Best Tyres Vts Alloys

15th October 2011, 17:37

Well, i need some new tyres.

Finally my Michelin pilot has given in, the two front budgets are border line so going to replace for a full set.

Now the front budgets being admiral are crap always understeer. The 2 Michelin pilots at the back are incredible they have never ever let go on me even when i went around track.

So need a set of 4, the Michelins i really wanted but £100 a corner on a car thats worth a sub £1k is not worth it.

I want something good better than budgets.

Thinking something of the lines of..

Toyo T1r
Toyo S
Yoko
Goodyear f1
Dunlop
etc

So some info, est 12,000 miles a year all weather tyre, the occasional track day.

Vts alloys so 195/45/15, car is lowered 40mm.

Show me some tyres..

Chris

15th October 2011, 17:44

I had S-drives on mine and they didnt seem too bad.
Now im running Goodyear Eagle F1s and I must admit, I really do like them. A very good choice imo

Other ones to look into, which I used are AVON ZV3/ZZ3, I found them to be a good tyre aswell.

15th October 2011, 18:06

if you like the Michelin...get the Michelin.

its just sense. why change if there is no need?

15th October 2011, 18:12

uniroyal rainsports for the winter..

15th October 2011, 19:52

If you can afford it - go Toyo r888s or a tyre of similar spec. otherwise I personally like the look of the Toyo R1-R.

15th October 2011, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyno

If you can afford it - go Toyo r888s or a tyre of similar spec. otherwise I personally like the look of the Toyo R1-R.

r888 are being made illegal next year so iv heard and there verging on dangerous in the wet and deff more than £100 a tyre so a great piece of advice

16th October 2011, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAM-S44MDS-

I had S-drives on mine and they didnt seem too bad.
Now im running Goodyear Eagle F1s and I must admit, I really do like them. A very good choice imo

Other ones to look into, which I used are AVON ZV3/ZZ3, I found them to be a good tyre aswell.

You would suggest the goodyears are better then ya?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

if you like the Michelin...get the Michelin.

its just sense. why change if there is no need?

Tonto i agree but there £100++ a tyre on a car worth sub £1k, its worth it in terms of safety etc, but when everyone raves at how good T1Rs are why not get a set of them for half the price?

The local tyre guys were like 'budgets are just copied michelins, you don't have a performance car you don't need performance tyres, just get these lasses on there'.

Srs wound me up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e8_pqck

uniroyal rainsports for the winter..

Want an all season tyre really..

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyno

If you can afford it - go Toyo r888s or a tyre of similar spec. otherwise I personally like the look of the Toyo R1-R.

R888 would kill me in the winter, quite alot of back lane driving on my commute.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom_lloyd_4

r888 are being made illegal next year so iv heard and there verging on dangerous in the wet and deff more than £100 a tyre so a great piece of advice

Agreed R888's not for me.

16th October 2011, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by baker556

Tonto i agree but there £100++ a tyre on a car worth sub £1k, its worth it in terms of safety etc, but when everyone raves at how good T1Rs are why not get a set of them for half the price?

The local tyre guys were like 'budgets are just copied michelins, you don't have a performance car you don't need performance tyres, just get these lasses on there'.

Srs wound me up.

oh what bull that is! i hope you told him to stfu!
the T1R are good, but i wouldnt hype then just as much as everyone else. nor the F1.

tyres are very personal imo.

16th October 2011, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

oh what bull that is! i hope you told him to stfu!
the T1R are good, but i wouldnt hype then just as much as everyone else. nor the F1.

tyres are very personal imo.

Yeah i did!

I understand the personal thing, what you want from them your own driving style etc. Think im gonna get a michelin as current michelin is okay and two toyos, not sure if mixing and matching is a good idea however.

16th October 2011, 14:39

Toyo's wear faster than a set of super softs. Guaranteed youll have finished at least two sets of toyos before you've demolished the michys. I had the same problem two years ago and decided to just get the pilots. They're expensive but they work out cheaper in the long run + they're better overall.

