Tyres! (again!)

[jovi]

Hi All!

My 95 Griff 500 needs new rears and given it still has healthy S02's on the front ideally I'd like to replace with the same. However, I've got 235/50/16's on the back and apparently Bridgestone no longer make an S02 in this size.

According to my local supplier, they DO still make SO1's?? But I don't like the sound of these vs the S02.

So -

Firstly do I have to stick to a Bridgestone rear if I'm keeping the S02's on the front? ie are Toyos an option?

Secondly - I can get S02's in 245/45/16, but I'm not sure I want something as wide as a 245 - will they spoil anywhere? and I've been quoted £158 each - not what I had in mind!!

Help! can anyone recommend an alternative size S02 that will not detract from handling? or if I fit the S01's will I not notice the difference?

Also - anyone got a really good deal anywhere they can point me?

THANKS!!!

[mrmaggit]

Got a full set of Toyos on our Griff, wear well, grip better, will replace with more of the same.

[nztrev]

Just a thought,should'nt you have 45 profiles on the back anyway with 16's

[Painey]

My Griff had S02 245/45 16's on the rear when I bought it. The size ones you have sounds a bit odd to me? Couldn't find replacement Bridgestones when I knackered my tyres at Bruntingthorpe so replaced them with Toyo's and have had no regrets whatsoever.

All the best - Chris

[laz11]

What about S03s?

[veg]

235 section on early 500s, 245 on later ones. I personally found 225 section are just right for the standard rims and give a much better feel on the track as they let you know when traction is going as oppossed to traction right up to the point of none!

SO3 are fine and a good tyre they just need proper heat soaking when fresh. Ive heard Toyo are good too.

[Ballistic Banana]

I have SO3's on the rear and SO2's on the front and asked similiar question before buying. Theres quite a few people who have run like this with no problems. lets face it the rears are gonna wear out quicker so unless you are going to replace all four and waste 2 probabaly good fronts then its something a fair few have probably been through.

BB

[jovi]

Thanks guys - so sounds to me like Toyos might be the way forward.

Am I endangering my life if I put Toyos on the rear and leave the Bridgestones on the front?

[Painey]

jovi said:

Thanks guys - so sounds to me like Toyos might be the way forward. Am I endangering my life if I put Toyos on the rear and leave the Bridgestones on the front?

Not as long as you take it easy for a while after fitting the Toyo's, giving time for them to 'cure' or whatever the hell it's called. Don't know the exact term for it but they have some kind of "running in" period where you should gently warm them up/down for the first few journeys you make with them on the car. Something to do with "setting" the rubber compound so that they offer maximum grip?

Basically, if you have perfectly good Bridgestones on the front and fit brand new Toyo's on the rear, until you've had them a while the front tyres will have more grip than the rear so go easy round corners.

Hope this makes sense!

[johno]

I haven't tried Toyo's so can not comment, but I believe the S03's are as good as the S02's were ....

I agree they need to be 'run in'amd a get a good few heat cycles through 'em, but I have found them excellent on track and road in both wet and dry.

[Esprit]

Anyone looked at running Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s? Have them on the TR and I've never in my life found a tyre that copes with all aspects of road and track driving with such competence.... one of the best, if not the best, in every category... don't think I'll ever drive anything else

[only me]

Had Toyo's on the back and so2's on the front for a while with no problem at all.

Now got Toyo's all round and very pleased with them.

Rears were all over the place at first but think was mainly due to 32 psi put in by the tyre shop! and the curing process. Just make sure you get the ZR rating as the Proxes do come in other speed ratings with the same tread pattern

[simpo two]

Loads of stuff on this if you search the archives. When my SO2s wear out I shall head for Toyo Proxes or Goddyear Eagles.