Tyre Choice

[bgunn]

I've done some searches on the forum, and it seems that the Toyo Proxes T1R is the current cream of the crop in terms of handling, grip and longevity for the MGF.

Really just a quick question to ask if this is still the case? Has anyone found anything better since Rob wrote the article on his website? I know Bridgestone S-02s are the ultimate, but very hard to get hold of; so T1Rs are really a second best?

I have a set of Technomagnesio wheels from a Trophy 160 that I plan to get refurbished by Lepsons in Kent (pricey, but good reputation) so the sizes will be 195/45 and 215/40 in 16"

I spoke to Al Phillips a little while back and he said that the only tyres they were aware of when developing the TF were the GSD2 and the Yokohama A539 - which is NLA. He advised stick to the GSD2 to be safe, but presumably hasn't tested the Toyo T1R.

The only issue I have with the Toyo tyre is that in general, I've found them to have quite a soft sidewall - I used their predecessor (the T1S) on another car in the past and they're quite squishy - good ride, but a little bit squirmy.

What say you?

Brian.

[adrianclifford]

Brian, I've had T1-R's on 15", 16" and 17" F & TF, I've nothing bad to say about them, but, as always people have their own views and favourites.

They are good for me for the following reasons :

Cost..around £60 per tyre (you quote the correct sizes by the way).
Longevity..around 28,000 miles of all aspects of road driving.
Noise..they are not noisy.
Grip..very good wet or dry, like all tyres, warm them up before pushing them hard.
Reliabilty..nothing bad to say, never had a problem.
Speed..Up to the maximum the car will do on autobahns on a few occasions, regularly over 100 mph on autobahns, never a concern.
Track..Hockenheimring circuit, pushed them and the car to the limit in 2007, never a concern, they went on to complete our tour and many months after, I've not done a lot of track miles to comment further.
Even wear..more to do with the set-up of the car rather than the tyres.
Directional..yes, you will need to make sure you have the tyres "pointing" in the right direction to dispel water.
Overheating..never a sign or concern even at very high speeds and alpine passes.
Availability..yes fairly easy to get, therefore shop around for good prices (try Black Circles but don't forget to add approx £10 per wheel for fitting/balancing etc). My local independant tyre supplier/fitter says he will match any internet price, so maybe try that in your area.

Concensus.. I was told they were far better than T1S's, their predessor which I have never tried.

Comparison..I have only ever driven Avon ZZ3's (which were on my F when I got it) too far back to make a judgement. Goodyear Eagles (the GSD2 you refer to) on a Trophy, lovely tyres, nothing bad to say about them.

Other favourites include Marangoni's and Kumho's. I see few others.

[bgunn]

Excellent reply - really informative, thanks for that.

Price I was quoted was 60 for the fronts, 63 for rears - fitted; so I'm happy with that.

I have Avon ZV5s on the rear on 15" wheels, and they're good - much better than the conti's on the front, which are, to be blunt, ****e!

Brian.

[James Curgenven]

I had Conti's on my 15" wheels and to be honest I felt unsafe on them at times.

I had Avon ZV5s when I first bought the 16" wheels and they weren't bad (wasn't going to change them as they had a fair bit of tread on them and came with the wheels )

After a track day I knackered two of the tyres (stopped too quickly without ABS and didn't bother using cadence braking so ended up with square tyres ) and fitted Toyo's.

I never looked back after that, they felt good, were quiet, held well in the wet and were fairly cheap.

If I hadn't had to replace 2 at a time on the ZT I'd have fitted Toyos to him as well.

Infact as I can rotate tyres now (It is nice having the same size on each corner ) I shall probably get some big ass 235/40/18 Toyos fitted when it comes time to change them on the ZT again

[Rob Bell]

I've got a set of Toyo T1Rs when my Bridgestone's gave up the last of their tread to the asphalt - purchased cheaply off the members classified section. Not really leant on them heavily on track, but on the road, they seem absolutely fine

Got good, stiff side walls - one of the key facets needed of a tyre that Al Phillips recommends for MGF/TF motoring

The other tyre I was considering was a Michelin Cup - but these are in a different league in terms of cost, and they are semi-track tyres....

[bgunn]

Decision made then

Sensible price, and freely available - I've always been pretty happy with Toyo tyres in the past..

[Andrew Regens]

I have to agree with all the above, BUT have changed to a Toyo RIR. This is more of a track/road special, very soft and quick wearing, GRIP did I mention GRIP, the proverbial S##t to a blanket. The tyres suit a warm climate though much more than T1R's and on a cold damp track you need to get heat into them, preasures as low as 25lb cold!.

[bgunn]

Sounds like they might be a bit of a handful on bumpy British roads with a bit of moisture thrown in for good measure!

Thanks for all of your answers though, definitely confirms in my mind that T1Rs are the way to go for the road..

[Rob Bell]

I have to agree with all the above, BUT have changed to a Toyo RIR. This is more of a track/road special, very soft and quick wearing, GRIP did I mention GRIP, the proverbial S##t to a blanket. The tyres suit a warm climate though much more than T1R's and on a cold damp track you need to get heat into them, preasures as low as 25lb cold!.

Not come across these before Andrew- how do they fit into the Toyo range? I am planning to fit Toyo R888s to the Shed when eventually it gets to a point where having tyres that hold air actually becomes important!