16th October 2011, 15:41

Kuhmo ecsta, next best thing to michelins to be honest. Michelins are more expensive but last twice as long and return better mpg so all in all not a bad deal except if you damage them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyno

If you can afford it - go Toyo r888s or a tyre of similar spec. otherwise I personally like the look of the Toyo R1-R.

toyo 888s are dangerous. Then the T1r doesn't last since it's made of the softest chewing gum available Then choosing tyres based on looks is borderline stupid.

Quote:

Think im gonna get a michelin as current michelin is okay and two toyos, not sure if mixing and matching is a good idea however.

way too much difference between the two. Put the toyos at the front and you'll need new tyres in less than a year or put them at the back and get stupid amounts of road noise. Get some assymetrical tyres if you fancy something halfway between performance and longevity.

20th October 2011, 12:07

Just to update this i went for two toyos on the front and 2 michelins on the back.

Comparing the toyos to the budget tyres is like night and day, i know alot of people rave about them on here but you can see why, they really do hold the road very well. The car feels transformed brakes feel more planted and turn in is much quicker with non existent understeer. Its a thumbs up for the toyos from me!

20th October 2011, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom_lloyd_4

r888 are being made illegal next year so iv heard and there verging on dangerous in the wet and deff more than £100 a tyre so a great piece of advice

What rubbish. Its a standard fitment tyre for R26.Rs and some exiges and they arent too bad in the wet considering the tread pattern. I will say though for a road car there are better all rounders considering the wear rate of the 888s (depending on which compound you've gone for an driving style)

20th October 2011, 12:37

I quite like the T1R's. Where I stay (not far from Loch Lomond) I see a shitload of rain, and find these arent that bad at all in wet conditions.

That said, Michelins -in my opinion - kick every tyres arse for day to day driving. And so they should, given I was quoted 127 a corner on 15s. Fuck.

20th October 2011, 12:42

I know OP has already bought new tyres, but I quite like Falken ZE912's, not expensive and are very good.

20th October 2011, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

What rubbish. Its a standard fitment tyre for R26.Rs and some exiges and they arent too bad in the wet considering the tread pattern. I will say though for a road car there are better all rounders considering the wear rate of the 888s (depending on which compound you've gone for an driving style)

Semi slicks will be outlawed sooner or later. the call was for 2012, but not 100% sure if it's a set date.

its the reason Yoko developed the AD08, and toyo the R1R - to be as close to a semi slick whilst keeping with in the new laws set to be introduced.

And you say "standard fitment on the R26.r". you realise that car ceased production in 2009 right?

Aesemetrical tyres are the 'new thing', eagle F1's / toyo T1r's / anything with that uni-directional pattern isn't being produced anymore. theres a new version of the F1 and the toyo T1-sport or whatever it's called has replaced the T1R.

20th October 2011, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabbastard

I quite like the T1R's. Where I stay (not far from Loch Lomond) I see a shitload of rain, and find these arent that bad at all in wet conditions.

That said, Michelins -in my opinion - kick every tyres arse for day to day driving. And so they should, given I was quoted 127 a corner on 15s. Fuck.

bought some for my merc, £120 fitted for a pair. You're looking in the wrong places http://www.camskill.co.uk/

20th October 2011, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

bought some for my merc, £120 fitted for a pair. You're looking in the wrong places http://www.camskill.co.uk/

+1.

15"s are like £80ish?

theyre around £110ish for 17's in my size iirc. I'm a conti sport man these days though!

20th October 2011, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

bought some for my merc, £120 fitted for a pair. You're looking in the wrong places http://www.camskill.co.uk/

Nah dude Gabbastard is correct every garage wanted £127 a corner fitted on s rims. (Michelins)

Camskill want £99 a corner, then its a tenner to get it fitted so £110 a corner pretty much.

The T1rs were £111 delivered for two, then score to get fitted.

Gabbastrad your right although the toyos are great, the michelins are better and will last longer.

