Tyres, tyres,tyres

[Emtee]

DM, definitely worth getting a geo check as outer wear is not normal for the way the cars are set up (in stock configuration). As Loz mentions, inner wear is the norm. You can get the geo changed to kill the understeer, which does give more even wear characteristics and better handling, but even then low front tyre pressure isn't a good idea unless your on a track. Given the speeds you can get from these cars combined with highway and byway bendy stuff and relatively soft suspension, you're putting a lot of cornering forces through the front tyres.

 

[dm2]

Thanks for the responses to tyre wear. Will get geo checked soon as car is going in for rear ball joints. Will get Geoff at Shiltech to look at it. And in the mean time I am keeping those tyres properly inflated although the Goodyears are a more comfortable ride than the Michelins anyway, so doesn't feel as harsh as the Michelins at the same pressures.

 

[conaero]

I've just ordered a set of 452s and I'm having them fitted on Monday. Thanks for the posts on this and other related tyre threads. You made my choice a very straightforward one.

Believe me, you wont be disappointed and nor will your bank manager, enjoy!

 

[lozcb]

Lets face it , there's a certain snobbery re tyres , but i do accept that pocket size versus personal choice is a strong criteria , pound for pound 452 are as good as most top priced tyres and its only hardened track enthusiasts that might tell the difference , but longevity is noticed by nearly all users , personally i find the higher priced tyres dont last as long and and wear quicker even if they give a miniscule amount of greater grip


personal feed back on related cars is all important


regards loz

 

[k99]

Will do.

Hi Elliot, how you getting on with the 452s? What do you reckon to to their wet grip.
Also where did you get them from as there only appears to the the front tyres available in the UK?
thanks
Ken

 

[Elliott653]

The 452s have been excellent so far. Very assured in wet and dry. I must admit that I've yet to take them on a proper run. Just pootled about a bit in town. That will be remedied when I go down to Dunsfold on Monday for the Wheels and Wings show. I'll know more about them after that trip.

I got my tyres from Pro-tyre in Enfield

http://www.protyre.co.uk/outletsdesc.aspx?id=11053&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

[Parisien]

Good one Elliott...will await further feedback.

P

 

[Parisien]

Hoping you got a good price on them......see the sites below for comparison with the guys you bought from....


Tyre sites.......others to add?

A search for 265/35/18 Y rated brings up prices of, in order, for Falkens 452, Vredsteins and Pirellis Pzero beside sites listed below-


http://www.blackcircles.com/ £140/NONE/220

http://www.etyres.co.uk/ £168/NONE/221

http://www.mtyres.co.uk/ £145/NONE/201

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/ £138/161/193

http://www.camskill.co.uk/ £115/168/174




P

 

[Elliott653]

I put a couple of hundred miles on the new tyres over the weekend, including some brisk driving on the A3 and some twisty bits.

I'm certainly no expert on tyres and overall, I'm impressed with the 452s. However, I do have two quibbles. Firstly, the fronts felt a teeny bit 'floaty' at speed. (Not over the speed limit though, of course. That never happens. Oh no.) The car didn't feel quite as planted.

I also noticed more road noise through the tyres, again while getting a move on. At one point I found it slightly difficult to hear SWMBO. I put this down to the road surface . Though, this could be seen as an advantage. Depending on the state of one's relationship.

 

[dem maser]

My rears are vreds and i find they are suited to the 3200 more than the pirellis.....
Same grip id say but less noise and cheaper

 

[conaero]

One constant criticism of the Falkens does seem to be increased road noise, but the grip is second to none in my book.

Elliot as you know they don't have the reinforced sidewalls which is great on your average UK road as they soak up the rough roads better. Not noticed the lifting on mine though suggest you play with the pressures that should sort it!

Sounds like you might be over inflated on the fronts a tad.

 

[Elliott653]

Thanks Matt. I'll check out the pressures.

 

[conaero]

...or under inflated rears.

 

[Elliott653]

What pressures do you suggest ?

 

[conaero]

2 bar/29psi all round is the stock setting, increasing the rears for under load.

Set it at that first then try 30 front and 32 rear, then 28 front and 34 rear.

