The annual just got my new tyres thread

[amarshall]

Just got my new tyres after 12000 miles on the last set. Right down to the wear markers.

4 new SP9000s - but it's hurting. They've gone up by 50% since this time last year

Purchased from http://www.bestbuytyres.co.uk/ and fitted at TyreSpot on McMullen Rd. in Darlington. Apart from the price, a thoroughly civilised experience (phone quotes ranged from £170 each to £206 each! - BBT were cheaper)

This may be the last year that I fit the correct size though - the wear rate and price are getting a bit too much to handle.

[Ozzy_UK]

i still stand by my raving about R888 Toyo's, camskill are doing them next day delivered for £304 a full set

8000 on my current set and about to be replaced but soooooo much grip in the dry, and not missed a beat even on leafy back roads in the pouring rain...

Oz

EDIT: Oh and they are the correct size - 215/50/15...
Linky: http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... 2b0s1158p0

[texas2201]

8000 that is impressive - I only use mine on track so dont get that much - but they last along time that is for sure

[Wootan]

Hi Oz,

My brother has just had a set of these fitted, I have only driven the car once but I have to say I was well impressed and for the money they are a bargain.

Cheers

Paul

[amarshall]

Toyos scare me - I have a habit of finding standing water and torrential rain...

[Ozzy_UK]

Toyos scare me - I have a habit of finding standing water and torrential rain...

thats what i drive through most days on the way to work... have seen me very well so far no back-end silliness unless i have been pushing it (and deserved it!)!

Oz.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

I had to laugh when I specifically asked a local tyre fitter for Toyos for my wifes Mazda 323F.

He said "we don't normally recommend Toyos as they aren't very good"

"well I've got them on my Lotus" I said "and Mazda also use them as OE"

So I ordered them myself (fitted price) from Blackcircles on the interweb and I couldn't fault the service received from their listed local fitter.

I know Toyos are at the budget end of the market but their T1Rs have terrific wet (no aquaplaning Angus) and dry grip and seem to suit the Excel. I bought mine at least 3 years ago for the Lotus and they still have plenty of life left (although my annual mileage is less than 4500 (honest FJ!).

[amarshall]

Peter - T1Rs are not R888s though...and T1Rs are not available in 215/50R15 (and I've been a little obsessive about keeping correct sizes on the car since I got it).

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Yep I know Angus

R888 are for trackdays...

And the smaller size doesn't degrade the experience...it enhances it

but I know you already know my views on 205/50/15 so I won't push it!!

[Ozzy_UK]

Yep I know Angus

R888 are for trackdays...

And the smaller size doesn't degrade the experience...it enhances it

but I know you already know my views on 205/50/15 so I won't push it!!

i always found toyo t1-s and t1-r(when available) absolutely crap...
R888s i have found are better in the wet than the t1-s' where! i swear by the R888's..

Oz.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

I must admit Oz, I've never experienced the R888's so cannot compare with the T1Rs (which have never let go yet!).

I'm open minded on this, so when I'm next to change the T1Rs I will look at the R888s.

Because my annual mileage is low the reported high wear rate of the R888s won't be much of an issue for me. The chances are that the T1Rs will be greater than 6 years old when I get to change them (which is good on the pocket but old rubber is dangerous) and the age of tyres might become an issue for MOT in the future.

I could only fault the T1Rs on the stiffer side walls which reduce ride quality a tad.... so pressures have to been reduced to at least 22 psi all round to compensate (20 - 21 psi is also OK ...but 24 psi is far too hard).

205/50/15 T1R wet and dry grip is as much as I need on the road. BTW T1S is a different beast.

I have 205/50/13 Dunlop sp9000 on the rear of th Clan and they are VERY good wet and dry...if they were not so expensive, I'd put them on the Lotus too.

[Ozzy_UK]

I must admit Oz, I've never experienced the R888's so cannot compare with the T1Rs (which have never let go yet!).

I'm open minded on this, so when I'm next to change the T1Rs I will look at the R888s.

Because my annual mileage is low the reported high wear rate of the R888s won't be much of an issue for me. The chances are that the T1Rs will be greater than 6 years old when I get to change them (which is good on the pocket but old rubber is dangerous) and the age of tyres might become an issue for MOT in the future.

I could only fault the T1Rs on the stiffer side walls which reduce ride quality a tad.... so pressures have to been reduced to at least 22 psi all round to compensate (20 - 21 psi is also OK ...but 24 psi is far too hard).

205/50/15 T1R wet and dry grip is as much as I need on the road. BTW T1S is a different beast.

I have 205/50/13 Dunlop sp9000 on the rear of th Clan and they are VERY good wet and dry...if they were not so expensive, I'd put them on the Lotus too.

if your ever down in surrey/hampshire feel free to drop me a line and come for a metaphoical spin
More than happy to give you a demo... so far 8500miles out of the R888's and @ £308 a set cant complain!
I seem to be changing them every 12 months on average...
Oz.

[hodders]

Just had four Dunlop SP 9000s 205/50 R15s fitted this morning: £250 all-in. From Blackcircles.com and fitted at a local depot.
While the car was jacked up I noticed a green fluid leak from the rad and that one of the fog lights had been taken out by a stone chip. That should use up some of the savings

[tonypoll]

The fog lights are from the VW Scirroco, so you may find one at a local scrap yard.

[hodders]

In fact I logged on to http://www.sciroccoregister.co.uk, looked in the For Sale forum and bought a pair of lights for a tenner.
(I didn't tell the seller it was for a Lotus).