Tyre Choice for S2 TVR 350i

[briantvr350i]

Hi Boys,

Tyre threads usually provoke much debate, but searching the forum doesn't appear to bring up a current one. Last post I could find OP was complaining about lack of choice, think it's got even worse since!

Car is a Series 2 350i currently on three 2/3 worn Goodyear Eagle F1 NCT's and a black round thing that was on the spare in the boot when I bought the car a long time ago. (Goodyear NCT3)

Anyone recommend any of the following?

Toyo PROXES CF2 205/60 R15 91V BSW

Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 205/60 R15 91V BSW

Michelin ENERGY SAVER + 205/60 R15 91V

Continental Premium Contact 5 205/60 R15 91V BSW

I understand most of the terms but what does BSW mean?

Deliberately looking at 205/60 rather than 205/55...

On MyTyres they are £60-£70 each delivered but not fitted, with the Michelin at £75. But could I really hold my head up at a TVR meet with "Energy Saving" tyres on a wedge, bit like the proverbial ash tray on a motorcycle!

Regards,

Brian
and a Red 350i

edited for spelling...

[KKson]

New set of Toyo Proxes on mine. Very impressed with the grip, both in the dry and in the wet. No complaints whatsoever.

[carob]

I would go for the Toyo's personally. BSW is Black side wall I think...

Rob

[gmw9666]

I'd also pick toyo however here's a random suggestion

My 420SE came with a set of new Falkens

Now I would never choose these tyres normally but they have performed fantastically

Been very impressed

[mrzigazaga]

I had Dunlop fast response fitted about 8 months ago and they have been a good all round tyre...Pretty good grip in the wet..They are a bit noisy as in "Road noise"..There have been times when i have cornered hard on the odd roundabout and to my surprise there were no screeching tyres...Although wheelspins are quite loud....

[gmw9666]

Bobby Shaftoe said:

Were these the ze912's or something else, because i have them fitted and can't wait to get rid but unfortunately they aren't wearing out very quickly. Distinctly average in the dry but utter ste in the wet. Massively outclassed even by the Nankang EX500's the previous owner had fitted.

It seems there's bugger all choice in 225/50/15's as well as 205/60's now, i've been contemplating going down to a 45 profile instead of 50 and getting trackday tyres like Dunlop DZ03, Toyo R888's or R1R's

Edited by Bobby Shaftoe on Wednesday 19th November 00:16

yeah there the ones......ZE912's........don't get me wrong they are not R888's or anything but the rears are having to cope with 290 bhp and are doing so quite well........no brown trouser moments yet lol

R888 are a great set of boots as long as you don't drive in the wet......pricey though http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-205-60-15-Yokohama-A...

Edited by gmw9666 on Wednesday 19th November 10:00

[V8 Fettler]

Avoid Michelin Energy, I had them on a dreary diesel, wobbly and slippery.

ebay search " 205 60 15 V tyre " lists a few more possibilities, but nothing very sticky.

[briantvr350i]

Thanks for the replies boys,

the various posts have confirmed my suspicion that the performance tyres have really moved to aspect ratio's > 50%, which without changing the alloys means the vast majority of us are stuck with the best of a bad bunch.

Moving to a lower profile on the original alloys, poses too many problems. I can't say I've seen a wedge on aftermarket alloys that looked "right", other people may have a different opinion.

The Toyo's look the best on offer at the moment and had occurred to me as a possible replacement before I asked the question. I think anyone who has driven a wedge on the motorway at the legal limit in heavy rain will testify that the handling is "interesting" to say the least, therefore the wet grip is quite important and driving style in the dry can be adapted to cope with the amount of grip available with a non performance tyre.

Regards

Brian
and a Red 350i

[Convert]

Brian, the Toyo's are £55 a corner on tyreleader.

Goodyears are £63

Falken ZE912's (had these on the wifes Audi - V Good) are £53.

[TA14]

briantvr350i said:

Moving to a lower profile on the original alloys, poses too many problems.

like what? Is 10mm less tyre wall for the 205/55 really going to cause issues? It didn't bother the factory and lets you fit much better rubber: SP Sport, RE002, T1-R...

[mrzigazaga]

briantvr350i said:

I think anyone who has driven a wedge on the motorway at the legal limit in heavy rain will testify that the handling is "interesting" to say the least, therefore the wet grip is quite important.

Hi mate...Earlier on this year i drove back from the channel crossing and it was like a wall of water...At night..Wipers on full..The spray was like a tidal wave...I don't recall feeling any heavy aquaplaning or slipping even when i change down to give it some to get round a lorry... I definitely couldn't say the same for a softer tyre..When i bought the Dunlop's i was looking at Toyo's and the fitter checked all the relevant data and the Dunlop came out better for wet conditions...My Wedge is my daily drive so i wanted an all rounder and i must say I'm totally happy with them...Cheers...Ziga

[mk1fan]

The Dunlop Bluerinse tyres are well regarded over on the S forum. Fitted to both V6 and V8s.

I've fitted Uniroyal Rainsport 3 to Tamy and am very pleased. Despite being an all round tyre they coped pretty well during the last couple of trackdays.

If the car only sees dry days then the Federal 595 RS-R or Nankang NS-2R are worth a look. I'll be looking at these when Samy is back up and running. Although Samy is a daily driver she'll also be used on trackdays regularly.

[KelWedge]

Currently on Perelli 205/60R15 91W blue cars are quicker
Seem very good

[c pryor]

Yes, the Michelins !! Not the cheapest of tyres but I think worth having on a torquemobile like a wedge.