Discussion
So my Falkens were great through the summer, but now the roads are getting wetter and greasier they have completely changed character. Yesterday I did the second slowest 4 wheel drift ever (the slowest being in a golf cart with Rude Girl, but that is a different story! ) at 20mph round a roundabout. While it was fun, it was not intentional and just showed how crap my tyres are in the wet.
Now I wanted to go for Yokohamas next but as I do circa 12k miles a year I suspect I will have to replace them at least twice . I have been recommended Dunlop Super sports but I just wondered if you chaps had ever used them and if so what were your thoughts?
Cheers
Trace
PS Size is 165 * 70 * 10
Edited to add, couldn't find this before www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=220241&f=90&h=0&hw=dunlop+supersport cheers all.
Now I wanted to go for Yokohamas next but as I do circa 12k miles a year I suspect I will have to replace them at least twice . I have been recommended Dunlop Super sports but I just wondered if you chaps had ever used them and if so what were your thoughts?
Cheers
Trace
PS Size is 165 * 70 * 10
Edited to add, couldn't find this before www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=220241&f=90&h=0&hw=dunlop+supersport cheers all.
Edited by Ace-T on Saturday 21st October 21:06
Yoko A008's are not that good. Get another set of cheap wheels and fit Camacs, they are also surprisingly good on grass and in mud.
My mini is virtually undrivable in the wet due to the suspension and tyres not being too good. I'm running Falkens at the mo (old set of wheels) If I accepted the mini as anything other than a dry roads car, I'd get some aquajet SP70's but as it is, I'll take it easy on the crap tyres until the track can merit some more 032R's (which are meant to be better in the wet than 008's). It's pointless caining a set of decent tyres in conditions where you can slide/spin/etc.
Camacs are a good shit weather tyre.
My mini is virtually undrivable in the wet due to the suspension and tyres not being too good. I'm running Falkens at the mo (old set of wheels) If I accepted the mini as anything other than a dry roads car, I'd get some aquajet SP70's but as it is, I'll take it easy on the crap tyres until the track can merit some more 032R's (which are meant to be better in the wet than 008's). It's pointless caining a set of decent tyres in conditions where you can slide/spin/etc.
Camacs are a good shit weather tyre.
I'm talking about properly horrible wet lanes with big puddles and things. Personally, I find A008's can be fun on corners, falkens with a bit of wear seem to aquaplane like hell. Don't waste good cut slicks on driving in the wet. Seriously, Camacs seem to beat the other tyres for a sort of rally driving tyre. Bearing in mind I really do push mine hard and they feel safer in the wet. I'm ambling around at the minute off the cam as the falkens are just ridiculous. The backs inner wheel is locking up braking on corners on a smooth surface which isn't good.
I'd get a set of SP Sports if they weren't such a ridiculous price. I expect they wear pretty fast and I get through tyres quite quickly. I'll probably buy a set of old wheels with some ratty tyres on them to keep me through the winter and as soon as it starts warming up a bit and getting dry patches, back to 032R's on 5" mag-minilites.
I'd get a set of SP Sports if they weren't such a ridiculous price. I expect they wear pretty fast and I get through tyres quite quickly. I'll probably buy a set of old wheels with some ratty tyres on them to keep me through the winter and as soon as it starts warming up a bit and getting dry patches, back to 032R's on 5" mag-minilites.
The chap who was looking out for some tyres for me has called me and recommended Dunlop Aquajets at £69 a corner He also says that the Yoko A008s are great in the dry, ok in the wet and lethal in snow. He has also said that I can go and try his car out on the Dunlops.
Now I don't want to skimp on tyre safety but at the same time I dont want to fork out £280 for a set of tyres I know nothing about so am reluctant to take him up on his offer. LM are these the same Aquajets that you mention? Are they any good?
Oh and you are so right about the Falkens after a bit of wear!
Ace-T
Now I don't want to skimp on tyre safety but at the same time I dont want to fork out £280 for a set of tyres I know nothing about so am reluctant to take him up on his offer. LM are these the same Aquajets that you mention? Are they any good?
Oh and you are so right about the Falkens after a bit of wear!
Ace-T
Yep, you can get the VTS Aquajets or perhaps get lucky and find some new old stock ones on ebay, they do come up from time to time. If I pay £69 for a mini tyre, I want it to grip like a slick, clear snow like a snow tyre and wear like it's made of metal The VTS ones dont have the rib around the edge which is a nice anti scuff feature and looks good too.
I use the most shocking tyres I can in the wet as they are just supporting the weight. 008's in my opinion are 2/3 of the way to an 032 so pay a bit more and get the better tyre.
I do generally go back to 3.5 steels with 145 tyres on them. Always fun with the 1380 they generally last about 2 weeks
I use the most shocking tyres I can in the wet as they are just supporting the weight. 008's in my opinion are 2/3 of the way to an 032 so pay a bit more and get the better tyre.
I do generally go back to 3.5 steels with 145 tyres on them. Always fun with the 1380 they generally last about 2 weeks
Ive used the Dunlop aquajets for years, also featured in the practical classics article. They seem to last for ever, Ive owned my car 10 years and only ever bought 2 sets of the aquajets. I had a couple of A008s on for about 6 months before they were devoid of tread, also found them hiddeous in the wet, especially over white lines.
Having said, when I had 70hp, the Camacs lasted forever, with me trying to wear them out. I upped it a few bananas and I wore out 2 front ones in about 400 miles!
My favourite tyre for the mini is the Kelly Springfield KR-5, they are out of production but are nicely square shouldered, fabric bodied and a light, very nice tyre. Having said, they went up in smoke like the rest of them! I'm getting to the point where my driving style wears harder tyres quicker than softer ones!
My favourite tyre for the mini is the Kelly Springfield KR-5, they are out of production but are nicely square shouldered, fabric bodied and a light, very nice tyre. Having said, they went up in smoke like the rest of them! I'm getting to the point where my driving style wears harder tyres quicker than softer ones!
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff