Tyres. In need of up to date information.

[tricky1138]

Thank you tricky1138, shnazzle and tets. Does anyone else have experience of the Nankang NS-20 or Conti Premium Contact 2? It would be great to hear some other opinions of them. I see the Contis are more expensive (predictably for a top brand) but they are at least available in the 'correct' size. @tricky1138, I see that the Nankangs aren't available in 185/55 R15 as recommended by Toyota. Did you opt for the 195/50 because that was all that was available? Have you experienced any problems with that size? What are people's views on non-standard sized tyres in general?

Yeah I went for 195/50 as that was the only size available. I know quite a few on here run a slightly larger than stock size so went with that. I personally haven't noticed any difference in handling from my previous stock size Bridgestones other than the softer sidewalls.

My other option was Vredsteins but just looking again they don't do them in the right sizes now.

I'll find my spreadsheet in the morning and see what other tyres were on my list!

[Gaz mr-s]

Looking up Falken's website they don't do the 914 in a 45% rear

[Gaz mr-s]

The ze 310 fares well in tests.  The correct loading can be got for the fronts, but the rears are reinforced, & it's not subjectively regarded as comfortable in this test....

https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2020-Tyre-Reviews-Ultimate-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm

[Mr Lazy]

@Ardent, to answer your earlier questions, I am finding that some tyres are available in the correct size for the front but not the rear or vice-versa. See Gaz mr-s comment above for example. Other recommended tyres, such as the Toyo T1-R, just don't seem to be sold any more. I've been searching for the tyre sizes rather than entering my registration number (which has proven unreliable). Hopefully I haven't been searching for the wrong sizes all this time! 185/55 R15 and 215/45 R16.

[Gaz mr-s]

Correct sizes.    If you are considering a slightly different size use a site like this to input the sizes to compare.   https://www.willtheyfit.com/

[Mr Lazy]

The ze 310 fares well in tests.  The correct loading can be got for the fronts, but the rears are reinforced, & it's not subjectively regarded as comfortable in this test....

https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2020-Tyre-Reviews-Ultimate-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm

Thanks @Gaz mr-s, I've just had a good look. This test is a useful reminder that no tyre will excel in all areas. There are always compromises. Having said that though, it is a shame that it scores significantly lower than the others for (admittedly subjective) comfort, given that the car's suspension setup is already relatively firm.

[Gaz mr-s]

I wouldn't say the standard suspension is firm.  Not floaty soft, but it's not firm.  The relevance of the reinforced rears maybe not being suitable is the cars' light weight, (IMO).

[Ardent]

@Mr Lazy
Welcome to the world of 2 tyre choice.
No simple easy answer.
I acknowledge the falkens I bought were from 5 years ago. But seem to have reversed the findings in post 27.
Rear were spot on, fronts not quite.
But not far out.
Again 5 years ago I bought mine. But a bit at the price change.

[Ardent]

I wouldn't say the standard suspension is firm.  Not floaty soft, but it's not firm.  The relevance of the reinforced rears maybe not being suitable is the cars' light weight, (IMO).

That relates to my earlier comment. Only mine were XL at the front. Not required.
Purely subjective, I found comfort fine.

[Mr Lazy]

@Gaz mr-s, not firm compared to many sporty cars, I agree. I just meant in comparison to a standard family hatch. I take your point though.

@Ardent, it really is bewildering  . Despite all the great suggestions I keep coming back to the Nankang NS-20. The fronts (195/50) are wider and lower profile than they should be, but it makes sense to me that increasing the pressure a little as suggested could bring them a little closer in shape to 185/55 tyres. People on here seem to like them and I would also be more willing to take a risk on cheaper tyres like this.

Out of the correct size tyres, all suggestions have their merits, it's just a case of deciding on which compromises are most/least important.

[Ardent]

Nicely summed up.

There is always the option of trying to get a ride in someone else's car on various tyres. But that just brings in more variables. Their vs your suspension.

You have done what you can. It is subjective which ever way you go. But like most things 2 related. Stock is hard to beat. Falken or yoko. Not once have I thought, I wish I had more tyre. 185 215 works fine on the B roads.

[tricky1138]

@Gaz mr-s, not firm compared to many sporty cars, I agree. I just meant in comparison to a standard family hatch. I take your point though.

@Ardent, it really is bewildering  . Despite all the great suggestions I keep coming back to the Nankang NS-20. The fronts (195/50) are wider and lower profile than they should be, but it makes sense to me that increasing the pressure a little as suggested could bring them a little closer in shape to 185/55 tyres. People on here seem to like them and I would also be more willing to take a risk on cheaper tyres like this.

Out of the correct size tyres, all suggestions have their merits, it's just a case of deciding on which compromises are most/least important.

Totally agree with this too. To me, because I dont do a lot of miles and dont push the car beyond my limits or do track days, the cheap Nankang were a better option to me.

I didnt want to be spending £400 on AD08Rs to not do many miles and have to replace half worn tyres in 5 years time because of age. Whereas spending £200 and replacing 3/4 worn tyres in 5 years was good for me. The size difference wasnt an issue for me either as I know lots run them sizes (which of course doesnt make it better, but at least I knew they would be ok)

I found my spreadsheet but its off 2016 and looks like some tyres have changed.

My list at the time was Falken Ze914,Hankook Ventus Prime 2, Vredestein Sportrac 5, Hankook Ventus V12 Evo, Michelin Pilot Sport 3.

I must not have made one last year when I changed to the Nankang, but I'm sure I looked at Rainsports and Vredestein at the time.

[Mr Lazy]

I now think that I will get the Falken ZE310, not the Nankeng NS-20. The Nankengs are cheap and are liked by some people here, which is important, but I can't ignore the poor ratings they receive on the tyrereviews.co.uk website. The Falkens on the other hand are also liked here (or their 914 predecessors), they are available in the correct size and they are also much more highly regarded on tyrereviews.co.uk. They are more expensive than the Nankengs, but still a good £120 cheaper than a set of four Yokohamas.

Hopefully this thread will help others looking for different tyre options. Can I request that someone with the powers to do so links this thread to the "Useful links for new members" thread in the beginners section? The tyres part could do with an update.

[Rushy67]

In 2016 I bought a 2 that developed a fault at the rear & was proper scary in the wet. Before I got to find out what was wrong it put me into a field. I was given a lift from the scene by my partner in hers & was astounded by the level of grip her car had compared to mine.

So you can imagine I had a bit of trepidation when after buying another & putting new tyres 4 days previously on I had to drive over 100 miles through some standing water.  If I'd known it was to be so wet, I wouldn't have gone. The tyres were Falken 914 & the car never flinched.

I sold that car & bought another. I wanted the Falken again, but one size wasn't available at the time. So I did some research.  As someone says above, ask 3 folk & you may get 3 answers. I don't, I look at tyre tests.

https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/Ventus-Prime-3-K125.htm    This was a no-brainer. Not the reviews by Joe-Public, but the tests.

You won't go wrong with the Falken, but according to tests, the Hankook are better. 

I'd be interested in reading a test on the new Toyo, but haven't seen one.....strange that....

In the last couple of years I've found the cheapest ways of getting tyres is when ebay has a 10 or 20% offer.

Thanks for the review, very helpful, Hankook are stocked as the tyre of choice by my dealer/fitter in the town where i live.

[Joesson]

When I bought my Falkens it was Black Circles who came up with the " best price" including fitting, until I asked the tyre fitting garage that BC used. They bettered the price.
I bought them from Mr T who did even better.
Similarly with my daily, but the tyre place in our village came out best.
I guess it's no different now, depends on what offers are on , what's in stock and how much the business is wanted.

[Chilli Girl]

Good decision Mr Lazy.  Falkens win the vote! 

