Uniroyal and Toyo
Discussion
Hi folks, I've been enquiring about new tyres for my car, as after a spin out in the rain recently and not being over impressed with the car I had a look at their age - 13 front and 8 rear! Best get a new set I thought and after reading so much about the Rainsports I made a few enquiries, but being told the 205/55-15 not available and have no idea when, rears I can get mid June.
This leaves me going back to Toyo R1R'S -unless anyone knows of a ready stock of the uni's??
Currently I'm booked in for next Wednesday at Halford for the Toyos - well priced,local and easy.
Adrian
This leaves me going back to Toyo R1R'S -unless anyone knows of a ready stock of the uni's??
Currently I'm booked in for next Wednesday at Halford for the Toyos - well priced,local and easy.
Adrian
Try the Rainsports in 205/50R15.
Alternatively Camskill have the T1Rs in the size you want-
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s289p133601/Toyo_T...
Go to a local non franchised tyre fitters & they're normally very amenable.
It's a very common problem for TVRs to be running old, hard, non grippy tyres as they don't do much mileage as a general rule.
Personally, I run pretty soft tyres as they're more fun & last for a few years. These are a cheap, fun tyre-
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m12b0s661p137466/Federa...
Alternatively Camskill have the T1Rs in the size you want-
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s289p133601/Toyo_T...
Go to a local non franchised tyre fitters & they're normally very amenable.
It's a very common problem for TVRs to be running old, hard, non grippy tyres as they don't do much mileage as a general rule.
Personally, I run pretty soft tyres as they're more fun & last for a few years. These are a cheap, fun tyre-
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m12b0s661p137466/Federa...
I have run a set of Federal 595 RSR - be very careful to get RSR, there are three different types of Federal 595.
Loved them. The big bonus is that they are not far off Toyo R888 tyres on a race track, I kid you not. I did a whole year of trackdays on mine.
But they work well on the road too. Not in the same class as Rainsports in a downpour, but still have enough grip to get you home so long as you keep your right foot sensible.
Rainsport 3s are great if you drive whatever the weather. Not had the Toyos, so cannot comment on them.
Loved them. The big bonus is that they are not far off Toyo R888 tyres on a race track, I kid you not. I did a whole year of trackdays on mine.
But they work well on the road too. Not in the same class as Rainsports in a downpour, but still have enough grip to get you home so long as you keep your right foot sensible.
Rainsport 3s are great if you drive whatever the weather. Not had the Toyos, so cannot comment on them.
Thanks, who'd of thought it so difficult to find tyres... I only want 4! Lol
'Ideally', I'm looking for an all weather type as the plan next year is to run a separate set for track, but if something was reasonably alright in the wet but great in the dry, then that would be a good compromise.
I've tried looking for the Federal though and having no look finding a set if 4. :-/
'Ideally', I'm looking for an all weather type as the plan next year is to run a separate set for track, but if something was reasonably alright in the wet but great in the dry, then that would be a good compromise.
I've tried looking for the Federal though and having no look finding a set if 4. :-/
Just ordered Rainsport3 205 55 r15s from Camskills shown as ex stock although they have not confirmed a delivery day yet.
You've now set me wondering whether I have ordered the correct tyres,
Incidentally, Motul did you ever get the Emerald fitted. I read your thread with interest as I was having Joolz
fit mine at the time. This turned out to be the best value for money I have spent on the car and has totally
transformed its reliability..
You've now set me wondering whether I have ordered the correct tyres,
Incidentally, Motul did you ever get the Emerald fitted. I read your thread with interest as I was having Joolz
fit mine at the time. This turned out to be the best value for money I have spent on the car and has totally
transformed its reliability..
I'd go with the 50 as suggested above in the Rainsports as they are a very compliant tyre. Huge grip in all weathers really and I found them awesome on a very wet M6 and cut through huge puddles at 80 mph with zero lift or loss of grip.
Really good in the dry all year round and for the money a brilliant tyre imho. Local driving has been transformed by the things, different car and all that. No steering shudder over bumps, speed humps come and go without the usual cringing I do, I've gone from heavily disliking its bashing and crashing over bumps that had me calling the car a few names to sublime smooth easy driving where nothing rattles or vibrates, broken roads are the best
just rides them as if there almost not there. For me a transformation from bone shaker to very competent car in any circumstances. Awesome.
Really good in the dry all year round and for the money a brilliant tyre imho. Local driving has been transformed by the things, different car and all that. No steering shudder over bumps, speed humps come and go without the usual cringing I do, I've gone from heavily disliking its bashing and crashing over bumps that had me calling the car a few names to sublime smooth easy driving where nothing rattles or vibrates, broken roads are the best
just rides them as if there almost not there. For me a transformation from bone shaker to very competent car in any circumstances. Awesome. Cool, I'll have a look into the 50's. I've been told that the 55's are totally out of stock and no idea when production will start - but who knows the truth, so I'll keep trying as everyone has good things to say about them.
As for the Emerald, well, I've held off until here more about the Gems set up, as I like that idea AND cheaper! Also, I've kinda spent nearly 1k on the tuscon s bilsteins which need fitting.
I'm glad to hear you like the emerald though, as I really do think it's a new ECU I 'need' next!
So other than smoother, have you noticed an around feeling of faster or just easier to use?
As for the Emerald, well, I've held off until here more about the Gems set up, as I like that idea AND cheaper! Also, I've kinda spent nearly 1k on the tuscon s bilsteins which need fitting.
I'm glad to hear you like the emerald though, as I really do think it's a new ECU I 'need' next!
So other than smoother, have you noticed an around feeling of faster or just easier to use?
Prior to the change the car was totally unreliable, In spite of replacing most of the Lucas components
the car would cough /cut out randomly go to limp mode , Refueling was always a worry in case it
would not restart.
As one of the precats was loose Joolz removed.them at the same time as the Emerald installation
and although there is a marginal improvement in performance it is difficult to say whether this was from
the Emerald or precat removal. What it has done is totally transform the usability of the car and worth the money
on this count alone
the car would cough /cut out randomly go to limp mode , Refueling was always a worry in case it
would not restart.
As one of the precats was loose Joolz removed.them at the same time as the Emerald installation
and although there is a marginal improvement in performance it is difficult to say whether this was from
the Emerald or precat removal. What it has done is totally transform the usability of the car and worth the money
on this count alone
I'm on 17's on the front so use a 45 and it's great so I think you'll find the 50 should work well.
Compared to 3 year old T1Rs light years faster and miles safer. If you went for federal or similar that's a very good tyre in the dry and can cope with side forces say on a track but on the roads can break away with little notice as they have a firmish sidewall. Rainsports come at it from a slightly different angle as they have soft sidewalls which at first I thought would crumple under cornering forces and for s few weeks felt like the car sort of wobbled on them a bit but now I just find them so full of grip I'm never near the edge of them yet travelling much faster with so much more confidence. Brake tests give up a cars tyre's full grip potential under load and counter forces, with big brakes they've nowhere to hide
They hold on and the car stops almost effortlessly from high speed to zero in a matter of a few seconds and it's easy to feel their locking point so moderating the brakes is easier.
Soft compound gives them a race tyre feel from stone cold, full of grip. Now the weathers warming, they heat up, get even grippier and more compliant, it's the price, all this for around £250 for 4 !! Our cars are light so this tyre works really good and damp or slippery conditions are not the death defying ride they once were, that alone tells you how grippy they are. Full on rain they still seem to be the same grip levels,,, outrageous and a bit of a relief cos my car was spinning wheels at 80 mph on country lanes in 3rd gear and now I can floor it in first and defo second with full grip, only if I'm fully accelerating in third on a county lane and hit a huge bump will it even vaguely slip, before I'd be at 45degrees to the road if I hadn't lift off! It's gone from wanting to kill me and that's no joke to I need more power and it feels bloody safe as houses,, fantastic really and all for less than 300 smackers better than new shocks I know that 
Compared to 3 year old T1Rs light years faster and miles safer. If you went for federal or similar that's a very good tyre in the dry and can cope with side forces say on a track but on the roads can break away with little notice as they have a firmish sidewall. Rainsports come at it from a slightly different angle as they have soft sidewalls which at first I thought would crumple under cornering forces and for s few weeks felt like the car sort of wobbled on them a bit but now I just find them so full of grip I'm never near the edge of them yet travelling much faster with so much more confidence. Brake tests give up a cars tyre's full grip potential under load and counter forces, with big brakes they've nowhere to hide
They hold on and the car stops almost effortlessly from high speed to zero in a matter of a few seconds and it's easy to feel their locking point so moderating the brakes is easier.
Soft compound gives them a race tyre feel from stone cold, full of grip. Now the weathers warming, they heat up, get even grippier and more compliant, it's the price, all this for around £250 for 4 !! Our cars are light so this tyre works really good and damp or slippery conditions are not the death defying ride they once were, that alone tells you how grippy they are. Full on rain they still seem to be the same grip levels,,, outrageous and a bit of a relief cos my car was spinning wheels at 80 mph on country lanes in 3rd gear and now I can floor it in first and defo second with full grip, only if I'm fully accelerating in third on a county lane and hit a huge bump will it even vaguely slip, before I'd be at 45degrees to the road if I hadn't lift off! It's gone from wanting to kill me and that's no joke to I need more power and it feels bloody safe as houses,, fantastic really and all for less than 300 smackers
better than new shocks I know that Another thing, you can play with tyre pressures and actually feel a difference in the handling. I've gone as low as 20 allround for fun and local driving over pot holes etc its better than a Mondeo. Your getting that two inches of softness our suspension set ups can never give you and for me I really like it. Car feels so much better as a road car and it's basically totally safe,,,,,,, and fast 
I can't see them coping on a race track like other tyre's but for 5 laps they might be great fun. My gut feeling is they would be great for sprinting and excellent for people going on track for the first time or not bothered about ultimate speed although I think they may still be better than most crap road tyre's. I'd be faster on track with these than the T1R's I had before, a lot faster and much more confident in feeling their slipping point. Could push through mid corner and hammer the throttle on exit with little chance the rears would let go as easily. Brake later and chuck it in with much more violence I'd say. I think I'd really enjoy the car on a different level to be honest and it would be fast everywhere. For a road tyre that works all year round For me who might have the occasional blast with mates around a track they are perfect.
