Hettric Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Just purchased 1998 Sprint with 1800 miles. Tire size 205/45/16 (I believe). Tire date stamp 1/1997 - think I'm in the market for tires! Street use, doubt enough miles to worry much about wear rating, but don't want tires I have to worry about cracking in the cold garage, or "pick up stones" sticky. There are Michelin's on it, must be stock. Recomendations? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1Steve Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Hettric, Please go to the Wheel and Tire section, alot of good comments on the subject. Good Luck with the new 7.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hettric Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 (edited) Thank you, Sorry guess this question is in the wrong place. Edited August 22, 2012 by Hettric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Eric - A local friend with a 92 Caterham just went through the same search. I told him to get the lowest tread wear tire that he could afford and I think he ended up with the Toyo R1R. Treadwear rating was 140 and I think it was also one of the lightest tires in that size. Here's a Tire Rack search for that size: [/url]http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=205%2F&ratio=45&diameter=16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 If money isn't too big a deal, strongly consider downsizing the rim diameter. Much lighter unsprung weight, and the smaller tire might have a chance to warm up to a decent operating temperature. Unless you have stupidly high levels of power, a 16" tire is pointless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 While I'm sure that Ian7 is correct as far as lighter unsprung weight and tire temperature, I often wish I had a larger diameter rim/tire combo ON THE STREET because of the clearance issue. I recommend you check what that does to your sump clearance before downsizing. Just a thought. Taber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 See the Aug Car & Driver. Comparison of 9 of the latest crop of high performance tires. I'm looking at the Hankook Ventus R-S3 and the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 for my Ultralite. Kibitzing about these welcome :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hettric Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Thanks guys - Wow! I feel I just stumbled into a fighter pilot's gathering. Having ridden in a Seven once and yet to drive, if there are reports of one seen driving around at 23 with the left blinker on-------- I think for this first set of tires I don't want "summer tires" that have to be stored above 15*, It drops below 0 here occasionally, don't want to be limited to a heated garage. And the sump is definitely a concern, don't have the car in my possession yet but it looked mighty close to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Terry Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Cr500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Yes, CR500 is a great tire, tho at $450 each, hardly affordable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboeric Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 I often wish I had a larger diameter rim/tire combo ON THE STREET because of the clearance issue. Taber Downsizing the wheel diameter won't necessarily change the ride height. If he goes from the 205/45x16 to a 205/50x15 (a very common size), the ride height will decrease by only 0.1 inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hettric Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 At the moment new rims are not in the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 At the moment new rims are not in the picture. Take a look at the Toyo T1R. Grippy, but not pick-up stone grippy. They also won't crack in colder temps like an R-compound etc. They are also the lightest tire for a Caterham save the CR500. I did a ton of research on this, and they are typically 2 pounds lighter than comparable tires. A lot of R-compound tires have a very stiff sidewall, because they are designed to be used on 3000 lb plus cars. This isn't always a good thing with a Seven. I used these for street and two track days. While my R-compound Avon's on the 13 wheels put my car in another league on the track, on the street they offer plenty of grins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackal Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 I've heard great things about the Toyo R888. I'll let you know how they feel in a month. :seeya: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 A good place to check on tire feedback for that size is the pelicanparts BBS. I use to own a Porsche 911 with 205/45/16 tires. You can be sure to get a massive amount of great info off of that site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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