Tyres

[vy2clubby]

The Clubby is getting close to needing a new set of boots. Have done a bit of looking, but am getting a bit brain fried with all the different choices, tyre test reports (that no 2 seem to agree on anything)- I see black circles in my sleep now . So, I was thinking some kindly fellow petrolhead might have some advice. I don't do any 'trackwork', just your average motorway/local stuff with a bit of 'heavy foot' work (whenever a likely target presents itself ). Anyone want to divulge their experiences with tyres? - good, cr4p, wear out in a week or ten years type of stuff? Suggestions of a good fitter in the Essex/Herts/Kent/Nodnol regions?

[V8HSV]

Happy with Bridgstone SO3, lots of good reports on Goodyear F1 Eagle (use them on a diff car) & some will swear by Pirelli P Zero, I know there are lots to choose from, sidewall strength is important to me on such a heavy motor, so some of the run flat tyres are worth considering if that worries you (did me when the sidewall went bang) and lots rave about Toyo Proxes for grip, well thats all I know really. Going to try out Pirelli Nero Zero next time as I love them on another car and very similar spec to its cousin, the P Zero.

[009]

P Zero's, SO2 & 3, Continental Sports contact2 are all good, but for all round value, wet & dry, cost and wear rate conti's are up there, some good budget brands work well too Toyo etc, check out the Evo boy's they have used them all!!

[caspy]

<-------good fitter in kent!!!!

[vy2clubby]

Caspy YHM

[Well_Fans]

was that 100 miles on the track ;-) or do you just not like them with your style of driving? Tyres is a subject I'll need to look at soon and Dave52 has been telling me for months now the Bridgestones are crap and I should be looking at Eagle F1's - but then he uses a set every 6k miles. Be interested to hear what other Monaro owners reckon is best for normal road use with the occasional bit of fun thrown in.

[Well_Fans]

oh come on didnt you see the wink at the end. I was only joking about the track ffs. I'm sure someone would be glad to take them off you and pay a fair price for them. I was however interested in hearing about your experience with them so I could make a more informed judgement when it came time to replace my own. Different tyres suit different driving styles. Certainly wasnt intended to cause offence.

[pomona]

Did not see a on my screen but now I am all

[sid447]

Have experience of:

Yokohama AVS.........good tyre, quiet (low road noise) but "squirmy" with only average traction and grip.(Luminas have these as o.e. fit for the M-East).
Bridgestone SO3......very good tyre, lasts well, grips well and good traction and handling & steering response too.
[Used two sets of these and never a problem running at sustained high speeds (100+) in temps of over 45C -tarmac temps a good deal higher].
Tried a Caprice (LWB version of Commodore) with Michelin PS2; VERY good. These are about the best commercially available road tyre and I can see why, along with Bridgestone's latest and greatest...the RE-050A [note RE-050A NOT RE-050 which is a different tyre].
Bridgestone RE-050A....can't feel much difference to the SO-3's yet but went for these as they are supposed to be THE tyre (along with the GS-D3, PS2 and Goodyear Supercar tyre).

Can view tyre stats here: www.tirerack.com/tires/SearchTires.jsp

[LuS1fer]

Lots of people seem to be fitting Dunlop SportMaxx's to their cars these days and they're what I'm waiting for for my SC Mustang. I believe EVO have them fitted to their Monaro and Mustang too.

[V8HSV]

Only links I can find relate to bike tyres for the Dunlop Sportsmax

[LuS1fer]

Here's the link:
www.dunloptyres.co.uk/ourTyres/car/searchResults/SPSportMaxx/

Here's the tyre:


I tried to get Goodyear Eagle F1's in a 20" but they don';t make them so when I was trying to locate these, I was told that Dunlop and Goodyear are the same company. There was a big argument about which was the best tyre. I think the Goodyear came out best overall but the Dunlop had more dry grip and felt better, imparting greater confidence so Dunlop were claiming a moral victory. AS you can see, if they are the same company, it's just a publicity thing.

[V8HSV]

That makes sense as the GY F1 has terrific wet weather abilities but not so good with directional stability feel which can be quite apparent when new, not dissing the F1 as I use them on another car & would not change them but have always been reluctant to fit them on a 2 tonne car despite those that say they are best tyre to go for. Question now is how do they stack up against the Nero Zero which again I use on another car and recc by Stu Harris for the Monaro faternity.

[LuS1fer]

I had Goodyear F1's on my Camaro Z28 which is a bit lighter than the Monaro but they were very good tyres, wet or dry and I felt confident with them although the ones I had were 275/35's so the comparison with stock tyres isn't strictly fair.

On the other hand, the Mustang comes with Pirelli P Zero Neros as standard. Now I don't know if the composition of the US rubber is different but no-one rates these tyres on the Mustang although they seem to grip OK in the wet. I would temper that observation with the fact that the stock tyres are ridiculously tall 235/55's so feel mushy and flexy to begin with. I'm not prepared to invest in a set of low profiles of the same ilk on the basis of experience with them but again, I don't think they do them in a 20 so that choice is made for me. My main problem is the paucity of choice in a 20 which is Toyo, Conti, Sport SP, Sportmaxx and Pirelli Rossos. Of those, the Sportmaxx stands out as the best choice. If I was looking at 18/19" tyres, I'd probably be buying the F1's because I've used them before.

[v8nhh]

Have S03 on front and RE040 on rear on my GTS-R. When I bought it it had F1's on rear with 4mm tread these were rubbish so got rid and put RE040 on(wanted S03 but sourcing and price stopped that), reckon better in straight comparison over same roads in same conditons eg winter snow rain roadsalt and dry.This may be down to wear but I believe 4mm tread still should work well!!(my opinion anyway) now 4000mls and still happy

Only thing I normally look at, is whats OE gives you some idea.
Speed rating, and pressures amazing difference few PSI makes.
Personally RE040/050 I would recommend, but I love Bridgestones!! paid £110 fitted ech for them but reckon you could get better deal.


Probably no help
Nick

[sid447]

v8nhh said:

...................................... Personally RE040/050 I would recommend, but I love Bridgestones!! paid £110 fitted ech for them but reckon you could get better deal. Probably no help Nick

Nick,

Try the RE-050A when you get a chance. A good bit better than the -050, way better than -040. They level-peg with the mighty Michelin PS2 in most respects.

[booster]

I have Toyo Proxes T1 R. Fabulous tyre for grip in wet and dry.