Discussion
Has anyone replace their Bridgestone S02/S03 with Toyo tyres on a Chimaera and if so what were they like for road holding, ride and wear? I keep seeing the ad in Sprint and wondered what they were like compared with Bridgestones.
I did a quick search on Toyo and found nothing so if it has already been covered please let me know the thread.
John.
I did a quick search on Toyo and found nothing so if it has already been covered please let me know the thread.
John.
The TOYO chap was at Duxford in the TVRCC trailer. He was collaring people as they went in, extolling the virtues of his the t1-s tyres.
I responded that he had no need to convince me that they were good tyres as I had them on my M Roadster and liked them. The dealer (or rather their tyre subcontractor) fitted 2 on the front of my Griff. BUT, I said, I took them off again as they are only V rated not Z and hence not acceptable insurance-wise.
He then explained that he was working to get the V rated T1-S acknowledged as suitable for use on the Griff/Chim. He reckons the low weight of the TVR means that tyre has equivalent performce to a Z rated tyre and is seeking written approval on this from TOYO in Japan and TVR Engineering. He claims that this will enable people to demonstrate this to their insurance companies in the event of any problems.
On the assumption that he does all this, and my insurance company gives me written approval beforehand, then I would happily re-fit the two otherwise useless brand new front tyres that are sitting in my garage.
Not much help - but I do think the Toyo is a good tyre, and very reasonably priced.
Alternatively put 16" rims on the front and get Z rated tyres like the last 100 Griffs.....
I responded that he had no need to convince me that they were good tyres as I had them on my M Roadster and liked them. The dealer (or rather their tyre subcontractor) fitted 2 on the front of my Griff. BUT, I said, I took them off again as they are only V rated not Z and hence not acceptable insurance-wise.
He then explained that he was working to get the V rated T1-S acknowledged as suitable for use on the Griff/Chim. He reckons the low weight of the TVR means that tyre has equivalent performce to a Z rated tyre and is seeking written approval on this from TOYO in Japan and TVR Engineering. He claims that this will enable people to demonstrate this to their insurance companies in the event of any problems.
On the assumption that he does all this, and my insurance company gives me written approval beforehand, then I would happily re-fit the two otherwise useless brand new front tyres that are sitting in my garage.
Not much help - but I do think the Toyo is a good tyre, and very reasonably priced.
Alternatively put 16" rims on the front and get Z rated tyres like the last 100 Griffs.....
I spoke to the Toyo rep on the stand at Goodwood about the posibility fitting Toyos to my Chimaera 500. The car was listed in their official tyre comparison/sizing booklet and so I didn't even consider that they may be recommending one of their tyres that had an insufficient speed rating.
I'll certainly make sure this issue is resolved until I consider putting Toyos on the front.
I'll certainly make sure this issue is resolved until I consider putting Toyos on the front.
quote:
I spoke to the Toyo rep on the stand at Goodwood about the posibility fitting Toyos to my Chimaera 500. The car was listed in their official tyre comparison/sizing booklet and so I didn't even consider that they may be recommending one of their tyres that had an insufficient speed rating.
I'll certainly make sure this issue is resolved until I consider putting Toyos on the front.
This is quite an issue and I cannot see how they can simply say "oh it's alright" when the tyres need to go through an approval process to get the appropriate rating and be marked accordingly. I can't see Toyo doing that for the relatively smll numbers of tyres they will sell.
The other issue is that they have a softer sidewall construction which is why they seem to work well on the bigger wheel lower profile TVRs but as most of the time I am fighting to get a stiffer tyre wall on the Griff to stop the tyre wall and contact patch from distorting, this seems to be a step in the wrong direction as far as I can see.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
W is actually higher than Z so no problem. Just done a tyre chcek and there isn't a 15Z Toyo so just ordered some S03s from Micheldever. £108 each delivered on VAT.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
quote:
£108 each delivered on VAT.
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Nice Price!!
Kept your book plug, dispite the rather fallow section on the transmission
I just had them fitted - two Bridgestone S03s 205/50 ZR15 for £170 incl, valve, fitting, balance and VAT. I just rang them and they said £102.34. I said that I had a better quote of £86 each all in and they said they could beat that and gave me £85 a tyre. Job done! 
Whoops forgot to say that was Kwik Fit!
>> Edited by GingaNinga on Friday 16th August 17:49
Whoops forgot to say that was Kwik Fit!
>> Edited by GingaNinga on Friday 16th August 17:49
Does anybody know WHY different size wheels are fitted to the Chim/Griff? 
I reckon it's a "Wheeler" thing, like upside down rear lights and unconventional door latches. Anything wrong with fitting 15 or 16 inch wheels all round? And surely using the space-saver will make the car unstable? I think Steve H should know the answer to this one!
I reckon it's a "Wheeler" thing, like upside down rear lights and unconventional door latches. Anything wrong with fitting 15 or 16 inch wheels all round? And surely using the space-saver will make the car unstable? I think Steve H should know the answer to this one!
Spacesavers are to be avoided at all costs because they make the car very unstable and difficult to drive.
Different wheel sizes allow the suspension designers to play with different sidewall heights which change the handling characteristics. I suspect the decision was based on the fact that TVR needed a wider tyre for the rear and going with a 16 inch wheel meant that they could get get the right combination. Could also be that PW liked it/got a better deal on wheels and tyres....
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Different wheel sizes allow the suspension designers to play with different sidewall heights which change the handling characteristics. I suspect the decision was based on the fact that TVR needed a wider tyre for the rear and going with a 16 inch wheel meant that they could get get the right combination. Could also be that PW liked it/got a better deal on wheels and tyres....
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Just called A MANNING - asked chappy there if fitting 15" VR Toyos would invalidate my policy with them - he tells me not!
So just got off the phone (as I type this...) to Cornhill who the policy is with. He tells me 'you need to speak to your broker'. Me 'so if the broker hasnt a problem with VR tyres, you wont either?'. Him 'thats right'
So.....
Have to admit I'm not convinced though.
Ed
So just got off the phone (as I type this...) to Cornhill who the policy is with. He tells me 'you need to speak to your broker'. Me 'so if the broker hasnt a problem with VR tyres, you wont either?'. Him 'thats right'
So.....
Have to admit I'm not convinced though.
Ed
quote:
Does anybody know WHY different size wheels are fitted to the Chim/Griff?
The smaller front ones makes the big ones look bigger (now i'm confused!).
quote:
And surely using the space-saver will make the car unstable?
If you have fitted space savers to yours, try not to do too many track days - the other drivers will laugh at you
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