Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 11:59 am, by: David Goldthorpe(Sprocket82)
Can anyone here recommend this tyre for a general purpose daily driver who occasionally likes to do a bit of spirited driving through the hills? I was recommended the Bridgestone Turanza ER300 at K-Mart Tyre & Auto but after reading the 2008 Wheels Magazine Tyre Test, decided against it.
I'm currently using a set of cheap-ass Lexanis, 2 of which have developed a bad leak, for no obvious reason (I won't make that mistake again).
Three of my local dealers have quoted me around $250/tyre fitted and balanced, which seems reasonable to me. I guess I'm just looking for a bit of re-assurance before I fork out $1000...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 01:03 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
David the Turanaz ER300 is a daily driver tyre not performance. Still offers very good performance for its class and very good wet braking perfect for the typical mums and dads dropping the kids off at school.
Have a look at the Bridgestone RE001's, Hankook V12 EVO's.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 07:27 pm, by: David Goldthorpe(Sprocket82)
Thanks, Damian.
From what I could find online, the Bridgestone RE001's retail for about $400 a corner (for 225/45/R17 or similar), which is a bit out of my range. I couldn't find a price on the Hankooks but will have another look tomorrow.
I suppose I'm looking for an entry-level performance tyre, considering I don't use the car that much these days.
Dave Rose has suggested TOYO TEO PLUS, which I had never heard of, but seem good value for money as well.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 09:36 am, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
I have run various Falken 18inch tyres in the last 8 years. I am happy with the 452. I went away from the 'premium' Falken down to a lower spec 3XX for my previous set, but have gone back up to the high spec 452 and the difference is quite noticeable. I really disliked the lower spec and the wear was no better.
My 'test' piece of road came about unexpectedly. There was a roundabout exit onto a bridge on my way to and from work. With the older tyres you simply could not change into second gear as you exited to roundabout and it would break into wheelspin at very low rpm if there was so much as a drop of water around. The new tyres have much, much better wet weather grip (which was my biggest concern considering my move back to Darwin in the wet season).
Whilst you cant judge a tyre on one tiny piece of road, this is indicative of my overall experience with the tyre. I can't back to back compare it to anything else.
When I look at those tyre tests I try and find one done using a vehicle with similar characteristics to the Soarer, i.e. large, powerful, front engined, rear drive etc to ensure the findings are relevant to me.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 11:06 am, by: Brian Rignall(Cashmere)
I have the ZE912 Asymmetric radials on standard Soarer 15" rims. You don't specify what rim size you have, so this may not be the same as yours, but the tyres cover rim sizes up to 18".
Target vehicles - Wide range of vehicles such as sedans, wagons or mini-vans of domestic or import for the sports drive enthusiasts who also demand quiet and comfortable ride. Good for plus sizing users or car fashion pursuers.
They are one step down on the performance ladder from the FK452's, I've found them more than satisfactory for regular road use (no track time or off road stuff for me so far).
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 03:03 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
David Goldthorpe wrote on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 07:27 pm:
TOYO TEO PLUS
Budget non performance tyre they are supposed to be nice to drive on and have low rolling resistance, given they are not even close to a performance tyre of ultra high performance tyre in grip levels I wouldn't use them.
Given your budget check the V12 EVO's should be well suited. The RE001's are available at a better price than you have found but not by a great deal.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 03:33 pm, by: James Cahir(James987)
David, how wide are your wheels? You might be able to go for 235's instead of 225's and save yourself $150 per tyre.
I have 235/45R17 RE001's on the front of mine (17x8 wheels) and they are great, especially since they were on special at the time ($219 a tyre, about $250 normally).
So that sort of leaves the Falken FK452s and the TOYO TEO+. Other than Damian's disapproval of the TOYO's, I haven't seen a bad word about them and was quoted $229/tyre (fitted and balanced) at a local dealer. I'm still leaning towards the Falkens but I have until tomorrow to decide so that they can be ordered in and fitted this week.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 05:36 pm, by: Matt Newman(Soarersrock)
David go for the toyo proxes 4's over the teo+ i have proxes 4's on my tt and have had them on for about a year and something like 20,000ks and i find them great and they were only about $180 per tyre fitted and balanced for 235/45/17. but in the end the choice is yours best of luck matt
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 08:20 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
David Goldthorpe wrote on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 05:06 pm:
after reading a few bad reviews on the Bridgestone RE001's
The first review is a joke regarding the side walls these are street tyres and slightly firmer side walls than pilot sports which have been the bench mark for about 10 years.
First I have heard of the rubber going off, this is not a trait that bridgestone tyres are known for but maybe this is how the achieved the outstanding performance, either way good to know.
Give you have 17x8 get 235/45R17 or 245/45R17 both very common sizes more common than the 225/45R17.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 08:54 am, by: Nik Peacock(Niko)
Have a look at the maxxis from Bob Jane, I've had two sets now and can't fault them, lasted about 20-30k, but I do drive them fairly hard, and a very good price, about 180-200 a corner fitted and balanced. Had very good reviews on a wheels magazine test couple of years ago if I remember correctly.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 10:13 am, by: David Goldthorpe(Sprocket82)
Decided on the TOYO TEO+ in a 235/45/R17. I realise these are probably more of a "touring" tyre than the performance oriented Falkens, but I think they will be better suited for my purposes, and hopefully give a better ride quality.
Damian, thanks for the tip on tyre sizes. That seems to have brought the price down significantly.
Was quoted $169/tyre fitted and balanced at Oneill's Tyres Wallsend. Normal price is $199/tyre but they've apparently received a large shipment of them on special. I'll let you know what I think after they're fitted tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help.
Ben Lipman Goo Roo NT Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car
Friday, January 15, 2010 - 03:06 pm, by: David Goldthorpe(Sprocket82)
OK so it seems I'm a bit of a pushover... After doing all this research on tyres, I got to the workshop and the salesman talked me into getting Federal ss595's in 235/45/R17 front & rear. $135 each.
I have Toyo TEO's on my GS300, not too bad but would like to strap on the original Bridgestone Potenzas it used to have.
I have A mixture of Yokohama and Kumho KU31's on the Soarer. The Yoko's are a very decent tyre, long tread life and enough grip (at least for street duties). I haven't done too many kms on the Kumho's though, but they're supposed to be at the upper end of their range.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 10:32 am, by: James Harris(Haro)
Hello thought i would weigh in. Ive just recently bought a set of Federals for my GT Starlet front tyres... i bought the "semi slick" option http://www.federaltyres.com.au/ss595rsr
Now i dont expect to get 20,000 KM out of these and i probably wont even put that amount on KMs on my car during the time i own it. I bought them for only a few of reasons: 1) They are VERY sticky 2) Will add to my driving pleasure (especially up the mountains) 3) Option 1 Garage here in brissy is selling them at a very decent price. I got my 205/45/16s for $198 each.
My 1st impressions of these tyres are VERY good... i will test them more in the cooler months up through the hills and report back.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 08:22 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Well I got my new rear tyres, Toyo Proxes 4 245/50/VR16's - last week - $219 each fitted.
So far have done about 500KM on them and very impressed. Actually I'd forgotten just how bad the old tyres were after years of putting up with them! The progressive understeer the car had at speed has vanished, and it now turns in sharply and immediately. Had a chance to drive a short distance on very wet roads, and it felt very confident and predictable - the only thing predictable about the old tyres was they would let go with the lest provocation.
They are also quieter, though thats pretty normal with brand new directionals, which do tend to get noisier as they age.