Tyre Assistance Please
Discussion
Hi, so I've read thru' various threads in the search area and I've caught up on the recent Tyre related threads under TVR on here. But I'm struggling to find suitable tyres for my Tam (I accept this maybe just my ineptitude).
I've reviewed various sports tyre reviews on line and I've looked at various Michelin Sports tyres but cannot find them in the size I need for the rears. I would prefer to have the same brand front and back.
Rears are 255/35 R18, Fronts 235/35 R18.
I see that Debica Presto UHP 2 are available in a 94Y XL of the correct size and the reviews look reasonable, but I've not heard of this brand (budget Goodyear). I also accept I may not require the XL rating for the side wall due to the lightness of the TAM.
In frustration I'm considering Federal 595RS-R which are available in the sizes required, but I have used this tyre on track and whilst good it was limiting in the wet on regular road use.
Can anyone assist with either feed back of the Debica Presto UHP2 brand, or suggest a suitable brand for a TAM with the sizes listed.
Many thanks
Chris
I've reviewed various sports tyre reviews on line and I've looked at various Michelin Sports tyres but cannot find them in the size I need for the rears. I would prefer to have the same brand front and back.
Rears are 255/35 R18, Fronts 235/35 R18.
I see that Debica Presto UHP 2 are available in a 94Y XL of the correct size and the reviews look reasonable, but I've not heard of this brand (budget Goodyear). I also accept I may not require the XL rating for the side wall due to the lightness of the TAM.
In frustration I'm considering Federal 595RS-R which are available in the sizes required, but I have used this tyre on track and whilst good it was limiting in the wet on regular road use.
Can anyone assist with either feed back of the Debica Presto UHP2 brand, or suggest a suitable brand for a TAM with the sizes listed.
Many thanks
Chris
Hi Chris,
when I got my Tam some 4 years ago, it came with Toyo R1R on 18' Rims front and rear. Good tyres which I can recommend even though the 255's where too wide at the rear and rubbed a lot at the inner arches. Maybe the offset of the SP 12 Rims didn't match... Don't know if these tyres are still available though.
Later I swapped wheels and took 17' SP 12 wheels on the car (better drivability on poor country roads). After quite a while of searching and comparing tyres, I decided to go with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT. The main reason for doing so was the fact that these belong among the softest tyres you can get for daily road use. Load indexes are f 91, r 95 which is a lot for a light car like a Tam. Virtually 85 (f+r)should be enough. But I couldn't find any with a lower index at the right speed index. Michelins are generally great tyres which I use for my heavy daily driver but imho they are too stiff fo a light car on the country roads where I love to take my Tam to. I've been using the Dunlops now for about 10.000 mls @ 24-25 psi in dry and wet conditions and even once on the track and don't feel like testing any other. My recommendation.
Cheers
Tom
edit: yes, go for 225/35 or maybe 225/40 for the front tyres
when I got my Tam some 4 years ago, it came with Toyo R1R on 18' Rims front and rear. Good tyres which I can recommend even though the 255's where too wide at the rear and rubbed a lot at the inner arches. Maybe the offset of the SP 12 Rims didn't match... Don't know if these tyres are still available though.
Later I swapped wheels and took 17' SP 12 wheels on the car (better drivability on poor country roads). After quite a while of searching and comparing tyres, I decided to go with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT. The main reason for doing so was the fact that these belong among the softest tyres you can get for daily road use. Load indexes are f 91, r 95 which is a lot for a light car like a Tam. Virtually 85 (f+r)should be enough. But I couldn't find any with a lower index at the right speed index. Michelins are generally great tyres which I use for my heavy daily driver but imho they are too stiff fo a light car on the country roads where I love to take my Tam to. I've been using the Dunlops now for about 10.000 mls @ 24-25 psi in dry and wet conditions and even once on the track and don't feel like testing any other. My recommendation.
Cheers
Tom
edit: yes, go for 225/35 or maybe 225/40 for the front tyres
Edited by beemercaf on Tuesday 26th February 17:34
beemercaf said:
Hi Chris,
when I got my Tam some 4 years ago, it came with Toyo R1R on 18' Rims front and rear. Good tyres which I can recommend even though the 255's where too wide at the rear and rubbed a lot at the inner arches. Maybe the offset of the SP 12 Rims didn't match... Don't know if these tyres are still available though.
