Tamora 18" tyres

[Smokey Boyer]

Hi,

I have recently got a Tamora, and having used it for a Sporting Bears event at Aintree it needs some new boots.



It currently has some 4 year old Toyo tyres on in the standard size of 225/35 at the front and 235/40 at the back. The car has brand new (just before I got it) standard spec Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs, and sits very low at the front but handles like a dream.

There is not much choice in these sizes and I have got the choice down to;

Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 (these are only available in W rating)
Uniroyal Rainsport 3 or 5
Dunlop SportMaxx RT2
Bridgestone PSport

I can also get toyos from TVR parts but I am concerned these are now old stock. I have contacted them about this but had no reply.

Is anyone running any of those tyres in the standard size that could share their views?

Would the standard size Tuscan tyres ( 235/40 and 245/40) fit the tamora as there appears to be a slightly better range in those sizes, but I am worried about the larger tyres rubbing the arches, and also changing the handling. The main advantage the larger tyre would have is giving me a little more clearance under the front splitter which is taking a bit of a hammering.

Any advice related to tyres is welcome.

Edited by Smokey Boyer on Friday 10th September 07:24

[mk1fan]

Pleanty of existing threads on sizes - I run 225 and 255 all round on the T's - so go exploring. Unless you have a worked over engine then grip isn't the issue. I have had no issues and like the Uniroyal Rainsport 3. Used in the wet, hot, cold, touring and trackdays. The 5 appears to be an improvement based on the comments I've read.

As for up to date models / makes then you just need to allow for the lightness of the car (in comparrison to 2-ton modern cars). Again, plenty of threads on new rubber.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the sizes on the T350 and Tamora running 18-inch wheels. The mismatch was due to TVR's poor design / sizing of the weheelarch tubs. The Sag ran 255 all round and the Tam with 16-inch wheels ran 225 all round.

Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 9th September 14:40

[Granturadriver]

I have been driving on the Dunlop in the standard format for half a year, before that I drove the Toyo. The Dunlop drive very pleasant even at high speeds on our Autobahns in Germany. They also do not seem as soft as the Toyo, but make a more stable impression, with better directional stability.

Surprisingly, they are also much quieter. Less tire rolling noise, but more engine and exhaust sound.

[Pursyluv]

I fitted Michelin Pilot Supersport 235/35 front and 245/40 rear

[Sevenman]

I had a set of the new Bridgestone Potenza Sports put on my Tamora last week.

They are doing well in performance tyre tests, and come in the right sizes.

£500 fitted.

Seem good based on a short drive but haven't taken them far yet.

I would be concerned about old stock Toyos. Want them as fresh as possible.

I should do a Sporting Bears event some time. Was it good?

Edited by Sevenman on Friday 10th September 20:18

[Smokey Boyer]

Sevenman said:

I should do a Sporting Bears event some time. Was it good?

All Bears events are good, but Aintree is a very special event as we are taking out kids from the hospices we support, and their families, giving them all a great day out in cars on a track, that they will hopefully look back on with good memories. It does not really matter if the car is a supercar or relatively average as just the fact we are there doing our bit is the important thing, raising smiles and providing good experiences for these families. My son took at £4000 Toyota MR2 to the event and did his bit, doing as many runs as everyone else that was there.

Thanks for the info on the Bridgestones. It all helps

[aaee]

I’ve only had Toyo Proxes Sports on my Tamora, in the original sizes (225/35/18 & 235/40/18) and they’ve been great in all conditions with nothing to fault in 10k of driving.

I run the latest Bilstein and Eibach suspension set up, and want a decent road set up, which the Toyo’s compliment.

They are good value but would possibly like a change to test the market but have always struggled to find a tyre in 225/35/18 size.

Would be interested in opinions on other brands.

[Smokey Boyer]

Thanks for the feedback. Took the plunge and ordered a full set of Bridgestone Potenza Sport in the original 225/35 and 235/40 sizes. I went with these rather than the Dunlops as the rear tyre from Dunlop have a lower wet grip rating than the Dunlop front tyre, and a lower wet grip rating than the Bridgestone. Not much in it though. The rim protector was pretty appealing on the Dunlop front tyres.

I have will report back how I get on in a week or two.

[jev]

Whilst my 2p worth may be too late for you, I've fitted the Eagle F1s a few months back and am really happy with them. The 'rim protector' has avoided at least one curbing incident so far.

I note that you've stuck to the standard sizes and that would have been my recommendation. I've tried wider on the back and didn't find it an improvement. As for putting /40s on the front, each car is different - they may or may not fit.

[Smokey Boyer]

I could not find the F1s available in the standard front size and a Y speed rating. From memory, I could only see W rated F1 3s for the front, and Y rated F1 5s for the rear.

I did measure up the next size up in tyres, using the standard tuscan sizes but do not think they stand any chance of fitting at the front so opted to stay with the standard elastic band sizes tyres.

[Sevenman]

Smokey Boyer said:

I could not find the F1s available in the standard front size and a Y speed rating. From memory, I could only see W rated F1 3s for the front, and Y rated F1 5s for the rear.

I am fairly sure you can't get the F1s in a Y speed rating for the front, as you discovered.

Given W is only rated to 168mph, and I exceed that on most trips to the shops / nursery drop-off, the 186mph for the Y-rating is essential for me.

There is a small risk having tyres of the wrong speed rating could cause an insurance issue, but I reckon it is a very small risk. And I would happily put F1s on my car, rather than the Y-rated 'Goodride' tyres I could get in the correct size. I should have been put off when I was buying a daily driver that had Landsail tyres fitted . Although I recall seeing them fitted to a newish expensive Jag near me....

I am going to hypothesise that, when buying a performance (not track) tyre, for most people it doesn't matter much which of the big names tyres you go for. Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama, Uniroyal, Toyo etc.

Some may have stiffer / softer sidewalls that may affect the handling in ways people like / don't like in an individual sense. But most TVRs have been busily moving away from factory suspension anyway onto what various specialists or they have found works.

I think the biggest differences will be between quality and cheap tyres, and probably even more between old and new tyres, with plenty of low-mileage TVRs on old rubbers, as I was until recently.

[Smokey Boyer]

I may well be ill-informed but understood the Y rating was not just related to speed rating, but also had something linked with tyre compounds used. Y being more suited to higher performance lighter cars than W.

Bridgestone Potenza Sports fitted, all good so far.

[Sevenman]

I certainly think there is an argument for not fitting S rated tyres (112mph) on the basis that I don't drive that fast, given they aren't designed for high performance vehicles.

It would be interesting to know why the 225/35 version of the Eagle F1 is W rated and the 235/40 is Y.

I would be surprised if there is a substantial compound change, but maybe it is one of life's mysteries.

Let us know how you get on with the Bridgestones, I need to get some good outings done with mine before winter sets in.