R15 tyre availability...again.

[Toffer]

Although the TOYO Proxes tyres on my PAS Griff 500 are showing minimal signs of wear, the handling/grip has definitely deteriorated, as the tyres have aged, so I guess it is time to replace them.

Due to low usage, tyre durability is not important, but I would like to try and maintain the original wheel/tyre dimensions and like others on here, am having difficulty finding decent R15 tyres when fitted to a TVR.

However, KUMHO Ecsta V70A Tyres are available in 225/50 R15 and 245/45 R16.

So please kindly assist me with your experiences (good or bad) of these tyres and perhaps also recommend the rubber grade for mostly fast dry road use (I was thinking "medium"?

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Kumho/V70a.htm

Thank you!

[350Matt]

Take a look on here, seems like the uniroyal rainsport 3 is gaining popularity as a 15" of choice

I used to run rain sports on my wedge and they are excellent for lightweight car as the soft sidewall keeps the contact patch much more constant

the only downside is very slightly worse steering feel

[Toffer]

Thank you Matt!
I did look at the Rainsport 3 and have used them before on my MB W220 and was impressed...especially good value for money!
However, unfortunately width and section choices are very limited in R15 & R16.
Thanks again!

[geeman237]

Not sure if these Yokohama's are available in the UK but these W speed rated tyres are available in the Griffith original front 205/55R15 and rear 225/50/16 sizes.

https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/s-drive

Anyone used them?

[Toffer]

Thank you Geeman...the Yokos look great!

However, I want to try and keep my tyre sizes original, 225/50 R15 adn 245/45 R16 and Yoko don't have the tyres in those sizes.

Thanks again though!

[rev-erend]

This place lists Toyo R888's in those sizes

http://www.trackstuff.co.uk/Toyo%20R888%20Tyres.ht...

[mk1fan]

I think Gruffalo has the Kumho tyres fitted to his Cerb and rates them highly.

Camskill show both sizes as out of stock.

[RobXjcoupe]

Toffer said:

Although the TOYO Proxes tyres on my PAS Griff 500 are showing minimal signs of wear, the handling/grip has definitely deteriorated, as the tyres have aged, so I guess it is time to replace them.

Due to low usage, tyre durability is not important, but I would like to try and maintain the original wheel/tyre dimensions and like others on here, am having difficulty finding decent R15 tyres when fitted to a TVR.

However, KUMHO Ecsta V70A Tyres are available in 225/50 R15 and 245/45 R16.

So please kindly assist me with your experiences (good or bad) of these tyres and perhaps also recommend the rubber grade for mostly fast dry road use (I was thinking "medium"?

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Kumho/V70a.htm

Thank you!

Personally I think a 225 50 width tyre on a 7j rim is to wide for a sports car. A 205 50 or 215 45 on a 7j rim gives a less woolly steering feel.

[Toffer]

Thank you Rob!

Not sure about the steering/tyre size issue.

When I purchased my Griff new, the factory charged me for PAS as an extra cost option and larger section tyres came as part of the PAS package.

At the time, I recall the purists thought PAS was the work of the Devil!

Truth is that I think the large section tyres without PAS make parking too tough a job, but driving back to back, on the road, there is really no difference.

What I would say is that narrower, modern compound tyres probably perform better than older and wider section tyres.

Owning the car from new, I have kept it original.

[RobXjcoupe]

Toffer said:

Thank you Rob!

Not sure about the steering/tyre size issue.

When I purchased my Griff new, the factory charged me for PAS as an extra cost option and larger section tyres came as part of the PAS package.

At the time, I recall the purists thought PAS was the work of the Devil!

Truth is that I think the large section tyres without PAS make parking too tough a job, but driving back to back, on the road, there is really no difference.

What I would say is that narrower, modern compound tyres probably perform better than older and wider section tyres.

Owning the car from new, I have kept it original.

My griff has factory pas but came with 205 55 r15 front tyres. Mine was 9 years old when I bought it but it was original regarding the tyre size. I also remember owners saying as you said "it's not pure not a proper Tvr" lol
With your front tyre size although you have pas your wheels are moving before the tyre can respond due to the large tyre profile. Usually fitted to SUV type cars with larger dia wheels, hence you get a woolly type feeling as you steer. To get a more positive steering feel an 8j width wheel is best for a 225 tyre but on a 40/45 profile. The 7j width for positive steering feel is a 205/215 width on a 40,45 or 50 profile.
Obviously the above is just my opinion, but see if you can tryout the different tyre sizes

[Toffer]

Great information that makes sense...although I am surprised TVR were willing to compromise the PAS Griffs with woolly steering?

Having spoken to a TOYO rep, I do know for a fact that the TOYOS recommended for fitting to TVRs had a much stiffer sidewall and other versions of the similar TOYO tyre were of a standard and less stiff construction.

So your comments make sense and if push comes to shove, I will just have to downsize the front tyres.

Thanks again!