Later I swapped wheels and took 17' SP 12 wheels on the car (better drivability on poor country roads). After quite a while of searching and comparing tyres, I decided to go with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT. The main reason for doing so was the fact that these belong among the softest tyres you can get for daily road use. Load indexes are f 91, r 95 which is a lot for a light car like a Tam. Virtually 85 (f+r)should be enough. But I couldn't find any with a lower index at the right speed index. Michelins are generally great tyres which I use for my heavy daily driver but imho they are too stiff fo a light car on the country roads where I love to take my Tam to. I've been using the Dunlops now for about 10.000 mls @ 24-25 psi in dry and wet conditions and even once on the track and don't feel like testing any other. My recommendation.
Cheers
Tom
edit: yes, go for 225/35 or maybe 225/40 for the front tyres
Not on a TVR, but I used to run Toyo R1R and thought they were really good, wet and dry.when I got my Tam some 4 years ago, it came with Toyo R1R on 18' Rims front and rear. Good tyres which I can recommend even though the 255's where too wide at the rear and rubbed a lot at the inner arches. Maybe the offset of the SP 12 Rims didn't match... Don't know if these tyres are still available though.
Later I swapped wheels and took 17' SP 12 wheels on the car (better drivability on poor country roads). After quite a while of searching and comparing tyres, I decided to go with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT. The main reason for doing so was the fact that these belong among the softest tyres you can get for daily road use. Load indexes are f 91, r 95 which is a lot for a light car like a Tam. Virtually 85 (f+r)should be enough. But I couldn't find any with a lower index at the right speed index. Michelins are generally great tyres which I use for my heavy daily driver but imho they are too stiff fo a light car on the country roads where I love to take my Tam to. I've been using the Dunlops now for about 10.000 mls @ 24-25 psi in dry and wet conditions and even once on the track and don't feel like testing any other. My recommendation.
Cheers
Tom
edit: yes, go for 225/35 or maybe 225/40 for the front tyres
Edited by beemercaf on Tuesday 26th February 17:34
I was running 225/40-18, but there seem to be plenty of sizes available so if they do a size that fits your (OP) wheels then worth considering
I understood that the 'correct' size was 225/35 front, 235/40 rear (assuming 18" wheels). Toyo T1 Sport available in this size. That is what I am currently running and have been happy with them,
I have previously run 255/35 on the back but actually think handling is better with the narrower tyre.
But just my 2p worth.
I have previously run 255/35 on the back but actually think handling is better with the narrower tyre.
But just my 2p worth.
My experience of Michelins
Had Pilot Supersports fitted last year to replace the Toyos, fronts are 225/35/18 and the rears are 245/40/18
Whilst the tyres when warm are excellent it appears that the wall height on the rears is taller than the Toyo, consequently the car now grounds out.
Although I’m having it checked out next week, I’m sure that’s the reason and now wished I’d saved £200 and put Toyos back on.
Had Pilot Supersports fitted last year to replace the Toyos, fronts are 225/35/18 and the rears are 245/40/18
Whilst the tyres when warm are excellent it appears that the wall height on the rears is taller than the Toyo, consequently the car now grounds out.
Although I’m having it checked out next week, I’m sure that’s the reason and now wished I’d saved £200 and put Toyos back on.
Pursyluv said:
My experience of Michelins
Had Pilot Supersports fitted last year to replace the Toyos, fronts are 225/35/18 and the rears are 245/40/18
Whilst the tyres when warm are excellent it appears that the wall height on the rears is taller than the Toyo, consequently the car now grounds out.
Although I’m having it checked out next week, I’m sure that’s the reason and now wished I’d saved £200 and put Toyos back on.
Adjust ride height or damper settings?Had Pilot Supersports fitted last year to replace the Toyos, fronts are 225/35/18 and the rears are 245/40/18
Whilst the tyres when warm are excellent it appears that the wall height on the rears is taller than the Toyo, consequently the car now grounds out.
Although I’m having it checked out next week, I’m sure that’s the reason and now wished I’d saved £200 and put Toyos back on.
I always recommend Uniroyal rainsport 3s for Chimaeras. Brilliant tyres in all conditions, bite really well through wet conditions, and on my Saab they keep me straight and level when I hit lakes at 70 in the dark.
My only track experience of them was trying to catch another Chimaera around Blyton. He was on a new set of Rainsports, I was on a very used set of Yoko track tyres, but had 80 bhp more than him..........and, you've guessed it, in 15 laps i couldn't catch him. He was slower than me on the straights, but around the corners he had ridiculous levels of grip.
255/35 nor problem.
235/35 no go, you would have to drop to 225/35, but if you bear in mind that the diameter of the 225s will only be 7mm smaller, and the amount of tread thickness on a tyre is 6mm, so 12mm diameter, I would ask if it really matters?
