Discussion
When I bought the car I almost immediately changed the old ones for new Avon ZV3 tyres. I think they are ok in the dry, but I allready got my tail out a couple of times in the wet whilst cornering with 60 mph. Maybe fun on the circuit, but not so on the motorways. Never had the problem at even higher speeds in whatever BMW I drove or the VX I had before. My tyrepressure is as advised in the owners manual. I'm not looking for slicks or semi's as I will be driving a lot on the public road in all weathers. Any advice? Should I change from the 185/65 14 to other tyres? Not quite sure how that will be in standing water, though...
Also I sometimes get some spinning wheels when queuing in traffic jams when raining. Maybe that's just me?
Also I sometimes get some spinning wheels when queuing in traffic jams when raining. Maybe that's just me?
Edited by allen l on Wednesday 2nd September 11:41
Being light certainly doesn't help. I'm not, and it was often rumoured that my wet weather superiority in racing was attributable to a weight distribution led traction advantage... thankfully that one was put to bed when I moved into a series where the cars already have a fair bit of weight over the rear wheels
Perhaps there are some conventional winter tyres available in the right sort of sizes if you're brave enough to use it as a daily driver in the winter!!
Perhaps there are some conventional winter tyres available in the right sort of sizes if you're brave enough to use it as a daily driver in the winter!!
Not sure about 14 inch rims, I've always had 13's, but Yoko AO21R is a good wet tyre (Polly Motorsport are a good value supplier) Next would be Yoko AO48R's which are not bad in the wet, standing water can be an issue.
Or Avon CR500's which are quite expensive, but are a good all round tyre, that's what I'm using as a road tyre at the moment.
Or Avon CR500's which are quite expensive, but are a good all round tyre, that's what I'm using as a road tyre at the moment.
Sorry casbar but would disagree with AO48's in the wet, they're vaguely OK (as you said, as long as there's no standing water) once you've got a bit of heat into them (which is only really possible on a track), but they're useless compared to CR500's (2 or 3 seconds a lap in a race car), and I believe that there are better wet weather tyres available than the CR500's!
Ok, the thing is this...
With the BMW it's all easy for me. I can choose budget tyres, which saves me a bit of fuel but usually don't grip that well, or I can choose the more sportier tyre. They wil cost a bit more, but deliver better grip. Even in the rain. I can easily find a good road tyre in the right size.
It's a bit more difficult for me to find good road tyres for the Caterham over here in the Netherlands. Correct me if I'm wrong, but after driving with the SV3 tyres, I think it's probably a budget tyre. There must be something better, without having to change to semi's.
I was satisfied with the Toyo R1R on the VX, though they don't have these in 185/65 14.
Another option is to switch to 15 inch wheels so I have more choice, but apart from the alloys, I'd also need to buy new cycle wings. And in this case it gets a bit too pricey for my likings.
With the BMW it's all easy for me. I can choose budget tyres, which saves me a bit of fuel but usually don't grip that well, or I can choose the more sportier tyre. They wil cost a bit more, but deliver better grip. Even in the rain. I can easily find a good road tyre in the right size.
It's a bit more difficult for me to find good road tyres for the Caterham over here in the Netherlands. Correct me if I'm wrong, but after driving with the SV3 tyres, I think it's probably a budget tyre. There must be something better, without having to change to semi's.
I was satisfied with the Toyo R1R on the VX, though they don't have these in 185/65 14.
Another option is to switch to 15 inch wheels so I have more choice, but apart from the alloys, I'd also need to buy new cycle wings. And in this case it gets a bit too pricey for my likings.
The Wookie said:
Sorry casbar but would disagree with AO48's in the wet, they're vaguely OK (as you said, as long as there's no standing water) once you've got a bit of heat into them (which is only really possible on a track), but they're useless compared to CR500's (2 or 3 seconds a lap in a race car), and I believe that there are better wet weather tyres available than the CR500's!
As I said, 48's are ok in the wet, as long as there is no standing water. I've used 48's and CR500 as road tyres for a while and if you drive to the conditions they seem ok. Interested to know what other tyres you think are better in the wet 
On the track I use slicks and full wets if its raining, as I thought CR500's and 48's were pretty rubbish in really wet conditions.
Everyone I know who has used ZV3s on a Caterham has said they are rubbish (I've never tried them). Normal road car tyres are really not suitable for use on something as light as a Seven so I would recommend you look for a road legal race tyre. I have tried nearly every "sticky" tyre available and would suggest that, for road use only, a set of Yokohama A021Rs would be a good bet. These are available in 14" so you won't need to change your wheels.
