19 replies to this topic

[turbobob]

So my car has passed its MOT today, but only just. I knew the tyres are getting low and I can't afford to change them just yet. But I was planning on doing it in the next couple of months. So I'm torn between three options. Fit standard Bridgies all round. Fit some 195's on the front and the same tyre as a 225 on the rear. Or and I think this is my preferred option is to fit standard Bridgies on the front and RE070's on the rear. I believe the RE070 is a better tyre than the RE040 (both wet and dry according to reviews). Given I am running stage 3, I'd like a little more traction from the rear. So is it a bad idea to mix front and rear tyre types?

[Zoobeef]

Many will say its the work of satan. I say it will change the caracteristics of the car, maybe better, maybe worse. No different than getting a different geo though, just means you have to learn the new characteristics so you dont get caught out if it does something different from before

[G-Bob]

Don't you know that if you run different tyres on the front and rear that you will end up in a flaming ball of fiberglass as soon as you reach a corner? That's what I was told about my car.

[JG]

040 all round in my opinion, in the correct sizes. though i caveat that with the following: -I have never tried a 195 on a std front rim, though i gather they can be very difficult to fit. and there isn't much choice anyway. 195 look too wide for the front rim, though plenty say they are fine. -I have never tried the 070, but i have tried cars with a different tire (with std fronts) on the back and didn't like them very much.(though you probably won't die in a ball or fire, or get taken away by aliens) -If you get more grip, you'll want more power so you can lose the grip Q.E.D. 040s all round is best

[techieboy]

If the RE070 are grippier, then that's going to increase the understeer if you're leaving less grippy tyres on the front. Probably doesn't make much difference to you turdo drivers that can't corner at speed anyway but not for me.

[JG]

Also you're going to find a new set of 040s much grippier anyway (front and back)than the set you are about through away, based on two things: -They don't age very well -They lose grip as they lose tread (in the wet), they gain it in the dry for a bit then start losing it the later part of the tyre's life.

[turbobob]

If the RE070 are grippier, then that's going to increase the understeer if you're leaving less grippy tyres on the front. Probably doesn't make much difference to you turdo drivers that can't corner at speed anyway but not for me.

The understeer is kinda what I'm aiming for, plus the extra grip for putting the power down. I find the rear steps out quickly without a LSD.

[turbobob]

Apparently both my rear tyres are at 1.6mm ... I'm such a pikey. Damn you lot, I was hoping you'd say yeah go for it. Now I'm not so sure

[JG]

I have a brand new set of 040s (still have all the paint marks on them) and they are 3 (or is 4) years old. They were great for the 100miles or so i used them when new. Tried them twice in the last year and they are not very good at all. You might be suprised by the performance of a new set of 040s

[turbobob]

I think you are probably right. These tyres are the tyres that came with the car, so they are over 3 years old.

[siztenboots]

tbh I would just stick some Kumho KU39 rears on which supercedes the KU31 , pricewise around £70 go for the XL version, KUMHO KU39 ECSTA LE SPORT KUMHO KU 39 - 225/45R17 94Y XL TL

[turbobob]

tbh I would just stick some Kumho KU39 rears on which supercedes the KU31 , pricewise around £70

go for the XL version, KUMHO KU39 ECSTA LE SPORT KUMHO KU 39 - 225/45R17 94Y XL TL

What and Bridgies on the front???

[navx]

Does having different tread designs not affect stability should you hit standing water, or Jah forbid, ice?

[siztenboots]

comparable tread pattern will make little difference, otherwise it would be a legal thing for car manufacturers to specify one brand and that supplier to provide for the expected life of the car. what you must do is keep the speed and load rating as specified performance against aquaplaning , 8mm new tread, compared to 1.6mm for winter use, fit a proper snow tyre

[Whiteboy]

Bob is it not time for you to change the wheels? If not i would stick with the re40's Steve

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

I have re070 on the back and 1.5 year old re040 up front, I find it perfect for me how ever I have a slow na. When I change tyres next I'm sticking with same

[turbobob]

Bob is it not time for you to change the wheels? If not i would stick with the re40's

Steve

Nope. Because of the colour, I want to keep it standard looking, which means standard wheels I'm afraid.

Mmm, I'm seeing more for standards all round than RE070 at the rear ....

[G-Bob]

tbh I would just stick some Kumho KU39 rears on which supercedes the KU31 , pricewise around £70

go for the XL version, KUMHO KU39 ECSTA LE SPORT KUMHO KU 39 - 225/45R17 94Y XL TL

What and Bridgies on the front???

Mine has kumho ku31's on the rear and Yokohama s-drive's 195/45/17's on the front.
The yokos are soooooooooo grippy on the front that it's upset the balance of the car and the back gives way a lot quicker. I didn't see this issue when I had kumho's on the front too and just lived with it.
I'm going to slap some yoko's on the back too in the new year. Very happy with them.

When the bridgies get down to about 3mm they get lairy as feck but are fine up to that point.

[Graeme Lambert]

Bob is it not time for you to change the wheels? If not i would stick with the re40's

Steve

Nope. Because of the colour, I want to keep it standard looking, which means standard wheels I'm afraid.

Mmm, I'm seeing more for standards all round than RE070 at the rear ....

Eh?
Because its Switch, you want to keep the standard wheels - beacuse of the car's colour?
Surely any other Silver wheels will have the same effect?

If its a case of resale, well that's simple - keep a spare set of silver turbo wheels and stick them back on when you sell the car.

While i'm here, take it 195 section is the widest you can get on the standard fronts, and the rear wheels are too wide to use on the front in terms of rubbing etc?

G

[mbes2]

I run RE070's on the back, but have set my shock setting to help out the softer rubber.... Stds 40's on the front. I span with my old RE70's while running just 3mm, so wont do that again... Ive now done a few good track days and road runs, I find these very grippy