16" tyre choice

[Mikey637]

Hey guys, need a set of new tyres on my rev 5, I've got advan sa3r's in 16x7/8. Thinking the khumo 39's on the front (got them on all 4 corners at the moment on my 17's and they're fantastic) but what about rear? I was thinking AD08's but as it's my daily I'm thinking they may wear fast.

[Marf]

1) don't mix tyres if you can help it
2) I didnt find the wear rate on the AD08 to be too bad, esp when you factor in how fricking great they are in all weathers/temperatures.

Fit a set front and rear and you won't look back

205/50/16 and 225/45/16

I had AD08 in these sizes on my Enkei 16x7/8 and they were great.

[Nic]

I'm using these for the last year or so on my daily driver, they work well in all conditions and seem hard wearing.
205/45/R16 Toyo Proxes T1R
225/45/R16 Toyo Proxes T1R

[thomp1983]

i run the same wheels with 205/50 fronts and 225/45 rears kumho ku31's on a v6'd mr2 and there quite good

[Mikey637]

Why shouldn't I mix tyres between front and rear? I thought it only mattered on the same axle?

I looked at the ku31's but my dad had them on his insignia sri and said it made the car wallow and drive boat-like.

I do like the Ad08's and where I know good tyres cost money I can't help but feel they're a bit much for a daily.

And finally, the T1R's don't seem to review so well and both grip and economy rating seem to be very poor.

[Marf]

I find having four matched tyres gives more predictable handling, you don't need to think about two different sets of characteristics when chucking the car around.

I do like the Ad08's and where I know good tyres cost money I can't help but feel they're a bit much for a daily.

Well I take your point, but Toyota did put the AD08 of its day on the Turbo from the factory.

The A022.



I had some for a while. Amazing dry grip, not great in the wet. They've certainly sorted out the wet weather ability nowadays

[craig]

I find having four matched tyres gives more predictable handling, you don't need to think about two different sets of characteristics when chucking the car around.

My 300ZX wheels have Kumho Ecsta KH11s 225/50/16 with 6mm tread on them, need some front 205/50/16s, but can't get them in that size so mismatched it is. Rears wear out faster than the fronts anyhow so will match when it comes to it.

I thought it was mismatched ok front and rear, but obviously not mixed on axle. Does it really make a noticeable difference?

[Marf]

T1r up front and yoko s306 on the rear(this is the setup the car came with) the rear was loose compared to the front

T1R up front and a022 rear, the front had way less grip than the rear, understeer would wash in pretty easily, or I suppose more accurately the rear would push the front wide.

When I first got my charade I just burnt through second hand tyres, never having the same front to back.

I'm sure the differences I experienced may not be so noticable when using other mixed sets, but on both the Charade and the MR2 when I finally fitted a matched set front to back the car just felt better, more predictable, more balanced.

[dazzz]

I think you just have to use common sense.

As marf says, 10 year old Nankings on the rear and new AD08s on the front, you're gonna have a bad time.

people change from 195 to 205 all the time. this should give far more of an impact than having similar spec'd tyres front and rear. Alloys size also probably makes a massive difference.

Play with it over the years and see what works for you. I'd be interested to find out how them 50 profile tyres feel on your car Craig. I've 45s, I found these to be comfy so never experimented. I wonder how 45s on the rear and 50s on the front would behave.

[craig]

I'd be interested to find out how them 50 profile tyres feel on your car Craig. I've 45s, I found these to be comfy so never experimented. I wonder how 45s on the rear and 50s on the front would behave.

I'll report back when they're fitted mate. As for 50s on the front, and 45s on the rear, I believe that's what Marf was running, so he'll be able to let you know:

205/50/16 and 225/45/16

I had AD08 in these sizes on my Enkei 16x7/8 and they were great.

After a bit of digging, Kumho Ecsta KH31s are the replacement for the KH11:

http://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/brands/kumho/kh31

and they're available in 205/50/16 so will go with those on the front. As close as I'm going to get to matched.

[Marf]

I'd be interested to find out how them 50 profile tyres feel on your car Craig. I've 45s, I found these to be comfy so never experimented. I wonder how 45s on the rear and 50s on the front would behave.

I'll report back when they're fitted mate. As for 50s on the front, and 45s on the rear, I believe that's what Marf was running, so he'll be able to let you know:

I can't give a back to back comparison with running a 45 up front, but I found no problems running 45/50. Felt like a good setup, and the rolling radius was as close as I could make it front to rear.

Definitely a good balance between comfort and handling.

205/50/16 and 225/45/16

I had AD08 in these sizes on my Enkei 16x7/8 and they were great.

After a bit of digging, Kumho Ecsta KH31s are the replacement for the KH11:

http://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/brands/kumho/kh31

and they're available in 205/50/16 so will go with those on the front. As close as I'm going to get to matched.

Sounds like a plan

[Mullen]

I took Marf's advice and went with 205/50/16 & 225/45/16 as well.
Full set of Toyo Proxes from Demon Tweeks was £272.42 delivered.

[JD]

45 up front and feel every bump

[Mikey637]

I took Marf's advice and went with 205/50/16 & 225/45/16 as well.
Full set of Toyo Proxes from Demon Tweeks was £272.42 delivered.

Are they really that good? The tyre ratings on them are terrible

[Mullen]

I took Marf's advice and went with 205/50/16 & 225/45/16 as well.
Full set of Toyo Proxes from Demon Tweeks was £272.42 delivered.

Are they really that good? The tyre ratings on them are terrible

I thought that too but judging by reviews they seem to be a Marmite tyre.
Some people love them some slate them.
Thought I'd give them a go for the price.
Money no object I'd have gone for the Yoko's but £500+ a set for general road use felt excessive.

[danjama]

205/50 and 225/45 is very nice

[Mikey637]

Haven't had time to change my space saver after one of the tyres in my 16's came off whilst driving and spun the car 180 doing less than 10mph on a roundabout, I normally take it at 20-25 easy so I've decided my 17's are going on again and I'm gunna refurb my Advans before getting decent tyres

[Race Idiot]

I'd be interested to find out how them 50 profile tyres feel on your car Craig. I've 45s, I found these to be comfy so never experimented. I wonder how 45s on the rear and 50s on the front would behave.

I've used 50 profiles on 16s for ages. I did go for a set of 45 profile contis, the ride was worse and the car seemed to tramline more.

The only bad things about using a 50 profile tyre are you cant keep the stock rolling radius (by a small amount mind you) and the rears might rub if the car is lowered without rolled arches.

Although this may vary depending on the offset/width of your wheels. If you have rolled arches 235/50/16 fits just fine!