kimba2

i changed my stock tyes for potenta s.03 so far so good.
tyre size 235/40zr18. $400 a pop bought a whole set.
Now i can drive my car like a formula1 driver :D

timbo

good price -- wish I'd have seen them even available anywhere when I changed back in October

RXE16T

.....and watch the S03s last only 10000kms this time? :p

kimba2

what tyes did youi get timbo?

kimba2

yeah nojooce
i'll be rrrreeeeening down the south east straight between Bisbane and the Gold Coast.

timbo

Yokohama ES100 245/40 @ $395 each. pepe organised a 'bulk' purchase for 3 sets.

I'm pretty happy with them -- better than stockies ... even quieter

labrat

Hey, Timbo, at least you got the right size! How do they perform in the wet?

timbo

They're ok in the wet. I had a couple of early frights, esp on the day they were fitted. Green tyres are really slippery in the wet. Have about 3,000k on them now and am very happy -- at least as good as the stockies

labrat

While I think the 245/40's are probably the best compromise to the stock tyres, my only concern would be about wet weather performance. Going to a wider tyre means reducing the effective weight per unit tyre surface area bearing on the road, which would mean a reduction in shear force per unit area required to break contact between the tyre and the road. This is probably more apparent in wet conditions where the water acts as a lubricant. This is aside from any aquaplaning effect which has more to do with clearing flooding water through the treads.

I recall reading that the French penchant for skinny tyres was based on this premise of maximizing weight per unit area, and I remember reading articles on vehicle safety years ago when putting extreme fatties on cars became the rage.

timbo

I think tread patterns and compounds have come a long way since then Even the French put wide, low profile tyres on their cars these days

Labrat, I remember these articles and discussions, too. It marks our age :o

labrat

There was an article in New Scientist back in 2002 which discussed the rationale for tread pattern. Unfortunately, you need to be a subscriber to access it online. However, it did say that as well as the science which goes into making a tread grippy, long wearing and quiet (properties which may be anti-pathetical), the marketing departments of tyre companies have a say, too. This means the science can be compromised by somebody wanting to make the tread look more attractive to the consumer. I agree rubber technology has also advanced in leaps and bounds, particularly in the use of high tech structural fillers such as fumed silica and the binding agents which tie the fillers to the rubber matrix. As well, the control that synthetic rubber manufacturers have in polymer chain length and cross-linking these days is amazing.

I still have some km to go before my tyres need replacement, so I'm taking note of what forum members are saying.

timbo

Yeah, tread pattern is an interesting issue, and I have to say I am affected by it. (I mean, how would I know what is a good tread pattern )

Twenty five years, the "big thing" in tyre treads was the Dunlop SP20. I fitted a set to my Cooper S. They were ok, but the really hot tyre for the S in those days was ... wait for it ... an Avon tyre .... which was.... wait for it..... a cross ply construction All about compound, and that tyre (can't remember what it was called) had a very soft compound, gripped wonderfully wet and dry ... and lasted about 10,000ks

jax8

Avon Turbospeed, if memory can be trusted. I have a '65 Lagonda fitted with them

RXE16T

Geez, you guys are really old!
Cross ply tyres? :D

kimba2

at the moment the s-o3 are doing very well. i like to see how long they will last. hopefully will last longer than 340000k but then again they are quite sticky tyreswhen warm:D

RXE16T

Don't count on that happening, that's for sure.

timbo

Jack, that's the one! Gomez, remember that for an automotive trivia night -- sure to come up

As for you, noojooc -- never underestimate an old dawg! :D

pricer01

Avon Turbospeeds .... the memories are flooding back ...

I worked at a service station in Rose Bay in the late 70s (the type of place where we checked oil/ water / tyre pressures) and we sold tyres too.

I recall a middle aged woman (oh my god I cant believe I said that - I think she may have been 40ish!!) came in and said her husband wanted her to have us fit new tyres to the "ROLLS ROYCE" - He was insisting on AVON and she as happy for me to just do it.
She came back late in the arvo and the bill was $480 fitted. I almost died of embarrasment asking her for the money. Imagine paying $120 a tyre. Even Pirelli P7s were cheaper than these avons. Anyhow, she gave me $500 and said keep the change!

I think I better change my memory to edit the 'middle aged' text!

Rob

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Jack,

A Lagonda! Wow - Now I have even more incentive to stop next time I pass through Walcha!

Cheers,
Hymee.

PS - IMHO, the 245/40 is the best size to go for if you are going to something non-stock. I got the Yoko's like Timbo got, but I got ripped off at $440 / tyre. I wish I gave these ones a try, at $220 each...

http://www.nankangtyres.com.au/prodDetail.php?pid=1

Cheers,
Hymee.

RXE16T

I've got the Nankang NS2 on my 8 (albeit in a 19" size) and they perform quite well.

takahashi

Taiwanese tyre right???

Good that they do perform....I always fear of buying stuff from Taiwan

I cannot remember the last thing that made in Taiwan is good.... Damn I do. There was a girl I like back in the uni days .... :D She was made in Taiwan by Taiwanese

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Racism will not be tolerated!

Lock & Load

As long as they are a good ride who cares where they are made

cheers
michael

RXE16T

Are we still discussing tyres here? :D

pricer01

With L&L - the topic can always drift ... and Taiwan is close to Japan isnt it!!