16' tyres, advice sought

[bensale]

Sorry about covering the same old topic... I've read a lot of the tyre specific threads on here, I'm just seeking some further advice.

My car is a 90 na6 with nb8b 16' wheels, I currently have a set of Bridgeatone Turanza er30's. The rears are at the TWI's on both shoulders and illegal, hence new tyre time. I'm actually surprisingly happy with these, as a road tyre they grip quite well despite being quite worn. I understand that one should never try to be too cheap with tyres, as I result I'm not even considered some of the options out there.

I'm after a performance street tyre, these tyres may or may not see one or two tracks days, but if I get serious about sprint days i'll run 14's. I do about 15,000k per year and enjoy going around corners at a reasonable speed down twisty roads. I would also like the tyres to last a reasonable distance.

The main choices I'm considering are

Bridgestone Adrenalin Re001's which are around $220 a corner in 205/45/16
Toyo T1R at $180 a corner in 205/45/16 (or 195/45/16- price tbc)
Falken ZE 912 at $180 a corner in 205/40/16 or 205/45/16.

In an ideal world the re001's would probebly be my first choice, although I'm not sure if I can justify the additional $160. Are they that good? The Toyo's are the ones I'm swaying towards. However, I would love the run the 205/40 profile the Falkens have as it means my rolling diameter will be closer to OEM.

Ride comfort and tyre noise doesn't hugely concern me, I figure it's a sports car, either way I am happy.

If anyone has experience with these tyres or any others at a price below the re001's I would love to hear your opinions. I'd apreciate any and all advice.

Cheers,
Ben

[stevesports]

i thought you were considering the R1R's?

[bensale]

I was, but I decided that the tyre life will probebly be too short for me, I want at least 30,000 kms. If they were available in 14' I would get a set for those wheels and only use them for fun.

I was just talking to Wun, looks like its going to be possible to get the re001 prices down a bit so I'm going to wait a few weeks, run my old 14's and hope it goes ahead and we can get a good price.

[SuperMazdaKart]

I got a pair of new Hankook V8 Ventus RS in 205/45/R16 last week to join the Hankooks that were already on when I got the car. $200 each.

Took off the Toyo Proxes 4 that were on the rears. Can't complain at all, the Hankooks let me keep up without much trouble to the 300hp BOYRCR in the hills when he was down here in Adelaide earlier.

Granted, he had no 2nd gear & I had 4wd to keep me out of a tree...

Most people seem to quite like the Toyo Proxes 4 as well. 205/45/R16 costed $145 last year according to receipts I got.

[stevesports]

cheap re001's eh?

they're not that new anymore so i guess it would make sense.

[Charlie Brown]

Ben, my experience with the T1-Rs is that they have soft side walls. This results in a slight delay in your steering input, meaning you loose that crisp quick change of direction you will get from the RE001s or PP2s.
Proxes 4s are a step down the performance ladder.
PP2s may be a little too much $$$ if you are trying to keep the price down but they will last you 35 - 40,000 kilometres depending on the number of track days. I got 30k out of a set with 7 track days and they definitely have more grip than T1-Rs.

[bensale]

I'm probebly going to go in with Wun on some re001's at $200 each viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34303
I'm yet to hear a bad word about the Jap spec re001's so they seem like a safe bet. The Hankooks seem like quite good tyres too, although I go for re001's at the same price.

Charlie Brown, Thanks for the info on the T1R's, I've heard a few people say that, also that the tyres can go off with plenty of tread still on them. The only place I asked about PP2's quoted me $299 a corner.... no thanks! Just a bit out of my price range.

I'm hoping to get (although may be a bit optimistic) 40,000kms out of the re001's as street tyres as I'll probebly run 14' on the track.

[Garry]

The only place I asked about PP2's quoted me $299 a corner

Gawd mine cost $210 for 205/45/16 fitted and balanced last January. I hope they haven't gone up that much.

[Charlie Brown]

The only place I asked about PP2's quoted me $299 a corner

Gawd mine cost $210 for 205/45/16 fitted and balanced last January. I hope they haven't gone up that much.

I've been given a price from BJs of $245 for 215x45x17s. Might be time to let your fingers do some walking Ben.

[rjastra2]

I got my PP2s from Tempe Tyres... they had the best price I could find at the time. If I remember correctly close to $210 each fitted.

[sliq]

Most people seem to quite like the Toyo Proxes 4 as well. 205/45/R16 costed $145 last year according to receipts I got.

i can vouch for the proxes 4.

got them for 139 per corner.

[bensale]

As for the PP2's I only asked one place as the re001's seem to be generally cheaper. When I was told $299 from a Michelin Dealer I didn't really bother asking else where. I may ask a few other places, although I assume they'll be more expensive than re001's and I'm already really balking at the price of them. I've put my 14's back on which have some Yokohamas on them which are legal so i can afford to wait a little which at least.

If i could get PP2's for $210 I would take them even over re001's at $200 and just spend the money. However, it seems like we wont get a 3rd person for the re001 group buy so it'll be more like $210.

I'm tempeted by the price of the Proxes 4, I could then get something good for my 14's. Tempting but by all accouts the other tyres I'm looking at are worth that little bit extra.

[Fatty]

ben i know there is always a compromise to be made whichever way you go, but if you can live with the aesthetics of the 14 inch daisy wheels... get some adrenalins, maybe paint the rims black like cheyne did, you could even polish the lip for added bling.... and i'd reckon you'll be a happy camper.

that's just my opinion anyway. i know you love the nb8b rims but i went from 16s, to 15s, to 14s and i feel the car is much nicer on 14s. especially since i don't have the luxury of power steering.

[manga_blue]

I'm with Fatty here. Sell the 16s and buy some 15" or 14" rims. Check the prices for Bridgy 195/50r15 RE001s and 185/60r14 GIIIs and you'll see the financial argument. Performance of both is very similar and they'll work better than anything you could put on 16s on your car.

[bensale]

Actually having run around on 14's for a week now the difference isn't as huge as I thought it may be. The steering is slightly more responsive and the response at low rpm's also seems slightly better, basically the same as the difference between running 12deg timing advance and 14deg. The steering weight itself isn't massivly heavier either. However, I weighed the wheels and tyres when I changed them over, the 16's were only around 2kg a corner heavier than the 14's. While there is a difference, it isn't as huge as I thought it would be.

I really, really like the look of the 16's I think it makes the car look much more modern, although I also see the financial arguement and the slightly better response is nice. Hmm, I'll definetly consider my options, further advice is welcome.