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  1. #1
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    195/45/15 Tyre choice

    hi all,

    I've just bought a new set of 15*7" wheels for my Gtt with ET35 offset.

    I really would like a set of R888s but as they don't come in 45 profile I'm on the look out for something else.

    Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent set of tires.

    thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Shifter of old Freezers djinuk's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    on the 205 boards the eagle f1s are highly rated, expensive tyres though. myself ive always had odds and sods, nankang, continentals yokos etc

  3. #3
    Non-member jure's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Conti SportContact2 and Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 if you're aiming for the "street" tires. I had both and have only words of praise

  4. #4
    Committee, Shop Manager, SE Regional Rep Bigfoot's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Cant go wrong with toyo T1r's

  5. #5
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    thanks for the suggestions guys

    I've been consindering the T1Rs as I've had T1S' in the past and they weren't too bad


    keep 'em coming lads

  6. #6
    Non-member jure's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    I have to disagree with djinuk and Bigfoot. I had F1 GSD3 and Toyo T1S both very "fresh", only two-three weeks old and both were total disaster on my GTT. Simply, I think that V shaped rubber on powerful and light FWD car isn't good combination. Don't know about your roads guys but at my place these two types of tires are

    I tried various setups from 1.4 bar to 2.2 bars front/rear and car was still going right-left across whole lane under heavy acceleration. Braking was fair and cornering was pretty good but only after good warm-up lap across the town. Don't know about life time of 'em since I replaced both after not more than 2000 km.

    My suggestion is to narrow your choice to asymmetric type of tire.


    p.s. Potenza RE720 was great tire

  7. #7
    Regional Rep Chris Hebden's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    With the rain over here i cant fault the Yoko Sdrives! The Yoko A539 are good tyres as well specially in the warm weather that you guys get but they are soft and wear quickly!

  8. #8
    Non-member Coops's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    used gds3's, t1-s , parada spec 2 and r888 on my clio turbo, all in 195/50 15 profile and of the lot the spec 2's are the best all rounders, but for outright grip in the dry the r888 are far superior to anything i've ever used. never had issues with them pulling over the road under heavy acceleration etc, no more than more traditional tread patterened tyres i've used, thats with 254bhp and 230lb/ft @15psi, so fair but of grunt through front wheels,lol!all of them wear pretty quick tho!

    45 profile is too low pro imo, ride quality suffers massively in my experience and they also look ****, not a fan of rubber band on the wheels, need a bit of tyre wall on show

  9. #9
    Non-member Brigsy's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    50 profile is too big for a gtt imo, especially on a lowered car. Too much hassle with arch mods.

    Toyo's get my vote. T1r were good on the gtt, currently got toyo 4rf on the van seem pretty good, cheap too.

  10. #10
    Committee, Treasurer, Memberships admin Ian S's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Marangoni. I forget the name of the version.

    A search on here might reveal it.

    p.s. Potenza RE720 was great tire
    Russell Thorpe was a fan of these until he change to the Marangoni.

    BWilkie (Puppy boy on old the site) got a set and rates them very well in all ways. His 5 is also in the 240+ bhp area.

  11. #11
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Coops View Post
    45 profile is too low pro imo, ride quality suffers massively in my experience and they also look ****, not a fan of rubber band on the wheels, need a bit of tyre wall on show
    what? so you can paint 'em white?

  12. #12
    Non-member Coops's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    yank tank homage for the win

    spose 5 arches were only ever designed to take 13's werent they? so 15's and a slam would cause a few issues i guess lol, am just not a fan of the look of 45 profile tyres, but needs must

  13. #13
    Non-member BriC's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Coops View Post
    yank tank homage for the win

    spose 5 arches were only ever designed to take 13's werent they? so 15's and a slam would cause a few issues i guess lol, am just not a fan of the look of 45 profile tyres, but needs must
    The rolling radius of 195/45/15 is pretty much dot on the same as standard speedlines with their big fat tyres.

  14. #14
    Non-member Mudslinger's Avatar
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  15. #15
    Committee, Shop Manager, SE Regional Rep Bigfoot's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.p...d=m4b0s92p7556

    Depends on what that eBay person charges on carriage, £20 or £40

  16. #16
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Back on the Bridgestone Potenza RE720. Scrap the Marangoni's the side walls are too soft.

  17. #17
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    I have used Marangoni in the past with very dissappointing results

  18. #18
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    here is a sneak peak of the wheels btw
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  19. #19
    East Midlands Regional Rep Os8472's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    I use T1-R's as my road tyre and there bloody great, nearly as good in the wet as they are in the dry.

    Interesting that u say u can't get 45 profile R888's, I'm sure there was some when I bought my 50 profile R888's, I'll dig out the web address and take alook for ya.