If money is no object then get a set of 13" rims and Avon CR500s - they are easily the best all round tyre for Caterhams and are light weight as well which improves ride quality.
Of the other sticky tyres avaialble in 13" in order of preference for road use:
Toyo R888
Kumho Ecsta V70A
Yokohama A048R
I have driven thousands of miles on these types of tyres in all types of weather, including torrential rain, and only once or twice have I had a scary moment and that has been in standing water that would have challenged any car/tyre.
If money is no object then get a set of 13" rims and Avon CR500s - they are easily the best all round tyre for Caterhams and are light weight as well which improves ride quality.
Of the other sticky tyres avaialble in 13" in order of preference for road use:
Toyo R888
Kumho Ecsta V70A
Yokohama A048R
I have driven thousands of miles on these types of tyres in all types of weather, including torrential rain, and only once or twice have I had a scary moment and that has been in standing water that would have challenged any car/tyre.
I'd echo Shaun's comments. I only know one owner who thought that ZV3s were OK in the wet. He wrote off a front corner after a spin during a very gentle blat in the winter. He was in the middle of a convoy so was travelling at the same speed as everyone else.
He has now changed his tyres!
He has now changed his tyres!
It's no problem to buy myself an extra set of alloys, as long if it really an improvement handlingwise. Not quite sure how the smaller 13 will look on the SV, though. Or am I acting a bit gay now? 
Is it a problem to use the A021R in temperatures below 0 (celcius), or would they expose the same problems with r888?
Is it a problem to use the A021R in temperatures below 0 (celcius), or would they expose the same problems with r888?
Edited by allen l on Thursday 3rd September 15:17
Given where you live you might want to check the "Customer Advisory" that Toyo issued some time ago about using/storing 888's in sub-zero temperatures.
It may be just corporate ar$e covering, but . . .
http://marktg.toyotires.com/file/tirestorage.pdf
When I got my SV (Aug 2001) it was supplied with ZV3's, and I knew no better!
After an accident (not caused by tyres, but probably not helped) I changed to CR500's and it transformed the car, both in dry and wet conditions.
Have done about 35,000 miles on CR500's (on 15") now.
The only thing I might try is changing to 13" with larger profile CR500's as the 15" do tramline a little - great in the corners though.
It may be just corporate ar$e covering, but . . .
http://marktg.toyotires.com/file/tirestorage.pdf
When I got my SV (Aug 2001) it was supplied with ZV3's, and I knew no better!
After an accident (not caused by tyres, but probably not helped) I changed to CR500's and it transformed the car, both in dry and wet conditions.
Have done about 35,000 miles on CR500's (on 15") now.
The only thing I might try is changing to 13" with larger profile CR500's as the 15" do tramline a little - great in the corners though.
Oh, and I would NEVER recommend anyone buys the 10-spoke Caterham/KN wheels.
On my set the paint flaked off the rear of the spokes and the inside of the rim after a few years.
Not caused by chip damage / gravel traps / extreme environmental temperatures, or travelling on overseas, as CC tried to suggest; but because the black paint on those areas wasn't stuck to the wheel as well as the anthracite paint.
CC refused to replace or refurbish them, and only offered to refurbish them at no cost to me if I didn't tell anyone about the problem!
In my view really poor customer service in my case.
On my set the paint flaked off the rear of the spokes and the inside of the rim after a few years.
Not caused by chip damage / gravel traps / extreme environmental temperatures, or travelling on overseas, as CC tried to suggest; but because the black paint on those areas wasn't stuck to the wheel as well as the anthracite paint.
CC refused to replace or refurbish them, and only offered to refurbish them at no cost to me if I didn't tell anyone about the problem!
In my view really poor customer service in my case.
allen l said:
If the A021r is a rain tyre, wouldn't they wear out very quickly in dry weather? If so, the R888 probably is the better choice, I think...
Anyway, if the tyre wear is reasonable of the a021 I'm going to ask for some prices at camskill.
Not on a car as light as a Caterham. You'll find some useful tyre notes from a high mileage Caterham owner (over 100,000 miles) hereAnyway, if the tyre wear is reasonable of the a021 I'm going to ask for some prices at camskill.
Edited by allen l on Thursday 3rd September 18:34
The warning of Toyo does sound a bit alarming as I'll have some cold days for sure over here. I've mailed for prices of the A021R and the 048. Both with the soft compound after reading the experiences of Angus. Great to see I'm not the only idiot driving too many miles in a Caterham.
I'll have some last thinking tonight to see which I'll order to try out first.
I'll have some last thinking tonight to see which I'll order to try out first.
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