Sorry Guys... another tyre thread...

[briantvr350]

Hi,

Been trying to get hold of a pair of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2's for my wedge... Told they stopped making them last year!

So what do I put on the car now? The only sensible offer I've had are RE720 Bridgestones.. Other than the shopping trolley stuff like NCT's

Anyone got any 720's on? comments?

I'm looking for 205x60x15 V rated

Any other ideas/suggestions gratfully received

Regards,

Brian (and a Red 350i)

PS it could have been worse, might have been a thread about OIL!

[cuneus]

Toyo T1R

www.camskill.co.uk

[paul gotts]

I've got no experience of 720's , but IMHO it's better to stick to the top tyre of whichever manufacturer. I've only got SO3's on the shopping trolly, so can't comment on how they would work on a Wedge, but plenty of people must have used them when supplies of the much liked SO2 ran out. The SO2's on my Wedge will be changed for Toyo Proxes T1S when they're shot. Unfortunately for you, though don't do anthing more than a 55 profile.

Paul.

[19560]

briantvr350 said:

Been trying to get hold of a pair of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2's for my wedge... Told they stopped making them last year!

By whom? Still on Goodyear's website:- www.goodyear.co.uk/services/tyreguide/feat_eagle_f1_gsd3.html mind you the ventura is still on...

paul gotts said:

Unfortunately for you, though don't do anthing more than a 55 profile.

That's the problem, you can't buy UHP (ultra high performance) rubber in 60 profile so either fit 2.5% smaller tyres (205/55) or fit Hydragrip et al.

[350zwelgje]

briantvr350 said:

So what do I put on the car now? The only sensible offer I've had are RE720 Bridgestones.. Other than the shopping trolley stuff like NCT's Anyone got any 720's on? comments? I'm looking for 205x60x15 V rated

Brian,

Have the Bridgestones RE720 205/60/15 V-rated.
Think they are very good in dry and rain. Only when cold and in the winter you have to be careful. When the tyres are warm, very good grip. They last well:at least with my driving style - fast road, occasional track day.
V-rated is only ok for standard 350i, more powerful and better tyres are required to handle the torque.

Alternative good be a 215/55/r15 (not very common anymore), or 225/50/r15, as it seems they can fit on the standard 7 inch rims without any problem (were standard on 390SE).

Rob

[briantvr350]

Thanks for the replies...

Jonathan, First Micheldever told me they were obsolete, confirmed by local Hi-Q dealer calling Goodyear direct. And yes they are still listed. Obviously they make better tyres than websites!

Rob, would moving to 225x50x15 give me more choice of performance rubber? Anyone else fitted this size to an otherwise standard car?

The car is a very standard 350i, approaching 100,000 miles!

The Bridgestones were about £120 delivered from Micheldever, but I would really have liked to get four identical tyres on the car again.

If anyone has more experience of the 720's please post.

Will try and get a quite for TOYO's tommorrow.

Regards,

Brian (and a Red 350i)

[paul gotts]

briantvr350 said:

Rob, would moving to 225x50x15 give me more choice of performance rubber? Anyone else fitted this size to an otherwise standard car?

Slightly more choice, but as time goes on, fewer high perf. tyres will be available in 15" size. Just too small to be considered a "performance" size these days when even diesel shopping trolleys come with 17" rims.
I did used to run 225 50 15's on the back of my 350, on the standard 7x15 rims. They do give more rubber on the road, and I never had a problem with clearance, although this change does alter the gearing, by, IIRC, a drop of 3% or so, meaning that the speedo is slightly misleading. I think you may have clearance problems on the front though, going to 225's.

[darren350]

I run 225/45/16 up front and 245/45/16 on the back no problems at pointed end but had to raise the ride hight at rear a little to prevent fouling This gets alot a Bridgestone on the road and has improved the handling (still trying to find the best set up for the Konis click click click !!!!!)

[19560]

paul gotts said:

I did used to run 225 50 15's on the back of my 350, on the standard 7x15 rims. They do give more rubber on the road, and I never had a problem with clearance, although this change does alter the gearing, by, IIRC, a drop of 3% or so, meaning that the speedo is slightly misleading. I think you may have clearance problems on the front though, going to 225's.

I ran a couple of sets of 225s and found exactly the same. No problems running the 205/55s though.

350zwelgje said:

Alternative good be a 215/55/r15 (not very common anymore) as it seems they can fit on the standard 7 inch rims without any problem (were standard on 390SE).

They are very rare, I can't find any.
You may wish to try www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s412p2224 but I guess you may stick with the 720s.

[briantvr350i]

Hi,

Sorry to bring this back to the top guys, but thought I'd better post a conclusion...

While searching on the web for inspiration and prices I found:-

www.mytyres.co.uk

Not only do they list the Goodyears @ £54.50 each inc. P&P but they have them in stock and have delivered them from Germany today.

They seem to list a much wider range than any UK supplier. (including the site emailed to me offline)

Regards,

Brian (and a Red350)

now with 4 sexy tread pattern tyres..

(that's how one of the local dealers referred to them! He really needs to get out more, It must be the smell of the rubber.)

[chassis 33]

Hi, can I hi-jack the thread and ask about tyres for the original 14" "solid wheels" the current fitment is 205/60/14. Any recommendations for replacements, its currently got Goodyear NCT3's which must be about 5yrs old atleast, so i will be replacing them before the car gets back on the road.

Regards
Iain

[briantvr350i]

Iain,

I think that you have a bigger problem... mytyres list 92 tyres in 205 60 15, there are only three in 205 60 14.. and these are only H rated!

If you are going to keep the car, two options spring to mind. Bid for the set of 15" wedge alloys currently on ebay, or buy a set of 16",17" or 18" aftermarket alloys. Or the Tuscan alloys on there if you want to go very wide!

I Have seen comments that Cerbera alloys fit wedges, anyone confirm?

That said, to answer your question, my experience with the Goodyears has been good, however, I was warned that they take a long time to scrub in. First two roundabouts after fitting was scary, 6-700 miles later brilliant (and yes, they really take that long to settle down!)

Regards,

Brian (and a Red 350)

[chassis 33]

briantvr350i said:

Or the Tuscan alloys on there if you want to go very wide!

Is that Tuscan Racer or Speed Six? However, the alloys are probably the only thing that hasnt been modified on the car, I was hopeing to keep something original!

Regards
Iain

[briantvr350i]

Iain,

Tuscan Racer..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7972521079&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Regards,

Brian (and a Red 350)

[chassis 33]

Tempted...but not this month!!! Just bought 'new' (ie new to me) suspension bits for the other money bin. I quite fancy the 5 spoke compomotive alloys that the Tasmin Racers (used to?) run...will see!

Regards
Iain

[19560]

briantvr350i said:

I think that you have a bigger problem... mytyres list 92 tyres in 205 60 15, there are only three in 205 60 14.. and these are only H rated! If you are going to keep the car, two options spring to mind. Bid for the set of 15" wedge alloys currently on ebay, or buy a set of 16",17" or 18" aftermarket alloys. I Have seen comments that Cerbera alloys fit wedges, anyone confirm?

I would fit the Falkens to keep the car original for general use. For track days or if you have a highly modded engine 350 wheels would be the best price conscious choice or 215/40/17s all round for a bling effect.
Wedge pcd is 112mm and Cerb is 114.3 so across the studs diffenence approx 2mm diff, they fit but the difference must be catered for by the tolerance and shear load on the studs. I wouldn't do it.
BTW Brian, which Goodyears did you buy?

[briantvr350i]

Hi Guys,

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2.. to match the ones on the back...

Regards,

Brian (and a Red 350)