Tyre question - for the tyre newb!

PASHN8 · Postby **PASHN8** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:46 pm

Chaps,

I want to get some new tyres on the SE and I want something that will grip grip and grip.... did I mention grip?

The tyres that are on there currently are rubbish, cheap and nasty's that were fitted by the dealer to pass RWC before I bought it and needless to say perform similarly.

I'm thinking a set of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, which are apparently very good. I'm not sure I want to get R-comp tyres as the car will see some light street duty, that said, it will probably get dríven 3-4 times a month as I want to start doing some club days.

My question, stock tyre size is 205/40 R17, what would be the result of going to a 215/40ZR17? I wouldn't mind a slight increase in contact patch all round as my supplier doesn't have it in a 205?

Is it ok to go ahead and get these in 215/40?
If it is a big issue, they do have the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R in 205/40.

Thanks,
Dino.

wun911 · Postby **wun911** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:39 pm

From my understanding it only changes the shape of the contact patch not the total surface area.

Get semi slicks = grip grip grip

Is the 17" SE rim 6.5" wide or 7" wide?

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:16 pm

7" IIRC.

Ultra High Performance Road Tyres:

Toyo R1R
Kumho Ecsta XS
Falken Azenzis RT615

I'm pretty sure these are equivalent to the 2 you mentioned. All will do the job; just find the best price on them and get a set fitted.

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:54 pm

if you want something that has heaps of grip and good price i recommend the bridgestone adrenaline re001's. I had them before I got my r1r's. serious grip for the money. they are not in the same league as the ones boags has mentioned but they will last a bit longer and will do what you want. I can't really give you any feedback on the r1r's yet as I have not even come close to scrubbing them in yet. But from what I hear they have more ultimate grip then the bridgestone re01 r's and rt615's (heard nothing on the ecstas yet). the reo1 r's however have a stiffer sidewall so steering feedback will be better. another good tyre for out and out grip on a street tyre are the hankook rs2's. have a look on a few of the american forums as they have a lot more reviews on these kind of motorsport style road tyres. they are not proper semis but still have amazing grip for the road - far more then you will legally use.

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:11 pm

16bit wrote:amazing grip for the road - far more then you will legally use.

Great call.

Matty · Postby **Matty** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:17 pm

RE-01Rs are hard to find, and very pricey.
And can you even get those Dunlops here?

Consider the Hankook R-S2 also. Donnellans in Box Hill looked after me (just got 2 new ones after flatspotting a couple).

PASHN8 · Postby **PASHN8** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:34 pm

Thanks guys, very useful feedback on all accounts! I will do some further reading on these.

Ideally, as I mentioned the car gets dríven 2-3 times a month on the street, so I don't mind going a semi-race tyre but don't want something that takes a while to get heat into them compromising cold performs for safety.

Matty, whichever tyre I choose I will be ordering and importing from the U.S, wouldn't waste my money by paying double locally!