Tyre Recommendations

[Steve Walker]

I would echo the comments on Camskill and on the Toyo T1R. I put them on the MX-5, and they were excellent, and very reasonably priced. Two things to be aware of - they aren't reckoned to be very stiff in the sidewall, which can make them feel less sharp on turn-in than something like a Bridgestone RE040, and they take longer to scrub the release compound off than any other tyre I've tried, a good couple of hundred miles being needed before they feel fully grippy. They also tend to be more popular on lighter cars - a popular alternative on heavier high performance cars is the Falken FK452. We had them on the front of the 350Z when we bought it, and they were OK, but they were nearly worn out, so hard to say. Brand new Bridgestones feel a lot better, but not really a fair comparison.

 

They're a bit closer in pricing to premium brands now, but if you can get them in your budget, the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta did superbly in comparison tests against the market leaders and used to be very keenly priced.

 

Probably worth having a look at Evo owners forums to see what owners like, as some tyres suit some cars better than others. The Toyos were great on the MX-5, but I wouldn't put them on the Elise, because it's a very precise feeling car and the squidge would take the edge off it.

[Colin Brett]

I'm not sure if they do that over here, Newt. Maybe somebody could enlighten me?

 

Enlightenment here!!

 

It's a while since I sold up my tyreshop but not much has changed. The date should now be a 4 digit number [was 3] located in a "window" usually following the DOT marking.

 

Colin

[Chris Goddard]

Elton, quite seriously have you looked at ebay recently?? Find the make you want and have a stab!! I got myself two Michelin 245/17 for the silly money of £40 the pair!! Someone had bought them and fitted them and then decided to fit mud pluggers instead!! They would have cost me around £120 each!

 

But as for makes Khumo or Toyo are good tyres indeed.

[Elton]

Cheers, all.

 

I'll do a bit more reading this week.

 

Yes, Chris, I've looked on Ebay and may even get them there. I just want to select the right tyre first, then look for the best price, rather than be driven by price alone.

[John S]

As a little aside, if your tyres are damaged by potholes, take photo's on the offending hole including at least one with a tape measure/ruler for showing the depth, then claim from your local council. You might not get anywhere with it, but there again, you just might.

[Steve Walker]

Worth a try on the pothole damage, but they make you jump through so many hoops just to get your claim looked at, and then they only have to prove that it was previously inspected to schedule. We damaged an alloy on the MX-5 and just didn't have the time to pursue a claim and let it slip. They patched the hole almost immediately, but it is open again now. You can see it here, taken last summer after they patched it.

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&sour...,32.73,,1,19.18

[Elton]

I eventually ordered these - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=170526809367

 

Hopefully, they'll arrive tomorrow. I've already sourced a garage to fit them

[Excalibur]

I'm not sure if they do that over here, Newt. Maybe somebody could enlighten me?

It's apparently all in the data stamped on the tyre wall.

 

http://www.yourdriving.co.uk/tips/19/how-t...your-tyre-wall/

[Steve Walker]

Hopefully, they'll arrive tomorrow. I've already sourced a garage to fit them

 

Don't forget that those Toyos take a while to scrub in - be a bit careful until they have!

[ColinW]

Elton, you do realize they are all right hand tyres don't you?