Tyre choice

[nicbowman]

Hi, my tyres are finally giving up, not worn out but definately wooden. What is a good tyre choice, size and manufacturer?

Thanks

Nic

[V8Smith]

The tyre of choice seems to be Bridgstone RE720's 205/60 VR15! As the RE71's are no longer available I am told. Some use S02's but this reduces the already poor ground clearance on most cars. I have RE720 tyres on my car and they are great, would highly reccommend them.

Mike

[Roy C]

TVR original equipment was Bridgestone RE71 205/60 R15 - usually V rated, although some were Z (V8S). These are no longer available in the UK, owing to changes in the tyre construction rules for the EU.

I use Bridgestone RE720 - V rated (Z not available) which IMHO are just as good if not better than RE71s.

N.B. If you change to 55 profile tyres, you need to be aware that this lowers the ride height by around 10mm (or so I'm told).

[Tripps]

2ns the opinions of the RE720, hard wearing yet with excellent grip and progressive break-away.

I'd comment on the ride but its a bit of a moot point, except the 60 profile tyres give that bit more ground clearance.

[raphael1]

the goodyear hydragrip is the worlds best tyre for the wet!

[Tripps]

Looks like the Hydragrip is not available in the UK though alas.

Goodyear UK doesn't show it as being available, where-as Goodyear Nordic does.

[Hoover33]

Goodyear Eagle F1's ....... very grippy

[Tripps]

Hoover33 said:

Goodyear Eagle F1's ....... very grippy

Very impressed with mine in the wet.

Are they available in 60 profile though?

[KentishS2]

Michelin Pilot Sport are superb but not available in the 15". They even grip in snow and they're not a snow tyre!

But if you have 17" wheels or larger then you should be able to find some to fit.

[paul d]

Ive got Yokahama A520's, are they considered any good??
Paul.

[GreenV8S]

I thought the A520s were pretty good, but frankly outclassed by the Bridgestone S02 series.

[mrk4thom]

Considering tyre performance is a very important issue, a cosmetic point is maybe of little important. However, my Bridgestones were recently replaced with Eagle F1's and they do not have the same presence. The tyre wall is not as dark and black, giving less impact to the appearance. I think the Bridgestone may retain the more original appearance.

[shnozz]

was very impressed with RE720s. Great all round performance and original profile gives that extra little ground clearance which is a bonus on the S. Personally, I found them better than the SO2s that they replaced.

[Le TVR]

shnozz said:

was very impressed with RE720s.

Ditto.

And I've just realised that they have been on there over two years and theres plenty of tread left.

[Tripps]

Le TVR said:

shnozz said: was very impressed with RE720s. And I've just realised that they have been on there over two years and theres plenty of tread left.

I think they

Did a year and a half of driving, one track day and an airfield day and both backs were fine, then within a month they both were punctured

But at £72 you can't complain too much

[nawarne]

I'm running G-Year Eagle F1's 55 profile Z rated on my V8S.
Got better as they 'ran-in' grip wise, and they seem OK for wear - I've done about 12,000 miles and the backs are at about 5 mm tread (equates to 18 months on the car).
Got them from Micheldever Tyres, just off the A303/A34 interchange. They really know their stuff when it comes to tyres. If you go on a quiet day you might get their 'executive treatment' which you pay for, but does include a full geometry check/adjustment.
All in, they were about £75 a corner

[HarryW]

nawarne said:

I'm running G-Year Eagle F1's 55 profile Z rated on my V8S. Got better as they 'ran-in' grip wise, and they seem OK for wear - I've done about 12,000 miles and the backs are at about 5 mm tread (equates to 18 months on the car). .....

12K and you still have tread , is this achieved by driving miss daisy style .
Thinking about F1's soon myself, but applying the principle, 'nothing is for free' if they are that hard wearing the grip must be very poor, shirley .

Harry

My current rear Bridgstone RE's have nearly 0 thread and have done around 3-4K

[z_chromozone]

HarryW said:

nawarne said: I'm running G-Year Eagle F1's 55 profile Z rated on my V8S. Got better as they 'ran-in' grip wise, and they seem OK for wear - I've done about 12,000 miles and the backs are at about 5 mm tread (equates to 18 months on the car). ..... 12K and you still have tread , is this achieved by driving miss daisy style . Thinking about F1's soon myself, but applying the principle, 'nothing is for free' if they are that hard wearing the grip must be very poor, shirley . Harry My current rear Bridgstone RE's have nearly 0 thread and have done around 3-4K

Too many burnouts Harry, or a classic case of lead foot

Z

[nawarne]

Yeah right Harry!
Now you know I didn't do the strip at Thorney Island last year - - and I guess I am a bit of a pussy most of the time, 'cos I've got missus/kids with me.

When I bought the car it had SO2's all round - and as a back to back comparison, they probably did have the edge for all round grip - - but they scrubbed out in just over a year/15 months , say 10,000 mls. I guess that implies that the B'Stones were/are a softer compound.

Technology does march on, so maybe G/Year have got a better compromise btwn compound/grip/longevity. I rate the Eagles, and Micheldever steered me away from B'Stones (SO3's) by showing me a reprint from EVO which compared 6 or 10 of the big tyre 'Names' on a single vehicle and the Eagles were clear winners. Plus, an outfit like M'dever (who probably turn over 100's of tyres a day) must get good customer feedback.

[HarryW]

just had a look at the rears again when dusting off the car ready for next weeks post xmas blat . They are a little on the -0 tread now,must have been the last couple of greasy weekends , either got to get a set tomorrow or next week is off though .

Harry