  20. #20
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Os8472 View Post
    I use T1-R's as my road tyre and there bloody great, nearly as good in the wet as they are in the dry.

    Interesting that u say u can't get 45 profile R888's, I'm sure there was some when I bought my 50 profile R888's, I'll dig out the web address and take alook for ya.

    that would be awesome mate

    I had a look on Toyo's global website and it isn't listed there tho

  21. #21
    Non-member jure's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    AFAIK there is only 50 profile for R888. On some markets including Croatia just 55.

  22. #22
    East Midlands Regional Rep Os8472's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Sorry dude, must have been mistaken, only in 50 profile, besides when you buy slicks even semi slicks you want a fairly tall side wall so it can flex alittle during hard launches and take some of the stress off the transmission, at least thats what I was told anyway

  23. #23
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Os8472 View Post
    Sorry dude, must have been mistaken, only in 50 profile, besides when you buy slicks even semi slicks you want a fairly tall side wall so it can flex alittle during hard launches and take some of the stress off the transmission, at least thats what I was told anyway

    yeah I know mate I'm running 205/55R16 R888's on the 11 but when it comes to Gtt unfortunately 45 profile is a must

  24. #24
    Non-member rs250nut's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Hebden View Post
    With the rain over here i cant fault the Yoko Sdrives! The Yoko A539 are good tyres as well specially in the warm weather that you guys get but they are soft and wear quickly!
    A539's ftw, had these on my old five worked a treat in the wet as well as dry

  25. #25
    East Midlands Regional Rep Os8472's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by i l k e r View Post
    yeah I know mate I'm running 205/55R16 R888's on the 11 but when it comes to Gtt unfortunately 45 profile is a must
    Really, I've got a pair 50 profile R888s for track use and odd warm dry day and I've had no clearance issues, maybe cus I've only lowered the front 40mm, how much have your dropped yours?

  26. #26
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Os8472 View Post
    Really, I've got a pair 50 profile R888s for track use and odd warm dry day and I've had no clearance issues, maybe cus I've only lowered the front 40mm, how much have your dropped yours?

    lowered the front 50mm and matched the rear.

  27. #27
    East Midlands Regional Rep Os8472's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by i l k e r View Post
    lowered the front 50mm and matched the rear.
    That extra 10mm must make all the difference, mine clears no problem even at full lock and throttle

  28. #28
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Os8472 View Post
    That extra 10mm must make all the difference, mine clears no problem even at full lock and throttle

    although I haven't tried them yet I'm not concerned about the front but I assume there will some rubbing at the rear

    I might as well get a second hand 50 profile tyre streched over and have a looksie

  29. #29
    East Midlands Regional Rep Os8472's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by i l k e r View Post
    although I haven't tried them yet I'm not concerned about the front but I assume there will some rubbing at the rear
    If you've only dropped the arse 50mm I wouldn't worry, mine is dropped 75mm with no probs, then again I don't have any back seats for people to sit in

  30. #30
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Os8472 View Post
    If you've only dropped the arse 50mm I wouldn't worry, mine is dropped 75mm with no probs, then again I don't have any back seats for people to sit in

    that's good news thanks mate

    my back seats are only there for the MOT anyway

  31. #31
    East Midlands Regional Rep Os8472's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by i l k e r View Post
    that's good news thanks mate

    my back seats are only there for the MOT anyway
    Are you using standard rear dampers or some stiffer ones?

  32. #32
    Non-member Penfold aka The Dealer's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    I used Toyo's R on all my 5's cant fault them,

    But my white 5 has Yoko's A539's and tbh there pretty good but will go back to Toyo's once they need replacing.

  33. #33
    Non-member Andrew Cooke's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by RussellT View Post
    Back on the Bridgestone Potenza RE720. Scrap the Marangoni's the side walls are too soft.
    how about Bridgestone front, Marangoni rear?

  34. #34
    Non-member newbstar*'s Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    falken good allround weather tyre.yokos not good in the wet.

  35. #35
    Non-member renault5gtboi's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    my brother does trackdays with his mazda rx7 i recomend r888 50 profile as omg when them beasts are warm runnig his rx at 380hp rwd thay just dont wanna spin still there the unlimate tracktire but dont last long i use tr1 proxies on my renault 5 gt thair awsome stik to the tr1 or r888 thair the best in my book

  36. #36
    Non-member Penfold aka The Dealer's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    QRanualt5gtboi
    What compound was he using? Soft compounds are more for hill sprints... ie: short distance's.... and a crap on a full day track day.... Medium are better but still wont last to long out on track.... but are great tyres.!

