Tyres (again ??)

[pdavison]

I'm sure this topic has been posted before - so apologies if I sound like a scratched record !

I've just been told that the Bridgestone SO2/3's are no longer made in 205/60/ZR15. I have been recommended to go for Bridgestone RE71's - has anyone had any experience of these?

Micheldever have quote £158.50 to supply & fit them - does this sound reasonable?

Also, if anyone has any alternative recommendations it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

[johno]

SO2/3's were never made in 205/60/ZR15. They were only produced upto 205/50/ZR15.

You can run them but the car will slightly lower and the speedo slightly innacurate, but these are marginal differences.

I used to run RE71's as recommended by the 'bible'. I hated them, although there are people on this list who really rate them. I use Bridgestone RE720's 205/60/VR15 as recommended by Micheldever. These are a far more modern tyre than the RE71 (10yrs+). RE720's released in '99.

You will have noted the VR v's ZR. These are not available in the ZR rating, but the S in V6 form doesn't require a ZR rating (handbook, common sense, advice).

Cheers

Mark

[Roy C]

quote:I've just been told that the Bridgestone SO2/3's are no longer made in 205/60/ZR15. I have been recommended to go for Bridgestone RE71's - has anyone had any experience of these?

Micheldever have quote £158.50 to supply & fit them - does this sound reasonable?

Also, if anyone has any alternative recommendations it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

SO2/3 are available in 55 profile which is very low for an S1/2/3.

Bridgestone RE71s were the original equipment. When new, my S2 was fitted with 205/60/VRs (no longer available).

I bought two RE71 205/60/ZR15 at Micheldever for £158.50 (£79.25 each) in January.

Roy

[JSG]

Paul,

The RE71s were original equipment on the S I believe. I had them on my S3c and they were fine.

I've just fitted four to the V8S in December and again they seem ok, even in the rain (with usual care on the throttle). I did a bit of high and slow speed driving when they were first on to bed them in (following advise to others elsewhere).

Micheldever were the best price I could get, £317 for 4 inc fitting and balancing - Oh and every tyre fitter came out to listen when I left

Cheers,
JSG

[chin up]

I'm running SO-2 Potenzas (205/55/15) and love them to bits. Lots of cash mind you, even from Micheldever, but the grip in the wet and the dry is prodigious.

Call me SO-2 mafia if you like, but they really are good. Bad-a-bing Bad-a-boom!

Forgot to mention the ground clearance issue. RE 71's will help fractionally to lift the car and avoid those moments of grimacing we all know and love as we drive over a speed bump.

>> Edited by chin up on Monday 11th February 16:43

[pdavison]

Just been told that the RE720 is in fact an 'H' rated tyre and therefore not suitable for the 'S'. However, the ER20 is the same tyre pattern but 'V' rated and therefore suitable for the 'S'.

A local garage have said they will price match Micheldever (it's always worth asking !), but would supply the ER20's as RE71's are an old tyre.

I have to confess to being slightly confused at this stage - what do you all think?

Also, has anyone heard of the ER20 or a) have I miss heard the name or b) am I being spun some rubbish?

Any ideas?

Cheers

Paul

[johno]

I had my RE720's fitted by Micheldever. I'm now going to double check they are VR rated. You've got me worried !!!

I'm sure they are !!

[johno]

My RE720's are VR rated as I thought. I was sure I wouldn't put H rated tyres on my car !!

Anxious moments there.

Cheers

Mark
PS - They are excellent compared to the old RE71's

[s3 bob]

I wouldn't worry too much about the difference between the 55 & 60 profile, I've been running S02s on my S3 for a couple of years with no problems ( apart from the price )
They seem to be the tyre of choice for chims & griffs so plenty good enough for the S.
The 60 profile does fill the arches better though.
Anyone any thoughts on Toyo Proxes, Avon ZV1s or Fulda Extremo?

[pdavison]

Thanks guys. I think I will opt for the RE720's as after looking on the Bridgestone web site these are performance tyres rated H/V (helpful !). The ER20's are quoted as an every day tyre, but they are V rated.

Cheers

Paul

[midge]

I also have had RE720's to my S3c and compared to the RE71's they are the "dog's b******s". Like, Johno you had me worried over their rating. They are definately VR rated.

[pdavison]

Sorry for worrying people - it just shows you what some garages will tell you in order to get you to buy a more expensive tyre !

[pdavison]

Had two Bridgestone RE720's fitted this morning so I will let you know how I get on with them.

Local garage price matched Micheldever and balanced all four wheels - total price £137.50 !

Thanks for all the advice.

Paul

[stevegilroy]

I also have nothing but praise for RE720s. Two weeks into ownership of my V8s (shod with some Dunlop tyres with plenty of tread)had a white-knuckle pirouetting experience coming off a roundabout, and i wasnt behaving like an idiot with a lead right boot either! Straight down to the local tyre place to put on 4 new bridgestones at around £75 each and no probems since!

[JSG]

quote:
I also have nothing but praise for RE720s. Two weeks into ownership of my V8s (shod with some Dunlop tyres with plenty of tread)had a white-knuckle pirouetting experience coming off a roundabout, and i wasnt behaving like an idiot with a lead right boot either! Straight down to the local tyre place to put on 4 new bridgestones at around £75 each and no probems since!

Thats a bit worrying Steve, RE720s are not Z rated and you need Z rated tyres for a V8S. If you've been supplied with V rated RE720s you should return them and get a refund, RE71s are ok or else slightly lower profile S03s.

Cheers,
JSG

[stevegilroy]

quote:
Thats a bit worrying Steve, RE720s are not Z rated and you need Z rated tyres for a V8S. If you've been supplied with V rated RE720s you should return them and get a refund, RE71s are ok or else slightly lower profile S03s.

Cheers,
JSG

I take your point but V rated RE720s are OK for speeds up to around 150mph which is plenty enough for my driving needs. RE71s are getting a bit long in the tooth although as you say they are Z rated, also did not want to mess around with the car's profile by going down the SO2/SO3 route- have you seen the roads in Liverpool! For me anyway low to mid-speed traction is more relevant than absolute speed rating, but i would be interested to hear if there are other factors i should be aware of with my choice of tyre.

Cheers

Steve

[shpub]

It is not the speed that you should worry about. TVR fitted ZR tyres not because of the speed because of the acceleration and the fact it can distort the tyre sidewall. These means that under hevay acceleration, the tyre is well past its best. In addition, the original fit is ZR tyres so technically by running a VR tyre you have modified the car andfitted a part that is not to the same manufacturer's spec. Result is potential reason for dismissing a claim.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[stevegilroy]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I bet you can feel my face glowing from where you are sat!...4 hardly used RE720s anyone?

Cheers

Steve

[ohidunno]

My Chimaera has always run on RE71's. At Duxford last year (my first 'event') I noticed that SO2 was by far the most popular tyre choice. Now these are discontinued I guess I will try SO3, but I'm worried about the loss of ride height - speedbumps are EVERYWHERE - in N London