Trofeo Sets

[Kalli]

Folks,

Just thought i'd give any track goers a heads up that Motorsport Auctions have 13 sets of Trofeo's up for sale. 

http://www.motorsportauctions.com/index.php?a=ap&addon=storefront&page=home&store=710&listing=35599

A little old, but if you're in need of new track tyres, they might be up your street. Heard they're not that great over pirelli's for the road (if not worse in anything but the dry), so I won't be bothering. But for some of you track folk, it might be worth it?

[The Pits]

A set of four Trofeos for £500! A genuine bargain. They are nearer £1200 normally.

Utterly brilliant on track too and the tyre that the car was developed around if you have a Cup or race pack equipped V6S. I will definitely be getting a set!

Nice one Tom!

How long are tyres meant to remain at their best for then? These are only a little over a year old (DOT 3714) so must be fine surely?

[Crouchy]

Good spot. Looks like tonight I'll be ordering enough tyres to see me through this years Trackday season

[Kalli]

Pits, given your V6 knowledge - I only got my V6 2 months ago and covered 3.5k miles, is it worth me getting a set? I'm unsure on the tyre wear on Pirelli P-Zeros, and whether i'll get through mine fast enough to warrant a replacement set already? I'm assuming the fronts wear at a fraction of the rate of the rears? I can see myself sitting on an old set of tyres...

No track day use - just enthusiastic road driving... *cough* 

[Arun_D]

Tom, great find. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

For you, I'd just stick with the Corsas, they'll be lasting you a long old time with road usage only and are perfect for the job.

[The Pits]

Tom it would be an idea to measure how many mm you have left on your rear Corsas. I could still be using my original front Trofeos now after 11,000 miles and over 10 trackdays, so your front Corsas should be good for over 15,000 miles no problem, probably 20,000. Rears however are another story. I'm sure over 5000 miles is possible from a set of rear Corsas if kept to road use. Gentle track use won't trouble them either but hard track use could see a set of rears done in 3000 miles or less. This Trofeo deal is great for those who love trackdays as you could buy two sets of a truly stunning track tyre for less than it would normally cost you for one. But the Corsa is a better all-round road tyre. Not quite as good on a dry track but better in every other regard. The Trofeo is very extreme (actually the Corsa was considered quite extreme when it first came out, there was no end of hoo har among the Aston Martin V12 Vantage owners when they were advised that the tyres don't work too well below 4 deg C). The Trofeo's don't even 'switch on' during road use at all! Fortunately they do work very well on the road even below their optimum temp. You also, wierdly, get no squealing noise from the Trofeos, even on the track, whereas the Corsas sing as you approach the limit, which has its uses. But for those who enjoy tracking their Exige, the Trofeos are a revelation. I love the Avon ZZRs I'm running now, a fantastic tyre for the car and control tyre for the Lotus Cup race cars, but the Trofeos are even faster.

I now have every excuse to ruin my ZZRs this year!

[Kalli]

Many thanks both for the views. It means theres another set for someone to buy then, as I won't grab one  

I expect a shoutout on your 36 month review video Pits when you do a sendoff on your tyres like last time  

[The Pits]

The thing is Tom, could you really spend so much more on a set of Corsas when the time comes? If the interest in trackdays is low then no problem, you may still be running around on the original Corsas when my 36 month review comes out! I have a feeling it's going to be a smoky 12 months! 

[alias23]

Right I'm blaming you all for my impulse purchase of tyres and now being £600 lighter in the pocket

Note you've got to add £100 VAT to the £500 price (delivery is included).

[The Pits]

The VAT stings a bit but to make you feel better it pushes the cost back up to half price.

What's the best price anyone's found for a set of Corsas out of interest? Best I can see online is £175 per rear tyre. If that's the case then a set of Corsas will cost you more.

Last time I bought two rear Trofeos it was over £700. 

[alias23]

Lets hope they do turn out to be the 'R' and not the old trofeo's either way a decent price. May now need to think of a second pair of wheels

[Trevsked]

Think I paid £650 for my Corsas but I'll check tomorrow.

 

Trevor.

[Arun_D]

1 hour ago, alias23 said:

Lets hope they do turn out to be the 'R' and not the old trofeo's either way a decent price. May now need to think of a second pair of wheels

Think they're the original type, if the sidewall photos and 2014 production date are anything to go by.

[alias23]

1 hour ago, Arun_D said:

Think they're the original type, if the sidewall photos and 2014 production date are anything to go by.

That was my expectation just so that I didn't raise my hopes to high - Either way worth a try as currently running Corsa's so keen to see the difference

[The Pits]

I can't see them discounting the Trofeo R so I'm sure they are the original Trofeo which, again, was the tyre the car was developed around so I see that as a positive. Knowing Lotus the set up would be different if they had used the Trofeo R. But slightly amazed (and quite glad) they didn't look to shift these 13 sets through the dealers at the usual price. They're normally quite hard to get hold of.

[The Pits]

Ordered a set this morning.

Only 8 sets left!

Real shame they aren't doing 2 rears for £250 but I guess they'd never shift the fronts then.

You should be on commission Tom.

[Kalli]

They've added more  Now up to 12 sets. 

Tell me about it Jonny - The amount of stuff i've helped them shift recently is absurd. 

[alias23]

Mine get dispatched tomorrow

[stratosboy]

I'm very tempted to go for a set of these, but wondered what people's thoughts were about their age? - are they too old (2014)? especially if I don't get round to fitting them for another 6 to 12 months? - would storing them in warm environment make a difference?

thanks

[The Pits]

That's what I'll be doing. Probably won't fit them until the end of the year. They're only just over a year old. I'm sure they'll be fine for a while yet.

[stratosboy]

too good an opportunity to pass on...there's now a set with my name on!

Thanks Tom

Edited January 19, 2016 by stratosboy

[The Pits]

Mine arrived today.

For those who've yet to try them, prepare to be amazed!

More racy than the rubber you'd find in Max Mosely's dungeon.

[The Pits]

This made entertaining reading:

Especially: "Before fitting on (or removal from) a wheel rim the tyres should be stored in a controlled environment at a minimum temperature of 68F/20C for at least 24 hours"! Imagine how they'd laugh down at the local ATS! 

[alias23]

Mine also arrived today - Cant wait to get a little dryer weather to get these fitted! Although will be sticking to the Corsa's for this Sunday!

[stratosboy]

mine arrived yesterday too - very pleased - they are nice and warm in the spare room now.