Yokohama S-drive

[zoomzoom]

Chasing a few prices today and was suggested these by one shop, just after opinions from anyone who has used them, they are quite a bit cheaper then toyo T1R, do they even compare for grip though? I have heard some good things about the toyos.

Tim

[NMX516]

Tim I've been considering these aswell, but as they are only new, there is NO info on them, aside from the yoko website. A few of the guys here rave about the c.drive, which is below the s.drive in the yoko range, so \"should be\" better....

One of the guys at work is after a new set of treads at the moment, so I'm trying to convince him to get some of these. He's a yoko fan though, so I think he will end up with a set in the next week or so. Will let you know what he thinks of them.

[zoomzoom]

Thanks NMX516, I will see how I go with money ion the next few weeks, but I think atm I may just end up going for the toyos, I have stuck my fingernail in one and they just feel so good, and a few guys around here seem to be very happy with them too.

[Andy Wana]

I am looking to get a set of Yokohama S-Drives for my road tyre replacement
Being brand new tyres in the Yokohama range, I find reviews on the S-Drives hard to come by ...
What are some of the comments surrounding the existing C-Drives? Positives? Negatives?
I've been quoted for $149 a corner for the Yokohama S-Drives with free fitting, balancing and wheel alignment
Sounds like a good deal to me, but what do you think of it?

[NMX516]

I am looking to get a set of Yokohama S-Drives for my road tyre replacement
Being brand new tyres in the Yokohama range, I find reviews on the S-Drives hard to come by ...
What are some of the comments surrounding the existing C-Drives? Positives? Negatives?
I've been quoted for $149 a corner for the Yokohama S-Drives with free fitting, balancing and wheel alignment
Sounds like a good deal to me, but what do you think of it?

Yep, no reviews around yet that I have been able to find either...

Jules and Kitkat swear by their c.drives. I haven't heard a bad word about them, hence I'm expecting good things from the s.drives. Mate at work is getting his s.drives on Thursday, so should be able to report early next week after he has had a few days with them.

Sounds like a good deal to me Andy. What size are they? 185/60/14? I've been quoted approx $170 for 195/50/15.

[Andy Wana]

I am looking to get a set of Yokohama S-Drives for my road tyre replacement
Being brand new tyres in the Yokohama range, I find reviews on the S-Drives hard to come by ...
What are some of the comments surrounding the existing C-Drives? Positives? Negatives?
I've been quoted for $149 a corner for the Yokohama S-Drives with free fitting, balancing and wheel alignment
Sounds like a good deal to me, but what do you think of it?

Yep, no reviews around yet that I have been able to find either...

Jules and Kitkat swear by their c.drives. I haven't heard a bad word about them, hence I'm expecting good things from the s.drives. Mate at work is getting his s.drives on Thursday, so should be able to report early next week after he has had a few days with them.

Sounds like a good deal to me Andy. What size are they? 185/60/14? I've been quoted approx $170 for 195/50/15.

Mate, they are 195/50/15 at $149 per corner and they'll throw in a free wheel alignment, balancing and fitting with it since Yokohama is having a promo going on with the S-drives

Maybe a group buy is in order then?

[zoomzoom]

Yea I got quoted $175ea for 205/50/15. I think I might t=still end up going for Proceda PP2 or the t1-R going from some of the things I have heard. I am wanting a tyre to use for mostly road and club runs, but that is still pretty good for track days and sprints without going for a R spec.

I will keep you posted, won't be till next couple weeks.

[NMX516]

Mate, they are 195/50/15 at $149 per corner and they'll throw in a free wheel alignment, balancing and fitting with it since Yokohama is having a promo going on with the S-drives

Ok, I'd better go back to my tyre man and suss out this s.drive promo deal. It was about a month ago that I was quoted that...

In conclusion, $149 is a great deal with align & balance!

[tk421]

Mr Q (Andre) pretty much hates his c drives and can't wait for his to wear out so he can put something else on it last time we discussed it. I'm sure he will chime in with a comment of his own though

[Mr_Q]

Hehe - was biting my tongue as I know a few on here have raved about the C-drives.

The C-drives are probably fine if you're just driving from point A to point B. If you're looking to have some fun on the way though ...

I was very happy with the old A539s and assumed that the C-drives would be better. I just don't feel as comfortable pushing them hard (especially in the wet) like I could with the older ones. They also seem to wear a lot faster.

It probably says something that the C-drives were cheaper than the A539s and now the S-drives are cheaper again.

Interestingly, the C-drives are no longer being marketed as a performance/sports tyre and are instead \"a sensible upgrade for your standard vehicle\"

Maybe the ADVANs would be better, but I don't think they come in the smaller sizes.

[adamjp]

IMHO the C Drive is not a replacement for the A539. I think that the A Drive R1 really filled that niche.

Personally, I do not rate the C Drive as a sports tyre. As observed by Q, Yokohama marketing made them fill the niche of a performance tyre when they were really just a high quality tyre for Corollas, Lancers and Lasers. Yokohama really gaffed it when they dropped the A539 without an effective replacement. Years of building a market from the A509 just stopped.

And yes, I have owned C Drives and think the Bridgestone G3 has better sporting characteristics. The T1-R is better again for my use, on my car. Your use and car may differ.

I will watch the S Drive with interest as it appears to be fitting in where the old ES100 sat. Possibly a worthy competitor to the T1-R.

[Caffeine]

Hrmmm, the CDrive in 205/45-16 (NB8B spec size) with the reinforced sidewall is an excellent tyre, far grippier than the A539 and last just as long.

They do start off a bit slippery for the first couple of hundred k's but after that they are a great allround tyre. Not the stickiest, but I find the combination of stick vs life to be unbeatable.

[Fatty]

yeah i really like my c-drives. i find they are very very good in the wet too, so i'm surprised at mr q's comments about how his handle in the wet. altho i must admit i don't have a lot of experience with tyres on my mx5. the only thing i can compare them to is nankangs and federals, both of which i had previously. but yeah the c-drive is way superior to those, and takes it to a whole other level in the wet.

[Boags]

...nankangs...wet.

Grip? What grip?

[Mr_Q]

... i'm surprised at mr q's comments about how his handle in the wet

I've always found they feel really skittish in the wet. However ... at our skid pan day on Monday I was really surprised at how well they did. It may be that they just feel terrible without actually being all that bad.

That said, I won't be buying another set.