A member on here Rey, had bought a vts with the Michelins still on when it rolled out the factory iirc it had done around 70k, now thats a saving in itself.

20th October 2011, 13:09

That's when you go and talk to garages, then take a 50% markup minimum. Cut the middle man and you'll pay 50% less. But even at street prices it's still worth it as you will save a lot in the long run, including on petrol. I even kicked my brother's arse until he bought some michelins, he thanked afterwards.

I had the exact same quotes from agrages, they were all asking an average £120 per corner fitted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyp

+1.

15"s are like £80ish?

theyre around £110ish for 17's in my size iirc. I'm a conti sport man these days though!

was a bit less, I was actually surprised how cheap it was as merc sizes are different. Came at 120 quid all in fitted balanced etc. To be honest it should be slightly more but I have some mates working at ATS

20th October 2011, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyp

+1.

15"s are like £80ish?

theyre around £110ish for 17's in my size iirc. I'm a conti sport man these days though!

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s92p0...15_195_45_R_15

£99.70

Camskill are the cheapest by far, i had a good search.

Must be the profile of the tyre, or the fact there actually quite hard to get hold off. Seeing as most garages had to order them in or didn't stock them at all.

20th October 2011, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

bought some for my merc, £120 fitted for a pair. You're looking in the wrong places http://www.camskill.co.uk/

Checked there, and a few other places - £100 a tyre, delivered but unfitted. 195/45/15 are surprisingly expensive, esp compared to 195/50.

20th October 2011, 13:24

Yeah, I did notice a huge price difference. Then some garages can't balance them because they don't have the right bits on their machines :/

20th October 2011, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

Yeah, I did notice a huge price difference. Then some garages can't balance them because they don't have the right bits on their machines :/

Was I glad to get rid of my VTR rims because of that. Ended up having to take them to a dealer after phoning round about 20 garages with no one having the correct balancing tool.

20th October 2011, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyp

Semi slicks will be outlawed sooner or later. the call was for 2012, but not 100% sure if it's a set date.

its the reason Yoko developed the AD08, and toyo the R1R - to be as close to a semi slick whilst keeping with in the new laws set to be introduced.

And you say "standard fitment on the R26.r". you realise that car ceased production in 2009 right?

Aesemetrical tyres are the 'new thing', eagle F1's / toyo T1r's / anything with that uni-directional pattern isn't being produced anymore. theres a new version of the F1 and the toyo T1-sport or whatever it's called has replaced the T1R.

I hear what you are saying and yes I am aware the car is out of production now, but the tyres really did contribute to the legendary handling the R26.R but it also means you can never put the car back to standard condition if the tyres are outlawed. It just seems utterly stupid to me, considering you could fit it with a linglong ditchfinders and it'll be legal still even though its vastly handicapped with them on. I personally think if they do ban them, they'll be like decats - technically illegal but the chances of anything happening to you are slim. I mean is your every day bobby going to be able to to tell?
I'd like to see some back to back comparisons of these new EU friendly tyres vs their older counterparts and perhaps the reasoning for directional tyres being binned.
Bear in mind though if you buy a set of 888s now you'll have worn them out easily in a couple of months haha, so problem solved.

20th October 2011, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

I hear what you are saying and yes I am aware the car is out of production now, but the tyres really did contribute to the legendary handling the R26.R but it also means you can never put the car back to standard condition if the tyres are outlawed. It just seems utterly stupid to me, considering you could fit it with a linglong ditchfinders and it'll be legal still even though its vastly handicapped with them on. I personally think if they do ban them, they'll be like decats - technically illegal but the chances of anything happening to you are slim. I mean is your every day bobby going to be able to to tell?
I'd like to see some back to back comparisons of these new EU friendly tyres vs their older counterparts and perhaps the reasoning for directional tyres being binned.
Bear in mind though if you buy a set of 888s now you'll have worn them out easily in a couple of months haha, so problem solved.

you'd have to drive pretty hard on the roads at incorrect pressures to wear them out in a couple of months. theyre more durable than people will beleive.

