Tyres why some rave about certain brands

[...]

Now being one of the older sorts on here ,and also a newcomer to the clio fold , i see patterns emerging re tyres . This happens time and again and was picked up on in a thread i saw last night .
Now the example last night was TOYO R888's ..... these seemed to come up as a best track day tyre ,

Another popular best tyre ever (and trust me its not just this forum as i have been around a few) is the toyo T1's in its various forms . Now these are currently popular and don't get me wrong they arn't a bad tyre, but one of the main reasons they get touted as best is price , both are the cheaper option in their given forte. However are they the best tyre , almost certainly not ,but once a cheap option is found that's not bad, its hailed as the be all and end all .

Tyres are such a difficult thing to say whats best in road and track form , and being honest a road tyre has to be pretty shocking to be bad as they have to meet quiet alot of test criteria nowadays.

usually the best tyre is the one that's at the top end of its price range for a said tyre but is quite often not chosen because of that very fact , however in actual grip,longevity and cost it may well be a far cheaper tyre to live with in the long term .

with track tyres again they come in different compounds even in the same tyre ,and whats best depends what your doing with it , what car you drive and what track your running on , as some tracks are far more abrasive than others , sometimes the stickiest softest tyre isn't the quickest , just watch F1 over a season and understand how the different compounds influence a race .

Also temps affect things alot , suspension setups on track make a difference to one tyre working and one not ,but that opens up a whole another big can of worms ,because that slammed to the deck setup might not actually make the car handle better at all .


I am not saying what is the best, as its a very individual thing , but sometimes there is a better alternative out there and forums always tend to be driven towards the cheap(intial cost ) option .


Just a little thought for you for a tuesday morning , and i am sure tony will come along in a minute to add to this .... happy first day back to work chaps !!

 

[Stu-]

So... What would you say the 'BEST TYRE' is?

 

[Christopher]

Two of the worst tyres I've had: Toyo T1R & Avon ZZR.
Two of the best tyres I've had: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 & Conti Sport Contact 3.

IMO, you get what you pay for.

 

[Kane.]

T1r's were what I'm meant to be getting, thanks Chris.

 

[Chip-mk1]

So... What would you say the 'BEST TYRE' is?

Totally depends on the context.

For trackday tyres, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup is my personal favourite, but I often end up using either A048R or 888 as they are easier to find more cheaply.

 

[aucky]

I wouldn't say that the criteria for a forum 'favourite' is cost driven, seeing as most will people would agree that PE2s were the best tyres (and now PS3).

Even when cost is factored in, it is generally the higher end tyres that get more praise, ie Hankooks. (Road tyres. Track is a bit more subjective imo).

Price α Quality.

 

[...]

Stu , what for ? , what car ? clio i assume , what use? ,when summer or winter , hows your car set up ? ,you see stu it will depend , the comment further up about getting what you pay for is often (not always ) very very true .

It was more though provoking rather than giving you an answer , but most likely a sport conti 3 , Michelin PE2 , for general road use , for track , a 48r , or even a khmo V70s , but again depends what the use is , and people also forget how hard track days are even on cut slicks , alot of the race series will use say a 48r and go through a couple of sets a year , you can do 6 months race use in 2 trackdays .

Nice to see that cost isn't the driving factor on clio tyres , you'll be amazed at how often it is

Kane what pushed you towards T1r's for example ?

 

[BoatNonce]

I wouldn't say 888's are the best, but they're relatively easy to get and therefore are the most popular tyre.

The best tyre, as stated above, depends on hundreds of variables.

 

[Chip-mk1]

I wouldn't say 888's are the best, but they're relatively easy to get and therefore are the most popular tyre.

The best tyre, as stated above, depends on hundreds of variables.

888 became popular by being between 1/2 and 2/3rd of the price of similar tyres like the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup and the Yoko A048, but now they arent as much cheaper, I wouldnt buy them new anymore.

Compared to michelin pilot sport cups they overheat very quickly and wear out fast, and yet provide no more grip IME.
I still use 888s cause they are often available relatively cheap part worn as they have been the control tyre for a few series, but I wouldnt buy them new anymore now they are no longer the budget option, its worth paying the little bit extra to get a better tyre IME simply because it works out cheaper when they last longer.

 

[Stu-]

Stu , what for ? , what car ? clio i assume , what use? ,when summer or winter , hows your car set up ? ,you see stu it will depend , the comment further up about getting what you pay for is often (not always ) very very true .