[350Matt]

looks like the uniroyal rainsport is available in a 205/55r15 too

[RobXjcoupe]

Toffer said:

Great information that makes sense...although I am surprised TVR were willing to compromise the PAS Griffs with woolly steering?

Having spoken to a TOYO rep, I do know for a fact that the TOYOS recommended for fitting to TVRs had a much stiffer sidewall and other versions of the similar TOYO tyre were of a standard and less stiff construction.

So your comments make sense and if push comes to shove, I will just have to downsize the front tyres.

Thanks again!

Usually the higher the speed rating of a tyre the stiffer the side wall.

[ClassicChimaera]

RobXjcoupe said:

Usually the higher the speed rating of a tyre the stiffer the side wall.

I'm about to fully agree with you,,, Rainsport 3 side wall Rob at 22 psi you can indent your finger into them no problem!! ??
So I looked again and mine are rated
87Y fronts
94Y rears

Y rating being anything upto about 186 mph.

Interestingly the 87/94 represents the load the tyres can take (weight)

87= 545kg F
94=671 kg R

If your leaning on the car in a corner that equals 1216 kgs the two tyre's combined can handle.

I'd say that's more than enough.
So how can these tyre's have such a soft compound and seemingly soft enough to press your finger into side wall at 22 psi
yet cope and have those speed / load ratings... they come with shark skin technology,,,,, anyone understand that one

What a great little tyre.

I think my point is the speed and load ratings on the Rainsport 3 tyre's are the same as other makes of tyre's I've had fitted Avon zz3's for instance but the difference in the tyre's compliance say off a low curb for instance, like being in an old Jag compared to the thump I'd get on those and T1R Toyos. Rainsport 3 have transformed the cars base feel enormously from a bone shaker to really rather good. The grip I feel like I can drive again

I'll be as honest as I can with the limited running I've done on them and sometimes they feel a bit Woolley (spongy) but given more time to explore the dry grip I think there going to be spot on as a summer tyre too.

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Tuesday 7th March 17:10

[RobXjcoupe]

ClassicChimaera said:

RobXjcoupe said:

Usually the higher the speed rating of a tyre the stiffer the side wall.

I'm about to fully agree with you,,, Rainsport 3 side wall Rob at 22 psi you can indent your finger into them no problem!! ??
So I looked again and mine are rated
87Y fronts
94Y rears

Y rating being anything upto about 186 mph.

Interestingly the 87/94 represents the load the tyres can take (weight)

87= 545kg F
94=671 kg R

If your leaning on the car in a corner that equals 1216 kgs the two tyre's combined can handle.

I'd say that's more than enough.
So how can these tyre's have such a soft compound and seemingly soft enough to press your finger into side wall at 22 psi
yet cope and have those speed / load ratings... they come with shark skin technology,,,,, anyone understand that one

What a great little tyre.

I think my point is the speed and load ratings on the Rainsport 3 tyre's are the same as other makes of tyre's I've had fitted Avon zz3's for instance but the difference in the tyre's compliance say off a low curb for instance, like being in an old Jag compared to the thump I'd get on those and T1R Toyos. Rainsport 3 have transformed the cars base feel enormously from a bone shaker to really rather good. The grip I feel like I can drive again

I'll be as honest as I can with the limited running I've done on them and sometimes they feel a bit Woolley (spongy) but given more time to explore the dry grip I think there going to be spot on as a summer tyre too.

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Tuesday 7th March 17:10

I love the fact a jag always gets a mention amongst your facts

[ClassicChimaera]

I do talk some st don't I,
Yours is slightly errr modded but my old Daimler glided off them there curbs

[RobXjcoupe]

lol upmarket jag spec now with the Daimler mention

[ClassicChimaera]

RobXjcoupe said:

lol upmarket jag spec now with the Daimler mention

Leave it out

Yeah mine was a 1980 series 3 Daimler with an interior that intoxicated you.
Started being built in about 1978 going by the seat stitching etc, all Mk 2 switchgear, ex Government car but fitted with fuel injection and I loved every inch of it.
I then had a Jag series 3 1985 cheap for spares that was knowhere near as good inside.

Oh look I'm off again. sorry O/P

[RobXjcoupe]

ClassicChimaera said:

RobXjcoupe said:

lol upmarket jag spec now with the Daimler mention

Leave it out

Yeah mine was a 1980 series 3 Daimler with an interior that intoxicated you.
Started being built in about 1978 going by the seat stitching etc, all Mk 2 switchgear, ex Government car but fitted with fuel injection and I loved every inch of it.
I then had a Jag series 3 1985 cheap for spares that was knowhere near as good inside.

Oh look I'm off again. sorry O/P

Short Jaguar story now........I scrapped two 85 series 3's a few years back. First one the deal was a bottle of whisky for it. Turned up with a buddy and trailer and we were both disappointed When we saw it lol but had the big valve head off it then same guy offered his running series 3 so I said another bottle of whiskey to which he actually said yes to. So off I went again and took that away with a lot more useable spares.
So did I put you off my coupe?

[ClassicChimaera]

Coupe,,, check your mail.