so2's or not ,that is the question!

[chimiain]

Thanks for all your help from my other topic, very helpful. as a newcomer to the TVR world i would like to know if anybody has any advice on tyres. i have presently got so2's on the front and so3's on the back.I was told that so'2 etc are not being made anymore,i am in need of front two tyres but have tracked some down, should i replace or go for a new make,

sounds stupid but i intend to do some track day's and don't know if these are the ones to go for,

thanks

[Nick_Chim]

Most people I know are happy with their SO2s - provided they are S-02 pole positions (there is a difference in sidewall stiffness I believe); so if you can find some, go for it; you won't get the same opportunity in 6 months time.

I'm set on retaining the 225 front / 245 rear rather than 205/225, so I've had to go for Toyos - having my worn out S-02s changed on Thursday.

[chimiain]

Nick_Chim said:

Most people I know are happy with their SO2s - provided they are S-02 pole positions (there is a difference in sidewall stiffness I believe); so if you can find some, go for it; you won't get the same opportunity in 6 months time. I'm set on retaining the 225 front / 245 rear rather than 205/225, so I've had to go for Toyos - having my worn out S-02s changed on Thursday.

Can i have 245 on the rear even if it's a 16" wheel,if that is the case,i take it that Toyos allow this.

See this is the problem ,i will in due course be changing my rear tyres and won't be able to replace with s03's and i would like all the tyre to be the same make,don't know if this makes any difference?

[Nick_Chim]

For the more recent Chims there seems to be two tyre configurations;

Rear 225/50ZR16, Front 205/55ZR15
or
Rear 245/45ZR16, Front 225/50ZR15

The latter in S-02pp seems to have been standard fit on the 7-spoke Griff 500 'Estoril' alloys (see my profile) in 1999.

Replacements are more problematical - Bridgestone S-02 or S-03 seem like rocking horse poo in those profiles; Theoretically, Goodyear (F1 GSD-2)and Dunlop (SP9000) do those sizes/profiles, but I've been unable to source the Goodyear, so to avoid going on my worn out potenzae, I've gone for Toyo Proxes T1-R 245/45R16 (rear) and Toyo Proxes T1-S 225/50R15 (front). Being fitted on Thursday; I'll report back on how it runs on them; wish me luck!

PS I wouldn't suggest mixing 205 front and 245 rears if that's what you were thinking - I've not tried it, but I'd guess understeer city, followed by fast oversteer breakaway... Anyone braver than me tried it?

>> Edited by Nick_Chim on Tuesday 20th September 20:50

[tahiti450]

check out the threads on this topic there are g'zillions, this topic is very popular.

Can't imagine why Nick Chim is about going to Toyos (though he doesn't say whether T1-S or T1-R). IMHO (and many others) the T1-S Toyos are at least as good if not better than the Bridgestones.

[charlie sprout]

I have just gone from SO3's on the front to Toyo T1-R's and am very happy with them. The car seems a lot more stable, is less prone to tramlining and the the ride is a bit more comfortable on the country roads hereabouts. I'm busy now wearing out the rears so I can change them too.

[Nick_Chim]

tahiti450 said:

Can't imagine why Nick Chim is about going to Toyos (though he doesn't say whether T1-S or T1-R). IMHO (and many others) the T1-S Toyos are at least as good if not better than the Bridgestones.

Didn't say I was , just a bit nervy, as I've heard good and bad and in the end had no choice (them or bald S-02s) - I also can't find anyone on 245/225 combo to compare notes with - which sizes you running Tahiti & Charlie?

I did say:

Nick_Chim said:

I've gone for Toyo Proxes T1-R 245/45R16 (rear) and Toyo Proxes T1-S 225/50R15 (front).

so a pair of each - mixing R and S was unavoidable as the R is not out in 225/50R15 yet and the S was no longer available in 245/45R16.


>> Edited by Nick_Chim on Tuesday 20th September 23:58

[d50cyx]

I seem to have complicated my life unnecessarily here... I recently had Toyo T1R 225/50ZR16 fitted on the rear, they don't do anything (T1R or T1S) in a 15" (specifically 205/55ZR15) that is actually Z rated!

So I seem to be left with two choices:

a) go for a Toyo T1R that isn't Z rated (insurance issues, general consensus seems be set against it, etc. etc - not somewhere I'm willing to go)

b) go for a different brand of tyre e.g. Dunlop SP Sport 9000 (the only brand I've heard of that seems to be available in this size - the Goodyear Eagle F1 don't appear to be Z rated)

Not much of a choice as far as I can see. Any thoughts?

[IPAddis]

Nick_Chim said:

PS I wouldn't suggest mixing 205 front and 245 rears if that's what you were thinking - I've not tried it, but I'd guess understeer city, followed by fast oversteer breakaway... Anyone braver than me tried it? >> Edited by Nick_Chim on Tuesday 20th September 20:50

205/55 front and 245/45 rear is standard fit on some Griffs. Works fine.

Ian A.

[Nick_Chim]

I stand corrected - it's official: anything goes!!

[Shnozz]

I wouldnt put Toyos on my mower. Stick with Bridgestones.

[cosmoschick]

My Chim needs two new tyres on the rear. I read these threads every time they're posted but I'm still as confused as ever as to the best ones to go for.

[chimiain]

cosmoschick said:

My Chim needs two new tyres on the rear. I read these threads every time they're posted but I'm still as confused as ever as to the best ones to go for.

I'm with you cosmochick

[JR]

chimiain said:

cosmoschick said: My Chim needs two new tyres on the rear. I read these threads every time they're posted but I'm still as confused as ever as to the best ones to go for. I'm with you cosmochick

Over the years the factory have fitted Goodyear, Bridgestone, Toyo and now Goodyear again. Dunlop now appear to be an unofficial recommendation and there's always Pirelli PZero Asym. They are all good tyres, just some are slightly better than others in one area or another.

[900T-R]

As a rule of thumb - if there's plenty of meat left on the fronts, I'd stick with the same make/type on the rear if at all possible. If all four need replacing, the world is your oyster.

[tahiti450]

Shnozz said:

I wouldnt put Toyos on my mower. Stick with Bridgestones.

Yeah, I dont think Toyo do those sizes yet, lack of demand possibly . I'd stick to putting them on the car

>> Edited by tahiti450 on Thursday 22 September 13:51

[Shnozz]

tahiti450 said:

Shnozz said: I wouldnt put Toyos on my mower. Stick with Bridgestones. Yeah, I dont think Toyo do those sizes yet, lack of demand possibly . I'd stick to putting them on the car >> Edited by tahiti450 on Thursday 22 September 13:51

I wouldnt put them on my car again if I was sponsored by Toyo, needed tyres for my Toyota, and was playing an album by La Toya in the cd player.

[Bomber Denton]

Shnozz said:

tahiti450 said: Shnozz said: I wouldnt put Toyos on my mower. Stick with Bridgestones. Yeah, I dont think Toyo do those sizes yet, lack of demand possibly . I'd stick to putting them on the car >> Edited by tahiti450 on Thursday 22 September 13:51 I wouldnt put them on my car again if I was sponsored by Toyo, needed tyres for my Toyota, and was playing an album by La Toya in the cd player.

Isn't that Adam's CD?

[Shnozz]

no mate, not hairy chested enough for the Dusty one. He's more of a Hassellhoff fan.

Cuzza did me proud with his contribution to my CD collection this birthday



more irritating than jump starting a chimaera.

Is that you on the cover?

[Bomber Denton]

No mate, that's definately Mungo, I'd recognise that shirt anywhere!