Uniroyal Rainsport 3 -Verdict?
Discussion
akaRob said:
I've had a set on my MX5 for a month now.
My only gripe is they feel a little soft. I always considered my car a bit crashy on its modified suspension but now it's not. That's great for general driving but in the corners it now feels a little vague and wallowy. I'm supriaed at how much difference tyres make.
They cost me just shy of £200 for 4, fitted. Can't argue with that.
I came from Bridgestone Turanza.
You shouldn't be surprise that tyres make a big difference.My only gripe is they feel a little soft. I always considered my car a bit crashy on its modified suspension but now it's not. That's great for general driving but in the corners it now feels a little vague and wallowy. I'm supriaed at how much difference tyres make.
They cost me just shy of £200 for 4, fitted. Can't argue with that.
I came from Bridgestone Turanza.
What pressure are you using?
akaRob said:
Normally 26psi, but I'm now trying 28psi as a result.
On a B road though I feel a little disconnected at times.
Geometry is only a month old too.
I'd try 30psi then. I'm surprised that the car feels disconnected as even a Mondeo on Rain Experts (with raised pressures) feels connected.On a B road though I feel a little disconnected at times.
Geometry is only a month old too.
I bought the RS3's for the front of the TVR in February. Last month a few of us went to the Evo triangle in our cars, all TVR's.
I have Toyo T1R's on the rear so can't comment about rear end traction but I can confirm that the front was very planted and turned in/braked extremely well. This was on the Triangle when it was soaking wet. I was the fastest on the triangle as I was leading and the chap behind me had a 'moment' on his T1R's which he had on all 4 corners. I'm sure he could have kept up with me if he got back on it (I'm far from a driving god
) but after a scare, quite rightly he slowed it down a bit.
When the T1R's are worn at the rear, I'll be getting RS3‘s to replace them.
I have Toyo T1R's on the rear so can't comment about rear end traction but I can confirm that the front was very planted and turned in/braked extremely well. This was on the Triangle when it was soaking wet. I was the fastest on the triangle as I was leading and the chap behind me had a 'moment' on his T1R's which he had on all 4 corners. I'm sure he could have kept up with me if he got back on it (I'm far from a driving god
) but after a scare, quite rightly he slowed it down a bit. When the T1R's are worn at the rear, I'll be getting RS3‘s to replace them.
This wandering/flexing echoes my experience albeit with a 5 series estate. I'm running them one psi above the load speed rating as the best compromise, however they do like to flex in corners or under hard acceleration. I bought the 93Y but in hindsight maybe the 97 would have a stiffer sidewall and be more suited.
On a positive note they are extremely smooth and quiet when pootling about.
On a positive note they are extremely smooth and quiet when pootling about.
I did circa 4 months/5000km on those, mounted on wifes Jazz, size 195/50R15. They replaced almost new Rain Experts (175/65r14)the car came on, because we felt they compromised safety - the braking was especially bad compared to what I'm used to.
RS3's are doing their job brilliantly - they perform like a good UHP in the dry, and are unrivalled in the wet. Aquaplaning resistance is especially good. They are a bit noisy, which is a slight problem as it seems Jazz doesn't have much of sound proofing. Otherwise we have no complaints. Would recommend and buy again.
Michal
RS3's are doing their job brilliantly - they perform like a good UHP in the dry, and are unrivalled in the wet. Aquaplaning resistance is especially good. They are a bit noisy, which is a slight problem as it seems Jazz doesn't have much of sound proofing. Otherwise we have no complaints. Would recommend and buy again.
Michal
MC Bodge said:
??
During "dynamic" city driving, I repeatedly triggered ABS while braking, especially when the car was loaded up. This haven't happend since changing to wider RS3's. Part of the problem may be I'm used to grippier tyres. Rain Experts have a lot of tread void, they almost feel like winter tyre. They're extremly soft also, much softer than RS3.BTW: The fuel consumption increased by 0.3-0.5L/100km (5-10%) on the highway with RS3's.
Michal
Edited by MichalPH on Tuesday 8th July 22:17
Edited by MichalPH on Tuesday 8th July 22:19
MichalPH said:
During "dynamic" city driving, I repeatedly triggered ABS while braking, especially when the car was loaded up. This haven't happend since changing to wider RS3's. Part of the problem may be I'm used to grippier tyres. Rain Experts have a lot of tread void, they almost feel like winter tyre. They're extremly soft also, much softer than RS3.
Fair enough. They're not 'sports' tyres.They do have a large 'tread void', but that does mean that they are very good on wet, dirty (and snowy) roads around here, with good predictable handling in the dry. The Rain Expert have always seemed very good on my wife's Fabia. Firm, but smooth braking has never been an issue with them. For a small car like the Jazz I'd have thought that they would be ideal.
I'll possibly fit RS3's to my Mondeo when I next need tyres.
RS3's all round on my fire spitting Skyline R33. Great grip and ride comfort even with massive rear wheel power... but a bit noisy. Pumped to around 32psi gives very predictable handling. Just wonder what wear rate will be like. Son has a set on a vrs fabia and has used about 4mm in 6k of spirited road miles. Anyone who has run 'em for 12mths got info in longevity ? But at the end of the day that A wet rating and modern tyre technology could be a life saver at a bargain price..
I have them on the front of my 156 with the original Rain Experts on the rear and have noticed the following:
- The handling is much better than the original Rainsports and the steering feels a lot more responsive.
- The tyres do create a bit more road noise then what I would expect.
- The car handles well in the wet.
- I can't comment on wear or MPG as I don't do enough miles..
- The handling is much better than the original Rainsports and the steering feels a lot more responsive.
- The tyres do create a bit more road noise then what I would expect.
- The car handles well in the wet.
- I can't comment on wear or MPG as I don't do enough miles..
They look expensive (or have all tyres gone up in price? I haven't looked recently). I say that cos I bought Rainsport 2 in my size for £65 each (two years ago), whereas the Rainsport 3 in the same size is £85. Twenty quid a tyre for essentially the same tyre is a hell of a difference?
edit scrap that it may be down to the supplier. Just checked another supplier and the Rainsport 3 in the same size is £72 so only 7 quid more which seems acceptable.
edit scrap that it may be down to the supplier. Just checked another supplier and the Rainsport 3 in the same size is £72 so only 7 quid more which seems acceptable.
Edited by CoolHands on Saturday 1st November 21:14
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