Oops

[PetrolTed]

Managed to stuff the S4 into the banking on the M4 slip road at Slough today. I'd noticed that my rear tyres were a tad on the bald side yet still drove like a knob and lost it accelerating up the slip road. It drifted one way, drifted the other way as I tried to correct it and eventually piled backwards into the muddy bank before spinning around again as the rear bounced off the bank. Can't believe I didn't damage the car or myself. Felt a right prat too!

Off to get some new tyres tomorrow and to reign in my exuberance...

[pdavison]

Sounds like you had a lucky escape ! Good to hear you and the 'S' are ok.

Cheers

Paul

[johno]

Close shave then Ted ! Good to hear you are both in one piece.

As for tyres I recommend the RE720's from Bridgestone unless you are a S02/S03 man, which I believe you are.

You were going to change those tyres ages ago I seem to remember. I got mine all out of shape on the slip road going onto the M3 from Ashfrod the other evening. First one way then the other etc etc but was a lot luckier than you and managed to keep it on the black stuff. My friend behind said it looked rather spectacular if a little worrying !!!

Cheers

Mark

[GBGaffer]

Good and Bad Luck eh Ted!

I had a similar 'moment' for the same reason when test driving my S4 - no tread plus greasy slip road =

Mind you it did enable me to find the seat height adjuster!

The dealer I bought the car from changed the shagged tyres (OE Bridgestone's?) for Pirelli P6000's which I have been driving about on since. I suspect I should have insisted on Bridgestones as I have seen subsequent posts on PH somewhat cool about the P6000's. My impression is that they lack grip in the wet but seem to be fairly progressive when they do let go, but given the relatively modest grunt from the V6 everything seems reasonably balanced - any views?

Cheers

Graham

[jeremyc]

Maybe now isn't such a great time to get Ted's objective view of the grip offered by different tyres

Glad to hear that both you and the S4 are OK Ted!

[shpub]

quote:
but given the relatively modest grunt from the V6 everything seems reasonably balanced - any views?

Errr how about only slightly more grip than wet vinyl? Better than nothing I suppose... but it would be a close call. I had to sprint on those a few years back cos I couldn't get anything else. They were really bad.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[jaydee]

www.racelogic.co.uk/tc-brief.htm ???
Glad you and the car are OK Ted.

[JSG]

Glad you're ok Ted, mine was a bit light the other week - ok now with new tyres, been out blasting today.

I'm not sure what your fronts are like but I remember you saying you would like to get back to the original profile. www.micheldever.co.uk can supply Bridgestone RE71s, price was £317 for four 205/60ZR15 inc fitting, valves, balancing and VAT a couple of weeks ago.

Cheers,
JSG

[LeeBee]

Sorry to hear that Ted, glad all is well.Time to break out the Zymol again!

Cheers

LeeBee

[PetrolTed]

Despite wanting the aesthetically more pleasing RE71's I'm assuming that SO2/3 are a better tyre (I'm used to SO2's now). I'll probably stick with them but can anyone offer any comment on RE71 vs SO3?

[shpub]

quote:
www.racelogic.co.uk/tc-brief.htm ???
Glad you and the car are OK Ted.

I've got the racelogic system on my 520. It would have prevented Ted's little excursion from the sound of it... so would some new tyres I suspect. Their web site had an interesting grip graph for tyres which sows how the grip decreases as the tread reduces and if the track is wet. I wrote up my experience with the system and the article is on my web site if you are interested. The grip graph is scary viewing if you start thinking what it can all mean.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[tvrmark]

As I understand RE71's went out of production 5 or more years ago, so any RE71's still available must be old stock. Am I right in thinking tyres deteriorate with age if so the RE71's available can't be as good as they were, when they were in production.

Mark

P.S. Ted glad you and the cars OK

Edited by tvrmark on Sunday 30th December 12:56

[johno]

They are still in production I believe, as they are readily available. They are not imported in the UK by Bridgestone but by wholesalers due to them not meeting some sort of required standard I was told. They are legal.

Cheers

Mark

[LeeBee]

I believe they are still available in the US, on a different note, the 200mph Porsche 959 was fitted with RE71's!

Cheers

LeeBee

[shpub]

I suspect that the problem is due to a lack of a E4 mark which must appear on tyres sold in the UK. This is also a requirement for sprinting. Might be worth looking at. The other thing is that the RE71 is a 10+ year old tyre technology and is pants compared to what Bridgestone offer with the newer tyres like the S02 and So3 (maybe but I heard similar complaints when the SO2 came out. The main complaints I have heard have been with a car fitted with 17 inch wheels and very low profile tyres which will make any tramlining/nervousness far worse so I'm still thinking...).

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[M@H]

Glad all survived Ted..

quote:
I wrote up my experience with the system and the article is on my web site if you are interested. The grip graph is scary viewing if you start thinking what it can all mean.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

Just read Steve's article and its really interesting.. got me thinking about the Racelogic System now.. (d'oh just missed christmas) (...don't understand the guy with the Puma he described though as Puma's don't have true Traction Control..)

anyway..
Is it better to fit something like this kit, or spend the cash on better tyres, suspension, bushes, alignment etc etc. which would improve the road holding anyway..? (I can't afford everything sadly)
Any opinions..
Cheers,
M@

[Dave_H]

I'd say before buying any add on kits, it's best to get the basics (tyres/tracking bushes shocks etc) in tip top working order first.

[petert]

I agree with Dave on this one. There's a big difference between good road holding and management of traction during acceleration!

Peter T.

PeterT

[PetrolTed]

Personally I don't see a need for traction control on my car. What I needed was less stupidity!

Interesting how my track day experiences affected the incident though. My familiarity with the car wasn't enough to save it as I've more experience with the limits of adhesion rather than retrieving it when I've gone beyond them.

However my experiences of a few spins on track days did make me feel a lot more relaxed as I waited for the inevitable! If I'd have done the same thing a few years ago I'd have been in shock. Getting out this time I felt a bit of a prat but wasn't very shaken.

[M@H]

O.K I'm convinced thanks..

PS. just looking about for Online Motor insurance quotes and have beaten my own record:
S2 valued at £9000.. (well, for insurance purposes )
A whopping £8325 per year which I could very kindly pay for in monthly instalments of £817.10 (inc. 12% interest).. I've got my credit card out already ..not !
Cheers,
Matt.



Edited by M@H on Monday 31st December 12:45