 7 total sessions, Bay Bottom Crawl long high speed autocross, FL State champs typical autocross (airfield).
Review: Having not taken the Mini on track and this being my first time at Sebring the first day I started taking it easy. By the end of the day and for the whole next day I found brakes to be my limiting factor. Tires did not have the turn in response I desired nor the grip to overcome lack of LSD in 2nd & 3rd gear corners. Otherwise no complaints. No overheating.
I rotated the tires but Bay Bottom Crawl was a different story. Lack of turn in response translated into having to enter elements earlier than desired and limited ability to trail brake effectively. Then came the chunking. The front left tire shoulder was destroyed after 11 runs (2 driver car, 2 day event). The remaining 3 runs did not destroy the tires after being rotated again. Chunking was not an issue the year prior on my daily Hankook V12s and less camber.
Last was a typical autocross for FL State champs in an airfield. Practice day went fine for a little while with 2 drivers but the rear had dangerously less grip than front. Off throttle oversteer was apparent every chance it got. When these tires are low on tread they get much harder and lack grip. My codriver spun the car on her last run and destroyed the one tire that chunked earlier. This was 6 runs each.
I borrowed Rivals for the rear on competition day. Within 6 runs total, both fronts had dangerously chunked and our day was cut short.
I have just written to Nexen and await their response. These issues, particularly the chunking were not apparent with the 595 RSR or RS3. At this point I would NOT recommend this tire. The jump in price for an RS3 is minimal. Or if a cheaper tire is preferred, the new 595 RSRR (which I've used on a Miata) is a better, grippier and more durable option.
