Which Sticky Tyres
Author
Discussion

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
I'm using my 400lbs ft V8 RX7 as a daily.

I know it's bit chilly and wet but I simply can't use more than half throttle before the rears spin with my current 255/40/17 T1R

Some have said 18's would offer more grip but I'm unwilling to change diameter (I have very light 17's, 18's don't look right and destroy the ride)

I could go slightly wider but I'm thinking a softer tyre would probably do as much as I'm not looking to do trackdays.

I've read various tyres tests but they aren't focused on acceleration so I'm assuming wet grip is the best indicator - so do I just go with an A rated tyre ? (P Zero)

I did wonder whether a pair of winters might help ?

I considered trackday tyres but most of my journeys are short so I won't be able to get heat into them and most don't work well in the cold.

I have got a Racelogic traction control system I'm intending to fit but more grip would help regardless.

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
No one has an opinion on tyres ?

Fleckers

2,880 posts

231 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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On my ms zt-t is was running 255 x 40 x18 Michelin pilot tyres

Worked well in all weathers

Marf

22,907 posts

271 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Yokohama AD08 smile

I have them on my MR2 Turbo at the moment and they're fantastic. Much better than the Bridgestone Potenza's on my RX7.


I've found them to be great in all weathers. I can use full throttle on low boost in the MR2 even in the lower gears in wet conditions and it'll grip in light to medium rain. Superior aquaplaning resistance compared to the Bridgestone too.

The specs state they're good down to -10C, and having driven them through the recent cold snap I can well believe it.

The RX7 will be getting a set once the Bridgestones are worn out.


Edited by Marf on Saturday 5th January 19:47

philmots

4,666 posts

290 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Dont go for winter tyres. I've got some on mine with 430lbft and they're worse than the knackard a summers they replaced.

Just get a quality tyre. Assemetric 2's, PS3, Conti 5 etc etc.

The rest is down to your right foot!

Darkslider

3,084 posts

219 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Surprised you're finding T1Rs that terrible, I've had them on several cars, got them on my Scooby currently and also had them on a Saxo VTS and 106 GTI in the past and been impressed by their wet and dry grip. Just a shame they wear on the shoulders so quickly!

FreeLitres

6,128 posts

207 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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I have Contis on the Passat TDi and they just about reign in the torque.

I find my Toyo T1-Rs are pretty good on the TVR but I don't drive it much in the winter/wet.

obob

4,193 posts

224 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
Darkslider said:
Surprised you're finding T1Rs that terrible, I've had them on several cars, got them on my Scooby currently and also had them on a Saxo VTS and 106 GTI in the past and been impressed by their wet and dry grip. Just a shame they wear on the shoulders so quickly!
RX7 has problems getting the power down in the wet in standard form never mind at 400lb/ft

obob

4,193 posts

224 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
Darkslider said:
Surprised you're finding T1Rs that terrible, I've had them on several cars, got them on my Scooby currently and also had them on a Saxo VTS and 106 GTI in the past and been impressed by their wet and dry grip. Just a shame they wear on the shoulders so quickly!
RX7 has problems getting the power down in the wet in standard form never mind at 400lb/ft

cptsideways

13,885 posts

282 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Are you on coilovers? if so than spring rates are way too stiff

Olly86

133 posts

169 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Friend has Michelin pilot sport cups on his S5 and he only does short journeys and swears by them! I've used Toyo R888's as daily tires on my old Mk1 Focus RS for a while and they were actually pretty good in the wet/damp but they didn't last long!

Fordo

1,572 posts

254 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Thats a car with a whole lotta torque - and theres only so far tyre physics can go!

At the risk of loosing some man points...... have you thought about getting traction control?

I certainly wouldn't mind traction control on a car with that much torque, when its greasey and slippery out there in winter.

And there might be something satissfying about turning the knob to 'off' when its a nice clear day. Today, i shall hoon 'reaches for TC switch'... click

shiftydave

247 posts

194 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Dunlop Sportmaxx RT are pretty sticky.

NateWM

1,743 posts

209 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
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Federal 595RSR.

Awesome tyres.

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
Darkslider said:
Surprised you're finding T1Rs that terrible, I've had them on several cars, got them on my Scooby currently and also had them on a Saxo VTS and 106 GTI in the past and been impressed by their wet and dry grip. Just a shame they wear on the shoulders so quickly!
I like them on my 175 lbft MX5 but bear in mind your scooby makes significantly less torque (assuming it's std) and is putting it through twice as many wheels

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
cptsideways said:
Are you on coilovers? if so than spring rates are way too stiff
Konis on the back on full soft spring rates aren't much higher than std.

Albeit I'm going to swap some Tein Flex on which were great on my RX7 Twin Turbo

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
Fordo said:
Thats a car with a whole lotta torque - and theres only so far tyre physics can go!

At the risk of loosing some man points...... have you thought about getting traction control?

I certainly wouldn't mind traction control on a car with that much torque, when its greasey and slippery out there in winter.

And there might be something satissfying about turning the knob to 'off' when its a nice clear day. Today, i shall hoon 'reaches for TC switch'... click
Yes as I said I'm intending to fit the Racelogic system

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
NateWM said:
Federal 595RSR.

Awesome tyres.
Awesome in the dry / warm.

Terrifying in the cold and wet - had them on my track MX5 Turbo

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Saturday 5th January 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the other tyre suggestions I've googled them all.

Not sure about paying the extra for the Yokos when cheaper tyres have received higher placing in tyre tests but their wet A rating looks promising.

I'd have like to try the Mich PSS but they aren't available in 17"

Problem is depending on the test and the car used the results vary tremendously with the cheap Nokian Z G2 being rated BETTER than S Contact 3 and F1s


GC8

19,910 posts

220 months

Sunday 6th January 2013
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V8RX7 said:
Darkslider said:
Surprised you're finding T1Rs that terrible, I've had them on several cars, got them on my Scooby currently and also had them on a Saxo VTS and 106 GTI in the past and been impressed by their wet and dry grip. Just a shame they wear on the shoulders so quickly!
I like them on my 175 lbft MX5 but bear in mind your scooby makes significantly less torque (assuming it's std) and is putting it through twice as many wheels
Theyre an ideal tyre for an MX-5, but they dont suit heavier cars.