Tyre recommendations please

[Woody928]

Definitely Michelins,
Excellent wet and dry, f1s are a bit unnerving at speed in comparison.
Best tyres I've ever had on the mr2, excellent all rounder.
Notice the grip and better turn in over the uniroyal and hankooks which are more under steering due to less turn in grip.

Ad08s are excellent when hot, and bit scary cold.
Even on a Kent run they don't get hot enough to get sticky, for road use only I'd avoid

Tom what would you recommend between the pilot sport 3 & 4?

I'm looking for a change from the Hankook's as I want some more grip, and to still be able to use them all year round. These seem like a good choice to try out next

[MR2DI4]

Tyre technology has improved alot of the years and now most tyres are pretty good especially when new. Unfortunately many people rate tyres on how long they last rather than the level of grip, probably because most people don't try and find the limits of their tyres on public roads !

From my experience the differences narrow the larger the diameter you go. 15" tyres on the modified MR2 Turbo simply don't cut it unless you have race rubber, the sidewall is very difficult to construct to get the required stiffness. Toyo R888's are about as good as you can get and still be road legal.

Move to the other extreme 18" tyres and the sidewall is so narrow already this almost moves out of the equation. I just have cheap 18" tyres on the Subaru but couple this with 4WD and suddenly it all changes. I thought the Kinforest KF550 tyres would be rubbish, but they are fine. Sure I will move to something better when they wear out but also move from 215/45R18 to 225/45R18 on the same rims to get a much better selection to choose from.

[Howlin_Mad]

I agree.

The Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics on my 18" Spazda wheels really do grip well having to deal with 265bhp and 280ft/lb with a FWD setup, even in the cold weather we get over here over the winter months. They tend to scrub a bit of tread off when pushing it when it's hot weather and trying to stave off a bit of expensive German stuff

HM

[gavsdavs]

Ok, a fitting question

Stock suspension (Black BIlstein springs/struts) and front wheel of 17x8.0 ET32

Does a 205/45/R17 tyre fit under the spring cup,
or is a 205/40/R17 tyre required ?

Is anyone successfully using that combination ?

Gavs

[Howlin_Mad]

Seems as though it should be OK

http://91mr2.com/wheel-and-tire-calculator/

Not using that setup personally though so can't comment on real life scenarios.

HM

[gavsdavs]

Seems as though it should be OK

http://91mr2.com/wheel-and-tire-calculator/

Not using that setup personally though so can't comment on real life scenarios.

HM

Cheers HM - I think i'm going to have to take a look at the spring seat.

Found this site too
http://www.willtheyfit.com/

[doogal44]

I had a 215/45 fitted before and it just hit the suspension.
A 205 may stretch and just miss.

[gavsdavs]

I had a 215/45 fitted before and it just hit the suspension.
A 205 may stretch and just miss.

Do you remember your offsets ? Was this for stock suspension ?

Gavs

[TonyleFrog]

Ok, a fitting question

Stock suspension (Black BIlstein springs/struts) and front wheel of 17x8.0 ET32

Does a 205/45/R17 tyre fit under the spring cup,
or is a 205/40/R17 tyre required ?

Is anyone successfully using that combination ?

I have no idea whether a 205/45/17 will fit.

If it helps here's a pic of my old red Rev 3 tubby.



Stock black billies & lowering springs (no idea by how much: they were on the car when I bought it, the owner didn't know, and the invoice didn't specify).

The wheels are the same Lenso D1Rs now on T2. Front 8J ET33, Rear 9J ET43
Tyres are Goodyear Eagle F1s. Front 215/40/17, Rear 235/40/17.

No spring perch clearance issues on the front. Only once did I get some arch rub at the rear but that was when making progress on a spectacularly washboard surface road in Co. Mayo on the OC Irish Drive in 2009.

[gavsdavs]

I have no idea whether a 205/45/17 will fit.

If it helps here's a pic of my old red Rev 3 tubby.



Stock black billies & lowering springs (no idea by how much: they were on the car when I bought it, the owner didn't know, and the invoice didn't specify).

The wheels are the same Lenso D1Rs now on T2. Front 8J ET33, Rear 9J ET43
Tyres are Goodyear Eagle F1s. Front 215/40/17, Rear 235/40/17.

No spring perch clearance issues on the front. Only once did I get some arch rub at the rear but that was when making progress on a spectacularly washboard surface road in Co. Mayo on the OC Irish Drive in 2009.

Image not coming through for some reason.
I *believe* the distance between the hub and the spring perch will be unaffected by the lowering springs - they are above.

You're saying 215/40/17 on 8 inch ET33 works.
I want to try and fit a 205/45/17 on an 8 inch ET32.
205 on 8 inch might be a bit stretched, /45 might be a tad tall.

Need to go and have a dig round what i have as it's basically going from a /40 to a /45 for the improved ride.

[baileydom]

Gavs, you're right in that the distance between the hub and bottom spring cup is completely unaffected by the spring. I run the same spec lensos as tlf with the same size tyres on the front (245 in the back) and they fit fine. I think 205 on the 8 inch will be a bit stretched if I'm honest but the 45 profile will mitigate some of that. Personally I'd go with 215/40 as even that doesn't provide any rim protection (at least not with my tyres). I don't think the 45 profile of the 205 will help ride as it will be stretched.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

[gavsdavs]

Personally I'd go with 215/40 as even that doesn't provide any rim protection (at least not with my tyres). I don't think the 45 profile of the 205 will help ride as it will be stretched.

Good shout, cheers Dom

[TonyleFrog]

Personally I'd go with 215/40 as even that doesn't provide any rim protection (at least not with my tyres).

Eagle F1s do (another plus point on my pro/con list).

Which gives me a handy excuse for another pic.
(245s on the back in this one).

[gavsdavs]

Personally I'd go with 215/40 as even that doesn't provide any rim protection (at least not with my tyres).

Eagle F1s do (another plus point on my pro/con list).

Rim protection is a pretty compelling reason