Pip's Tune Testing Center @ the Ring

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This thread to log my experience testing different published tunes for my favorite cars and comparing them. Looking for relaxed, repeatable lap times (no lap records here), with an eye on good tyre wear and fuel consumption, as if evaluating for endurance or series racing.

Testing done in Practice at the Nordschleife with a DS3. Only aid is ABS=1. Multiple sessions of 3 laps per tune over many days, record best and average times, top speed, fuel and tyre levels achieved during the best session. Rate gearbox, suspension, steering and overall enjoyment.

Test queue:
Acura NSX RM '01, Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro '09, Caterham Seven Fire Blade '02, Ferrari 458 Italia ‘09, Ferrari 599 ‘06, Ford GT LM Spec II Test/Race Car, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 ‘08, Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce ‘09, Lexus LFA '10, Lotus Elise 111R RM ‘04, Lotus Evora ‘09, Lotus MotorSport Elise '99, McLaren MP4-12C ‘10, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (19inch Wheel Option) ‘09, Nissan GT-R R35 Touring Car / N24 Shulze, Pagani Zonda R ‘09, Suzuki GSX-R/4 Concept ‘01, TVR Tuscan Speed 6 RM ‘00

Changelog:
11/13: Restarted testing in Practice instead of Arcade for both PhotoFinish Racing and RKM tunes.
11/12: Thread setup and organization. Added skeleton for first test (Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro '09). Tested Photo Finish and RKM tunes.

 

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Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro '09 (Best in class results in green)

Stock PP=539
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

JG: PP=???
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

Mad FinnTuners: PP=567
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

Photo Finish Racing: PP=639
Overall experience: Very fun tune, needs practice to master. Car invites to test its limits, bites badly if taken too far. Easy to powerslide, is great for tyre wear=off. Similar dynamics to stock Ford GT Spec II in GT. Requires that all breaking is done before cornering to avoid excessive sideways action.
Avg time:6:47, Best time:6:43, Top speed:338 km/h, Fuel left:55%, Tyres(F/B):10/20% (uneven on the back, left lower)
Gearbox:Gears close enough to play while cornering. Final gear can be extended by 10 or 20km/h, limiter kicks in at 338.
Suspension:Weight transfer (front/back) is very noticeable and enjoyable and gives confidence while cornering, but the tail will go out. Car will go sideways very easily, for steady pace minimize lateral G's.
Steering:Slight understeer and heavy feeling at low speed, no snap over/understeer.

Praiano: PP=600
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

RKM: PP=628
Overall experience:Very safe and consistent ride, similar feel to the R8 LMS. Extremely forgiving. After getting used to the tune tyre wear is far better, could potentially go for a 4th lap. Applied the tune as instructed, but ended up with 780+ HP, compared with the advertised 749.
Avg time:6:44, Best time:6:42, Top speed:337km/h, Fuel:50%, Tyres(F/B):35/35%
Gearbox:Even ratios, car starts to feel heavy over 250km/h. Found myself going down to 2nd gear very often while cornering, although always safe regardless of throttle application.
Suspension:Little weight transfer yet noticeable, no bounce, sideways action only under very heavy breaking or high speed cornering.
Steering:Car goes on rails, tight turn ratio, very responsive, no snap over/under steer.

 

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McLaren MP4-12C ‘10 (Best in class results in green)

Stock PP=566
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

JG: PP=640
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

Praiano: PP=640
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

RKM: PP=605
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

 

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Nissan N24 Schulze Motor Sports '11 (Best in class results in green)

Stock PP=571
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

Praiano PP=673
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

RKM PP=673
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

 

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TBD

XYZ Garage: PP=???
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ

 

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TBD

XYZ Garage: PP=???
Overall experience: XYZ
Avg time:X:XX, Best time:X:XX, Top speed:XXX km/h, Fuel left:XX%, Tyres(F/B):XX/XX%
Gearbox:XYZ
Suspension:XYZ
Steering:XYZ