Tyre choice?

Author
Discussion

Steve_D

Original Poster:

13,749 posts

259 months

Friday 28th December 2007
quotequote all
Have a 306 D-Turbo as my daily driver.
I'm not looking for some top performance tyre that only lasts 10 minute but am conscious that it under-steers when pushed into a corner.
Was wondering if there was a make/model of tyre that is known for all-round performance on a 306. Is there also any merit in running different brands back and front.
Price is not a factor, tyres for my P&J are £406 each so I know pain.

Thanks in advance
Steve

MotorFocus

2,358 posts

200 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 are very highly rated according to the GTi-6 owners club. Toyo Proxes T1-R also, but they don't appear to last as long (4-5k in some cases).

Don't know what size wheels you're running but the GTi-6 OE fit was 195/55-15. Most members recommend sticking with the standard 15s but downsizing to 195/50-15 as they're quite a bit cheaper and, as you might expect, they appear to reduce tyre roll and understeer.

Edited by MotorFocus on Saturday 29th December 00:04

theboymoon

2,699 posts

261 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
Funny this should pop up....

Just surfing around tring to work out which tyres to get for my 306 rallye.

The post above sounds about right. Everyone rates Eagle F1s but they are no longer available in 55 profile. 50 profile is supposed to be a cheaper option although can look a little strange (read small wheeled) with standard ride height and wheels.

Alternatives seem to be T1-Rs although investigation this morning has thrown up mixed reviews with some people saying they are the dogs balls but others say too soft in the sidewall. I think i am about to take the T1-R plunge and the cheapest place for them in 55 profile seems to be here www.elitedirect.com. £41 a corner delivered.

Bridgestone RE720s also getting the thumbs up from most. For out and out track 888s seem to be the weapon of choice but thats not what you or I are looking for.

Anyone else recommend a 195/55/15 fast road tyre that wont put me in a ditch, will last more than 5k miles and put a great big grin on me face?

Currently on worn P6000s (particularly the rear) and the car at the moment is verging on dangerous....

Moonie smile

WildCards

4,061 posts

218 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
Moonie, i've had T1R's and GSD3's on the estate and thought the T1R's were the better tyre. I actually felt they wore better than the Goodyears, and they had more responsive turn in aswell. I'd recommend them.

Ooh, also try Parada's - brilliant tyre in the dry, far better than the tewo above, but you'll have to take it easier in the wet.

theboymoon

2,699 posts

261 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
WildCards said:
Moonie, i've had T1R's and GSD3's on the estate and thought the T1R's were the better tyre. I actually felt they wore better than the Goodyears, and they had more responsive turn in aswell. I'd recommend them.

Ooh, also try Parada's - brilliant tyre in the dry, far better than the tewo above, but you'll have to take it easier in the wet.
Hello there!

Cool, well i think its going to be the T1-Rs. I hear you about the Yokos but to be honest i dont want to go through more tip-toing about in the wet like i do at the moment on the pirellis!

O/T - once Newyear is out of the way i think we should get the bikes out again dont you?

theboymoon

2,699 posts

261 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
Lies!

Elite tyres T1-R are £51 inc VAT a corner delivered to your door.

Still not bad

Edited by theboymoon on Saturday 29th December 11:58

sorrento205

2,870 posts

237 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
im currently championing Yokohama Parada's. I have them in 195/50/15 on my 205 and they are great

Steve_D

Original Poster:

13,749 posts

259 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies so far.

The car is fitted with 185/65 R14.

Have had a look around and it seems both the Goodyear Eagle F1 and the Toyo T1r do not come in that size which is a pity as they seemed to be getting more of the votes.

Any other thoughts.

Steve

sorrento205

2,870 posts

237 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
get some GTi-6 cyclones with 195/50/15s on them?

EDLT

15,421 posts

207 months

Saturday 29th December 2007
quotequote all
I don't think new tyres will stop it from understeering, and if you put different brands on the rear it could make the car a little unpredictable.

Whats on the car now, P6000s?

MotorFocus

2,358 posts

200 months

Sunday 30th December 2007
quotequote all
Some useful suggestions on this here thread.

I'd look either for some Cyclones (the OE alloy for GTi-6/ Rallye models and latterly most 306 editions) or some 15 6.5J steels. Then fit 195/50-15

Bridgestone RE720s were very well regarded but sadly no longer available.

I run 16s and wore T1-Rs for a while (£50/ corner) but they wear very quickly, especially towards the end of their life... (<8k road use on these fronts)



Now running Eagle F1s, but only just fitted so no feedback yet.

Don't really think that different brands front/ rear would upset the balance too much, assuming sensible tread depth.

Avoid P6000 ditchfinders as far as poss. If you can be bothered to sort some 15" wheels then go F1s, T1-Rs or Paradas.

Steve_D

Original Poster:

13,749 posts

259 months

Sunday 30th December 2007
quotequote all
EDLT said:
.....Whats on the car now, P6000s?
It has 185/65 R14

Kama. On the front.

Kumho Solus NSR
Kumho Power Star OSR

A right mess that needs sorting.

It is only my daily driver so doesn't warrant changing the wheels.

Steve

theboymoon

2,699 posts

261 months

Sunday 30th December 2007
quotequote all
Steve_D said:
It has 185/65 R14

Kama. On the front.

Kumho Solus NSR
Kumho Power Star OSR

A right mess that needs sorting.

It is only my daily driver so doesn't warrant changing the wheels.

Steve
Thats a shocking state of affairs sir! For a man who now doubt enjoys the finer side of driving in the ultima thats nearly unforgivable!

In the size your looking for i havent a clue whats best but after research today buying online is totally the way to go.

In the end i went for the T1-Rs. Bought them from

http://www.camskill.co.uk/

£180.00 for 4 in 55 profile delivered to the door. Theres a guy local who fits and balances tyres not bought from him so should get the whole job done for a little over 200 sheets. Ideal!

if they wear out in 5k miles you'll all be hearing about it smile

Edited by theboymoon on Sunday 30th December 17:17

MotorFocus

2,358 posts

200 months

Sunday 30th December 2007
quotequote all
theboymoon said:
if they wear out in 5k miles you'll all be hearing about it smile
OK, speak soon then wink

On another note, are you running Cyclones? Make sure your fitter can balance those wheels because so many places make a hash of it, on account of the Cyclones having integral centre caps - they don't fully go on the balancing spindle.

Matthew_Eames

1,052 posts

205 months

Tuesday 1st January 2008
quotequote all
195/15's make a HUGE difference over 185/14's

i had run my 14's on a Sport Contacts, very good tyre
my new car (with Cyclones) has P6000's on them, with plenty of life left, they seem ok, but not the best according to others

if you fancy a wheel upgrade, then the 15" lazer alloys (as fitted to XSI's and the S16 look great and are worth very little (£100 or so unshod) and would improve the handling a lot

Cabana

111 posts

210 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2008
quotequote all
sorrento205 said:
im currently championing Yokohama Parada's. I have them in 195/50/15 on my 205 and they are great
I'm in the same situation as Sorrento205, I've just fitted some to my 205 and the feel absolutely fantastic, especially compared to the aging ditch finders that were on there before paperbag

If you can get hold of some cyclones or similar wheels you won't be disappointed.

WEREWOLF

581 posts

231 months

Thursday 3rd January 2008
quotequote all
Are the paradas up to hard trackday abuse? Need new rubber for the new trackday year.

WildCards

4,061 posts

218 months

Thursday 3rd January 2008
quotequote all
theboymoon said:
O/T - once Newyear is out of the way i think we should get the bikes out again dont you?
Name the place.