Tyres on S2

[DaveM]

I've just fitted new boots to the rear of my S2. It had Bridgestone RE71 (205/60ZR15) on before and was fine. Tyre dealer I went to said Bridgestones were not much good these days as they hadn't kept their tread patterns up to date to ensure best roadholding. He recommended several others, one being Michelin 205/60R15 91. These he said had better directional treads which helped disperse water.

On the way home the back end felt very light. Have I bought the wrong tyres, or do they just need bedding in?

[johno]

There is much debate on tyres and if you run through previous threads you will see them....but heres my two penneth worth.

I had RE71's, OK in the dry, crap in the wet. There are people on the group here who love 'em.

I now run RE720's (need some new rears actually) as they are a far more modern (directional) tyre and are superb in the wet. Can really use the power now.

S02's are the choice for the more powerfulcars, they only do them a high as 55 profile and are therefor slightly to low for the S. A number of people use them though and swear by 'em. S03's I haven't heard anyone using on an S yet.

I do know a couple of S's running with Pirelli P6000's, both of whom are not overly impressed. Don't know anyone with Michelins on one...

I would be careful though as you will need to give those tyres 200 miles or so to cure and settle down. My dad runs Avons on his Spider and doesn't rate them until they've done at least 1000 - 1500 miles and are scrubbed a bit. Maybe your Michelins will do the same.

Why not come to the S meet and you'll get loads of feedback on tyres there !!

Good luck with 'em.

Cheers

Mark

[DaveM]

Thanks for comments Johno - I'd love to come to an S meeting - trouble is March 24th (I think that's the next isn't it?) I'm playing with my band (yes - believe it or not - in the morning - it's a Gospel band and 24th March is Palm Sunday/Mother's Day)

What about the next one in the Midlands - easier access from more parts of the country - somewhere near the National Exhibition Centre?

DaveM

[mhibbins]

quote:I do know a couple of S's running with Pirelli P6000's, both of whom are not overly impressed.

I think mine are great

[bills1]

I'm on Pirelli 5000s and they are fine.
Ive no idea what the dfference is from the 6000s though

[johno]

Mark and Bills1,

How much wet weather driving do you do with your Pirellis, this is where I heard they aren't so good ??

See what I mean though !! Its a minefield and we all have differing opinions and additionally know others with opinions that don't match others....

I think to some extent you have to stick with what you know and experiment a little. The problem is with tyres is that you're stuck with 'em for a little while, while you decide you don't like 'em !

Cheers

Mark

[mhibbins]

i tend do do all my s3 driving in the winter as I switch to my fireblade as soon as the weather gets half decent. I've had the p6000s since december and i've found them excellent and very good in the wet. They may not offer the ultimate levels of grip that some crave but they do grip very well and when they do slide they slide progressively. I can only compare them with the vikings that the car came with that were dreadful in the wet. I enjoyed sliding around on them right up until the point I nearly crashed.

I know it isn't quite the same thing but i've had them on my v6 mondeo for two years and they grip like no mondeo has a right to. I go through a pair of front tyres in about 10-15k miles though.

Mark

[roulli]

referring to any tire discussion
Tire performance may change drastically from one production batch to the other, when it comes to progressivity of building up lateral forces, which is more important than simply "Grip". This force build up actually predefines the way, how the car will loose its grip.
One should keep that in mind, when judging a tire on a particular car. One phisical set of tires may work very well on one car and may be a disaster on another car.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of reproducibility of tires, they are the most difficult items to give advice on.

cheers patrick

[MikeGC]

My newly acquired S3 came with 2 new Viking PROTECH 500 on front and Continentals on rear. Having suffered the usual exciting pirouhette associated with mixing continentals with other tyres I quickly put 2 more Protechs on rear as a quickfix to last the light-usage winter.

Now spring is here I am contemplating RE720s all round - am I coming to my senses or am worrying overmuch?. Any more Viking experience out there?.

I have looked at the tyre threads but ...

[mhibbins]

Throw the vikings away sharpish. I had them on mine and nearly totalled the car just before christmas on a 50mph left sweeper when the back came round very quickly indeed. They are awful tyres imo. I put P6000s on mine and even when they were brand new with no running in at all they still offered substantially more grip than the vikings.

I did use them occasionally in the summer however (mostly on the bike - I was, not the tyres) and they were sort of a laugh in that you could powerslide everywhere but from a safety aspect I would ditch them as braking distances were enourmous and when it rained you really need an anchor.

Mark

>> Edited by mhibbins on Tuesday 5th March 23:11

>> Edited by mhibbins on Tuesday 5th March 23:12

[John Bull]

I have just had 4 new Bridgestone RE720's fitted to my S3. I am pretty chuffed with them, if I floored the car in first it used to slip all over the show, now it just takes off like a bullet!

The tyres were put on by Micheldever and were a good price £274, all in. They have a modern tread pattern and Bridgestone say they are good in the wet.

[Paceracing]

For what it's worth, I use SO2 Potenzas in 55 profile (they don't make 60's) and they stick like sh*t to a blanket even in the wet!

Jas.

[MikeGC]

Thanks Guys. Appreciate your help.

Phone call time.

Mike

[MikeGC]

Again thanks.

Went to Micheldever this AM - (£278 plus £21 on tracking, as a new baby) with only 1.25 hrs queue. Must go midweek opening time next time.

Still too new to push them but the difference is subtle (but interesting) on dry roads (little tramlining now). The car likes these new boots!!

As for the handling in dampness today - WW!!!!

M

>> Edited by MikeGC on Saturday 9th March 20:22

[HarryW]

Mike so which ones did you get fitted then? RE720's or SO2/3? Was that £278 for all four corners? including balance/valves etc? seems a v good price. Shame they doon't do the ZR's at that price unless someone can tell me different.

Harry

>> Edited by HarryW on Saturday 9th March 20:42

[mickypee]

Has any one thought off/tried F1's. I was talking to a man who runs a performance race shop,he swears by them and he suggested this tyre. I think they are made by Goodyear but I cant be sure. I also will be in the market for a new set of tyres, so I watch with interest.

Mike P.

[mhibbins]

Don't assume Micheldever is the cheapest as they seem to be trading on their name a little and comparatively they may not be as cheap as they once were. It's still worth phoning around.

For anyone in the Newbury/Reading area, give Headley Tyres (in Headley - imaginative chaps these tyre bods) as they are very good value, there's little waiting around and they have laser track equipment.

Mark

[MikeGC]

Harry

4 x RE720 vr at 274.71 all corners fitted (plus the 21.30 for alignment. Still to do that as after 1.25 hour in the queue my sat am ran out. But going back tuesday for that.). Made this mistake of not getting there til 09:00. Intresting ran with a jag down the last bit of m3/303. He was still 1 ahead of me in the Q!!!

Mark, I agree with you on Headley but in this case needed 2 days to get into stock and quoted £291.40. But I agree, normally they are better..and no queue.

Mike