i am going to change a set of 16" wheels, what tires should I go for? PZero / T1S / Pilot Sport, which one is the best tires for ITR? thank you

 

P Zero C are great tires but not the normal P Zero. MICHELIN Pilot Sports are better for euro cars? Haven't try that in real. I am using Toyo Proxes T1-S they're great on dry and wet. Very good traction.

Well for my own opinion u don't have to concern about the speed rate(i.e.ZR rated or not). Tires that got hi speed rated doesn't means they grip, IMO.

 

I wanted to get the Pilot Sports for my TE37's but they were too much money.
Like $220 a pop.

They're great tires and Michelin tires balance out very good.
Often perfect.

I think the Pilot Sports are replacement for the old MXX3's.
As many of you already know, the MXX3's are standard equipment on Vipers and M3's. Nice.

I have the T1-S's on my car right now and so far I am very satisfied with the performance. Both in rain and in the dry. And it looks pretty good also.
http://www.geocities.com/b18c5na/toyo.html

Does anyone know if the new S-03's come in 205 or 215/45/16's?
If they do then I would put the S-03's on top of my list for tires.

 

I have the PZero Assimetricos (in 225/45/16) and they are amazing tires. They have amazing dry grip.

Anybody that tells you that they are not suitable for the Type-R has not used them.

I have not used the other two tires so cannot comment on them. The PZeros are $139 a pop for the 225/45/16 at TireRack, which is not a bad price given their performance. Unfortunately they wear as quickly as the RE010s.


[Modified by norice, 10:50 PM 7/28/2001]

 

the best tire for the ITR are the Falken Azenis , period.

 

They are getting rave reviews.

 

I have had Toyo Proxes T1S's on my Type R, and two friends of mine currently have them on both of their Type Rs as well. I cannot comment on the Pilot Sports, as I have not owned them. I now have P Zeros and can say without a doubt that they are MUCH stickier than the T1S in both wet and dry conditions. It may seem a little hard to believe, given the age of P Zero technology and tread design, but it is more than true. Just ask someone who has owned both these tires. The friends who have T1Ss are now very disappointed with their tires when comparing them to the P Zeros (same sizes of course). They are quite an amazing buy given the low selling price.

Also, there is no discernable “magic” in treadware ratings. A tire that has a wear rating of 140 (P Zero) will be stickier than one with 280 (T1S). Try them and see… And we are not even getting into breakaway characteristics when driven at the limit – which are much better with the P Zeros.

This is my educated opinion based on my experience. I hope it helps you decide.

 

Umm as I know there are many types of PZero? Which kind are u using yamahayzf?

 

I have P Zeros on one set of rims and T1-S on another. I'll agree that the P Zero has a lot more dry grip, but in rain, NOTHING beats the T1-S. The P Zero has a very dense tread design which makes it totally stable in the dry and on the track, but I have had it hydroplane. You can practically drive through a lake on the T1-S and it won't hydroplane. The T1-S also has soft, squidgy sidewalls that reduce steering feel. Still, if it ever rains where you live, the T1-S is a decent compromise. The T1-S (because of those soft sidewalls) is also VERY predictable; it breaks away gradually. But now that I've had my R at the track a fair bit with the P Zeros, I find them plenty predictable as well, if not as much as the T1-S. If you are a good driver without much track experience, go with the T1-S. It offers a LOT of grip and is a good tire to learn the car on safely. If you want maximum dry grip, the P Zero is VERY tough to beat. That is what I am running now and I plan to get more in the future. If you want Toyos, I'll sell you a set les than half worn 225/40 16 for a good deal.

 

The standard P Zero is the Asimmetrico (yellow). The Direzionale (yellow) is for rear-drive cars. I don't think they make the Rosso (newer design, less grip, better ride, quieter) in any sizes for our car yet. I don't know anything about the R comp. P Zeros, but the ones stated above are the only ones for road use.

 

You cannot compare treadwear from two different companies. Each company has a "mule" tire that sets a standard of wear and all others models in that company are rated off that standard. So a 200 from one company could be different than a 200 from another. It will kinda give you an idea, but not a real accurate one.


[Modified by JohnnyBoy, 3:17 PM 7/29/2001]

 

"the best tire for the ITR are the Falken Azenis , period."

If you don't mind the road noise. See those Big squares of rubber sing. I tried them (not on my ITR) and I could hear them. With no sound deadening in the ITR, Just could be a pain in the ears on a long cruise. I know Pirelli cut the thread a certain way just to reduce road noise.
I've just got Yokohama A539's, only had them 3 weeks, I like 'em so far. Great in the dry and nearly as good in the wet, and I'll get more miles from them than the Pirelli P7000's that I wanted. (Not in Stock)

 

I agree with what MikeD said about the T1S in heavy rain situations. The P Zeros can hydroplane over deeper puddles where the T1S may not, but I find in places where the road is just wet (not big puddles of water), the P Zeros still have more traction. The T1S is better at channelling large amounts of water than the P Zeros, which is obvious from it’s tread design and large grooves. However, this does not offset – for me at least – the benefits of the P Zero’s superior grip.

As for the tread wear thing, I agree with the statement JohnnyBoy made about different manufacturers ratings, but they are closer than you think. Sure it is not a perfect guage or messurement method, but is does give you a very good idea of a tire’s ultimate grip in dry conditions. Just look at the wear rating on a DOT race tire. For example, the RE010s that come with our car have a 140 rating (same as P Zero Asimmetrico) and with my driving they both wore the same. The T1S had easily 50% left after the 010s were bald. This may be different for others, as I can only speak from my experience.

BTW – Mine are P Zero Asimmetrico, 205/45-16s…