  37. #37
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Cooke View Post
    how about Bridgestone front, Marangoni rear?

    good call Mr. Cooke,

    it's not going to be the first time for me to run different tires front and back anyway

    I might even squeeze some R888's front and run someting else at the back

  38. #38
    Committee, Treasurer, Memberships admin Ian S's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Brad said of the Marangoni he has "I love them and...for the money, can you compare the potenza?"

  39. #39
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Ian S View Post
    Brad said of the Marangoni he has "I love them and...for the money, can you compare the potenza?"

    I'd be more concerned about spinning out of a corner and parking it into a tree than the cost of the tires

    as I said I've used Marangoni in the past and they were crap, I don't know about these new models though they may have improved.

  40. #40
    Non-member Harrison01's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Falken ze512's

    good tyre and good price. i get them from www.camskill.com then get a friend to put them on the rims for me..

  41. #41
    Committee, Treasurer, Memberships admin Ian S's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    There's the thing, you have to compare like with like. Brads new models might be utterly better in all ways.

    Compare the Yoko A539 and AVS. Both Yokos for similar money but far from the same performance.

    They problem with tyres is that few of us really compare many ourselves. Unless we do a high mileage or knacker them on tracks, we have the same set for years.

    Unless one can borrow some on identical wheels and bolt them on for a while.

    A pal had some T1S on his 15" 7j wheels then bought a set of same sized wheels with a pair of A539 and a pair of AVS. He thought the A539 were not all that good, the T1S OK, but the AVS were way better.

    I drove another pals car with same sized wheels and same suspension as mine but new AVS, was very different to my car with A539 or the A520 they just replaced. Or the Avon ZV1 I subsequently tried from some spare wheels I bought.

    Alas, Yoko appear to now not make the AVS or an equivalent.

    Brad felt his new tryes were a lot better that the ones they replaced, I forget what they were, just cheapish ones.

    But the Marangoni are low cost too. If money is not a factor then there is more choice.

    I had some Yoko A032r 185 /60 13 for a while. I only used them in the dry, I was impressed with the way they stopped wheelspin and gripped while turning very hard into low speed tight corners and bends. If R888 are like those, then I'd go for those. People say they're OK in the wet. Maybe run the rear a few mm higher if there's rubbing.

  42. #42
    Non-member Mudslinger's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    what would be the effects of running 50's on the front and 45's on the back if there was any ?

  43. #43
    Non-member renault5gtboi's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Penfold View Post
    QRanualt5gtboi
    What compound was he using? Soft compounds are more for hill sprints... ie: short distance's.... and a crap on a full day track day.... Medium are better but still wont last to long out on track.... but are great tyres.!
    think they were full blown softs mate awsome tyre wear fast but pull 100's of geeeees threw the corner and dont put u in the hedge

  44. #44
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Mudslinger View Post
    what would be the effects of running 50's on the front and 45's on the back if there was any ?

    I can't see it being too much of a problem on a road car tbh.

  45. #45
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    Quote Originally Posted by Ian S View Post
    There's the thing, you have to compare like with like. Brads new models might be utterly better in all ways.

    Compare the Yoko A539 and AVS. Both Yokos for similar money but far from the same performance.

    They problem with tyres is that few of us really compare many ourselves. Unless we do a high mileage or knacker them on tracks, we have the same set for years.

    Unless one can borrow some on identical wheels and bolt them on for a while.

    A pal had some T1S on his 15" 7j wheels then bought a set of same sized wheels with a pair of A539 and a pair of AVS. He thought the A539 were not all that good, the T1S OK, but the AVS were way better.

    I drove another pals car with same sized wheels and same suspension as mine but new AVS, was very different to my car with A539 or the A520 they just replaced. Or the Avon ZV1 I subsequently tried from some spare wheels I bought.

    Alas, Yoko appear to now not make the AVS or an equivalent.

    Brad felt his new tryes were a lot better that the ones they replaced, I forget what they were, just cheapish ones.

    But the Marangoni are low cost too. If money is not a factor then there is more choice.

    I had some Yoko A032r 185 /60 13 for a while. I only used them in the dry, I was impressed with the way they stopped wheelspin and gripped while turning very hard into low speed tight corners and bends. If R888 are like those, then I'd go for those. People say they're OK in the wet. Maybe run the rear a few mm higher if there's rubbing.

    I see what you mean Ian but I really wouldn't let money get in the way about tyre choices, too risky if you ask me

  46. #46
    Member Woznaldo's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    I'm going to try some Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE001 tyres. Hearing lots of good stuff about them in Oz.

    Just checked the Bridgestone site and they only come in 195/50/15. No 45 profile for 15s.

  47. #47
    Non-member i l k e r's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    just got my wheels back from the paint shop, they look nice

    and a set of 195 45 T1R's been put on order
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  48. #48
    Non-member Andrew Cooke's Avatar
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    Re: 195/45/15 Tyre choice

    anyone know a good source for the RE720s?

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