My only track experience of them was trying to catch another Chimaera around Blyton. He was on a new set of Rainsports, I was on a very used set of Yoko track tyres, but had 80 bhp more than him..........and, you've guessed it, in 15 laps i couldn't catch him. He was slower than me on the straights, but around the corners he had ridiculous levels of grip.
255/35 nor problem.
235/35 no go, you would have to drop to 225/35, but if you bear in mind that the diameter of the 225s will only be 7mm smaller, and the amount of tread thickness on a tyre is 6mm, so 12mm diameter, I would ask if it really matters?
Well here is another TVR owner that is not worried about the mileage they get either.
However I would like a comparison between them and tyres that cost twice as much. They're regarded as specialist wet tyres and i'll be using them 99% in the dry, simply asking to see if they wear especially quickly with dry use only. Presume most TVR owners use their cars primarily in the dry.
However I would like a comparison between them and tyres that cost twice as much. They're regarded as specialist wet tyres and i'll be using them 99% in the dry, simply asking to see if they wear especially quickly with dry use only. Presume most TVR owners use their cars primarily in the dry.
Noblebenn said:
Well here is another TVR owner that is not worried about the mileage they get either.
However I would like a comparison between them and tyres that cost twice as much. They're regarded as specialist wet tyres and i'll be using them 99% in the dry, simply asking to see if they wear especially quickly with dry use only. Presume most TVR owners use their cars primarily in the dry
Definitely not bothered about mileage! I normally get 12 to the gallon, (5 on track) so a little bit of tyre wear Is irrelevant! However I would like a comparison between them and tyres that cost twice as much. They're regarded as specialist wet tyres and i'll be using them 99% in the dry, simply asking to see if they wear especially quickly with dry use only. Presume most TVR owners use their cars primarily in the dry
Generally the grippiest tyres wear less well. Rainsports are excellent but wear I would rate 6/10.
As to dry grip, many have tried them on track and find them excellent.
Can't comment on tyre wear they have only been on the car for about 1000 miles but as i only do about 3000 miles per year I'm not overly bothered about the mileage , unless they only last a year then I would be . But should you get caught out in a cloud burst you will have some tyres that can deal with it .
ianwayne said:
Different car, but with same issue. I have a Cerbera with 18" spiders.
235/35 x 18 my local supplier has 2 brands (one awful rubbish and 1 very pricey Pirelli). But with 225/35 x 18, over 20 to choose from so I went for the latter.
What did you go for Ian? Toyos like most spider cars seem to have?235/35 x 18 my local supplier has 2 brands (one awful rubbish and 1 very pricey Pirelli). But with 225/35 x 18, over 20 to choose from so I went for the latter.
OK, guilty, I admit it. I changed my mind and went part-worn.... 
Couldn't bring myself to spend £250 + on front tyres in a dry weather (normally) only car that I'll likely do less than 2k miles per year in.
While it was off the road in the winter, I kept my eyes open and bought one on ebay in an auction from a chap 6 miles away, and then waited a while to get another the same. Cheaper than buying a pair.
Bridgestone Potenza S001 225/35 x 18, and made in the same year. Paid a place to fit and balance them, all in cost under £60 for both.
Good tread and only a few year old. Many people wouldn't entertain it, and I'm expecting £don't cut corners on the most important part of the cat." It isn't, it's the driver. Every tyre out there is 'part worn' after you've done a few miles. After 35 years of driving, in my experience, good brands in good condition, part worn beat brand new ditchfinders every time. As long as you know enough not to fit tyres that obviously been run when flat (distortion inside), perished or have uneven tread wear.
My Chimaera has Toyos. They're much more common on 16 /15 inch wheels than 18s in my experience.
Couldn't bring myself to spend £250 + on front tyres in a dry weather (normally) only car that I'll likely do less than 2k miles per year in.While it was off the road in the winter, I kept my eyes open and bought one on ebay in an auction from a chap 6 miles away, and then waited a while to get another the same. Cheaper than buying a pair.
Bridgestone Potenza S001 225/35 x 18, and made in the same year. Paid a place to fit and balance them, all in cost under £60 for both. Good tread and only a few year old. Many people wouldn't entertain it, and I'm expecting £don't cut corners on the most important part of the cat." It isn't, it's the driver. Every tyre out there is 'part worn' after you've done a few miles. After 35 years of driving, in my experience, good brands in good condition, part worn beat brand new ditchfinders every time. As long as you know enough not to fit tyres that obviously been run when flat (distortion inside), perished or have uneven tread wear.
My Chimaera has Toyos. They're much more common on 16 /15 inch wheels than 18s in my experience.
Edited by ianwayne on Monday 8th April 18:32
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