It was more though provoking rather than giving you an answer , but most likely a sport conti 3 , Michelin PE2 , for general road use , for track , a 48r , or even a khmo V70s , but again depends what the use is , and people also forget how hard track days are even on cut slicks , alot of the race series will use say a 48r and go through a couple of sets a year , you can do 6 months race use in 2 trackdays .

Nice to see that cost isn't the driving factor on clio tyres , you'll be amazed at how often it is

Kane what pushed you towards T1r's for example ?

General use and the odd track day. My car isn't really 'set up' as such, lowered on springs and dampers.

I originally had conti-sport contacts which i found to be not too bad, now I've gone for Hankook V12 evo's. Although a lot cheaper I've found them to be very very good. I've done just about 15k on them and they're only just starting to wear. That included a tour of europe, including mountain passes, and the ring, and they coped perfectly for what i need.

I agree with the toyo comment, i've had t1r's on a previous car, found them to be too soft.

 

[Adam.]

They're all made from the same stuff.

Same as normal fuel/supermarket fuel.

There is no difference.

 

[Stu-]

They're all made from the same stuff.

Same as normal fuel/supermarket fuel.

There is no difference.

Really?

 

[Sam@NP]

They're all made from the same stuff.

Same as normal fuel/supermarket fuel.

There is no difference.

Troll

From my personal experiences and the research that has been carried out Continental SportContacts or PS3s are the best tyres around for a road car.

 

[Chip-mk1]

They're all made from the same stuff.

Same as normal fuel/supermarket fuel.

There is no difference.

FLOL

Same as beer is all the same yeah?

 

[Gally]

T1's became popular because people think the tread looks good and they're cheap.

They're s**t and they've got a following because people think they're getting a great compound at a cheap price. They're wrong.

I would say spending more in most cases gives the better tyre but not always. My 4x Ultrac sessantas I got for a steal and I already knew how widely regarded they were. Their prices have stayed very competitive.

 

[The Fatty]

They're all made from the same stuff.

Same as normal fuel/supermarket fuel.

There is no difference.

I cant belive im reading this?!


IMO, the Toyo T1R's are better than the Pirrelli's I have on the 182 at the moment, but unlike the pirrelli's, the PSI has to be kept down to around 26, which mean less MPG. The T1S was even better, but they dont really do that tyre anymore. Both the T1R and T1S are sold as wets, but imo they are not good in really wet conditions.

Also that 172 in the video now needs a new bonnet

 

[Chip-mk1]

T1's became popular because people think the tread looks good and they're cheap.

Agreed, when looking at other tyres in that price range they stack up well so if thats all people have compared them to they will rave about them, and they do look the part, but its a nonsense to compare them to tyres costing twice the price.

They're s**t and they've got a following because people think they're getting a great compound at a cheap price. They're wrong.

I think "s**t" is a bit of an exageration, they grip ok in the dry but are by no means a performance tyre, they arent terrible in the wet, the wear rates are acceptable. There is nothing particuarly terrible about them for a daily driver etc, just not what I would put on a car that I care greatly about the handling of.
As a budget all rounder, I think they are reasonable personally. Ive used them before and probably will do so again on dailys etc.

 

[...]

trouble is i know people who on much lighter cars than the clio sprint using the t1r's , now i know they are soft so that suits sprints , and maybe on a lighter car awork well , but it just shows how a brand can differ from car to car .....


when we had the 205gti we stuck some yoko advan neova's which were elise front's on and it transformed it , but at the price i doubt many 205 drivers were fitting them .

not sure what the cup we have just picked up has on , it may be pe2's but we will wait and see how they fair .

 

[Gally]

Lols. Has no one realised Adam was being facetious?

Agreed, when looking at other tyres in that price range they stack up well so if thats all people have compared them to they will rave about them, and they do look the part, but its a nonsense to compare them to tyres costing twice the price.




I think "s**t" is a bit of an exageration, they grip ok in the dry but are by no means a performance tyre, they arent terrible in the wet, the wear rates are acceptable. There is nothing particuarly terrible about them for a daily driver etc, just not what I would put on a car that I care greatly about the handling of.
As a budget all rounder, I think they are reasonable personally. Ive used them before and probably will do so again on dailys etc.

Not s**t actually. They are of course better than most budgets out there but a cheaper tyre will last longer than the toyo and thetype of person buying budget wouldn't care about handling. Barum's are very good for budgets.

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

T1R's are atrocious in the wet. A tyre only good for dry weather isnt a good tyre imo.

