Discussion
The time has come for me to renew the rear tyres on my '92 Griffith 4.3 The previous owner has fitted Bridgestone SO1 235/50 ZR16 tyres, but I'm not certain they are the right size for my make an model. Has anyone got any advice on what I should fit? i.e. the original tyre size.
Thanks in advance,
Dan.
Thanks in advance,
Dan.
In theory, the optimum tyre width for that rim is about 225. You can get a 245 on without major problems. The wider tyre will give fractionally more grip in a straight line and fractionally less cornering grip, but you won't notice the difference unless you're competing. Yes, the wider tyre will aquaplane slightly sooner too.
I've been phoning around the various tyre suppliers in the Hampshire area for some SO2's, and one of the particularly well known suppliers (for good prices) has told me that SO2's are only available for special fitment to Porsches or Honda S2000s, so I told him I had a Griffith, and the majority of Griffiths have SO2's, so please could he give me a price. He replied and said that they would affect the handling on a TVR, and recommended that I chose the SO3's. I told him I thought he was mistaken, and it's more than likely the SO3's that would affect the handling (based on what I've read on this site, and heard from other TVR owners). This was his reply, and I wondered if anybody else had come across this response before?:
"The SO2 is no longer available apart from specific fitment for
The Honda S2000 and Porsche's
These tyres will have an adverse effect on the TVR
handling
Therefore I cannot give you a price for a suitable tyre"
"The SO2 is no longer available apart from specific fitment for
The Honda S2000 and Porsche's
These tyres will have an adverse effect on the TVR
handling
Therefore I cannot give you a price for a suitable tyre"
I reckon they've got a stock of SO2's and they're saving it for 'special' people.... Obviously us TVR drivers aren't special enough these days. Shame though (for them), because I think they'll lose a lot of custom. Especially as the other tyre fitters seem to be able to get hold of the SO2's still. Maybe they're not selling many SO3's, and are trying to force them upon people?
What do you reckon they tell the Porsche and S2000 drivers? "Sorry Guv, we only fit them to Ford Escorts and Mini Metros...."
What do you reckon they tell the Porsche and S2000 drivers? "Sorry Guv, we only fit them to Ford Escorts and Mini Metros...."
griff430 said:
I reckon they've got a stock of SO2's and they're saving it for 'special' people.... Obviously us TVR drivers aren't special enough these days. Shame though (for them), because I think they'll lose a lot of custom. Especially as the other tyre fitters seem to be able to get hold of the SO2's still. Maybe they're not selling many SO3's, and are trying to force them upon people?
What do you reckon they tell the Porsche and S2000 drivers? "Sorry Guv, we only fit them to Ford Escorts and Mini Metros...."
When my car came back from TVRBodyshop it had brand new boots on it. S02's at that..... where did they get them from ????
BB
griff430 said:
"The SO2 is no longer available apart from specific fitment for
The Honda S2000 and Porsche's
These tyres will have an adverse effect on the TVR
handling
Therefore I cannot give you a price for a suitable tyre"
I agree that's utter crap. SO2s were standard fitment on Griffths and Chimaera for years. He is either mistaken, lying, or thinks you are stupid. Stern letter to his MD?
It would appear that Bridgestone may have a legal requirement to provide SO2s for the life of certain Porsche and Honda models, probably part of a manufacturer's agreement to fit Bridgestone as OE.
TVR just isn't powerful enough to extract the same agreement from Bridgestone. Therefore when SO2s are in short supply only Porsches and Hondas get the rubber.
When my tyre depot initially asked Bridgestone for SO1s and SO2s for my Griffith they were told that there weren't any. Magically when I told my local tyre depot to order Bridgestones for a Porsche both SO1s and SO2s were available!
>> Edited by jigs on Saturday 26th July 10:10
TVR just isn't powerful enough to extract the same agreement from Bridgestone. Therefore when SO2s are in short supply only Porsches and Hondas get the rubber.
When my tyre depot initially asked Bridgestone for SO1s and SO2s for my Griffith they were told that there weren't any. Magically when I told my local tyre depot to order Bridgestones for a Porsche both SO1s and SO2s were available!
>> Edited by jigs on Saturday 26th July 10:10
Jig's Porsche/Honda conspiracy stacks up. So the chap at the tyre place was correct, kind of, when he said:
"The SO2 is no longer available apart from specific fitment for The Honda S2000 and Porsche's"
...but he was guilty of utter bullshit when he said:
"These tyres will have an adverse effect on the TVR
handling"
Pity he had to lie - and a very stupid one at that - rather than give the real reason, isn't it?
"The SO2 is no longer available apart from specific fitment for The Honda S2000 and Porsche's"
...but he was guilty of utter bullshit when he said:
"These tyres will have an adverse effect on the TVR
handling"
Pity he had to lie - and a very stupid one at that - rather than give the real reason, isn't it?
Whoever said that S03's would affect the TVR handling got it wrong. Excellent tyres. This whole S03 are bad on Griffs and Chimaeras is one of the biggest urban myths I have heard. Started because someone tried them on NON-STANDARD wheels and found that the stiffer sidewall and lower profile screwed up the handling. Change the wheels and tyres and you affect the handling.
Get the S03s and run a slightly lower pressure. 1 to 2 lb less.
Get the S03s and run a slightly lower pressure. 1 to 2 lb less.
I'm glad the 'well known' tyre dealer didn't want to give me a price for the SO2's. I got them for a good price locally in the end - 98 quid per tyre, VAT balancing and valves included.
I was very happy with the price, and the service, and the fact that I didn't have to travel thirty miles and then queue for them to be fitted!
Dan.
I was very happy with the price, and the service, and the fact that I didn't have to travel thirty miles and then queue for them to be fitted!
Dan.
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