I'm sure this is an age old question...

I bought my 100HP in September and it came fitted with winter tyres. Now with spring here <cough> I think it's time to get some proper rubber fitted. So.. do I go for OEM-type Eagle F1's or do people have other recommendations? I probably want tyres that give me the best steering feel and dry weather performance. I'll cover about 6,000 miles/year on mainly country roads. Budget doesn't come into it for me, but obviously if it was a close call I'd go for the most cost effective!

Goodyear F1 Eagles, fantastic grip and look awesome.

I switched to 195/50 Uniroyal Rainsport after poring over specs - I wanted decent wet grip. Price and noise and longevity I care less about.

How about Toyo T1Rs? I've fitted these to my wife's MR2 roadster as the MR2 guys rave about them. I've not been dissappointed so far - good price, look good, great dry grip, good wet grip (never push it in the wet to be honest!), dunno about life yet. I think I might try these on my 100hp when I need some new boots

I have Khumo Ecsta's on mine and i'm pretty impressed with them so far.

Gavv8 said:

I have Khumo Ecsta's on mine and i'm pretty impressed with them so far.

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Hey steady on Gav, don't you know that if you don't get OE tyres fitted at a main dealer then your car will spontaneously explode into a million pieces?

duncx said:

Hey steady on Gav, don't you know that if you don't get OE tyres fitted at a main dealer then your car will spontaneously explode into a million pieces?

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Haha..yeah i know what you mean, mine had eagles on when i bought it and they are very good in the dry but i found them to be a different story in the wet so i went for a compromise and I've not regretted it.

If all you care about is steering feel and dry weather performance (strange in the UK, even in the "summer"), I'd go for the standard Eagle F1's.

If you want a good all rounder, which is possibly a better idea in the UK, I've never heard a bad word about Uniroyal Rainsports in wet or dry weather driving.

Eagle F1's are poor in wet weather, I've put toyo T1R's on mine, great all rounder and well priced

Cheers for all the responses! The reason I picked out dry weather performance is because if it's wet I wouldn't be particularly be pushing on. You've got to prioritise somehow I reckon.

I hadn't really thought of the Toyos before, so I'll check them out.

Whichever I pick it'll be interesting to see the change from the vagueness of the winter tyres!

Pinnch said:

Eagle F1's are poor in wet weather, I've put toyo T1R's on mine, great all rounder and well priced

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Yep, my thoughts too, and Ears Motorsport are selling a FULL SET of four tyres (195/50/15s) for 146 quid including delivery. Can't go wrong at that price

duncx said:

Yep, my thoughts too, and Ears Motorsport are selling a FULL SET of four tyres (195/50/15s) for 146 quid including delivery. Can't go wrong at that price

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That's a good price! I see you quote a price for 195/50/15 tyres. Standard profile is 45 isn't it? Does anyone have experience if it makes much difference to go from 45 to 50 profile?

I see on Ears Motorsport the 45 profile tyres are £10 more each.

Lunchie said:

That's a good price! I see you quote a price for 195/50/15 tyres. Standard profile is 45 isn't it? Does anyone have experience if it makes much difference to go from 45 to 50 profile?

I see on Ears Motorsport the 45 profile tyres are £10 more each.

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From what I've read on here, 50 profile tyres make for a slightly less harsh ride. You should inform your insurance company if you're fitting non-standard size tyres.

Oh and yes, 45 profile is standard.

Matt100HP said:

From what I've read on here, 50 profile tyres make for a slightly less harsh ride. You should inform your insurance company if you're fitting non-standard size tyres.

Oh and yes, 45 profile is standard.

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I chose the 50s and advised the insurer - no change to premium.


The 50s do reduce the harshness a bit and also they slightly reduce the chance of turning your alloys into 50 pences (3 of mine were flatspotted last year on potholes).


Uniroyal Rainsports are the equal of the F1s in the dry, but far better in the wet (i.e. summer).

AB100 said:

I chose the 50s and advised the insurer - no change to premium.


The 50s do reduce the harshness a bit and also they slightly reduce the chance of turning your alloys into 50 pences (3 of mine were flatspotted last year on potholes).


Uniroyal Rainsports are the equal of the F1s in the dry, but far better in the wet (i.e. summer).

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I prefer the look of the 45s, other than that 50s seem to be a better option in almost every way .

If I still have the 100HP when it comes to tyre changing time (which won't be for a while, it had an almost brand new set of F1s when I bought it this time last year) I think I'll replace them with Rainsports. My mum's Fiesta has them on the front and they're pretty incredible in the wet.

Personally wouldn't touch toyo t1r' s with a barge pole.. but that's personal preference. The link below gives a guide as to what people think is good / bad, and why.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Size/15-Inch-Tyres/195-50-15-Tyres.htm

Dan Friel said:

Personally wouldn't touch toyo t1r' s with a barge pole.. but that's personal preference. The link below gives a guide as to what people think is good / bad, and why.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Size/15-Inch-Tyres/195-50-15-Tyres.htm

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I have heard that they are spectacularly bad in the wet and wear very quickly, if I was changing to 50 section i'd go for rainsports.

I am definitely going to invest in a spare set of wheels. OEM 100hp wheels covered in a winter tire with the wheels refurbished a darker colour.

That way I should be able to stick with F1 for spring and summer months. Possibly going to 50 profile.

yella8elly said:

I am definitely going to invest in a spare set of wheels. OEM 100hp wheels covered in a winter tire with the wheels refurbished a darker colour.

That way I should be able to stick with F1 for spring and summer months. Possibly going to 50 profile.

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I now have two sets. One with all season quatracs (have been ok, but might get rainsports when they're worn), and the originals are about to be fitted with some performance focused summer tyres. Probably yoko ad08's.

The new rainsports get good reviews, but lots of decent tyres at reasonable prices.

Ad08s are a proper tyre. Iirc these are OEM standard fit to lotus exige s. Supreme dry weather grip.

I'll may try something other then a F1. I will be avoiding toyo though. I found these don't last long