Tyres - what do owners recommend?

[Doors]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get some new tyres for my Oz Saturns. Lotus Esprit World lists all the relevant choices, but thought I'd ask to see who's happy/not happy with their tyre choice - Dunlops, Pirelli, Michellin, even Avon ZZ1's?

Cheers all,
Doors.

[rob.ellis]

I've had Avons on a previous car (not the esprit) and thought they were crap. Won't be buying this make again. V poor grip wet or dry.

The 2002/3 factory tyre is Dunlop Sport 9000. I had these on my v8 and found them ok, but not as good as i'd hoped. My bridgestone S-02s are much better.

The michelins are good, but expensive. I have had these previously on the esprit (front). Again, i'd say the s-02s are better.

P-zero was the factory tyre for Sport350. Never had them myself but they have had mixed response from other owners i've talked to. Good in the dry but not so good in the wet - especially as they get older tends to be the most common response. However, there are several new types of P-zeros out now (nero?) which may differ. Unfortunately the pirelli site does not actually list both esprit v8 sizes for any tyre they list...

I've been very pleased with the Bridgestone S-02, but unfortunately they don't make them any more. The replacement tyre S-03 has not had as good a review either in the motoring press or from anecdotal feedback from other esprit owners. I know an experienced esprit guy who span his car in the wet on s03's where he'd never had a problem with wet or dry grip with his previous tyre...

The other option to consider is Toyo Proxes. They do sizes to fit both front and rear esprit in v8 sizes. Never had these myself but they always do well in test, and i've a couple of friends who've run them on impreza/911 etc who rate them highly. They are also now the factory tyre for TVR.

I need some fronts in the next few months. I'll try and track down some S-02's so i keep a matching set front and rear. If i can't then i'll be buying Toyos.

Hope that helps.
Cheers
Rob

[oharedm]

Hi Doors,

Rob was referring to me with my "incident" in the wet on the Oxford by-pass.

I have SO-3's all round. Grip in the dry is outstanding, I cannot say the same in wet conditions.....


Dermot

[rob.ellis]

Forgot to mention, for price comparisons: www.mytyres.co.uk/

Very competitive. For my golf these guys undercut all the usual suspects (micheldever, elite, wheatley tyres etc). I've ordered some Toyo's in 195/45 16 for the golf £42 each incl vat and delivery. That's about 20 quid a tyre cheaper than the next best quote.

Rob

[wcdeane]

I just got a set of Dunlop Sport 8000s (not to be confused with the SP 9000). I love them! I had Pirrelli before, and they suck compared to these tires. I burnt those babies up in no time at all. These tires really hold the road. I'd buy them again. I bought them at the Tire Rack. I had them delivered to a local tire shop, and they installed them for about $20 US each. It all worked out great.

Cheers...Walt '91 SE

[Doors]

Thanks for all your advice on choice - looks like I think I'll try mytyres for some Toyos.
Though, have to admit, I've never heard of them before!
Doors. GT3

[kylie]

rob.ellis said: Forgot to mention, for price comparisons: www.mytyres.co.uk/

Very competitive. For my golf these guys undercut all the usual suspects (micheldever, elite, wheatley tyres etc). I've ordered some Toyo's in 195/45 16 for the golf £42 each incl vat and delivery. That's about 20 quid a tyre cheaper than the next best quote.

Rob

Rob let us know how you get on with the Toyo's. When the Bridgstone Potenzas wear out which is pretty soon am going for Toyos as well (BTW Bridgestones are excellent but the price) . The Elise people here swear by toyos for tracking as well. My man ordered some for his hot rod, 1 for performance, 2 purely for the looks, but am hoping to get some 16's and 15's for every other day use on the esprit.
There was a guy here that posted pics of his white esprit not so long ago, I think it was a S4s??? which he had toyos on his and rated them highly.
Kylie



>> Edited by kylie on Thursday 3rd April 22:07

[rob.ellis]

kylie said: There was a guy here that posted pics of his white esprit not so long ago, I think it was a S4s??? which he had toyos on his and rated them highly.
Kylie

Yes, that's Dindo. He's a big fan of Toyos.

The elise guys over here are mostly running Yokohama Advan Neova LTS - apparently these are developed specifically for the elise in conjunction with Yokohama.

I would consider yokomhamas for the esprit, but unfortunately, although there is a yokohama (AVS) that comes in v8 esprit front and rear sizes, none of the uk importers carry the 285 or 295 rear sizes. D'oh.

Rob

[madmike]

Guess I'm the only one, but Evilyn wears a set of Kumho tires. PO put them on there as they were rated very highly in the wet. I personally never drive in the rain, but they have been great tires for me.

My mechanic says he's used them for other cars when tracking in the rain.

Mad Mike

[jconsta6]

I'd echo the sentiments of the others, although I've not had the Toyo proxies, other Esprit owners do seem to rate them well.
Personally I had continetal all round and changed them to S03's in December - Bad mistake. drove it twice in the cold rain and it was scary.
I'd rather drive on bald Conti Sports than S03's in the wet, however in the dry (which, touch wood is here to stay!!) they are a marked improvement. As Dermot says, they are very grippy.

[Doors]

Thanks all - I've gone and ordered the Toyos - so will let you all know how I find them.
Doors.

[rob.ellis]

I just managed to track down some front S-02’s as mine need replacing. I tried all the local guys, plus the national chains and all the tyre web sites I could find but nothing… they all just told me that the s-02 was discontinued and the replacement tyre is s-03.

Last resort my father mentioned it to his local ATS guy (who’s helped out in the past finding tyres for his saab). He just rang me, there are only two left in the whole country – and he can get them for me How cool is that. This is a tiny little shop, in the middle of snowdonia, in a little village with like 20 houses or something..!

I'll get them fitted up next week as i'm visiting for easter. Sorted!

Rob

[doct93]

I changed my continental contisports to Goodyear GSA's and the car was transformed, excellent dry and wet grip, much more stability. Bit hard to get them now though....
Tim B (97 GT3)

[Corin Denton]

Hi been through all these comparisons with the TVR boys , I've run a tyre specialist for over twelve years now and the general opinon is this Toyo better than most available now then Avon ZZ3 (not ZZ1 which were shite!!) then the SO3.
Driven on all but the Toyo on my Chimaera but they will be my next purchase.

[Doors]

Thanks Corin,
I'm still awiting for the Toyos - MyTyres have been absolutely useless, I've been waiting nearly 10 days - and I'm still 10 days away from getting my tyres! So I'll be looking to go elsewhere and cancel the order - and then recommend on the Forum that they are unable to offer what they claim they can - and have a very poor customer service/experience.
Almost went for the Avons as I could get a good price on them, but didn't want to wait the 2 - 3 weeks I would have had to - but it looks like I'm going to wait theat long anyway!