R888's were actually an option on the R26.r.

it's not a legal thing as to why uni-directional tyres are being scrapped, aesymetrical tyres are just better, manufacturers are obv going to make whats the best option and the most feasable.

budget tyres do still meet the legal requirement, the reason budgets have such a bad rep is because people buy cheapo tyres then drive hard / drive in adverse conditions. for the vast majority of the driving population budgets are fine for day to day driving.

If they do ban them, and you get stopped it'll be 3 points per tyre. so 12 points in one hit, as technically semi-slicks will be deemed bald, worth the risk? not really.

Thats before you even consider the fact that semi's are pretty pointless on the road, 99% of drivers aren't pushing hard enough to get them hot and more importantly keep them at optimum temp for any benefits to be noticed. Even if they were keeping them at temp, theyre heading for a ban with speeds well in excess of the speed limit

Quote:

Originally Posted by baker556

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s92p0...15_195_45_R_15

£99.70

Camskill are the cheapest by far, i had a good search.

Must be the profile of the tyre, or the fact there actually quite hard to get hold off. Seeing as most garages had to order them in or didn't stock them at all.

Gutted. They were around £75ish per corner when i owned a saxo.

it's more beneficial now to search for second hand tyres. theres thousands on ebay for £30 a corner and still with 5-6mm of tread on.

20th October 2011, 13:49

Should have gone for falken's IMO Chris.

Far superior to the Toyos in my eyes

20th October 2011, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyp

you'd have to drive pretty hard on the roads at incorrect pressures to wear them out in a couple of months. theyre more durable than people will beleive.

R888's were actually an option on the R26.r.

it's not a legal thing as to why uni-directional tyres are being scrapped, aesymetrical tyres are just better, manufacturers are obv going to make whats the best option and the most feasable.

budget tyres do still meet the legal requirement, the reason budgets have such a bad rep is because people buy cheapo tyres then drive hard / drive in adverse conditions. for the vast majority of the driving population budgets are fine for day to day driving.

If they do ban them, and you get stopped it'll be 3 points per tyre. so 12 points in one hit, as technically semi-slicks will be deemed bald, worth the risk? not really.

Thats before you even consider the fact that semi's are pretty pointless on the road, 99% of drivers aren't pushing hard enough to get them hot and more importantly keep them at optimum temp for any benefits to be noticed. Even if they were keeping them at temp, theyre heading for a ban with speeds well in excess of the speed limit

Its a good job I've got an extra set of tyres then for the road. So if not a legal thing why are they being outlawed? To do with the performance at lower temperatures?
Dont get me wrong, I feel they arent the best choice for the road but just to pootle home on after a track day (if they get banned) and be in the firing line for 12 points seems like usual EU bureaucratic nonsense to me.
My "G" medium compounds dont seem to be fairing too badly, but talking to my mate who had a set on a Rover 25 gti he said he wore them out in just over 2000 miles but that did include a few track days and plus he was using the softest compound ones.

20th October 2011, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

Its a good job I've got an extra set of tyres then for the road. So if not a legal thing why are they being outlawed? To do with the performance at lower temperatures?
Dont get me wrong, I feel they arent the best choice for the road but just to pootle home on after a track day (if they get banned) and be in the firing line for 12 points seems like usual EU bureaucratic nonsense to me.
My "G" medium compounds dont seem to be fairing too badly, but talking to my mate who had a set on a Rover 25 gti he said he wore them out in just over 2000 miles but that did include a few track days and plus he was using the softest compound ones.

Semi slicks are being outlawed.
uni-directional road tyres (T1R's, Eagle F1's etc) just aren't the best for the job, hence most aren't in production any more.

It's not about if you've just done a track day though, theres obviously been an increase in accidents due to many people running them as daily tyres - and so, it's only fair that everyone gets tarred with the same brush.

