I have a 2001 and a 2004 roadster, the 2004 I only bought a few days ago. It's on the oem wheels (185/55/15f - 215/45/16r) with Marshall matrac tyres on the front and Dunlop SP sports on the rear. Pressures are 30(f) 33(r).
With the post facelift I find the steering heavier compared to the pre facelift, tramlines more and is not quite as sharp. It grips just as well if not better but I can't get over this tramlining and it doesn't feel as solid over bumps/rutted roads as the pre facelift. Has anyone else found this?
Has it had an alignment?
Your pressure are well off for a Fl. 26 32 is what they should be.
Getting shot of the fronts in favor of dunlops would also be a good idea imho.
Your face lift car should be the better drive. Extra bracing and all that.
I tried the manufacturers recommend pressure of 26f 32r first but it felt even worse. The steering wheels at roughly 7-8mins past but the car drives straight. National tyres checked it and it's dead on parallel. They did try to rob me of £680 to supply and fit a pair of front wishbones but after getting a second opinion from an mot tester who said there's only very slight play but that wouldn't cause what I described. Maybe I should put it on a hunter alignment and see what it comes up and then if it is straight replace the 2 front tyres?
I noticed a bit of tramlining with Bridgestone tyres, have changed to Yokohamas and haven't noticed any.
I had the alignment done on a Hunter machine, cost me £72. The rears were well out but I still had dreadful tramlining and bumpsteer after the alignment. I have just replaced the fronts with 195/50/15 Uniroyal Rainsport 3 which were only £90 inc vat supplied & fitted s:) :) s:) . As soon as I took the car away I noticed the steering was a lot lighter, just the same as my wife's pre facelift, a lot more responsive and no bump steer at all or tramlining. I still have a bit of feel through the steering, more than on my wife's car fitted with Toyo Proxy T1R's. So the lesson here is never buy cheap Marshall budget tyres lol.
The rears are fitted with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 215/45/16 so i'm hoping it won't cause any issues...
Glad your happier now.
Quote from: "1979scotte"Glad your happier now.
Much, much happier. The difference is night and day. I thought for a minute i'd bought the wrong car and should have gone for another pre facelift s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
The FL bracing definitely improved the car so you made the right choice.
Just goes to show that so many people are missing out just by fitting cheapo tyres.
Quote from: "1979scotte"The FL bracing definitely improved the car so you made the right choice.
Just goes to show that so many people are missing out just by fitting cheapo tyres.
The Marshalls weren't even that cheap at £114 for 2 tyres when I got the 2 Uniroyal for £90. Pays to shop around and get decent tyres.
I am very happy with my T1R.
Have considered rainsports after a few moments in the wet on my (as it turned out) very worn rear yoko ae043
The T1R's are very good. I could only get very slight understeer in her car with them on the front in the dry, but she's got Conti Sport Contact 2 on the rear which makes it feel strange in the wet. As soon as I can i'm going to match the Uniroyals on the front with them on the back also just to make sure I get the best from the handling.
Are the T1R's made in Japan or Malaysia I just bought 4 which are Malaysian & was reading over on the MG forum they are having all sorts of problems with them