 

[Elliott653]

Thanks, I'll give it a go.

 

[Paul3200]

Good advice Conaero.

You'll soon know Elliott. Under inflated tyres will wear on the inner and outer edge. Over inflated centre wear. Experiment as advised by others tis best advice.

Many moons ago when I was in tyre Industry Falkens were considered budget sports tyres. Back then they were indeed known for being limp in the sidewalls. They looked like they were under Inflated but were not. Are the Sipes wider than previous brand ? Wider Sipes produce road noise. We have all heard an old Landrover coming up the road. Sounds like a conveyor belt.

Some boring information for tyre nerds...Most manufacturers have second brands on the market. For example Fulda was once a second brand of Goodyear They were popular in racing due to their compound grade. Road use Goodyears offered super grip with soft compound so less mileage. Pirelli's are considered a good compromise between hard and soft compound giving a good balance,comfort, mileage and perfomance. I have Avons. They skip a little but I prefer the higher pressure to the soft so can't blame the brand. As you know our roads are in a terrible state so what can we do !

Bridgestone also excellent. Michelin, Continental being the best for mileage demand customers but tough as old boots ( comfort loss ) Tyres and drivers differ greatly. We all have our preferences. Personal comfort is fickle, but low profile tyres give little flex and so comfort is lost and not much adjustment.

Regular tracking checks also highly recommended. Even if you dance around pot holes tracking can wonder over time and wear.

A quick did you know: Tyre companies have already developed an airless tyre. They have see through sidewalls made up of vertical rubber supports leading from the bead to the tread surface. Visual appearance is hidious but no more punctures !
Ride probably hard too.

 

[k99]

ordered a set of GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 ASYMMETRIC 2 for my GS from Camskill.
Was thinking about the Falkens but there are no rears available in the UK. Currently got Pirellis but wanted a change as I find them noisy and not very progressive in the wet. Great in the dry though.
Won't be fitting the Goodyear's till I get my alloys refurbed, but will provide feedback then.
K

 

[conaero]

I always got on really well with Goodyear F1's I remember them coming stock on my GTV's and the dad of my GF back then noticing the strange tread pattern all over the verge outside his farm, oohps!

I thought you could not get the F1 sizes for the coupe, but suppose they must have addressed that.

Either way, you wont be disappointed with the F1's.

 

[conaero]

Good advice Conaero.

You'll soon know Elliott. Under inflated tyres will wear on the inner and outer edge. Over inflated centre wear. Experiment as advised by others tis best advice.

Many moons ago when I was in tyre Industry Falkens were considered budget sports tyres. Back then they were indeed known for being limp in the sidewalls. They looked like they were under Inflated but were not. Are the Sipes wider than previous brand ? Wider Sipes produce road noise. We have all heard an old Landrover coming up the road. Sounds like a conveyor belt.

Some boring information for tyre nerds...Most manufacturers have second brands on the market. For example Fulda was once a second brand of Goodyear They were popular in racing due to their compound grade. Road use Goodyears offered super grip with soft compound so less mileage. Pirelli's are considered a good compromise between hard and soft compound giving a good balance,comfort, mileage and perfomance. I have Avons. They skip a little but I prefer the higher pressure to the soft so can't blame the brand. As you know our roads are in a terrible state so what can we do !

Bridgestone also excellent. Michelin, Continental being the best for mileage demand customers but tough as old boots ( comfort loss ) Tyres and drivers differ greatly. We all have our preferences. Personal comfort is fickle, but low profile tyres give little flex and so comfort is lost and not much adjustment.

Regular tracking checks also highly recommended. Even if you dance around pot holes tracking can wonder over time and wear.

A quick did you know: Tyre companies have already developed an airless tyre. They have see through sidewalls made up of vertical rubber supports leading from the bead to the tread surface. Visual appearance is hidious but no more punctures !
Ride probably hard too.

Paul, tell me more about the road noise, is there a rating for this?

The reason I ask is That I have them fitted on my GT and the noise is terrible, so wont be fitting them again on that car. On the GS, I had a full Larini system so could not hear anything anyway!