[Mr Lazy]

@Chilli Girl, I'm afraid the vote hasn't been won yet. Perhaps I should have called myself 'Mr Indecisive'. It is now on my mind that the online reviews for the 310s are probably for the standard tyres rather than the reinforced XL tyres (which I would have to have at the back if I want the correct size). Since no-one here has actually used these either (only the 914) then I don't actually know anything about them! Hmm...I've never dedicated so much of my life to thinking about tyres before. I'm in no great rush to be honest, so maybe I'll wait to see if anyone else has any comments to add.

[Karthoum]

I will say that while the NS-20s that Tricky mentioned are not my cup of tea I have found them very good on Helen's car. Also, they;re probably not my cup of tea because of how big of a departure they are from AD08s. If I bought them and tried them I'd probably get on with them just fine.
They are great in the wet as well

I had AD08R on my last car, I was going to replace them with the same tyre but was disappointed they were downgraded and now I'm considering NS2R just purely because I have to test the car first and see what I have to upgrade.
Did you ever consider them or even AR1?
I do like the NS20, for the price they're great but that's all I can say.

[shnazzle]

I can't even decide what tyre sizes I want let alone what tyre.


Or whether I want to keep my front wheels at all because 195 width on 7j wheels is the bare minimum. It should really have 205 on them.
This is what happens when you make a mistake during ordering wheels

Top tip; stick to stock sizes.

[Petrus]

but still a good £120 cheaper than a set of four Yokohamas.

If those 120 pounds translate to a better tyre, then it is money well spent. Remember that however good the car is, the rubber set the limits as it is the contact between car and road.
Remeber it is not onñy cornering speed; the crux is stopping distance. If you take 100 meters as example from 60 mph, the even 1% is a yard and you can éasily gain or lose 10%.

I currently have the ´old´ AD08R fitted and would go for them again regardless of price. When the time comes I will replace them with the most grippy road legal alternative that does not need to be heated up to race temp and pay their price.

[shnazzle]

but still a good £120 cheaper than a set of four Yokohamas.

If those 120 pounds translate to a better tyre, then it is money well spent. Remember that however good the car is, the rubber set the limits as it is the contact between car and road.
Remeber it is not onñy cornering speed; the crux is stopping distance. If you take 100 meters as example from 60 mph, the even 1% is a yard and you can éasily gain or lose 10%.

I currently have the ´old´ AD08R fitted and would go for them again regardless of price. When the time comes I will replace them with the most grippy road legal alternative that does not need to be heated up to race temp and pay their price.

Funny you mention stopping distance. This is one thing I've found not so great on the AD08R, but specifically in the cold/ wet. 

I have had to watch how much pressure I put on the pedal.

Whereas thr NS-20 digs in even in wet

[Petrus]

Funny you mention stopping distance. This is one thing I've found not so great on the AD08R, but specifically in the cold/ wet.

It is always a compromise between warm and cold.
The better in hot/warm the sherper the cut off in the colder conditions and vv.; better cold will see a compromise at the other end.
The different manufacturers may have even so slightly more tolerant compounds but in general it simply is a property of all compounds and the only clear choise is about whére the compromise leans to.

My point is; get the most grip for the circumstances: The actual contact with the road is the best value for money upgrade you can make to your sporty car; it sets the limits for it all.

One thing; the stiffer the sidewall, the less compliance on unsmouth surfaces which will in effect reduce traction. The tyre is a véry important ppart of the car´s suspensiomn.

[Petrus]

Btw., what heppened to the compound choise in the Nankang NS-2R? There used to be a harder/softer option no?!

[shnazzle]

Btw., what heppened to the compound choise in the Nankang NS-2R? There used to be a harder/softer option no?!

120 and 180

[Petrus]

Btw., what heppened to the compound choise in the Nankang NS-2R? There used to be a harder/softer option no?!

120 and 180

Thanks yes, but I can only find the 180 availeble.