Technical what size tyres for better handling???

[mz flux]

WOW so basically there are a lot of different theorys and aspects to consider i have 165 champions on her at mo (were already on there) & i do find i have to be Very careful in the wet (not fun to drive ) i'd really like 185 or 195 but i realise now it maybe more important to go for a high quality tyre rather than worry about the size well thanx for ur input guys i love learning!!!

 

[AppleSei]

By the way these are the standard sei alloys we are discussing arent they?

 

[AppleSei]

Oh good, I'm not the only one to think that then. I was wondering if the Sei's weight would impact that at all..

Not necessarily the weight issue i was thinking of, theres very little to choose between a standard sei/cinq in terms of weight but there are other factors which could cause dodgy handling in wet two being driver style or driver error, not necessarily width of a tyre.

With yours being 1242 i can see where you are coming from with regards to comment about weight etc however

I have 195 tyres and no problems or dodgy handling in wet so unless cinqing can produce scientific evience and facts that tyres above 175 wide can cause dodgy handling in wet then its a comment that may be taken by some people with a pinch of salt

 

[mz flux]

the ones i have at present are but i have bought some speedlines the same size to replace them (i had such trouble finding some better looking wheelz to fit) so now i need tyres but felt my sei might benefit by better handling so raised the question about the tyres as a starting point

 

[mz flux]

i'm very glad your read your last comment AS

 

[mz flux]

although yes it could be my dodgy driving:idea: sometimes i find i might possibly have more enthusiasm than skill but im always learning...

 

[StoneNewt]

As a friend of mine once said when I complained about not having any driving skills "Skill is merely the application of experience with aptitude & bravado", 4 years latter I totally agree with him... If you feel like you might be doing things wrong try and get your self to a decent basic track driving course.

Back to tyres, I liked the Pirelli P5000s on my Punto, however it made it a little over-steary on the track* & the Sei' seems to be a good match for them too but I've not taken her anywhere I can really push. Before the Pirellis I tried some Bridgestone 175/50R13 they were nice but I can't remember what they were & before that I was using 'all around' tyres.

* read any largeish bit of tarmac I can find where I can legally max out a car

 

[mz flux]

well i've had no incidents yet (forget touch wood i'm gonna go hug a tree)(not in me car though) but yeah i agree n cheerz for all the help i have so many more q's to bore ya all wiv but at least i'm glad i joined this site

 

[rallycinq]

Wet handing is EXTREMLY tread determined, a good tread that can disperse a lot of water will give good wet handling, if the tyre can't disperse the water then you've got big problems. However besides word of mouth on your target car I know of no way to get real wet weather information about tyres, it is also worth mentioning that handling characteristics of tyres can be a car dependent thing.

Its also EXTREMELY compound determined. If you have a hard compound tyre designed to give a long life, then it will not grip as well as a soft compound. That soft compound may mean you need to change your tyres every 5000 miles, but they will stick like glue. If you go for a really soft compound, that may overheat in the dry causing a deterioration in grip.

Cheers

D

 

[Hellcat]

Its also EXTREMELY compound determined. If you have a hard compound tyre designed to give a long life, then it will not grip as well as a soft compound. That soft compound may mean you need to change your tyres every 5000 miles, but they will stick like glue. If you go for a really soft compound, that may overheat in the dry causing a deterioration in grip.

Cheers

D

What's best in the wet? Hard? Soft? Combination? Or is the tread pattern all important?

 

[cinqing]

if your running stardard wheels then go for 175/50/13 ok that will be the best

 

[Duncan]

I'm running 195/45 Toyos and they are very good in the wet, especially when compared to the Pirreli 165/55s I had before. The car feels less 'direct' if that makes sense, but the cornering abilities are now pretty awesome. Putting 195s on my car hasn't ruined it at all, seems a bit slower but 1242 will sort that.

 

[StoneNewt]

rallycinq, in the wet a harder compound with very good surface contact in the wet is going to do better than a softer compound that's almost aquaplaning all the time. In the dry, however, the softer compound will deliver better grip.

Duncan, what Toyos? Proxes T1-R? It will be slower cause you'll have more drag

 

[Duncan]

rallycinq, in the wet a harder compound with very good surface contact in the wet is going to do better than a softer compound that's almost aquaplaning all the time. In the dry, however, the softer compound will deliver better grip.

Duncan, what Toyos? Proxes T1-R? It will be slower cause you'll have more drag

Yes they are Proxes, I'm not too fussed about loosing some speed caus I shall soon be 1242 powered and spendinng a lot of money chasing more BHP. Plus I can now corner quicker so it makes up for it.

I had to get 14s caus I really wanted to run bigger brakes (theres just something cool about big brakes.... ).

 

[fingers99]

What's best in the wet? Hard? Soft? Combination? Or is the tread pattern all important?

As suggested, road tyres are a compromise. For the dry you want a slick on the softest compound you can find which doesn't overheat. For the wet you want an even softer tyre with a radical tread pattern.

The first is illegal, the second impractical.

Cinqs and Seis are relatively light cars without an excess of horsepower (at least, in standard spec). Most tyre manufacturers have mastered the art of tread patterns. So, it makes sense to go soft. While I can imagine a soft 195 on 5.5Js getting into overheating territory on certain roads in Derbyshire and Yorkshire if being pushed by a psychopath, it won't be an issue for most of us.

 

[mz flux]

I cant have my car bein even slower!!!!! will 185's be slower??? i'm really lovin the look of wide tyres but but performance & handling is more important to me than looks i want her faster not slower for sure!!!!

 

[mz flux]

Duncan?? what would Lou do??? tee hee

 

[StoneNewt]

Your problem is this
more contact area = better handling & more rolling resistance (thus slower, less acceleration & worse economy)
less contact area = worse handling & less rolling resistance (thus faster, more acceleration & better economy)

195 will provide very nice grip, 155 or 165 will give better acceleration & higher top speed... As was said 175 is a good compromise.

 

[mz flux]

so thinkin from that i need a happy medium between 165 & 195 thus thinkin that cinqing suggested the perfect sized tyres 175 50 ok i'm happy with that been lookin at the makes previously mentioned though n they gonna cost some!!!

 

[StoneNewt]

My P5000s weighed in at about 290£ from a local garage (and I think that was just the tyres, so add fitting, VAT & disposal onto that) but from somewhere like etyres you'll get a better deal