ZR Tyres

[TaimarTurbo]

Hi All,

I have recently bought a Chimaera 500.
It is in reasonably good condition except for the tyres, which are in an appalling state.

I have read some threads about which tyres to get and the general advice seems to be to fit Toyo T1R's. My problem is that they are V rated and my insurance company doesn't agree with them.

I have found three front tyres which are Z rated; the Pirelli PZero System Asimmetrico in 225/50-15, the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 in 215/50-15 and the Toyo R888, in 225/50-15

I have contacted ACS in Germany about the Hankook Ventus RS2, but they are out of stock.
Haven't been able to find them anywhere else.

My question; What should I do?
Use different brands front and rear, should I try the R888's, or fit new alloys?

Regards,

Fred

Edited by TaimarTurbo on Friday 21st September 09:33

[Goaty Bill]

Things may be different in the Netherlands Fred, but for the UK I would have said;

Try another insurance company.

I have been with the same insurers for since first purchase, over 13 years ago.
Questions and discussions like that have never arisen in any dealings with them in that time, even when I have had to make use of their 'full services'.

IMO it is better, (and cheaper) to find an insurance company that understands that some original parts/components simply won't be available after 10+ years.

In my experience (some years ago, and another vehicle), companies that rely upon that kind of information generally try harder to get out of paying up, than fixing your car when it's needed.

The insurer I use will be available in your country as well, so feel free to PM me for a reference.

My 500 has T1R's all around, on the original wheels.

There are of course better performance options, and a thousand recommendations will likely follow.
Such being the nature of this forum

Good luck.

[TaimarTurbo]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your thoughts, unfortunately a different insurer is out of the question.
I have asked around, but got virtually the same answer every time; they say it's OK if it has passed an MOT with the V-rated tires. But they won't give a written statement, which basically means you're screwed when you have an accident.

Another option would be to fit the original 16" rear alloy's on the front as well, anyone know where I could get a decent S/H set?


Fred

[lestershaw]

cant you take it for another mot with the v rated tyres on? an mot at castle tvr is £35
im with Bill, my 500 has TR-1s on and they are great

[TaimarTurbo]

I don't think that will do any good.
Even though he should fail it, the Mot man almost certainly won't notice it.
But that still doesn't sort out the issue with the insurance company.

[Goaty Bill]

TaimarTurbo said:

Hi Bill,

Another option would be to fit the original 16" rear alloy's on the front as well, anyone know where I could get a decent S/H set?
Fred

Here? PH Classisifeds

[SILICONEKID340HP]

TaimarTurbo said:

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your thoughts, unfortunately a different insurer is out of the question.
I have asked around, but got virtually the same answer every time; they say it's OK if it has passed an MOT with the V-rated tires. But they won't give a written statement, which basically means you're screwed when you have an accident.

Another option would be to fit the original 16" rear alloy's on the front as well, anyone know where I could get a decent S/H set?


Fred

Tyres are legal if they are safe at 70mph because that is the UK legal limit ,thats what insurance company told me ,they are a specialist classic and sports car insurance company .

[Goaty Bill]

But he's in the Netherlands

ETA
But I strongly agree with you on principal.
Why should I require 170 mph rated tyres for road use when the legal limit is 70mph?
Surely 130mph (or whatever the Z1Rs are rated at), is sufficient 'margin for error'

Edited by Goaty Bill on Friday 21st September 12:04

[TaimarTurbo]

Indeed, I am in The Netherlands.

I don't know how it is in the UK, but over here a car is only road legal when the tyres have the same or higher speed the manufacturer quoted.

Thank's for the link Bill, unfortunately they are Imola's not Estorils.

[cureton]

Forget the Dunlop SP 9ooo,not enough grip and found cornering stability borderline, seems to stiff for a light car. Forget 225s on the front if no PAS, just to heavy steering and tramlining. Why don't you try the new Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin, comes in 205/55/15 and 225/50/16 in W rating. Allows you to keep the original set up.

[Goaty Bill]

TaimarTurbo said:

Indeed, I am in The Netherlands.

I don't know how it is in the UK, but over here a car is only road legal when the tyres have the same or higher speed the manufacturer quoted.

Thank's for the link Bill, unfortunately they are Imola's not Estorils.

Mine came with Imolas, so sorry it only occurred to me after posting, that you probably have Estorils as most 500s did.

It is looking like custom wheels, or waiting until some Estorils appear for sale, or taking your chances in the interim.

[Dodsy]

I have the dunlops on the front. They are ok. Not brilliant. But if you have no choice then thats what you have to fit

[TaimarTurbo]

My late '94 Chim 500 does have PAS and is currently fitted with 215/50-15 and 235/45-16.
(and probably the original tyres by the looks of it)
I have read that 205 at the front with PAS feels much too light?

Thanks for the comments about the SP 9000, they are off the list then.

The easiest solution seems to be fitting the Pirelli PZero's at the front and either Toyo T1R or Bridgestone Potenza S02 at the rear.

[900T-R]

Indeed, the Adrenalins seem to be the ticket for std fitment sizes - unfortunately they are not being carried in Bridgestone Benelux' portfolio. I will consider organising a group buy if enough perople are interested, but I'd understand if people would rather wait until I've tried them on my own car!

[fausTVR]

Just to throw Yokohama s-drives into the mix, 205 55 W15. Have them on the front and no complaints so far. From memory W speed rating is 1mph above book value of 167. -had a few ales so stand to be corrected.

[TaimarTurbo]

I hadn't thought about going smaller, but those Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalins do look like a good alternative.
Same tyre brand front and rear, good availability, and cheaper than the other options.

But do they fit on the 500's Estorils?

@900T-R
A group buy may not be necessary, you can get them from reifen.com
http://www.reifen.com/de/TyreSize/DetailTyre/CarSu...
http://www.reifen.com/de/TyreSize/DetailTyre/CarSu...

[SILICONEKID340HP]

TaimarTurbo said:

I hadn't thought about going smaller, but those Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalins do look like a good alternative.
Same tyre brand front and rear, good availability, and cheaper than the other options.

But do they fit on the 500's Estorils?

@900T-R
A group buy may not be necessary, you can get them from reifen.com
http://www.reifen.com/de/TyreSize/DetailTyre/CarSu...
http://www.reifen.com/de/TyreSize/DetailTyre/CarSu...

Can you fit road legal track day tyres in Holland ?

Are you useing te car for doing trackdays or just road use.

[TaimarTurbo]

Road legal track tyres are no problem, but as I won't do any track days, semi slicks, like the R888, don't look like a good option.

Are you referring to the R888s or the RE002s? 'cause I don't think the RE002 is a track tyre?

[Goaty Bill]

TaimarTurbo said:

Road legal track tyres are no problem, but as I won't do any track days, semi slicks, like the R888, don't look like a good option.

Where is Haircutmike when you need him?

I seem to recall him swearing his R888's were better in the wet than his T1Rs?

[haircutmike]

Goaty Bill said:

TaimarTurbo said:

Road legal track tyres are no problem, but as I won't do any track days, semi slicks, like the R888, don't look like a good option.

Where is Haircutmike when you need him?

I seem to recall him swearing his R888's were better in the wet than his T1Rs?

Only me! Yep, on track in the wet the R888s are definitely grippier, no doubt because of the softer rubber.

Of course common sense will tell you as they have less grooves that they will shift less water when it is chucking it down, so beware.

On a wet track side by side with a griff on T1Rs it was the griff that was spinning!