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Can I do much better than Toyo T1-R?
James - 22/4/14 at 11:59 PM

Sorry, I know tyres is the recurring subject on here!

Car currently has a mixture of crap tyres that came with the donor!

Been given some nice looking 15" wheels so finally getting some tyres to go with them.

I know very little about the subject but from my small budget can I do much better than Toyo T1-R?

Let's face it, this is no track car so I don't need anything too clever. I use it for Sunday blats, long trips and sometimes to commute- in all weathers

Current tyres are 195/65 R14 or 195/60 R14. The closest common T1-R is 195/50 R15 although I think a 195/50 R15 is available but the prices are a lot more.

I now see the reviews aren't giving that great for wet weather.

Thoughts?

Thanks!
James

Texan - 23/4/14 at 01:04 AM

I've been running the Dunlop Direzza Star Specs II and I love them in all kinds of weather. Good wear factor and tends to be just about the fastest street tire around and is fairly reasonably priced.

Very progressive breakaway.

dave - 23/4/14 at 04:43 AM

I have been advised to get Toyo R-1R a bit most expensive but better in the wet.

ali f27 - 23/4/14 at 06:09 AM

Have a look at yokohama prada

cliftyhanger - 23/4/14 at 06:20 AM

Where are those almost new Michelin's? They would be rather good as a budget choice...

DavidW - 23/4/14 at 06:37 AM

The R-1R will be much better than the T1-R if you can manage it.

jossey - 23/4/14 at 07:14 AM

As above r 1r

[Edited on 23/4/14 by jossey]

CosKev3 - 23/4/14 at 07:40 AM

Never used them myself, but going on feedback from people with them fitted to tin tops they are a good budget tyre,with a fancy tread pattern

loggyboy - 23/4/14 at 08:04 AM

Not sure what they are like for lightweight cars, but I prefer Rainsports as a 'good budget' option. Very good in wet, even on track. Will grain badly on dry or drying track when usedbin anger.

Norfolkluegojnr - 23/4/14 at 08:34 AM

T1-R was deadly on a wet Hethel test track. Reasonable in the dry - This was in a zetec engined locost.

Parada Spec 2, R1-R, or Rainsports would be where my money went.

HowardB - 23/4/14 at 09:01 AM

AO-48r on mine,... seem good too

benchmark51 - 23/4/14 at 09:17 AM

Before you splash out on new tyres, get your steering and suspension properly set up.
The best tyres in the world won't compensate for poor set up.
Everyone will have an opinion on what tyres are best, most are right but for their partcular set up and not yours.
Just a chat with the experts can save you loads of money and hassle.

davidimurray - 23/4/14 at 09:33 AM

I am running T1Rs on my car. Only done 450miles since xmas eve but have been out in cold/wet/warm and have had no issues at all. Goes round corners like its on rails. Think I paid £80 for 4 delivered and then got local tyre place to fit.

Matt21 - 23/4/14 at 10:33 AM

dont touch the yoko paradas.... theyre average at best in the dry, stick a little bit of water down and theyre utter crap!

i have used T1R's and rainsport 2s, not on my kit, but on a lightweight hatch

the rainsports are awesome, great dry drip and when its wet, youll still drive like its dry!

the T1Rs are good too, but not as good in the wet, though never had an major issues

have a look on camskill, they seem to be cheap

look at 195/50/15 and 195/55/15 i cant remember which but one size is considerably cheaper than the other for some tyres

daveb666 - 23/4/14 at 10:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by davidimurray
I am running T1Rs on my car. Only done 450miles since xmas eve but have been out in cold/wet/warm and have had no issues at all. Goes round corners like its on rails. Think I paid £80 for 4 delivered and then got local tyre place to fit.


Amazingly cheap. Where from please? The usually retail is £50 a corner.

davidimurray - 23/4/14 at 10:48 AM

quote:
Originally posted by daveb666
quote:
Originally posted by davidimurray
I am running T1Rs on my car. Only done 450miles since xmas eve but have been out in cold/wet/warm and have had no issues at all. Goes round corners like its on rails. Think I paid £80 for 4 delivered and then got local tyre place to fit.


Amazingly cheap. Where from please? The usually retail is £50 a corner.


I got mine last year, I did try Camskills at first but they said they were not buying any more Toyo's as the prices had shot up. I then found EARS-Motorsport on ebay - guess I probably got tyres from stock at the odler prices. They are selling T1Rs currently at £144 for a set of 4 - 195/50 15 TOYO T1R 82V 1955015 4 NEW PERFORMANCE CAR TYRES

James - 23/4/14 at 11:29 AM

Looks like R1-r may be the ones to go with as better in the wet!



quote:
Originally posted by benchmark51
Before you splash out on new tyres, get your steering and suspension properly set up.
The best tyres in the world won't compensate for poor set up.
Everyone will have an opinion on what tyres are best, most are right but for their partcular set up and not yours.
Just a chat with the experts can save you loads of money and hassle.



Good call. I was planning to book it in for a 4-wheel alignment at a place I might be asking to fit the tyres.
I don't know of a 'specialist' place around here, and trying to get the car on the road in the next 7 days!

Cheers,
James

benchmark51 - 23/4/14 at 12:20 PM

I use these, based near Castle Coombe. Might be worth a phone call, or may know
someone closer to you


http://www.trackdevelopments.co.uk/

Matt21 - 23/4/14 at 03:22 PM

i cant believe the price of the t1r now!

exactly the same tyre as 3years ago yet £20 more?!

I was paying sub £30 each for 195/50/15s

James - 23/4/14 at 05:39 PM

I've seen 4x T1-R for £140

Blimey! 4x R1-R are about £300 delivered. Are they *that* much better?

I want something better that T1-R for the wet, but then I wont be racing in the wet so maybe it doesn't matter?

Hmmmm.

coyoteboy - 23/4/14 at 06:00 PM

quote:

the rainsports are awesome, great dry drip and when its wet, youll still drive like its dry!


Agreed, rainsports on all my cars and never struggle for grip.

James - 24/4/14 at 05:43 PM

Well, I just spent £300!

Went with the R1-R in 195/50 in the end.

Fingers crossed I made the correct decision!

Cheers,
James

Xtreme Kermit - 24/4/14 at 07:42 PM

You won't be sorry.

R1Rs rule. I have Parada Spec 2 on the back at the moment and the sidewalks are soft compared to the R1Rs, and the cold/damp grip of the spec 2s is just not as good.

Enjoy!