Tyre Upgrade

GTAm · July 25, 2006

I am about to upgrade the wheels on my car from 15" to 16" and so would need a new set of rubber. Been shopping around and getting lots of shocks with the prices.

I don't want to go too low profile as we all know the condition of our road surface and how lowpros ruin ride comfort and in the end you pace as well.

I'm thinking 205/60/16 or something close.

Not fond of Bridgstone Potenzas as I fitted these to my Merc and I feel the car lost it's supple ride and grip reduced as well. They seem too hard (strange but it's the same thing happening in F1 won't you agree?)

I'm thinking of GoodYear Eagle NCTs as they seem to offer reasonable value if you can call 13k a piece value!

Pirellis, Yokos and Michelenes are priced out of my league.

Any other brands I should look at?

Elvis_Pil · July 28, 2006

Hey good going man! post a pic of the car dude! hmm 16 would have been more expensive right? and what alloys did you go in for?

gunat · July 28, 2006

Hey Pila,

Yes, It was an expensive decision- but hopefully a good one.

I spent a longer time looking for Alloys- finally decided to get new alloys- Darwin Racing (i believe they had a stall at the recent auto show). Very light, and they have japanese type approval (JSA).

It was a painful process, since the GT has a 5 stud 100 pcd set up- thus very few rims are available....one of which is the gold WRX 5 spokes, which i happen to find at a certain shop in Slave island....

Having trouble uploading the pic...

GTAm · August 1, 2006

Guys I've narrowed my focus down to two brands.

1. GoodYear F1

2. Kumho Ecsta

Can't afford Michelin Pilot Sport or Pirelli PZero Rosso.

Check this link. http://www.blackcircles.com/tyres_uk

gunat · August 4, 2006

Quick Question:

Did you find these Tyres in SL? Kumho Ecsta's are pretty good- a friends s2000 has these on the rear- he's been really happy...

Note: Goodyear F1's are NOT as good in the dry and they LOOK. Granted they have that cool directional tread, but traction is really not that great, as i've been told by one of our (professional) Racing fellas...

Hope you found a good deal!

dhp · August 4, 2006

GTAm said:

2. Kumho Ecsta

I can vouch for them, had em on for about 2 yrs and about 60K miles, about 5K left..

GTAm · August 5, 2006

gunat said:

Quick Question:

Did you find these Tyres in SL? Kumho Ecsta's are pretty good- a friends s2000 has these on the rear- he's been really happy...

Note: Goodyear F1's are NOT as good in the dry and they LOOK. Granted they have that cool directional tread, but traction is really not that great, as i've been told by one of our (professional) Racing fellas...

Hope you found a good deal!

There were no F1s in the profiole I wanted. So I went for the Ecstas. Initial impressions are very very good. Got them from the Agent Alfred Edirisinghe at Maradana. 10,250/- for 205/55/16s

Grip is a world above the MX1s I had and has transformed the handling. Tyre noise is less too.

sharkster · August 5, 2006

GTAm said:

There were no F1s in the profiole I wanted. So I went for the Ecstas. Initial impressions are very very good. Got them from the Agent Alfred Edirisinghe at Maradana. 10,250/- for 205/55/16s

Grip is a world above the MX1s I had and has transformed the handling. Tyre noise is less too.

congrats dude...good price too considering i pay 9k for Dunlop 205/65/15s...

GTAm · August 5, 2006

sharkster said:

congrats dude...good price too considering i pay 9k for Dunlop 205/65/15s...

Which type? Were they SPs? I hear the SPs are very good. The Dunlop Le Mans we have on the company Mazda is very average I would say but then they are priced very reasonably.

Elvis_Pil · August 5, 2006

GTAm said:

There were no F1s in the profiole I wanted. So I went for the Ecstas. Initial impressions are very very good. Got them from the Agent Alfred Edirisinghe at Maradana. 10,250/- for 205/55/16s

Grip is a world above the MX1s I had and has transformed the handling. Tyre noise is less too.

More reviews please! did you do a burn on 'em? how did they grip? sticky?

GTAm · August 6, 2006

Pilawoos said:

More reviews please! did you do a burn on 'em? how did they grip? sticky?

Yeah. I went to Muskeliya and back today Sunday. Left at 5.30 am, no traffic super drive . The tyres are very good. Sticky grip and has a great effect on braking too. A wee bit more noisy that the MX1s but loads more grip and who cares I had the stereo blaring or listened to the twin cam sound !

I think it's a very good tyre eventhough the name sounds cheap. But I feel I need a lot more power on my car now .

Elvis_Pil · August 6, 2006

ahhh the noise- thats what put me off the idea of 'em initially.. sorry machan what was your car again?

And what route did you take? the entrance to the hatton road can be very bumpy- how were they on the comfort side?

GTAm · August 6, 2006

Pilawoos said:

ahhh the noise- thats what put me off the idea of 'em initially.. sorry machan what was your car again?

And what route did you take? the entrance to the hatton road can be very bumpy- how were they on the comfort side?

Yeah noise is what I hate too that's why I did not consider Potenzas - so noisy. These are tolerable. My Car - Alfa 156 1.6 Twin Spark. Missed a 2.0

Errrr sorry mate I made a mistake we were to go to Muskelia but actually went to Bogawantalawa. Usual old route Highlevel road to Avissawella to Hatton to Bogawan. Hatton to Boga bad roads - the ride was ok not to bumpy.

sharkster · August 6, 2006

GTAm said:

Which type? Were they SPs? I hear the SPs are very good. The Dunlop Le Mans we have on the company Mazda is very average I would say but then they are priced very reasonably.

yup SP's...and yes they are pretty good...not tested my waters much besides some turanzas i used for a brief period...cant comment on the noise cos of the 6 pots