MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: jinxedkitten on June 28, 2013, 17:19

Title: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on June 28, 2013, 17:19
...after you get over your initial shock, horror and unimpressed revulsion...

Had my 2 just over a year now and after a bit of a backside wriggle on a roundabout in the wet yesterday, and a pay rise at work, I figured it was high time I finally sorted her tyres.

Read all the good posts on here about tyre recommendations, paying particular attention to the reviews on Tyres Tyres Tyres thread, wrote up a few of my options (torn between Bridgestone Potenzas and Toyo T1-Rs). Before ringing around for prices, I decided to double check what I was actually currently running. (Cue shock, horror and unimpressed revulsion):

Driver rear: 185/55R15 82H Accelera
Passenger rear: 185/55R15 82V Komet SPT-2
Driver front: 205/50R15 82V Sunny
Passenger front: 205/50R15 82V Infinity INF-040

Holy poop! 82H?  s:-o :-o s:-o

So phoned Protyre in Gloucester, had a very nice guy on the phone who was most helpful and priced me up for the following (which he recommended also, having just fitted them on his friends mk1):

Front: 185/55R15 T1-Rs
Rear: 205/50R15 T1-Rs

£330 inc. Fitting, VAT, New valves, Disposal of olds & alignment checking.

Hurrah! Getting them done Monday  s:grin: :grin: s:grin:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: roger on June 28, 2013, 17:31
Quote from: "jinxedkitten"Driver rear: 185/55R15 82H Accelera
Passenger rear: 185/55R15 82V Komet SPT-2
Driver front: 205/50R15 82V Sunny
Passenger front: 205/50R15 82V Infinity INF-040

Holy poop! 82H?  s:-o :-o s:-o


You've been one very lucky person. Were they really that way round, 185 rear, 205 front???
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: AckersMR2 on June 28, 2013, 17:44
Honestly  s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
That is like telling your fella to swap the wheels around on his bike  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on June 28, 2013, 17:52
Just double-checked, and I wrote that the wrong way round, they are 205 rear, 185 front. Still though, I know I've been lucky with mixed budgets  s:-? :-? s:-?

Only thing I'm worried about with the new ones is apparently they don't last massively long, 8k to 10k ish, and its a lot of money to shell out every year. *sigh*
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: mr mr2 on June 28, 2013, 18:08
Try tyre traders half the price
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on June 28, 2013, 18:13
Quote from: "mr mr2"Try tyre traders half the price
Will do next time, cheers  s:) :) s:)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: Bernie on June 28, 2013, 20:12
Don't forget the pressures on those need to be 36 rear 28 front as stock pressures are a bit light also some tyre fitters have a habit of just pumping on 30 all round worth checking out
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: puma2 on June 28, 2013, 22:00
 s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  glad you sorted your tyres out before anything nasty happen  s:o :o s:o  
its nice when you get a full set of new rubber on  s:) :) s:)  happy days.  s:) :) s:)  
just remember to run in your new tyres as well  s:D :D s:D
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: shnazzle on June 28, 2013, 22:24
It'll be night/day mate. I had the exact same situation. Rears were even 205/55, all 4 different budgets.

Got Toyos on and the car's handling improved 200%

As said... Run them in. They're a bit slippy at first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: E on June 29, 2013, 00:32
Quote from: "jinxedkitten"Only thing I'm worried about with the new ones is apparently they don't last massively long, 8k to 10k ish, and its a lot of money to shell out every year. *sigh*

I wouldn't worry to much, My T1rs are just ready for replacing after about 3 years and they have done about 25000 to 30000 miles including a track day.   s:D :D s:D
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on June 29, 2013, 12:28
Quote from: "bernie11a"Don't forget the pressures on those need to be 36 rear 28 front as stock pressures are a bit light also some tyre fitters have a habit of just pumping on 30 all round worth checking out
Yep, been reading about the higher PSI required, ill be checking them soon as they are on  s:) :) s:)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on June 29, 2013, 12:32
Quote from: "puma2"just remember to run in your new tyres as well  s:D :D s:D
Do you mean just driving carefully for few hundred miles before driving at a any kind of speed? Sorry, only ever had poop tyres before so never needed to bed them in properly.

And 25 to 30k with track day is pretty good! We will see how they hold  s:) :) s:)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: StuC on June 29, 2013, 12:49
Quote from: "jinxedkitten"
Quote from: "puma2"just remember to run in your new tyres as well  s:D :D s:D
Do you mean just driving carefully for few hundred miles before driving at a any kind of speed? Sorry, only ever had poop tyres before so never needed to bed them in properly.

Yes, it's to make sure the release agent has all come out. 200 miles should be enough. Well, that's what I do.  :-) :-) :-)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: puma2 on June 29, 2013, 21:40
 s:D :D s:D  2nd the above. yes take it easy scrub them in for a few hundred miles.
don't  worry about end life of your tyres   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  only when they need to be replaced  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on June 29, 2013, 23:06
Awesome, cheers for the advice guys  s:grin: :grin: s:grin:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on July 1, 2013, 18:43
So got my new rubber today, wow she feels different, tighter, more responsive, firmer, handles well...

And they fitted short valves, look so much better  s:D :D s:D

On a less good note, whilst getting the tyres done, discovered the front offside shock has gone.

Been quoted £210 fitted per shock, and need to get them done in pairs, so £420 for the fronts Anyone know if this is a good price? Going to ring my regular garage tomorrow to see how much they say.

