Tuning Performance Tyres - need your advice / experiences

[bgunn]

I thought 1.4 and TA were same performance? If that is the case maybe there is a weight saving measure here.

The 1.4 and TA have a virtually similar top speed, but the 1.4 is a much quicker car in terms of acceleration. The TA has cheap brakes for that reason, they're cheap.

 

[loveshandbags]

that eco is achieved by reduced friction that also means reduced grip

Can you explain how ADAC got these results on this new Eco tyre ?

The T1R is reputed to be a great track tyre with tons of grip but it doesn't translate in good wet braking.

 

[The Twins]

Anyone tried Khumo KU 31 tyres?

 

[dave]

Can you explain how ADAC got these results on this new Eco tyre ?

i cant even read it its not english

 

[The Twins]

The 1.4 and TA have a virtually similar top speed, but the 1.4 is a much quicker car in terms of acceleration. The TA has cheap brakes for that reason, they're cheap.

0-60 times...
TA = 11 sec
1.4 = 10.5 sec

1.4 is not that much quicker according to specs.

 

[bgunn]

0-60 times...
TA = 11 sec
1.4 = 10.5 sec

1.4 is not that much quicker according to specs.

And we all know than the 0-60 time is the perfect barometer of a car's performance don't we?

The 1.4 is marketed as the 'performance' version of the 500, also.

 

[loveshandbags]

Anyone tried Khumo KU 31 tyres?

Local Alfa dealer fit them as budget tyres - they haven't done that well in this 55 profile test.

For the same price point these T1R have the 82 load rating.

If you want good wet braking we have the Uniroyals. Camskill have them priced at £47 a corner but ours are wearing and a bit noisey - otherwise I can't fault them.

Unsure about the Falken ZE 914 with the XL spec but some have commented that when they're half worn they are not great.

I'm thinking of getting the Bridgestone Potenza RE050 in the 55 profile since I'm limited in what I can get.

 

[Melanabb]

I have had both Nokian winter and Nokian Z line (summer) tyres on my Punto. I found them both excellent. I chose them mostly for their Finnish origin as I thought they might be more suited to rough UK roads (I'm sort of guessing here that the Finns also have coarser road surfaces) than Pirellis PZero Neros which were very good on smooooth tarmac but rubbish on the majority of our roads. I've been to Italy and they have incredibly smooth tarmac which might explain things... Only slight complaint is that they are tad more noisy than PZeros... and difficult to find

 

[306maxi]

Finnish roads are quite smooth actually, even the gravel ones I've been on

 

[loveshandbags]

0-60 times...
TA = 11 sec
1.4 = 10.5 sec

1.4 is not that much quicker according to specs.

I have a comparison chart somewhere but IIRC the TA was initially faster off from the lights up to around 30mph. Once you get past 60mph cc starts to count. From memory the TA felt faster than a 1.4. in gear times in the 1.4 were dependant on being in the right gear to make use of the 4000-6000 rev band to better the TA. Plus if you leave the 1.4 in the default ASC on mode it negates it's advantage. TA could do well against an inexperienced 1.4 driver.

 

[bgunn]

I have a comparison chart somewhere but IIRC the TA was initially faster off from the lights up to around 30mph. Once you get past 60mph cc starts to count. From memory the TA felt faster than a 1.4. in gear times in the 1.4 were dependant on being in the right gear to make use of the 4000-6000 rev band to better the TA. Plus if you leave the 1.4 in the default ASC on mode it negates it's advantage. TA could do well against an inexperienced 1.4 driver.

Interesting. As it's the one variant of the 500 I haven't driven, it's illuminating to hear what it's like in comparison to my TA. I have a feeling the 105hp TA (if FIAT ever bother), would make quite a fun car.

 

[ahmett]

0-60 times...
TA = 11 sec
1.4 = 10.5 sec

1.4 is not that much quicker according to specs.

As has been said above the 1.4 feels very slow below 4,000 (if you have aircon on and worn out sparkplugs up a hill you feel like you are making no progress at all below 2,000 rpm and feel like the car is dying on you!!) but above that it is noticeably faster. The TA feels fast off the blocks but the power doesn't really increase as you go higher in the rev range, it stays stable. In the hands of a driver aware of these factors, the 1.4 is noticeably faster in the power band, as it has 15% more power, which is quite significant in a car so light.

 

[bgunn]

The TA has a torque peak that starts at 1700rpm and falls off above around 3800-4000 - you're probably driving it like you drive the 1.4, if you change up a gear and 'use' that torque, it pulls well.

They both will do things in a different way..

 

[babbo_umbro]

To get back to tyres - I've had a set of Vredestein Sportrac 3s on my Panda 100HP and have found them excellent in all respects.

 

[306maxi]

We've got a couple of them on the front of our Subaru, they're definitely good tyres

 

[The Twins]

Interesting. As it's the one variant of the 500 I haven't driven, it's illuminating to hear what it's like in comparison to my TA. I have a feeling the 105hp TA (if FIAT ever bother), would make quite a fun car.

That's it! I just have to have that MM tuning module now : P

 

[The Twins]

To get back to tyres - I've had a set of Vredestein Sportrac 3s on my Panda 100HP and have found them excellent in all respects.

Yes, been looking at the sportrac 5 too. Look very good.

 

[306maxi]

That's it! I just have to have that MM tuning module now : P

That would be a massive waste of money.....

 

[The Twins]

That would be a massive waste of money.....

Lol, I knew you wound say that maxi. You are probably right too : ) would be interesting to find out though.

 

[The Twins]

Although.., if when purchasing your 500 TA you could have 85bhp or 100bhp for £300 difference, which would you go for?