Tire recommendations (Sport 350 Sizes)

[dynwolf]

Gentlemen,

Did a search for "Esprit Tires" and "V8 tires" (which the search feature didn't like because of the length of "V8") before I posted this, but didn't turn anything up specifically speaking about experiences, pros/cons etc. Apologies if it's been discussed elsewhere (because I suspect it has.)

I'm looking at a few options for tires for my Sport 350. I know there are only a few manufacturers offering "matched" sets for our cars, and am looking at the BF Goodrich G-Force T/A's, the Potenza RE050A's and the Toyo Proxies T1R.

I've read the reviews on the various tire reseller sites, but (as expected) haven't found anthing posted by an Esprit owner. I've run both the Dunlop S9000 and the Michelin Pilot Sport (1's) in the past but am considering something different.

Would be interested to hear of experiences from people on the board who have used one of the three tire setups I mentioned.

Many thanks.

JM

Edited January 16, 2007 by dynwolf

[Jonathan]

I run the Toyos, always have.

They do seem to grip very nicely and they are well priced, a few crazy fast guys over here like them and that's pretty much good enough for me

I'm going to try the Dunlops on my new set through for a change to judge the competition.

We used to have Goodyear Eagle F1's on our old Mondeo Estate at work (engine blew up, nothing to do with me !), it used to be a witness protection car and OMG the grip that thing had in the wet was fantastic.

[Vulcan Grey]

As you probably know, the Sport 350 came with 235/40-17 front and 295/35-18 rear.

But you can use the standard V8 size for the rear, 285/35-18, without any problems.

I used to have the Pirelli Pzero Rossos in V8 sizes, but a front developed a serious defect, where a large chunk of rubber fell out of the tire.

Now I'm on Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 and like them alot.

Edited January 16, 2007 by Vulcan Grey

[joeyoesprit]

I

Edited January 16, 2007 by joeyoesprit

[actwon]

I

[dynwolf]

Thanks a lot for the input, guys.

It's looking like a Goodyear F1 vs Toyo Proxies decision...

Actwon, were your Pilot Sports the 1's or 2's? I had to put new tires on my blue car a few months back and the tire place had both 1's and 2's, but talked me out of the 2's with price and comments that the 1's were actually a better tire.

(Suspect he actually may have had a glut of 1's left in stock instead, but it was a compelling argument!) Ran $1k installed, balanced and mounted.

JM

Edited January 17, 2007 by dynwolf

[fmxa]

Jeremy - which tire place did you use?

Thanks a lot for the input, guys.

It's looking like a Goodyear F1 vs Toyo Proxies decision...

Actwon, were your Pilot Sports the 1's or 2's? I had to put new tires on my blue car a few months back and the tire place had both 1's and 2's, but talked me out of the 2's with price and comments that the 1's were actually a better tire.

(Suspect he actually may have had a glut of 1's left in stock instead, but it was a compelling argument!) Ran $1k installed, balanced and mounted.

JM

[actwon]

Thanks a lot for the input, guys.

It's looking like a Goodyear F1 vs Toyo Proxies decision...

Actwon, were your Pilot Sports the 1's or 2's? I had to put new tires on my blue car a few months back and the tire place had both 1's and 2's, but talked me out of the 2's with price and comments that the 1's were actually a better tire.

(Suspect he actually may have had a glut of 1's left in stock instead, but it was a compelling argument!) Ran $1k installed, balanced and mounted.

JM

I had 2's on my car. They were Sticky as hell, but SUPER soft. Got very low mileage out of them!

[snuffy]

JM

You're first problem is that you can't spell tire : it's tyre !!!

I fitted Goodyear F1 on mine and had no complaints. I know the size is slightly smaller that the 295 that the 350 uses but I found no difference. I'd vote for them.

Adrian - Ex 350 - Now Noble M12-3

[Simon350S]

Wow

Cant believe how cheap these Goodyear F1 tyres are for the sizes!!!!

Thought I was gonna regret buying these Mag wheels purely on tyre prices alone, but they are really reasonabe on the mytyre.co.uk site!!!

Dead impressed..

Would be good to hear if anyone has beaten there quoted prices!!!!

Fronts 235/40/17

Edited January 19, 2007 by Simon350S

[Vulcan Grey]

Wow

Cant believe how cheap these Goodyear F1 tyres are for the sizes!!!!

Thought I was gonna regret buying these Mag wheels purely on tyre prices alone, but they are really reasonabe on the mytyre.co.uk site!!!

