tyre comparison everyone?

[L.G.]

hi,

i checked the topic to see if there was a comparison between brands but i couldn't find many, is there one that i didn't see? if there isn't well, i am thinking of replacing my falken's with a new set. i have s2 wheels (205-45 r16) i was thinking about the goodyear gs-d3 but people seem to not like it too much. can you please compare the tyre(s) you have used or you are using and give me some advice on the topic.
i am personally looking for summer performance tyres but would like to hear any experience...

thanks all

[dapinky]

Likewise, I'm looking for something for my 15" wheels. But being a cheapskate, I don't want to spend lots of money! (205/50/15) (I'm on Michelin Pilots at the moment, but 2 of them need replacing before i can use those wheels).

It's only for road use, so 'budget' takes preference over 'performance', but still needs to be adequate.

The options (so far) seem to be between the AVON ZV3 and the FALKEN Ziex ZE-512.

I've discounted the NANKANG TL as 'too cheap', but has anyone used them?

I used to like AVON, but went off them a few years ago when they wern't homologated, but that has now changed, so any experiences/opinions are welcome.

(I'll be keeping the 17" wheels for track use)

[mickmick]

For what its worth,

my set up is 15"s

pilots on the front and some nankangs on the rear

i've had the car 2 yrs nearly, done about 8k miles and have seen virtually no wear on front or rear, but i'll keep my eye on this thread for when i do need some fresh rubber.

oh yeah, also, when i drive, i drive the car hard, its not meant to be a comfoy family saloon is it, so i should have some wear

Mick

[Monty]

For what its worth,

my set up is 15"s

pilots on the front and some nankangs on the rear

i've had the car 2 yrs nearly, done about 8k miles and have seen virtually no wear on front or rear, but i'll keep my eye on this thread for when i do need some fresh rubber.

oh yeah, also, when i drive, i drive the car hard, its not meant to be a comfoy family saloon is it, so i should have some wear

Mick

u can`t be driving that hard if u`ve virtually no wear on the fronts after 8k miles

[Monty]

If u`r after a cheap tyre what about Yokohama A539`s the site below is doing them for less than £50

www.kentcustoms.co.uk/acatalog/15__Yokohama_Tyres.php

this place is also on ebay doing the R888 for 15" free delivery which i think is a good deal
cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-X-205-50-15-Toyo-R888-Road-legal-Trackday-Tyres_W0QQitemZ110002258811QQihZ001QQcategoryZ9891QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[Paul.P]

LG, i'm running the Goodyears, & have found they have exceptional grip wet & dry. Only down side ive found is that they are what i can only describe as giving a harsh ride. I ran Michelin Pilot Exalto's before, which were excellent all round, but expensive.

[Dico]

Harsh ride? With your fat arse?

[Paul.P]

Harsh ride? With your fat arse?

Treated with the contempt it deserves !

[dapinky]

I have never used A 539'S so don't know what they're like, can anyone comment?

And the Toyo 888's (great though they are) are not what I need on these wheels for road use.

I've got 'good' sticky tires on the 17's and am looking for reasonable road tyres.

[Monty]

I had a couple on my aftermarket wheels and they were fine, but hadn`t done a lot of miles. Dico, had them on his fed spec wheels and seemed to be a good every day tyre for the money. Stevo to had them and used them on track.

Try My Tyres, there price include delivery

Yokohama
Summer tyres A539
205/50 R15 86V , RPB asymmetric ** With mytyres.co.uk only £ 48.50

Toyo
Summer tyres PROXES T1-R
205/50 R15 89V RF Rim-protection * With mytyres.co.uk only £ 40.90

www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html

[chris.t]

I had A539s but have now changed them. Day to day use ok, hard wearing. On track , a lot of tyre squealing, not very grippy imo

[Monty]

I had A539s but have now changed them. Day to day use ok, hard wearing. On track , a lot of tyre squealing, not very grippy imo

didn`t hear u squealing at the Ring

[Enright]

It's a shame that Goodyear stopped making the F1's in 205/50/15.
I still have them all round but there isn't much life left in 2 of them.
My next choice was going to be Toyo T1-S's as they are pretty well rated and have a similar directonal tread pattern, but then I got a very good deal on some Michelin Pilot Exaltos.

[L.G.]

i have falken ziex ze-502's, they have quite a lot tread on them. On dry apart from spinning wheels when you try to do a power start they are not bad but somehow i am expecting more from the car, especially on handling. On wet they are not usable. is there anyone else who uses them?
after how many years should you change a tyre? i had read 6 years in a bmw manual; maybe the tyres have been left on the car for too long?

[chris.t]

I had A539s but have now changed them. Day to day use ok, hard wearing. On track , a lot of tyre squealing, not very grippy imo

didn't hear u squealing at the Ring

thought i heard you squealling!!!



like a little girl

[Rambo]

It's a shame that Goodyear stopped making the F1's in 205/50/15

I agree Neil. I searched high and low for a pair of F1's back in the autumn to replace my front ones that had seen better days. Nothing doing so I did a bit of research and the Yoko's and Toyo's both had good write ups. I went with the Yoko's in the end and have been impressed so far

Mark

[Michael]

I have been fully dedicated to the Bridgestone S-03 pole position performance tyres for a couple of years but when at one time they were not available I choose the Michelin Pilot Exalto as a substitute.
I found out that these Michelins equal the wet and dry roadholding performance of the S-03 but with a little lower noise levels.

Great tyres for quick and sporty runs with the Elan!
I can reccomend both these tyres for road an (incidental) track use.
In Holland they do not come cheap though...

Michael

[Don.Hasi]

For S2-wheels and daily use in rain, on highways, out of the city... my hint:
Dunlop Sportmaxx They reach fast their right temperature, a good choice

[RayF]

Well, I've only had my Elan for 3 months but I have had experence of 3 tyres (don't ask ) ...

1 Yokohama S306 87V
2 Kumho Ecsta Supra 712

Both of these were sensitive to road surface, in that the steering wheel would pull left and right when driving over road patches that that hadn't been well leveled. I must admit I was disapponted as it makes the Elan hard work on less than perfect roads.

3 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 83V

Just had these fitted (bought from MyTyres £77.30 each) and what a difference The directional stability is transformed making the car much more relaxing to drive and no quirks I have discovered yet. If anything negative emerges I'll let you know.

[mortalwombat]

Mine came with Goodyear F1's on the front when I bought her last year. Can't remember what's on the back

Replaced the fronts a month ago with Yoko A539's as the goodyears are no longer available in 205/50/15. Wasn't very impressed at first.

Went away last weekend. A long motorway drive to get there then some serious country lane driving during my stay.

I'd rate the Yoko's above the Goodyears for grip and ride now I've broken them in a bit. I'm much happier chucking her into corners than I was before and the 150 mile motorway journey home was fine.

(Enthusiastic amateur)