SO2 PETITION

[VINTY]

Having just replaced my two rear SO2 tyres with Toyo tr-1 tyres and after covering 400 miles I still find them to be vastly inferior to my old SO2's I'am wondering why Bridgestone ceased production of the SO2 for TVR cars but still produces SO2's for the Porker. Surley consummer demand via a petition would convince Bridgestone to resume production of the SO2PP
Anybody anybody interested in trying to convince Bridgestone to re introduce the SO2?

[tvrbob]

I'd support this. True that Toyo's are getting some bad press on these forums and with good reason from what I read. Firstly though we mustn't underestimate the SO3. My understanding is that the SO3 is very similar to the SO2 porka tyre in that the compound is harder and the wall rigidity is greater than the SO2pp though the SO3 performs better than the Porka tyre on Chims & Griffs. I run SO2 porka's on my rears and have found them to be less than I'd hoped for. People who regularly track say the SO3 is the way to go. Bridgestone are not going to play if they already have a tyre for us and we choose not to try it.

[DustyC]

Im more than happy with my S03PPs. They are fantastic for everything I need them to be and on the track were superb.

If you try them, remember to lose a 1-2PSI from each corner though. (And add 2PSI if on the track).

However, Id like to try something different just for a comparison. Go through them quick enough so its gotta be worth trying a few.
Anyone tried Michelin or Continitals yet?
(I forget the model names).

BTW: I had S02s originally.

>> Edited by DustyC on Friday 13th August 09:01

[REESO]

I have just replaced my rear SO2's for SO3's as I did not want Toyos. So far so good.
If you want to know why Bridgestone stopped making the SO2 you should call them, I did and it is quite interesting.
At the end of the day, TVR use Toyos (IMO) because they are cheaper to source than bridgestones regardless of performance. However, the toyo's that now come as standard on new TVR's are classed as "tunned" and if you want a tunned Toyo you will have to ask at your tyre centre otherwise you will only get a standard Toyo!

[Targarama]

I don't understand why people have problems with Toyos. And how come this problem has just 'occured'?

How different is a Porcshe flavoured SO2 anyway? Different compounds? Or is it a size availability issue? Just use SO3s - many people including me report favourable results (I preferred Toyos though).

I had them on my Chimaera (and I assume they're still on it). I did several track days after the tyres had around 1,000 miles on them and they felt great, no problems with grip/ride or feel at breakaway 'speeds'. When new they felt a bit weird, but a few long journeys bedded them in nicely.

[Targarama]

REESO said:

I have just replaced my rear SO2's for SO3's as I did not want Toyos. So far so good. If you want to know why Bridgestone stopped making the SO2 you should call them, I did and it is quite interesting. At the end of the day, TVR use Toyos (IMO) because they are cheaper to source than bridgestones regardless of performance. However, the toyo's that now come as standard on new TVR's are classed as "tunned" and if you want a tunned Toyo you will have to ask at your tyre centre otherwise you will only get a standard Toyo!

I understand the Toyo usage because they're cheaper, it doesn't make them a worse tyre though. So called premium brands bump up the price on their name alone. Is a Michelin Pilot Sport any better than the equivalent Goodyear (on average). Look at the price of something like a 165x13 Michelin vs any other make.

For the past few months all new TVRs have had Goodyear F1's fitted (which seem fine on my T350 BTW). Not what I'd call a cheap tyre.

[deeen]

I went SO2, SO3, SO2pp, SO3pp

The SO3 were disappointing, so I am pleasantly surprised to find the SO3pp to be surprisingly good

[apache]

Targarama said:

I don't understand why people have problems with Toyos. And how come this problem has just 'occured'? How different is a Porcshe flavoured SO2 anyway? Different compounds? Or is it a size availability issue? Just use SO3s - many people including me report favourable results (I preferred Toyos though). I had them on my Chimaera (and I assume they're still on it). I did several track days after the tyres had around 1,000 miles on them and they felt great, no problems with grip/ride or feel at breakaway 'speeds'. When new they felt a bit weird, but a few long journeys bedded them in nicely.

It 'happened' when the SO2 was replaced with the SO3. The tyres are completely different in sidewall stiffness, tread and compound, my case is complicated by my having 'chav' wheels.
It can't be assumed that one tyre that works well with one make/type of car will work well for another so in my case the SO 2s were not for me but others use them on track days and swear by them.....some don't

[z_chromozone]

I don't think Toyo's are much cheaper, I paid £70 each inc VAT and fitting for my SO3 205/55/15Z. They seem about the same as the old SO2's, but difficult to compare exactly as the aspect changed for 60 to 55.

Z

[jj.]

I used a set of SO2-N2 on the back of my Chim. If you really want SO2’s, you can find them. It’s the same tyre just the N2, N3, etc just has Porker approved. The N2’s I used where fine, I now use the SO3’s and are on my 2nd set of front’s, they seem to work for me on the track…
jj

[whatever]

I've replaced the fronts on the cerb with Toyo T1-s. Now that they've covered a couple of hundred miles I'm wondering why anyone would complain. Their performance in the wet is far, far better than the old SO-2's (especially driving in the recent rains, and I did have the SO2s for three years previously). The dry performance seems no worse than the SO2s ever did.

In short: no complaints. (and the tread pattern looks cool )

[DustyC]

Targarama said:

For the past few months all new TVRs have had Goodyear F1's fitted (which seem fine on my T350 BTW). Not what I'd call a cheap tyre.

A lot of people have been recommending these.
Might be worth a try next time.

It doesn't effect my tyre purchase but I dont like the look of the OTT directional tread pattern (as on the F1 and TI-s (and r). Makes the tyres look skinnier and a bit girlie.
Would probably suit a Chim though.

[tvrbob]

Just a note to help this debate.

Some people above are telling of their experiences with SO2's. Were they actually SO2pp's?

SO2 & SO2pp are quite different tyres and so this debate could be confused.

[WildfireS3]

I had a full set of 205 x 55 S02pp on my S1 wheels and thought they were fantastic! Vastly superior to my current Pirelli P 6000s, which are like driving on teflon in the wet.

I plan to go with Toyo Proxes, when new tyres are needed.

[tvrbob]

WildfireS3 said:

I plan to go with Toyo Proxes, when new tyres are needed.

So was I but in recent days I have decided I should reconsider my options. Do a search on Toyo's and you'll find that there are some issues. I currently favour SO3pp's at 2psi lower. The Toyo tread pattern is a closer match to the SO2 range but really isn't a cosmetic problem. I need grip hot and cold. I need sidewall deformation that will provide enough progressive breakaway. I need to be safe in the wet and I'd like a tyre that is up to spec within the first 500 miles. Toyo fail on several of these points.

[nubbin]

I'm having Goodyear GSAs fitted to the rears of my Tamora later today. I believe they're standard fit for some Ferraris and Lambos.

They're £147 from www.MyTyres.co.uk, but after lying about the price , Kwikfit are fiting them for £130 each.

I'll let you all know what they're like.

I had Toyos on the rears before, and I'm dissappointed at the wear rate - they're illegal after 8000 miles of careful, considerate driving...err, ahem, cough....

The Goodyear Eagle GSD3 I have fitted on the rear of my Audi A8 are very nice tyres, and very quiet too.

[homersimpson]

what is the differance between so3's and so3pp's

[DustyC]

homersimpson said:

what is the differance between so3's and so3pp's

The second ones are yellow and smell funny.


I heard there were some that weren't Pole Postions and rushed out to make sure mine were!
I have never seen anything but PP's.

[deeen]

hi homer
the SO3 came out first, the pp are much better!
dont know why tho.

[FunkyGibbon]

DustyC said:

homersimpson said: what is the differance between so3's and so3pp's I have never seen anything but PP's.

I was going to ask the same thing, I've only ever seen SO2pp and S03pp.