Dead impressed..

Would be good to hear if anyone has beaten there quoted prices!!!!

Fronts 235/40/17

[dynwolf]

Jeremy - which tire place did you use?

Paul,

Tucker Tire in Laguna...

Sorry, Snuffy, I guess that would be Tucker TYre!

Edited January 19, 2007 by dynwolf

[snuffy]

Sorry, Snuffy, I guess that would be Tucker TYre!

Yep

[rydning]

I belive this is what you need.... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...odel=ECSTA+V710

I have weared out 5 set of tyres last 3 years.

The tyres you want is for more than avereage grip and still good on the wet.

If you not ride on the track and dont need the extra traction but better wear resitance I can recomend Good Year GSD 3

But for both track and road use I have used Dunlop Supersport witch is out of production now.With greate result.

BF Goodrich G-Force T/A's, the Potenza RE050A's and the Toyo Proxies T1R.

The BF is best on the track of these tires.

These two tires in the Extreme performance have pretty much mached dimension.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp...p;x=99&y=11

If you need more grip go for the DOT track tires.

I gona use Toyo 888 dot track tires also for road use( I do not intend to use my car in the wet anyway.)

The Kumho V710 is looking to extreme and have to little treads to be legal here for road use.

Edited January 19, 2007 by rydning

[dclare]

Goodyear F1-GSD3s are fantastic in the wet, but don't have quite the same level of dry grip as Toyo T1/Rs, very progressive breakaway though and plenty of feedback. The Toyos are much harder riding and noisier but because they have stiffer sidewalls they are very responsive. If you do trackdays the Toyo's are probably better, but for the road I'd go the the slightly better refinement and excellent wet grip from the GSD3s.

[hedgerley]

I'd second the vote for the Goodyear Eagle F1's. I've been running them for several years on all my cars, including the Esprit. I replaced the Toyos not long after I bought the car and definately noticed the better grip in the wet (helpful living in Scotland!) and the generally more comfortable/quiet ride.

[Iceman]

Well at least over here in South Florida, those stock Dunlops or any others I've tried SUCK

I also race with the SCCA and NASA over here, and have obtained various opinions from other drivers, as well as from a Manager at Tire Rack, and one our Lotus members here in the states happens to have done engineering work (testing) for tirerack. So far, the top honorable mentions (and from personal experience) goes to the Goodyear F1 DS-3's, Michellin Pilot PS-2's, and Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Positions. I have the Pole Positions on my Boxster, and they are great on the corners, but just slightly under the GY and Michellins in the wet. The Michellins have a slighty harder side wall than the GY GS-D3's, but he GY's are slightly better in the wet. I tend to track my Esprit twice a year, and have found the Michellins to be a better performer for this application and hardcore performance. The GY's are a little better on comfort driving and of course the wet. Hope this helps...... BTW, check out www.tirerack.com, the survey area so that you can compare for yourself as well....

[ranjib350]

i have just replaced the tyres on my sport 350, i used to have pilot's 2, i didnt really like them and after speaking to a few people they said the toyo tyre handled very good in the wet and dry, i dont really drive my car in the wet but thats another thing.

i bought a set of tyres yesterday and took the car out for a quick spin and my first impressions are that they seem very good,

also look at the prices i paid (there on offer at the moment)

2 x 235/40/17 gbp 67.00 each toyo proxies T1-s

2 x 295/35/18 gbp 100.00 each toyo proxies T1-s

GBP 344.00 for four tyres !!!

normally these tyres would be

2 x 235/40/17 gbp 98.00 each

2 x 295/35/18 gbp 162.00 each

[Simon350S]

Where did you just buy them from mate??

Simon

[ranjib350]

Where did you just buy them from mate??

Simon

Hi Simon,

had a problem on tyres there going back, they do not have any t1-s left for sale on the fronts so they have offered me ti-r for the same price and the rears for gbp 133.00 this is only going to be a one off and there will be charing normal prices for there next order.

still not bad 235/40/17 toyo proxies t1-r

295/35/18 toyo proxies t1-r rear GBP 400.00 all in

normal price they are selling at now is

235 gbp 98.00 each

296 gbp 162.00 each

total gbp 520.00

which is a standard price so no bargains here

Ranjib

ranjib

Edited February 13, 2007 by ranjib350

[ibandre]

I hav ethe Pirellis on my 3 piece OZ wheels, but just bought the Continental Conti sport ll for my new whells. Good experience with these tires from athor cars.