Bridgestone Potenza
Discussion
I've just managed to replace the front tyres on my Chimmy, it had Bridgestone Potenza S02 on it when i bought it, loved them, the grip is fantastic wet or dry.
Contacted my tyre man and he couldn't find any for it, neither could e-bay yeild. I contacted EVENT tyres http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ and they were fantastic, rang around and found me a pair. They arrived with a mobile fitting van this morning and sorted it out. Very professional job at a good price, well impressed.
Happy me with Bridgestone Potenza S02 / Dunlop SP9000 combo woo hoo.
Contacted my tyre man and he couldn't find any for it, neither could e-bay yeild. I contacted EVENT tyres http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ and they were fantastic, rang around and found me a pair. They arrived with a mobile fitting van this morning and sorted it out. Very professional job at a good price, well impressed.
Happy me with Bridgestone Potenza S02 / Dunlop SP9000 combo woo hoo.
Just double check that you have S02 "Pole Position" tyres fitted. As I understand it S02 and S03 Pole Position tyres have been out of production for quite a while now. There are various other versions of the S02 (N2 etc) intended for use on Porkers and the like that are not compatible with a TVR! This is due to the different rubber compound and side wall thickness used. Others have reported very poor handling with this type of tyre.
Bad new I'm afraid.
Unfortunately you have most likely bought SO2's rather than SO2pp. The SO2 compound is much harder making them skittish in the wet. They also have stiffer walls which alter the stability of the car when cornering hard.
I ended up with a set of these a few years back. I gave them a couple of thousand miles and then gave up and cut my losses for a fantastic set of Toyo T1's
Unfortunately you have most likely bought SO2's rather than SO2pp. The SO2 compound is much harder making them skittish in the wet. They also have stiffer walls which alter the stability of the car when cornering hard.
I ended up with a set of these a few years back. I gave them a couple of thousand miles and then gave up and cut my losses for a fantastic set of Toyo T1's
My understanding is:
Production of SO2pp ceased in 2001 with the introduction of the SO3pp. TVR dealers spotted this and stockpiled what they could get their hands on. The dealer supply network sold out sometime in 2003. Bridgestone have not produced any SO2pp's since 2001.
If they are pp's then they have been on the shelf for 7 years, If they were stored properly that shouldn't be a problem.
You are a lucky chap.
Most owners of the Chim/Griff chassis have learned that there are better tyres than SO2pp's out there. Given a choice between SO2pp's and Toyo T1R's I'd choose the Toyo's every time because they have a more progressive lateral grip allowing better control in the event of oversteer
Production of SO2pp ceased in 2001 with the introduction of the SO3pp. TVR dealers spotted this and stockpiled what they could get their hands on. The dealer supply network sold out sometime in 2003. Bridgestone have not produced any SO2pp's since 2001.
If they are pp's then they have been on the shelf for 7 years, If they were stored properly that shouldn't be a problem.
You are a lucky chap.
Most owners of the Chim/Griff chassis have learned that there are better tyres than SO2pp's out there. Given a choice between SO2pp's and Toyo T1R's I'd choose the Toyo's every time because they have a more progressive lateral grip allowing better control in the event of oversteer
I checked the condition of tyres prior to fitting and there were no signs of perishing, cracking or having being left in the sun.
The stickers were bright, tyres looked hot off the press with the release agent still feeling slippy. I suspect they were carefully stored.
I'm impressed with them, the car is rock steady in the wet, so long as the front sticks better than the rear i'm happy.
The stickers were bright, tyres looked hot off the press with the release agent still feeling slippy. I suspect they were carefully stored.
I'm impressed with them, the car is rock steady in the wet, so long as the front sticks better than the rear i'm happy.
I have the standard wheels so need 205/55ZR15 on front and 225/50ZR16 on the back. I see the Toyos only come in a V rating on the R15 and a W on the R16. Shouldn't be an issue as I'm not planning on driving at 150MPH.
Are the Toyos what everyone is recommending now that the Bridgestones are unavailable ?
I've got a '97 Chimeara 400
Are the Toyos what everyone is recommending now that the Bridgestones are unavailable ?
I've got a '97 Chimeara 400
ms89028 said:
I have the standard wheels so need 205/55ZR15 on front and 225/50ZR16 on the back. I see the Toyos only come in a V rating on the R15 and a W on the R16. Shouldn't be an issue as I'm not planning on driving at 150MPH.
As for the rating you should let your insurance company know that you need to down grade and if they permit it you need to ask for a letter of dispensation from them so that they can't deny it later. No point risking it because tyres are part of the standard list of things they check in the event of an accident. tvrbob said:
ms89028 said:
I have the standard wheels so need 205/55ZR15 on front and 225/50ZR16 on the back. I see the Toyos only come in a V rating on the R15 and a W on the R16. Shouldn't be an issue as I'm not planning on driving at 150MPH.
As for the rating you should let your insurance company know that you need to down grade and if they permit it you need to ask for a letter of dispensation from them so that they can't deny it later. No point risking it because tyres are part of the standard list of things they check in the event of an accident. Pupp said:
tvrbob said:
As for the rating you should let your insurance company know that you need to down grade and if they permit it you need to ask for a letter of dispensation from them so that they can't deny it later. No point risking it because tyres are part of the standard list of things they check in the event of an accident.
And unless your accident occurs at a speed above the rated tyre limit (in which case you're probably not in a position to worry too much), and tyre failure is a causal factor, it's irrelevant.
who told you that? Looking at the posts on here insurers will void the cover if an under-rated tyre is fitted, it has nothing to do with speedEdited by tvrbob on Friday 21st March 08:45
. I spoke to my insurers about this and they said no chance. Fit the correctly rated tyres if you can't get a letter from your insurer.This is one thing that is worrying me about future ownership of my Chimaera.
I believe only Dunflops are offering the correct speed rated tyre and I thought they were discontinued aswell?
I have a few years life left in my front tyres but what then? Will I have to fork out on new front wheels or a set of wheels, which I don't want to do as I want to keep the car original?
Has anyone (such as the TVRCC) contacted Bridgestone to see about doing a limited run of SO3PPs?
It seems that the only thing is having wrongly rated tyres, with potential insurance issues, two new 16" fronts (which maybe difficult to get hold of), or a new set of wheels (and I must admit, I don't think aftermarket wheels suit the Chim).
It could be a problem within the next few years when people cannot replace their tyres with correctly rates ones.
I believe only Dunflops are offering the correct speed rated tyre and I thought they were discontinued aswell?
I have a few years life left in my front tyres but what then? Will I have to fork out on new front wheels or a set of wheels, which I don't want to do as I want to keep the car original?
Has anyone (such as the TVRCC) contacted Bridgestone to see about doing a limited run of SO3PPs?
It seems that the only thing is having wrongly rated tyres, with potential insurance issues, two new 16" fronts (which maybe difficult to get hold of), or a new set of wheels (and I must admit, I don't think aftermarket wheels suit the Chim).
It could be a problem within the next few years when people cannot replace their tyres with correctly rates ones.
John.T. said:
The correct spec tyres MUST be fitted or the insurance MAY be void!!
Dunlop 9000 are absolute pants.! I have them on the back and they are soooo unpredicatable. Would'nt have them again.
Er, my 500 came with S02's, which haven't been available for some time. Should I be declaring this to the insurance company come renewal?Dunlop 9000 are absolute pants.! I have them on the back and they are soooo unpredicatable. Would'nt have them again.
(PP's obviously)
Edited by VictorMeldrew on Sunday 23 March 11:43
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