Mixing tyres

[CROUCHY]

I have a Chimaera with a Bridgestone Potenza SO2 on one rear wheel and a Pirelli on the other. I'd like to replace the Pirelli with a Bridgestone but I'm not sure that SO2s are available now. Would a new S03 work ok with the (fairly new) SO2?

[satman]

Im sure your correct in saying the SO2 isnt available anymore, and the SO3 is its predicessor. I am led to understand, and if you believe the various threads written on tyres, that the SO3 isnt as good as the SO2, and therefore one would assume this could be taken as a poor match!
IMHO its always best to change both tyres on the same axle.

[reeso]

What Satman forgot to add is that they need to be the same make and tread otherwise it's a bad idea, especially if they are a directional/rotational tread which yours will be!! It might cost more, but at least you will have piece of mind and the car will handle better!

[groucho]

satman said:

IMHO its always best to change both tyres on the same axle.

I had a blowout on my way to the Griff Growl last year.
I changed both rears to match them up. I didn't fancy one half worn SO2 and one brand spanking SO3 on the same axle. It had me a little worried.

Grouch.

[MajorClanger]

Any thoughts about mixing Toyos on the front with SO2s on the back?

My fronts were replaced with Toyos but the SO2s on the back end are good for a while yet.

MC

[J_S_G]

MajorClanger said:

Any thoughts about mixing Toyos on the front with SO2s on the back? My fronts were replaced with Toyos but the SO2s on the back end are good for a while yet. MC

I'd say that that's probably a good match. S02s are a bit stickier - what you need on the rear. And Proxes are better in the wet and suffer less from tramlining (in my opinion, your mileage may vary!)

If it drives well, don't worry about it - you'll know if your car's not feeling hooked up.

[J_S_G]

CROUCHY said:

I have a Chimaera with a Bridgestone Potenza SO2 on one rear wheel and a Pirelli on the other. I'd like to replace the Pirelli with a Bridgestone but I'm not sure that SO2s are available now. Would a new S03 work ok with the (fairly new) SO2?

Wouldn't even entertain that idea. Would ALWAYS match the tyres on the axle. Having different sidewall characteristics, tread pattern, water/temperature characteristics, amounts of tread, etc. etc. are terrible, terrible things on a performance car. Your tyres are the only thing connecting your car with the road - they're the one thing I'd never skimp on; it's not just your car that's at stake - it's your life.

Personally despise S03s (always liked S02s). Toyo Proxes or Goodyear Eagle F1s are both readily available, better in the wet, more "balanced" (in terms of characterics), and cheaper to boot. I blathered on about handling & tyres the other day: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=153038&f=5&h=0

As always, just my personal experience...

[SXS]

I'm going to get some FAT MT's (road legal drag slicks) on the rear.... and some Vredstein Ultracs on the front for my next setup.... already put an order in for tyre heaters.... to get the rears nice and sticky in 15 mins....

[J_S_G]

SXS said:

I'm going to get some FAT MT's (road legal drag slicks) on the rear.... and some Vredstein Ultracs on the front for my next setup.... already put an order in for tyre heaters.... to get the rears nice and sticky in 15 mins....

Wouldn't want to be in your car when caught in an April shower! (Assuming you even have it finished by then... )

[CROUCHY]

I've listened to everybody's good advice and purchased a couple of Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD2s for the rear wheels. So nicely matching at last. Thanks.

[J_S_G]

CROUCHY said:

I've listened to everybody's good advice and purchased a couple of Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD2s for the rear wheels. So nicely matching at last. Thanks.

Good choice, sir.

If your front tyres are the same measurements as your rears, don't be afraid to switch them over and see which runs the best. Personally, I really like the F1s on the front (not that there's a problem with them on the rear). Let us know how you get on...

[19560]

J_S_G said:

CROUCHY said: I've listened to everybody's good advice and purchased a couple of Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD2s for the rear wheels. So nicely matching at last. Thanks. Good choice, sir.

But thye GSD3 is even better. Is it too late to change?

[nztrev]

19560 said:

J_S_G said: CROUCHY said: I've listened to everybody's good advice and purchased a couple of Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD2s for the rear wheels. So nicely matching at last. Thanks. Good choice, sir. But thye GSD3 is even better. Is it too late to change?

I dont think GSD3's come in a 15inch

[CROUCHY]

On your advice I've changed the order to GSD3s! Hope they're good. The tyres are 16 inch.

[J_S_G]

CROUCHY said:

On your advice I've changed the order to GSD3s! Hope they're good. The tyres are 16 inch.

Sorry - didn't spot that you'd gone for GSD2s. Yes, GSD3s are a worthwhile improvement.

[gaston]

satman said:

IMHO its always best to change both tyres on the same axle.

Certainly agree with that. A mix may seem to be fine but the time you're likely to find its not working is just when you need stability the most! Sure, road surfaces aren't all perfectly consistent so why do your tyres need to be? It's just a case of keeping things as predictable as possible. Money spent on decent tyres is IMHO money well spent.

[19560]

J_S_G said:

Yes, GSD3s are a worthwhile improvement.

Yep. You'll enjoy those.