Uniroyal rainsports are the best all round tyre ive driven on, found the v12's very so so.

 

[Adam.]

Lols. Has no one realised Adam was being facetious?

Flol, great success.

 

[The Fatty]

its hard to hear the sarcasm from just text...

 

[Chip-mk1]

T1R's are atrocious in the wet. A tyre only good for dry weather isnt a good tyre imo.

Ive found them quite good in the wet, so I guess it shows how much peoples opinion will vary for the same tyres, they have a very similar tread pattern to the rainsport, the only difference really is the shoulder has a less open exit to the tread groove on the T1R, so in standing water they arent as good, but still better than most budget tyres.

Uniroyal rainsports are the best all round tyre ive driven on, found the v12's very so so.

I like the rainsports very much in the wet, but they wear out quickly in the dry if you corner at all hard, as the shoulers of the tyre have so little rubber on them as the groove exits from the main tread pattern are so wide.

 

[Adam.]

its hard to hear the sarcasm from just text...

Y SO SRS?

Can't believe prople actually took that seriously.

 

[Sam@NP]

Can't believe prople actually took that seriously.

what, you weren't being serious?

 

[.Tyler]

I borrowed a set of wheels shod with T1Rs a couple of years ago when mine were getting painted.

I nearly killed myself.

 

[daveski]

Had T1Rs on my phase 1 (and other cars before) and really liked them, never had any issues in the dry, wet or in the one 15 minute the car had on track.

Using Uniroyal Rainsport and Rain Experts at the moment which are great in the wet and dry, cheap too.

 

[Chip-mk1]

I borrowed a set of wheels shod with T1Rs a couple of years ago when mine were getting painted.

I nearly killed myself.

Was one half flat or something?
They obviously grip slightly less than a better tyre, but nothing that should put any half decent driver in danger of a crash TBH

 

[.Tyler]

Was one half flat or something?
They obviously grip slightly less than a better tyre, but nothing that should put any half decent driver in danger of a crash TBH

Sorry, I didn't mean that literally.

The sarcasm is lost on many.

But seriously, I was shocked at how they performed for a tyre that seems quite a popular choice.

 

[Bren Rogers]

You get what you pay for, as has already been said.

Also, if people thin T1Rs are bad, they have clearly never driven on Pirelli P6000s - they came as standard on the fiesta Zetec-s and have rightfully earned the name "ditch-finders". They lose grip quite spectacularly even in the dry.

 

[SamP]

Conti Sport Contact 3's for my car. Get what you pay for at 140 quid a corner.

 

[Adam.]

Personally I swear by goodrides.

 

[Christopher]

I'd take those over Avon ZZRs

 

[aucky]

Federal 595SS if you like to hop skip and jump your way round corners.

 

[The Boosh!]

T1r's are not a good all round tyre. They're horrendous in the wet and they are 'OK' if you get them warm. Couldn't wait to get them off my 182. Since going through that ordeal i've not put anything other than PE2's on it. Best all round tyre out there IMO. Last for ages (My last set went though 14,000 miles and 2 track days), pretty good on track (especially when it's raining) and the dry on road grip is great. Never had them let go on me yet.

On top of all that for 195/50/15 they're £70 fitted each so no complaints from me.

Adding to that, tyres are a bit of a false economy IMO. T1r's are cheap yes, but if you look at the life of a t1r vs the life of a PE2, I bet you see a better return on your money from the latter in terms of longevity.

 

[plymcl172]

They're all made from the same stuff.

Same as normal fuel/supermarket fuel.

There is no difference.

your wrong there, supermarket fuel is different hence why it is cheaper!

 

[Gally]

You get what you pay for, as has already been said.

Also, if people thin T1Rs are bad, they have clearly never driven on Pirelli P6000s - they came as standard on the fiesta Zetec-s and have rightfully earned the name "ditch-finders". They lose grip quite spectacularly even in the dry.

P6000s were mental!

The Frp team sourced the P7000 for use. Not much better imo! Tbf they're older tyres now. Things have moved on a little.

 

[aucky]

Oh boy.

 

[Adam.]

your wrong there, supermarket fuel is different hence why it is cheaper!

I know it's different but no one agrees hence taking the piss with the whole post lol.

 

[pastieman]

Contis I found are a good but wear bloody fast...
Pirelli Have to much road noise and tram line like a b**ch
Michelins are just poo

I have found that Goodyear F1's the best all round fast road tyre