I can't see them coping on a race track like other tyre's but for 5 laps they might be great fun. My gut feeling is they would be great for sprinting and excellent for people going on track for the first time or not bothered about ultimate speed although I think they may still be better than most crap road tyre's. I'd be faster on track with these than the T1R's I had before, a lot faster and much more confident in feeling their slipping point. Could push through mid corner and hammer the throttle on exit with little chance the rears would let go as easily. Brake later and chuck it in with much more violence I'd say. I think I'd really enjoy the car on a different level to be honest and it would be fast everywhere. For a road tyre that works all year round For me who might have the occasional blast with mates around a track they are perfect.
I had a similar issue sourcing some tyres about 6 weeks ago in what is deemed to be the standard tyre size of 205/55/15 Front and 225/50/16 Rear.
Same story from all the local tyre places, no stock and no idea when but possibly June or July.
I really wanted to get Uniroyal Rainsport 3, but also tried to get some Bridgestone RE002. Ended up getting the only thing that would fit and was available for the front and rear. Toyo Proxes T1R - £273 for the set, supplied and fitted at the local ProTyre place. Cheap as chips and very happy with them so far.
In my search for the correct tyre, I found that the owners manual that came with my 94 plate Chimaera listed the correct tyres as 205/60/15 Front and 225/55/16 Rear (you cannot get those either). TVR apparently changed the tyre size a few years in to production as Bridgestone stopped making the 205/60/15 tyre, and then lowered the sidewall profile on both the front and rear to keep the ratio the same.
I did look at going to a 50 for the front, but did question whether that was a bit too small compared to the 60 originally specified.
I do not want to start a massive tyre war, and post this just for interest only.
Same story from all the local tyre places, no stock and no idea when but possibly June or July.
I really wanted to get Uniroyal Rainsport 3, but also tried to get some Bridgestone RE002. Ended up getting the only thing that would fit and was available for the front and rear. Toyo Proxes T1R - £273 for the set, supplied and fitted at the local ProTyre place. Cheap as chips and very happy with them so far.
In my search for the correct tyre, I found that the owners manual that came with my 94 plate Chimaera listed the correct tyres as 205/60/15 Front and 225/55/16 Rear (you cannot get those either). TVR apparently changed the tyre size a few years in to production as Bridgestone stopped making the 205/60/15 tyre, and then lowered the sidewall profile on both the front and rear to keep the ratio the same.
I did look at going to a 50 for the front, but did question whether that was a bit too small compared to the 60 originally specified.
I do not want to start a massive tyre war, and post this just for interest only.
I have just gone from Poxies (I have never gotten on with them and dont know what the hype is on them) to the RainSport 3's and the difference is night and day!
Completely transformed the car.
I got a full set (205/55/15 x2 & 225/50/16 x2) from MyTyres for £260.....got them fitted at my local tyre place in Haslemere for £40 (in beer tokens)
Sold the old Poxies for £130 too!
Completely transformed the car.
I got a full set (205/55/15 x2 & 225/50/16 x2) from MyTyres for £260.....got them fitted at my local tyre place in Haslemere for £40 (in beer tokens)
Sold the old Poxies for £130 too!
Thanks for that. It's always going to be a leap of faith, but there really does seem to be an overwhelming liking of these tyres, so I'm happy that I managed to get a set - really looking forward to trying them.
I've my new bilsteins to go on after - they were another overwhelming recommendation too!
I've my new bilsteins to go on after - they were another overwhelming recommendation too!
motul1974 said:
Thanks for that. It's always going to be a leap of faith, but there really does seem to be an overwhelming liking of these tyres, so I'm happy that I managed to get a set - really looking forward to trying them.
I've my new bilsteins to go on after - they were another overwhelming recommendation too!
Put those Billies on as soon as possible and tell us all about them. I'm keeping everything crossed those with Rainsport tyre's will have you feeling the cars in the modern world and far more balanced and capable. I've my new bilsteins to go on after - they were another overwhelming recommendation too!
Just had standard bilsteins, new wishbones, ball joints etc fitted and what a difference - feels really planted and really composed with no rattles over rough roads. I'm running Avons on standard wheels and they seem to grip well in all condition (plenty wet up north) but intrigued by the raving about the rainsports.. but current rubber still almost new.
motul1974 said:
Thanks for that. It's always going to be a leap of faith, but there really does seem to be an overwhelming liking of these tyres, so I'm happy that I managed to get a set - really looking forward to trying them.
I've my new bilsteins to go on after - they were another overwhelming recommendation too!
Seriously they have 100% transformed my Chimaera....just make sure you get the pressures right (22psi Front / 24psi Rear). I've my new bilsteins to go on after - they were another overwhelming recommendation too!
Mine were a couple of psi out and it was ok but felt a bit twitcy....checked and adjusted them when stone cold to the 22/24 combo and the car feels spot bollok on now.
So much nicer to drive.
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