Are the new Advan AD08RSs really that much worse than AD08R?
Discussion
Sorry for the boring (and long!) post all, but I'm having a bit of a tyre-related predicament.
Just picked up an import from the docks a couple of weeks ago, tyres are absolutely shagged from UV causing severe cracking. In order to get it MOT'd and registered I obviously need a new set.
It's a 99 Impreza STI, so has teeny 16" wheels but quite high performance - a combination that isn't very well catered for these days (because even the dreariest shopping trolley comes on 18s nowadays). I'm sorted if I want a set of Ditchfinders, but obviously I don't.
The OE tyres are 205/50/16.
Michelin PS4s were the obvious choice but the closest size they come in is 205/55/16. Close I know, but having weighed the car up visually, I really haven't got much room to play with regarding arch clearance on the rear (car is completely standard but it does seem like the standard setup is cutting it fairly fine.) Obviously I don't want it scrubbing at all. One fellow owner reported that with this size tyre, one brand rubbed on his car and another didn't, it's not something I'm willing to risk, especially with how clean the arches are, I'm not going to allow it to scrub paint off and cause rust.
Choices are very limited for 205/50/16, I was deliberating over a set of PS3s but the reviews are mediocre and they're £130 a set more than the (incorrectly sized) PS4s! Ended up ordering a set of Yokohama AD08R last night to be fitted Friday, but they rung me today and explained that they've gone onto back order and they can only supply the AD08RS. I'd specifically chosen the R as I've used them before and found them to be decent, and the reviews for the RS are not as good as the R. From talking to people who've had both, I've heard VERY mixed reports, some saying they can't tell the difference between the R and RS, and some saying they're the worst tyres they've ever had.
For reference, the car will be non-salt use only, but used in all weathers outside of the winter months. Probably won't see a track for the duration of this set of tyres, but that's not a certainty. Will definitely see some spirited road driving. Fuel economy, noise etc not a concern. Just want a set of tyres that perform well and are predictable when they do let go. The AD08s do have the added bonus of looking great.
What would you do?
Just picked up an import from the docks a couple of weeks ago, tyres are absolutely shagged from UV causing severe cracking. In order to get it MOT'd and registered I obviously need a new set.
It's a 99 Impreza STI, so has teeny 16" wheels but quite high performance - a combination that isn't very well catered for these days (because even the dreariest shopping trolley comes on 18s nowadays). I'm sorted if I want a set of Ditchfinders, but obviously I don't.
The OE tyres are 205/50/16.
Michelin PS4s were the obvious choice but the closest size they come in is 205/55/16. Close I know, but having weighed the car up visually, I really haven't got much room to play with regarding arch clearance on the rear (car is completely standard but it does seem like the standard setup is cutting it fairly fine.) Obviously I don't want it scrubbing at all. One fellow owner reported that with this size tyre, one brand rubbed on his car and another didn't, it's not something I'm willing to risk, especially with how clean the arches are, I'm not going to allow it to scrub paint off and cause rust.
Choices are very limited for 205/50/16, I was deliberating over a set of PS3s but the reviews are mediocre and they're £130 a set more than the (incorrectly sized) PS4s! Ended up ordering a set of Yokohama AD08R last night to be fitted Friday, but they rung me today and explained that they've gone onto back order and they can only supply the AD08RS. I'd specifically chosen the R as I've used them before and found them to be decent, and the reviews for the RS are not as good as the R. From talking to people who've had both, I've heard VERY mixed reports, some saying they can't tell the difference between the R and RS, and some saying they're the worst tyres they've ever had.
For reference, the car will be non-salt use only, but used in all weathers outside of the winter months. Probably won't see a track for the duration of this set of tyres, but that's not a certainty. Will definitely see some spirited road driving. Fuel economy, noise etc not a concern. Just want a set of tyres that perform well and are predictable when they do let go. The AD08s do have the added bonus of looking great.
What would you do?
I would get the RS and don't worry about it. The tyres will be brand new, and by the sounds of it - how often are you going to hoon it?
I was going to put on PS4's on my golf gti. Glad I didn't really. I went for crossclimate + all round (not even a performance tyre). Reason being I do a lot of miles. Have done 3500 miles since last MOT on 21st August.
Come rain or shine they haven't let me down. They are perfect for what I need. Not the best tyre outright, but very good for what I need. (Performed perfectly well on my 500 mile round trip in last 48 hours through some atrocious rain)
Suppose you should just think are you going to be tracking the car, or is it a daily? How many miles? What weather's etc and take it from there.
I was going to put on PS4's on my golf gti. Glad I didn't really. I went for crossclimate + all round (not even a performance tyre). Reason being I do a lot of miles. Have done 3500 miles since last MOT on 21st August.
Come rain or shine they haven't let me down. They are perfect for what I need. Not the best tyre outright, but very good for what I need. (Performed perfectly well on my 500 mile round trip in last 48 hours through some atrocious rain)
Suppose you should just think are you going to be tracking the car, or is it a daily? How many miles? What weather's etc and take it from there.
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