Tyre choice, Michelin PS2 or Toyo R1R?

[MGBGTChris]

Fellow PH’ers,

I’m aware that there are numerous threads on the choice of the perfect tyre for the Tuscan. As the winter is over and I have read all of them, I’m still not sure on what to buy.

On the moment I have narrowed it down to two options, sort of:

- Front: Toyo R1R 225/40/18 88W
- Rear: Toyo R1R 255/35/18 90W

Or?

- Front: Michelin Pilot Sport 2 225/40/18 88W/Y
(Michelin Pilot Sport 2 235/40/18 91Y)
- Rear: Michelin Pilot Sport 2 255/35/18 90W/Y

I would really appreciate some advice. I didn’t know Michelin had their PS2 in the correct size / weight class for TVR’s as most Michelin’s are around 95W/Y, but is their anyone who has tried these Pilot Sport 2’s on their TVR Tuscan. I’m aware of some positive Toyo R1R reviews but unaware of even one Pilot Sport 2 review at all…

Looking forward to your reactions, and seeing what choice you would make!

EDIT: Final tire choice Toyo R1R, impressions are in the reply.

Edited by MGBGTChris on Saturday 25th July 14:37

[TomOSmith]

I've had to the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 in the 255/35/18 configuration on my Tuscan S for a while. I don't feel like they're any upgrade over the original fit Toyo (S not R).

[Speed 3]

I've got PS3's on mine and they're fine. Don't have any experience of Toyos so can't compare but others speak highly for most TVR's. Don't know if Michelin still do both or if the 3 has superceded the 2.

[MGBGTChris]

TomOSmith said:

I've had to the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 in the 255/35/18 configuration on my Tuscan S for a while. I don't feel like they're any upgrade over the original fit Toyo (S not R).

Did you have 255/35/18 all around or just at rears?

Speed 3 said:

I've got PS3's on mine and they're fine. Don't have any experience of Toyos so can't compare but others speak highly for most TVR's. Don't know if Michelin still do both or if the 3 has superceded the 2.

Unfortunately the Pilot Sport 3 is only for 1300kg / 1400kg cars, because of the weight class 92 & 94. Which would lead, if I'm correct, to the tire not being pressed enough in the road surface...

[Speed 3]

MGBGTChris said:

Speed 3 said:

I've got PS3's on mine and they're fine. Don't have any experience of Toyos so can't compare but others speak highly for most TVR's. Don't know if Michelin still do both or if the 3 has superceded the 2.

Unfortunately the Pilot Sport 3 is only for 1300kg / 1400kg cars, because of the weight class 92 & 94. Which would lead, if I'm correct, to the tire not being pressed enough in the road surface...

The load index is for a maximum weight per wheel. Gravity always acts downwards so I suspect it'll be a case of sidewall stiffness more affecting ride quality rather than the rubber's stickability. Like I say, the PS3's on my Mk1 haven't let me down so far.

[mk1fan]

Tamy is brilliant on the Uniroyal 'Rainsport 3'. Same size all round (225/20/18). She did have a mixture of Toyo T1R and T1S and a Falken 432 something or other (223/35 fr, 235/40 r). Felt very choppy and tramlined terribly.

Swapped to the Uniroyals and there was an instant improvement. A further improvement was gained after Mat Smith had a play around.

The tyres have held up well. Couple of trackdays and winter driving.

[TomOSmith]

MGBGTChris said:

TomOSmith said:

I've had to the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 in the 255/35/18 configuration on my Tuscan S for a while. I don't feel like they're any upgrade over the original fit Toyo (S not R).

Did you have 255/35/18 all around or just at rears?

Always had 255 on every corner from the day it came from the factory.

[lodgey77]

The Michelin are streets ahead of the Toyo for wet grip and road feel. Toyo T1Rs where good many moons ago but personally I can't stand them, soft side wall, crap wet grip and they wear quickly. All this is subjective of course and I'm sure people will not agree with me but there is a reason in many tyre tests the Michelin are used as the bench mark.

[phazed]

lodgey77 said:

The Michelin are streets ahead of the Toyo for wet grip and road feel. Toyo T1Rs where good many moons ago but personally I can't stand them, soft side wall, crap wet grip and they wear quickly. All this is subjective of course and I'm sure people will not agree with me but there is a reason in many tyre tests the Michelin are used as the bench mark.

OP said R1Rs.

I have them fitted on my chim and they're brilliant!

You might struggle with their availability but if you can get the sizes that you're after you won't be disappointed.

[MGBGTChris]

Today I spend some more time figuring out the best tire choice for the Tuscan, finally the choice has been made and it isn't the Michelin PS2 or the Toyo R1R!

I was afraid the R1R would wear to quickly and that the PS2 was nog grippy enough. Something just in between would be perfect and preferably a Michelin tire. After some time looking around on the Dutch Michelin website I found a page with on it the Michelin Consumer Contact Centre, with a clearly visible phone number. I phoned it immediately and was for 30 minutes on the phone with a very helpful and knowledged Michelin guy, he understood the problem and together we figured out the best tire choice (in the Michelin range). He explained al the aspects of the tires and assured me the load index of around 95 wouldn't effect the handeling of the tire on a car as light as a TVR. Finally we came to the conclusion that the Michelin Pilot Super Sport would be the ideal tire! A very grippy, fast road focussed tire which will hopefully do around 20k kilometers. The final sizes are:

Front: Michelin Pilot Super Sport 225/40/18 92Y
Rear: Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/40/18 97Y

I will have them fitted in the end of March together with a full geo-setup and will come back with some feedback!

Thanks a lot for your help, definitely made me think again and pointed me to the above described decision

[BobE]

I've been having a similar discussion with Continental and I'm looking to go for the latest Conti Sport 5 tyres in 235/40/R18/91Y on the front and 245/40/R18/93Y on the rears. Has anyone tried these? Continental always seem to come off well in performance tyre comparison tests,(EVO etc),and I always use them as a brand on my everyday car.

[MGBGTChris]

Well normally people ask for advice and after it you don’t hear how the experience is or was ;-) So I would like to give a brief heads-up about the final tire choice.

In the end I went for the Toyo R1R:

- Front: Toyo R1R 225/40/18 88W
- Rear: Toyo R1R 255/35/18 90W

The first impressions (500miles) are really good, in the dry and in the wet they stick very well! Where the Tuscan normally stepped out of line on the familiar roundabouts, the Tuscan now stays planted on the tarmac! I must admit I also had a GEO setup done which of course is helping the handling. But so far really pleased with the tires! Will try to give a new update after some more miles.