AD08R Tramlining?

[Johnny5]

Greetings Everyone,
About to buy some summer tyres and just need advice before pulling the trigger.

After reading many a positive word, I'm considering Yoko AD08R, in FL oem sizes.  Car is a daily runner, 12k a year, totally unmodified, but I'm probably going to add lowering springs at some point in the future, similar to the original TTE lowering springs.  At the mo 100% road use.  I've got cold weather covered, as I've also got winter/all season tyres.

The only question I have before committing, is about tramlining.  I've trawled through numerous threads regarding the 08R, and noticed a few complaints about tramlining.  How bad is it really?  Is it just a subtle nuance now and then, or is it bad enough to annoy with regular road use?

One other quick question.  Aware that it's a track day tyre, does it count as a modification in the eyes of an insurance company and is there a need to inform them?
Thanks

[krazysteve]

My son rums them on his FN2, yes i do notice a bit of tram-lining.

Mainly on dual carriageways and motorways,, but get onto a decent A or B road sticky and big smiles
He did ring in it last year, performed well.
Not marked as track use only so insurance no issue, 
If you are thinking of doing track days, brake fluid and flush, caliper refresh pads and disc's N01 on the list.
Nowt worse then doing a couple of laps then find your brakes are cooked, wasted day.

[Topdownman]

I cant say I have ever noticed tramlining with mine (195 & 225 widths).

The thing I would say to be a bit wary of is standing water as you can aquaplane more easily as there arent many sipes to clear the water. I use mine all year round and just drive to conditions.

I fully recommend them though!

[shnazzle]

Back in the days when I switched from Toyo to Yoko I definitely noticed an increase in tramlining but it certainly wasn't at all a hindrance unless you're driving around with no hands on the wheel...

I did start getting more tramlining once I started messing around with my geometry/alignment so as long as you keep the geometry stock, you're all good

[KRAMSNEHPETS]

I have these tyres on stock alloys and factory suspension set up. no issues. great grip

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Ardent]

My experience is, if its tramling.
Your geo is out.

Had it on the way down to wheels in motion. No hint of it on the way back.

[shnazzle]

Or your geometry is such that it induces tramlining

[Johnny5]

Thanks to all for above info.  Will defo give em a go then, and think about lowering springs at my leisure.

[MR2PK]

Great tyres that seem to do it all! Mine have done 3 heavy track days and still work well on the road with zero tramlining.  I don't even find them that sketchy in the wet or through standing water.  Offer outstanding grip in the dry and even seem to wear quite well!!

[Johnny5]

Opening this thread back up just to report on my findings, so far, since buying my AD08R tyres in late March.

Soon as the 08Rs were put on, I began to notice weird, strong and disconcerting tramlining(?) in some, but not all, situations.  Generally, it didn't do it.  But when cornering hard and fast at 40+mph, once a certain amount of lock was dialled in, there was a sudden and fairly violent jerk from the steering like it was trying to grab the wheel out of my hands.  I was bit miffed as I really wanted to enjoy my new tyres.

So I drove around like that for a while, umming and arghing about what to do, then remembered this thread and Ardent's advice about tramlining being caused by geo, not AD08Rs (thanks for the tip BTW Ardent).

Today, took the car to Wheels In Motion at Chesham, who looked at the entire suspension and alignment.  A few things were out, but not massively, but what was quite bad (I hadn't even noticed) was the steering wheel wasn't straight.  The guy (owner of an MR2 Roadster himself) said that the steering rack wasn't centered.  So he fixed that for me, tweaked the rest, and the tramlining's totally gone.  I'm amazed.  I can finally start enjoying the car without that sudden jerk of the wheel.

The car, a 56 plate bought last October with 20k, had been a second car before I got it, owned by an old man who wasn't exactly a petrolhead.  I imagine, either it had never been set up, or it was "adjusted" by a tyre merchant chain who didn't know what they were doing and likely made worse, hence the unstraight weering steel.  Anyway, WIM have done a good job, and I'm happy.  I've honestly never noticed such a small thing make such a big difference on any of my previous cars.  Come to think of it, I had all of those "adjusted" by various tyre chains.  Makes me wonder, did I ever experience any of them as they were supposed to be, or did the tyre chains just put the car on a machine, scratch their chins, try to make it look like they knew what they doing, and take my money?

[Petrus]

I've honestly never noticed such a small thing make such a big difference on any of my previous cars.

Nice summing up of the MR2 Spyder ;-)

It applies to just about every aspect.

[Ardent]

@Johnny5

Reading that has been the highlight of my day. So pleased for you.
Getting the geo properly sorted on these cars is the key to unlocking it's true spirit.

Have you had chance to revisit the same bends now its sorted?

Did you go for their house B road setup?

[1979scotte]

I've honestly never noticed such a small thing make such a big difference on any of my previous cars.

Nice summing up of the MR2 Spyder ;-)

It applies to just about every aspect.

Small things really do make a big difference and people that don't like the way they drive just don't have a properly sorted example.
Proof yet again that low mileage doesn't guarantee anything.

[Petrus]

Small things really do make a big difference and people that don't like the way they drive just don't have a properly sorted example.

Point is that the MR2 may share quite some of the same parts bins as the Yaris of the same years, these two cars highlight a huge difference which the average driver is not aware of.
Whereas the Yaris is aimed at, well, basically nón driving buyers; a transport buying public and as such the car is very forgiving, the MR2 is a different car. It is meant as a drivers´ car. The understeer FWD Yaris vs. RWD mid engine should give a clue, yet many buyers of an older, thus cheap MR2 don´t realise this, thus can be caught out by the importance of the balance, the set up.

[Johnny5]

Have you had chance to revisit the same bends now its sorted?

Did you go for their house B road setup?

Yeah, tried the most offending bends, and it's a different story now.  No more violent tugging of the wheel.

Didn't know there was a house B setup.  Just asked for fast road.  Drives well now.

[Ardent]

Suspect the samething.

Whatever it's called, it works.