Tuning Performance Tyres - need your advice / experiences

Currently reading:
Tuning Performance Tyres - need your advice / experiences

The Twins

Established member
Joined
Jan 19, 2013
Messages
1,560
Points
283
Hi Guys
I need your opinion...
I'm looking to but a set of Summer Tyres for my 500TA.
I want them to have a nice sharp steering response as the 500 is not exactly sharp on the steering front.
I was thinking about Yokohama AD08 but may be a bit extreme. Size will be 185 55 15 or 195 50 15 if I go for wheels too.
Thanks.
 
Last edited:
and you're doing this why?

I thought the whole idea of all season tyres was a one size fits all solution?

AD08's would be stupid on a daily driver if you're never going to take it on the track.

185's are a non-starter as there are virtually no performance tyres made in that size aside from the Michelin PE2.

195/50 R15 is a better size. You get Toyo Proxes R1R's in that size BUT again they're a trackday tyre and that would just be silly...... Michelin PE2's are a good bet in this size. Jnoiles runs T1r's in that size too and is happy with them, they're cheap too which is always a good thing.

I'm guessing your all season tyres are just starting to get a bit soft in this summer weather and you're starting to lose any sort of precision in the steering :)

P.S you will never really be able to give your 500 any sort of sharpness in terms of the steering.
 
I must admit I am very perplexed by this.

What sense is there in buying all season tyres if you're then going to buy summer tyres?

I think if you're honest, you got sucked into the marketing bs of all seasons, all seasons are not bad per se, but you never have the ultimate ability of winters in the cold and snow and you never get that crispness and grip that you get from summers when it's warm. It's a compromise and like all compromises, you generally end up wishing that you didn't compromise.
 
It's a 500... Hardly a performance car. Put some decent non budget tyres on it and drive it simples.

True, there is quite a bit of fun to be had in a 500 with some good tyres on it though :) My 500 doesn't really handle, but it does grip quite well :)
 
I have the mitch pilot exalto 195/50/15 and i am very happy with them. Sporty but not extreme good in the wet i think may wear a bit quickly.
 
185's are a non-starter as there are virtually no performance tyres made in that size aside from the Michelin PE2.

How about Bridgestone Potenza RE040 ?
Appeared here but didn't see them on the Bridgestone web site.
Performance tyres are limited in 55 profile.
If one was to opt for a V rated tyre (as opposed to a H on the 500) would that not compensate for touring nature of a tyre ?


The Continental tyres are lighter in weight - unsure if I would go for another set even in the '5' version although they are still classified as a touring tyre.
Here's a recent ADAC 2013 test but it's in 60 profile - might be useful as a guide.
 
How about Bridgestone Potenza RE040 ?
Appeared here but didn't see them on the Bridgestone web site.
Performance tyres are limited in 55 profile.
If one was to opt for a V rated tyre (as opposed to a H on the 500) would that not compensate for touring nature of a tyre ?


The Continental tyres are lighter in weight - unsure if I would go for another set even in the '5' version although they are still classified as a touring tyre.
Here's a recent ADAC 2013 test but it's in 60 profile - might be useful as a guide.
The Bridgestones will probably be fine too, but I'd go for the Michelin's if it were me. I should also point out that the 195/50 R15 T1r's don't come in the right load rating for the 500 so if you have an accident it could cause problems..... or not. Just saying :)
 
Hi Guys
I need your opinion...
I'm looking to but a set of Summer Tyres for my 500TA.
I want them to have a nice sharp steering response as the 500 is not exactly sharp on the steering front.
I was thinking about Yokohama AD08 but may be a bit extreme. Size will be 185 55 15 or 195 50 15 if I go for wheels too.
Thanks.

Whats wrong with the factory fitted tyres or have they worn out ?

I need to take the winters off this week, too fond of them :) btw: the winters have hardly worn over 2 seasons and we have put in a lot of mileage - is this normal ?
 
Whats wrong with the factory fitted tyres or have they worn out ?

I need to take the winters off this week, too fond of them :) btw: the winters have hardly worn over 2 seasons and we have put in a lot of mileage - is this normal ?
Yeah, the winters do last, especially if you take them off when it gets warm and when the winter is cold as it has been the last few years. Mine have been through their 4th winter and still have about 4mm of tread, but I'm going to run them through the spring till they're worn out as they have hardened up a tiny bit and the sipes don't have much life left in them.
 
Yeah, the winters do last, especially if you take them off when it gets warm and when the winter is cold as it has been the last few years. Mine have been through their 4th winter and still have about 4mm of tread, but I'm going to run them through the spring till they're worn out as they have hardened up a tiny bit and the sipes don't have much life left in them.

it would be funny if you re-posted in a month that you cant get them to wear out and have given up :D

btw: thanks for the tips when I was choosing my set, one of the safest and value for money purchase, oh and the tyres have almost paid for themselves as I am still using topcashback
 
Last edited:
it would be funny if you re-posted in a month that you cant get them to wear out and have given up :D

btw: thanks for the tips when I was choosing my set, one of the safest and value for money purchase, oh and the tyres have almost paid for themselves as I am still using topcashback
It's was a pleasure :) When you experience a 500 on bad tyres in the winter and then on good tyres, it sticks with you and it's something you want to share. I went from a car which I would have done everything to avoid driving in the snow or even when there was a risk of snow, to one which I would take out in the snow for fun. Here in North Wales, most people have to travel 15 or 20 miles to get to work, I live on the coast and the weather can be very different inland. I remember years ago there was the whole argument about the fact that it never snows here and the cost of wheels and tyres. I kept up my logical argument that your tyres will just need replacing after a longer period and that you'd probably make a saving due to reduced tyre wear. Thankfully the weather has conspired with me to make the benefits of winter tyres apparent to more and more people :)

They will wear ;)
 
Seriously just get the michelins! Good tires, v rating, the right load rating and i bought a set of 4 for 280 euros fitted.
 
and you're doing this why?

I thought the whole idea of all season tyres was a one size fits all solution?

AD08's would be stupid on a daily driver if you're never going to take it on the track.

185's are a non-starter as there are virtually no performance tyres made in that size aside from the Michelin PE2.

195/50 R15 is a better size. You get Toyo Proxes R1R's in that size BUT again they're a trackday tyre and that would just be silly...... Michelin PE2's are a good bet in this size. Jnoiles runs T1r's in that size too and is happy with them, they're cheap too which is always a good thing.

I'm guessing your all season tyres are just starting to get a bit soft in this summer weather and you're starting to lose any sort of precision in the steering :)

P.S you will never really be able to give your 500 any sort of sharpness in terms of the steering.

Thanks for advice maxi.
I never actually intended the 4 season tyres for all year round if I could afford a second set.
I wanted something that would work well when it snowed but didn't feel like winter tyres too much during the rest of a wet cold winter. They performed really well in snow and have been a great winter tyre but I do crave something sharper for the summer.
 
I must admit I am very perplexed by this.

What sense is there in buying all season tyres if you're then going to buy summer tyres?

I think if you're honest, you got sucked into the marketing bs of all seasons, all seasons are not bad per se, but you never have the ultimate ability of winters in the cold and snow and you never get that crispness and grip that you get from summers when it's warm. It's a compromise and like all compromises, you generally end up wishing that you didn't compromise.

Lol, I was viewing the 4 season tyre as a winter tyre really. I needed the security of staying mobile in the snow but wasn't sure I could afford another set for summer so yes as a compromise the Hankook optimis have been great.
 
Back
Top