Tyres - apologies about the common question...

[whaleys]

Hi guys,

I know that everyone asks this question and I have done some searching but I am struggling to make a decision. I am about to buy 2 Medium AO48's for the rear (I will need front soon too) on Friday. Thing is, I got advice from Andy about getting Medium Hard, but they seem hard to come by and the few places I phoned couldnt get them (including Ronnie). They have also gone up in price because the pound is currently crap against the Yen or something. So before I take the plunge and buying another set of rears, can anyone give me some advice on other tyres?

I looked at the other posts and some of the tyres recommended are for the smaller front size of 175. I realise that nothing will quite compare AO48's but is there another tyre that would fit the wheel size 195/50/16 and 225/45/17 OZ wheels (I would replace all four) that will give me reasonably good grip and reasonable life. I wouldn't really be tracking it but do enjoy the odd spirited drive. I have liked the AO48's but since thats all I have ever had fitted I have no comparison to draw from with others on the Elise. I have seen the T1R mentioned frequently but that seems to get very varying reviews.

I am going to be going on holiday in a week and a bit around Germany and am totally confused on what to do.

Thanks in advance,
Graeme

[Shug]

IMO 48s are a total waste of money if it's not tracked. You'll gain a little grip and directness on road, but balance that out with massively reduced life and the suspect water clearing abilities...

Your choice is made a little more difficult as you've got the wider fronts. I'd go with a road tyre in your position, TBH. T1Rs will be wobbly compared to the 48s, not sure if the Kumhos or Yoko road options are available in a 195 section 16" front? Perhaps an S2 Exiger will be in a better position to comment.

[tut]

From the wear point of view I would not put the medium 48's on the rear, as advised use M/H, but as you say they seem to be hard to come by at the moment.

If you are not tracking, then KUMHO ECSTA SPORT KU 31 are probably your best bet from Camskill, £56 for 225/45/17. I will probably go onto these as a track tyre as well, less than £200 for four compared to the price of 48's or 888's.

tut

ps they are available as 195/50/16.

[gorrie]

Whaleys... I took the 48's off my 135R (same OZ's as you) and replaced them with T1R's. For road use, I found the T1R's were 95% as good as a 48, as I felt it very hard to get the amount of heat in to 48's when travelling at road speeds so concur with Shug that 48's are an expensive overkill if only using the car on road.
I did do a track day with the T1R's on though.. and they were pish in comparison for that type of use.

I never tried the Khumo KU31 on the Elise, but I found them scarily wobbly when I put them on the rear of my Fiesta (more scary than T1R's when new). They've calmed down now, though. McKeann has KU31's on his 135R I think... so he can probably give you some info on that car/wheel/tyre combo.

[whaleys]

Cheers so far guys, this is the kind of info I am looking for. I am now thinking I wont go for AO48's now, especially since I will just wear through them when on holiday. And if I really didnt like them I could go back to the AO48's when I get back, especially since I can get a full set for the same/less than two 48 rears.

Now all I need is to choose a tyre so please keep the opinions coming.

[whaleys]

Another question I have now is what PSI would you suggest if I move to the T1R or Khumo? I currently have the AO48's at 22psi front and 24psi rear.

Ta

[tuscan_thunder]

I'm thinking about a change too and the top of my list at the moment is the Kumho - seems to be a good trade off between grip/price.

(I'd stick the the pressures you've got for a road tyre)

[fd]

Can't speak for Kumhos but can for the T1R, as a road tyre they are ideal, cheap, great in the wet, loads of grip, reasonable wear rate and I'm on my 4th set after a couple of sets of it's predecessor the T1S . . . I've never found them any worse than any other new road tyre before they are scrubbed, perhaps some people are more sensitive than others

Fd

[philthy]

another vote here for the T1R, good enough for fun on track too.

[r055]

Id for T1rs also - but thats only because I havent tried Kuhmos
I do about 2 TDs a year if im lucky and i found them to be a bit wobbly after 5 or 6 laps of KH, but that doesnt bother me.

I have also attended a few spirited road runs and managed to keep up with the guys on the 'better' tyres too. They are ace when its wet/ raining - which is often in Scotland

[mckeann]

I tried the kumho KU31's this time. Have previously tried the yoko AD07. Obviously, the 48's will have alot more grip in dry situations, but for road use, these tyres have a great balance and level of grip, wet or dry, comparable to the yoko AD07 at less than half the price . They also dont have the annoying squidge that i found with T1-r's (albeit i only tried them on track, sure they are great on the road as FD says)


If you go for the 45 section front they are cheaper than the 50 section too

[tut]

My 16" rears are more expensive than the 17".

However a full set of four for the S1 are only £179.

tut

[whaleys]

Cheers guys, I'm really appreciating all the advice. I'm thinking I'm going to go for T1R's, not that I dont believe you tut and mckean, I've just had Khumos in the past (not those) and I was disappointed and I think that's influencing my decision.

Thanks again,
Graeme

[s29ttc]

Gto Kumhos on mine and although not as experienced as mcKeanne and Tut I don't have any problems with them. Value for money I couldnt see the toyo T1r's being any better for the extra cost, just the reputation I would think.

[RDH]

Do the Khumos fit standard S2 K series wheels or is it just the OZ 135 wheels?
Sounds like a good (see cheap) compromise on the AD07s or RE040's