Advice on good rubber

[S10GTA]

In size 195/50/15. Have considered Toyo R888, but am put off by the fact they are £115, and a bit hardcore for everyday road use.

What else would people recommend?

[Krikkit]

Depends what it's going on - 888's and A048's are highly rated, but a bit extreme if they'll see wet on a regular basis.

Otherwise I can recommend T1-R's in that size - the sidewall is a bit soft, but it's very progressive at the limit which is nice.

[S10GTA]

Is T1-R better than the R1-R for everyday use?

[McSam]

Not got time to check right now, but can you get Falken FK452s in that size?

That's a tyre that consistently outperforms its budget, very good and progressive in the dry and excellent in the wet too. Relatively soft sidewall in the 225/40 R18 I use them with, so it might be even more noticable in your size, but even so I'd say they're well worth a look. Seem to last well too.

[300bhp/ton]

S10GTA said:

In size 195/50/15. Have considered Toyo R888, but am put off by the fact they are £115, and a bit hardcore for everyday road use.

What else would people recommend?

Someone just pointed me at these, so it's only fair to return the favour. Not sure if they do your size, but might be close enough.

RobCrezz said:

If you can fit 205/50/15 on, these are meant to be decent and well priced:

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m12b0s661p64162/FEDERAL_...

I've also been looking at the Maxsports remould range, although opinions on them seem to vary. Personally I doubt they are as good as premium semi slicks and track day tyres. But I do wonder how they stack up to more normal road tyres.

Are you looking for road or track use?

[S10GTA]

Federal look good, but are £92 in the size I need.

It's for road use, but I want to be as good as possible.

[falkster]

I'm sure this has been asked before and in my experience this size limits your options. If you could stretch to 205/50/15 then your options are much better.
You don't need to spend a fortune and I've always been a lover of the Falken FK range having had 451s and 452s but since have Toyo T1R I wouldn't consider putting any other tyres on my M3 and will be replacing my 968 with those tyres when the P zeros wear (as they do because they're rubbish).

[S10GTA]

falkster said:

Toyo T1R I wouldn't consider putting any other tyres on my M3

I think we have a winner. £33.95 in the size I need.

[falkster]

S10GTA said:

I think we have a winner. £33.95 in the size I need.

Bloody hell! That's very good value, is that in 195?

[S10GTA]

Yes, 195/50/15. I can't see how the R888, for example, can be worth me spending £80 more for!

[300bhp/ton]

S10GTA said:

Federal look good, but are £92 in the size I need.

It's for road use, but I want to be as good as possible.

What car is it for?

I've been running Kumho ECSTA SPT KU31's, these are very good value and seem to get ok write ups. The SPT version is meant to have a stiffer sidewall, but I was slightly disappointed on my Roadster that they didn't feel as sharp turn in. I certainly wouldn't claim them as great, but for the money I think they are good value for a semi performance tyre. I also run a pair on the back of my 5.7 V8 Camaro and they are as good as anything else I've run on there.

That said, if you are looking at semi slick track day tyres, then they are a whole different league in terms of grip and performance. Albeit with a few more compromises. So it really depends what you are wanting to do with them.

Having a quick look on Camskill, these seem like ok value:

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s99p79646/YOKOHAMA_...


And if you can find some (out of stock at the mo)
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m12b0s662p59628/YOKOHAMA...

[falkster]

S10GTA said:

Yes, 195/50/15. I can't see how the R888, for example, can be worth me spending £80 more for!

The R888s are for more serious driving or mainly trackdays, they do stick like st to a blanket but like you said you can't see the extra £80.
Then again you've really got a bargain because I paid £80 for T1Rs, granted they're 225/45/16 but over double??

[S10GTA]

300bhp/ton said:

What car is it for?

Nothing special, a Xsara VTS. I'm trading in a fastish car for one that isn't really, but it handles well. The enjoyment will be chucking round bends, so want the best rubber to give maximum grip.

[Saxon12]

That said, if you are looking at semi slick track day tyres, then they are a whole different league in terms of grip and performance. Albeit with a few more compromises. So it really depends what you are wanting to do with them.

[Bill]

S10GTA said:

falkster said:

Toyo T1R I wouldn't consider putting any other tyres on my M3

I think we have a winner. £33.95 in the size I need.

If that price is correct then rip their arms off.

[g3org3y]

300bhp/ton said:

I've been running Kumho ECSTA SPT KU31's, these are very good value and seem to get ok write ups. The SPT version is meant to have a stiffer sidewall, but I was slightly disappointed on my Roadster that they didn't feel as sharp turn in. I certainly wouldn't claim them as great, but for the money I think they are good value for a semi performance tyre. I

Another vote for the KU31s. Have had them on the E30 all round for a while and been impressed. Very very decent dry grip. Also very good in the rain, quite condfidene inspiring. Mine are 205/55 R15s and I've also found them to be very quiet in terms of road noise. Recommended.

[TITWONK]

i got 4x yokohama parada 2 for 160 quid delivered, see how they fair at donnington next friday

[phil_cardiff]

I had T1-Rs on a MX-5 and I did not like them. They wore really badly on the poutside shoulder, and my alignement was spot on. The uniroyal rainsport 2's I replaced them with had better feel and wore much better.

[McSam]

Bill said:

S10GTA said:

falkster said:

Toyo T1R I wouldn't consider putting any other tyres on my M3

I think we have a winner. £33.95 in the size I need.

If that price is correct then rip their arms off.

+1, blows my idea out of the water

[mrdelmonti]

Not had an issue with T1-Rs, they stick well and are nice and progressive.