tyre question!

[laz11]

Hi

I have a 4.3 Griff with S03s all round; standard wheel set up for a 4.3; fronts at 215/50ZR rears 225/50ZR. Nitrons all round set up by Topcats. Oh and I use the car in all weathers.

Basically I am not happy with the S03s; predominantly because although grip is good I get very little feedback through the wheel plus it takes ages to get them warm especially now the weather is colder which means it tramlines badly. I was much happier on the previous S02s. Warren at Topcats thinks the s03s are too hard a compound for such a light car as the Griff and so recommends going with a lower budget softer compound tyre. I am not worried about the higher wear rate but I have read on another post in the Cerb forum that going with a softer budget tyre will mean they get hotter and are less stable at higher speeds so in the event of a blow out this could prove dangerous? I have also read the various posts about Toyos and that it takes a long time to bed in which also doesnt sound ideal.

So I want to make the right choice just a bit confused/undecided!

Looking forward to some helpful replies.

Cheers
Lawrence

[torquemada]

I have just switched from SO3 to Toyos at the front and have noticed considerably less tramlining.

[Big Brin]

You might consider Falken FK-451 (or 452 that are replacing them). Falken are a budget tyre but are made in Japan. On two occasions when I have had them on my (different) cars, I have found them to be an excellent tyre. With a reasonable wear rating of 280 (a bit harder than say Yokohamas at 120!) you can get a reasonable mileage out of them. Te way I drive (not expert) I had no issue with the handling they afforded the car. On the downside, I found them to be noisy after about 10k miles. My brother swears by Khumho, but I don't know anything about them.

Rgds, Brin

[jollygreengriff]

Just replaced my rear Continental Sports through sheer wear with a pair of Continental Sport 2 s so will let you know how I go.

Previous tyres seemed to give the required grip/longevity balance required but I am certainly no expert.


Cerbera site seemd to recommend Eagle F1s but no idea if this applies equally to Griffths.

Regards

[john57]

torquemada said:

I have just switched from SO3 to Toyos at the front and have noticed considerably less tramlining.

I agree - SO3's to Toyos transformed by car and made it much easier and more enjoyable to drive !

[laz11]

will look into Toyos just heard stories of them taking ages to bed in and give you some grip?!! Which Toyos are people going for? And any more feedback on Eagles or Falken's appreciated....
Cheers

[The Moosehunter]

laz11 said:

And any more feedback on Falken's appreciated....
Cheers

Used to use falkens on my Dolomite Sprint, and they were superb. Went to those from Yokohamas A008's due to Yoko unavailability, and although not quite as good, were not far off and half the price.

No experience on a Griff however, but may try them out when my 02's are finally spent. Which is not long now

Moose

[laz11]

The Moosehunter said:

laz11 said:

And any more feedback on Falken's appreciated....
Cheers

Used to use falkens on my Dolomite Sprint, and they were superb. Went to those from Yokohamas A008's due to Yoko unavailability, and although not quite as good, were not far off and half the price.

No experience on a Griff however, but may try them out when my 02's are finally spent. Which is not long now

Moose

They are a softer compound too which should suit the Griff better due to it's light weight?

[gerjo]

laz11 said:

will look into Toyos just heard stories of them taking ages to bed in and give you some grip?!! Which Toyos are people going for? And any more feedback on Eagles or Falken's appreciated....
Cheers

They do take quite some time to bed in, but it's well worth the trouble. The Proxes R's are excellent (as were the S's). And quite reasonably priced too.

[laz11]

gerjo said:

laz11 said:

will look into Toyos just heard stories of them taking ages to bed in and give you some grip?!! Which Toyos are people going for? And any more feedback on Eagles or Falken's appreciated....
Cheers

They do take quite some time to bed in, but it's well worth the trouble. The Proxes R's are excellent (as were the S's). And quite reasonably priced too.

So what's the best way to bed in tyres? Just make sure they get warm enough on a run? Also I cant find any performance tyre that makes a 50 profile in my wheel size which is 215 and 15. Only 45 profile seems to be available?

Edited by laz11 on Saturday 4th November 11:15

[gerjo]

laz11 said:

gerjo said:

laz11 said:

will look into Toyos just heard stories of them taking ages to bed in and give you some grip?!! Which Toyos are people going for? And any more feedback on Eagles or Falken's appreciated....
Cheers

They do take quite some time to bed in, but it's well worth the trouble. The Proxes R's are excellent (as were the S's). And quite reasonably priced too.

So what's the best way to bed in tyres? Just make sure they get warm enough on a run? Also I cant find any performance tyre that makes a 50 profile in my wheel size which is 215 and 15. Only 45 profile seems to be available?

Edited by laz11 on Saturday 4th November 11:15

You could also use 225/50/15 or 205/55/15. Problem could be finding a Z rated tyre in this size. Or you could try to find a 16" wheel for the front which makes life a lot easier (and they look nicer too).

Bedding in: get it to warm up e.g. lot of bends and then let it cool down. Repeat this several times. It took me about 2000 km to bed in.

[laz11]

gerjo said:

[quote=laz11][quote=gerjoBedding in: get it to warm up e.g. lot of bends and then let it cool down. Repeat this several times. It took me about 2000 km to bed in.

2000km!!!

[gerjo]

laz11 said:

gerjo said:

[quote=laz11][quote=gerjoBedding in: get it to warm up e.g. lot of bends and then let it cool down. Repeat this several times. It took me about 2000 km to bed in.

2000km!!!

I must add that my geometry was off at that time, so it could be that the tyres didn't feel right because of that.

[Moto]

I went the Toyo route and have lost a year of driving pleasure as they're still bedding in and still don't give me any confidence. Guess I need to drive it more - never mind!!