Also need to probably replace nearside rear calliper (handbrake is going again) and investigate oil leak (possible timing chain tensioner leak).  s:( :( s:(
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: dj2k21 on July 1, 2013, 19:48
Thats pretty expensive considering my tuners place supplies and fits a full set of BC adjustable coilovers for £600 ish depending on car. And for that you have new suspension right round thats fully adjustable.  s:) :) s:)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on July 1, 2013, 19:54
Quote from: "dj2k21"Thats pretty expensive considering my tuners place supplies and fits a full set of BC adjustable coilovers for £600 ish depending on car. And for that you have new suspension right round thats fully adjustable.  s:) :) s:)
Oh my, hmm, will continue my search then!
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: ChrisGB on July 1, 2013, 20:49
Pair of new KYB front shocks from Camskil for around £160, labour cannot be much.
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: AckersMR2 on July 1, 2013, 20:58
Has the shock actually gone or was it just the rubber sleeve that's split and fallen away? A common failure on the two, both fronts on mine had gone when I had the FK springs fitted, I think the rubbers are around £30 each from MrT if I recall?

Having said that Protyre down my way are very good, had you said Kwikfit I would say that was one of their pitches straight from the "rip the customer off" manual.

If it has gone, get the rubbers checked anyway as now would be a good time to do them (not financially a good time though  s:( :( s:(  )
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: K T M Rider on July 1, 2013, 21:06
Quote from: "ChrisGB"Pair of new KYB front shocks from Camskil for around £160, labour cannot be much.

just priced some up for my sister's car (ex mine), £133 for a pair of front KYBs on ebay:

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Excel-G-Front ... 1e718c60f9 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Excel-G-Front-Right-Shock-Absorber-Toyota-MR2-1-8-Convertible-04-2000-12-2006-/130754044153?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e718c60f9) m

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Excel-G-Front ... 1e718d3044 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Excel-G-Front-Left-Shock-Absorber-Toyota-MR2-1-8-Convertible-04-2000-12-2006-/130754097220?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e718d3044) m
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on July 2, 2013, 10:00
Quote from: "AckersMR2"Has the shock actually gone or was it just the rubber sleeve that's split and fallen away? A common failure on the two, both fronts on mine had gone when I had the FK springs fitted, I think the rubbers are around £30 each from MrT if I recall?
The rubbers have been shredded on all 4 corners for a while, the shock itself is actually loosing fluid all over the place. May replace the front rubbers while I'm at it but probably hold off on the rears til my bank balance recovers.  s:cry: :cry: s:cry:
My boss just said he has a friend with a garage that may be able to source me parts at trade prices, going to get a quote from him and my regular garage. The guy at protyre did take the time to ring round a few suppliers for me, so I don't think it was a rip off tactic, just their labour costs are stupidly hefty.
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: StuC on July 2, 2013, 10:07
Why dont you take her to Matt?  s;-) ;-) s;-)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on July 2, 2013, 11:36
Quote from: "StuC"Why dont you take her to Matt?  s;-) ;-) s;-)
If I hadn't just got pink dreadlocks, I'd blame my lack of realising the obvious on being blonde. I'll add him to my list of people to get quotes from!  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: AckersMR2 on July 2, 2013, 12:01
As it happens I think the rear rubbers are a lot cheaper than the fronts! You could try asking Cheap Toyota Parts on here too but often with things like shocks aftermarket are cheaper than OE and better too?
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: StuC on July 2, 2013, 12:11
Quote from: "jinxedkitten"If I hadn't just got pink dreadlocks

Interesting choice!!!  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: simers on July 2, 2013, 14:04
Now to be believed we need pics of the pink dreadlocks haha
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: creamykiwi on July 2, 2013, 14:40
Quote from: "jinxedkitten"Just double-checked, and I wrote that the wrong way round, they are 205 rear, 185 front. Still though, I know I've been lucky with mixed budgets  s:-? :-? s:-?

Only thing I'm worried about with the new ones is apparently they don't last massively long, 8k to 10k ish, and its a lot of money to shell out every year. *sigh*

They last longer than I thought they would, I'm about to replace my rears and they've done 15k, fronts still have some wear left in them  s:) :) s:)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on July 2, 2013, 20:14
Quote from: "simers"Now to be believed we need pics of the pink dreadlocks haha
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/03/ehezasyb.jpg)
So off topic  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:   s;-) ;-) s;-)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: puma2 on July 2, 2013, 21:25
 s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:  what a great pose love the 2 and you  s:D :D s:D  
can we see the after pose when you have bean out for a good topless run  s:oops: :oops: s:oops:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: StuC on July 2, 2013, 21:33
Quote from: "jinxedkitten"
Quote from: "simers"Now to be believed we need pics of the pink dreadlocks haha
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/03/ehezasyb.jpg)
So off topic  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:   s;-) ;-) s;-)

I am not sure I could pull of that pose on my yellow 2! The Internet police would shut me down!!
 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on July 2, 2013, 22:14
Quote from: "puma2":bounce: what a great pose love the 2 and you  s:D :D s:D  
can we see the after pose when you have bean out for a good topless run  s:oops: :oops: s:oops:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Thanks, but no chance haha  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  Just glad the boss didn't object to the candy floss Predator look, advantages of being creative management  s:D :D s:D
And now, back to cars...  s;-) ;-) s;-)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: jinxedkitten on July 2, 2013, 22:15
Quote from: "StuC"I am not sure I could pull of that pose on my yellow 2! The Internet police would shut me down!!
 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Might get away with it with snowleopard facepaint  s;-) ;-) s;-)
Title: Re: You guys'll be so proud... (tyres)
Post by: StuC on July 2, 2013, 22:43
LMAO, I had forgotten about that!!!