Tyre advise required please - Falken/ Toyo/ something else?

[kiwifraser]

I need to sort the tyres on the Celica GT4 ST205 I just purchased.

Currently it has 3 Goodyear Eagle F1's (with one that has a big leak), and a Federal. The size is 205/45 x 16 on standard 7.5" wide rims.

Given the factory size is 215/50 x16, the rolling circumference is obviously quite a lot smaller with what is on there (and they do look small on the rims).

I am thinking of changing to 225/45 x16 with either Falken FK452's or Toyo T1R's. Is anyone running these, as reports are variable on tyre review sites - the worst comments being soft sidewalls on Falkens and high wear rates/ understeer on Toyos.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[GravelBen]

I opted for Bridgestone RE001 over Eagle F1s when the GTB (215/45R17) needed some new rubber recently. I'm liking them, experiences summarised below:

Dry grip: RE001 beats F1 easily when warm - F1 feels like more initial bite but then washes out sooner than RE001. Similar grip in cold conditions as the RE001 seem to need more heat in them to really perform.
Wet grip: F1 has a slight edge when cold, RE001 just as good when warm.
Road noise: Asymmetric RE001 has Directional F1 soundly thrashed.
Tramlining: As above, RE001 clear winner.
Sidewall/shoulder strength: RE001 seem much better, time will tell.
Price: F1 $260NZ, RE001 $205NZ


I've also heard good things about Rainsport2 as an F1 alternative.

[chippy17]

well I am running 452s on a classic Impreza wagon and I think they are great, on my second set I have heard that they run better on 4wd cars than the Toyo's but I have not tried Toyo's on a 4wd. I have used Toyo's on a 2wd car i used to own and I think the Falkens are marginally the better tyre and a tad cheaper too, I am no expert

[kiwifraser]

Based on this, and tyre availability on the Toyos in the UK, I think I'll try some Falken FK452 225/45x16's.

Camskill do them for 69.30 inc VAT Bridgestones/ Goodyears were much more expensive @ £112.

[ScoobieWRX]

I also hear good things about the Falkens, they make a decent range of track tyres apparently.

Been using Toyo T1R's on the scoobywagon for a long time now and i'm changing to Bridgstone RE070 225/45/17 all round unless someone can convince me otherwise as to a really good equivalent tyre.

Thought about Pirelli PZero range as a possible alternative to Bridgestones.

[RobCrezz]

ScoobieWRX said:

I also hear good things about the Falkens, they make a decent range of track tyres apparently.

Been using Toyo T1R's on the scoobywagon for a long time now and i'm changing to Bridgstone RE070 225/45/17 all round unless someone can convince me otherwise as to a really good equivalent tyre.

Thought about Pirelli PZero range as a possible alternative to Bridgestones.

Toyos are good, but I found the falken 452s to be better IMO.

[kiwifraser]

Just ordered them for tomorrow. £66 each fitted from Bracknell Tyres

[Ranger 6]

Good choice Fraser, that's where I bought them for the 130i

[GravelBen]

ScoobieWRX said:

Been using Toyo T1R's on the scoobywagon for a long time now and i'm changing to Bridgstone RE070 225/45/17 all round unless someone can convince me otherwise as to a really good equivalent tyre.

RE070 should be a good step up from the T1R. As I understand it you could rank some performance tyre options like this:

T1R < Eagle F1 < RE001 < RE050 < RE070

(without taking price into account)

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 24th July 01:44

[kiwifraser]

Slight change...

When I arrived this morning, they had ordered Kumho KU31's in error. They offered to re-order the Falkens for this afternoon, but I chose to try these instead based on what I could quickly find on PH. They get a good writeup on here for damp/wet weather so hopefully they will see me through the winter well. Apparently they go a bit soft on track days after a few laps, but I don't think they will ever be on a track so that doesn't matter really

So far, they are really good (considering they haven't even been scrubbed in!)

[ScoobieWRX]

GravelBen said:

ScoobieWRX said:

Been using Toyo T1R's on the scoobywagon for a long time now and i'm changing to Bridgstone RE070 225/45/17 all round unless someone can convince me otherwise as to a really good equivalent tyre.

RE070 should be a good step up from the T1R. As I understand it you could rank some performance tyre options like this:

T1R < Eagle F1 < RE001 < RE050 < RE070

(without taking price into account)

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 24th July 01:44

I've got a set of RE050's on the back of my wagon just now as winter tyres and they've been very good indeed. Nice stiff sidewalls and plenty of grip even in crappy and cold weather, not bothered to change them just yet as they've been excellent so far and it's still very wet at the mo but will save them for the winter as i have another set of rims in the garage waiting for some summer rubber. I might still try the Pirelli's as i can get a set of four, part worn, with 6mm or tread left on them for £100 just to try them out. If they end up being rubbish on the scoob then it's a very small loss to make but i've got them on the jag and they are pretty bloody good with 17K miles on them and still looking almost as good as the day they were fitted new!!