They even come with a warning sticker to say theyre not designed for weather below 2degrees or something like that, but i bet people still run them and crash and then cry to their insurance.

the softest compound 888's are designed for hillclimbs / short sprints. The GG (soft/med) compound is the most popluar for track days on lightweight cars.

20th October 2011, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by rey

Should have gone for falken's IMO Chris.

Far superior to the Toyos in my eyes

Did look into them but remember jord saying he prefered the toyo's on his vts alloys over the falkens on the vtr alloys.

20th October 2011, 14:58

I had both toyo's and falkens on my VTS/Cyclones.

Falkens were so much better than the toyos, the toyos wore rediculously fast and I didn't think the grip for the wear rate was worth it, the Falkens however had 5/6K of (hard) use and barely looked worn in, in comparison.

Also the falkens on the vtr rims wouldnt feel as good because of them being narrower for the rims aswell as having a higher sidewall giving more flex when compared with the 15's.

20th October 2011, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by rey

I had both toyo's and falkens on my VTS/Cyclones.

Falkens were so much better than the toyos, the toyos wore rediculously fast and I didn't think the grip for the wear rate was worth it, the Falkens however had 5/6K of (hard) use and barely looked worn in, in comparison.

Also the falkens on the vtr rims wouldnt feel as good because of them being narrower for the rims aswell as having a higher sidewall giving more flex when compared with the 15's.

We shall see, im sure they will probably last a year maybe more, but if i have to change them then i'll move onto the Falkens and give them a try.

20th October 2011, 15:50

I wore a set of 4 in ~8k or so.

20th October 2011, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by rey

I wore a set of 4 in ~8k or so.

Less than a year then Lol

Although your driving style is alot different

20th October 2011, 15:56

Ha, it was, not anymore!

Even still, I'll be impressed if they last over 10k if you occasionally drive with a bit of 'enthusiasm'

20th October 2011, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by rey

Ha, it was, not anymore!

Even still, I'll be impressed if they last over 10k if you occasionally drive with a bit of 'enthusiasm'

The focus not very fun?

Would you go back?

20th October 2011, 16:02

The focus does it's job, I still like driving it for what I do in it, it's like driving an armchair.

And nope, never. Next car will be an EP3 most likely, saxo's are still fun to drive, but I couldn't own another one.

20th October 2011, 16:40

Wasted your money on T1r's theyre not all that good,most people that rave about them havnt used any other tyre or compare them to budget budgets.

They dont last long and are generally shit.

F1s dont last as long as the T1Rs but are far superior in all conditions.

R888s, great winter suggestion

numpty.

Rainsport 2's by far the best all weather tyre and very good in the wet compared to many others. Can be found cheaper than the T1Rs and last alot longer too.

20th October 2011, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

Wasted your money on T1r's theyre not all that good,most people that rave about them havnt used any other tyre or compare them to budget budgets.

They dont last long and are generally shit.

F1s dont last as long as the T1Rs but are far superior in all conditions.

R888s, great winter suggestion

numpty.

Rainsport 2's by far the best all weather tyre and very good in the wet compared to many others. Can be found cheaper than the T1Rs and last alot longer too.

Ive not found the T1Rs too bad, had Pzero Neros on the car before and comparison wise I honestly dont find much difference. I dont push it in the wet. Wear rate isn't brill however, front have been on for 3k and are half worn and I dont really rag the 182 very often

20th October 2011, 16:52

T1Rs are adequate and controlable aswell as predictable compared to budgets, but for their price there is hell of alot better!

20th October 2011, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

T1Rs are adequate and controlable aswell as predictable compared to budgets, but for their price there is hell of alot better!

Not too bad on the 14" size but in 205/45R16 like I have to use its expensive. Has any one mentioned those HanKook V12? They are supposed to be a decent tyre according to the clio lot

20th October 2011, 17:01

16's do tend to cost a bit. my 245,45,18s were cheaper than rainsports though where as rainsports are usually cheaper!