Tyre Recommendations

[TANGO7]

I’m sure there has been much discussion regarding this, but I cannot get any past threads via the Search Function.

Anyway, I am looking for any recommendations for tyres for a live axle, 4speed crossflow. The car is mainly used for touring and local runs, no track use. I’m looking for an “all round” (no pun intended) tyre which will perform well in both the wet and dry, as such ultimate grip is not the main concern, just a general good performance. Tyres are 13”/14” dia x6”.

[chrisr1718]

I run Uniroyal Rainexpert on 14". A good tyre in both the wet and dry  

And reasonably priced as well so won't break the bank. 

 

[rgrigsby]

The Yokohama 021r is still a good all round tyre, great in the wet, I'm sure there must be something newer than this though.

Is the Uniroyal suitable for light weight cars?

 

[chrisr1718]

"suitable for light weight cars?"

All I can say is that I find that they work very well in all conditions and I know several other 7 owners that also run them.

[TANGO7]

Thanks. I've heard positive things about the Rainexpert. Does anyone have any experience/comment on the Rainsport?

[chrisr1718]

From what I've heard, Rainsport are for the larger high end sports cars and suv's. Also I don't think they're available in 13"/14" sizes.

[rgrigsby]

Looks like there is a 185/70R13 Rainexpert tyre available, the load index is similar to the 021r so they may be OK for Caterham's

https://www.uniroyal.co.uk/car/tyres/rainexpert-3

Not tried these but certainly had good experiences with the 021r's in the past, FWIW they also work quite well in deep snow :) certainly better than CR500's as I discovered to my cost on a mountain pass in Cortina many years ago.

[Jonathan Kay]

I’m sure there has been much discussion regarding this, but I cannot get any past threads via the Search Function.

If you post the questions/ search terms here in English I'll run the searches. (Or try the second link in my Signature below.)

The Yokohama 021r is still a good all round tyre, great in the wet, I'm sure there must be something newer than this though.

"A021R to be discontinued!"

Jonathan

[StevehS3]

I have a set of RainSports on a K series with 14" wheels. They have no where near the dry grip of a tyre like ZZS but always feel predictable and are v good in the wet. I have never felt the streering go light even in heavy rain. The side walls feel soft so they need a bit more pressure. They provide a very supple ride on my car making them a good choice for all weather touring, accepting the limitations of dry grip.

[rgrigsby]

Strangely the 021r is still listed on the Yokohama site as a current tyre, it could be they just haven't updated it but they also seem to be available for sale on several tyres websites.

[Jonathan Kay]

https://www.yokohama.co.uk/Tyres/Motorsports-Tyres/Track-Sport-Tyres/ADVAN-A021R

Is that because it's under Motorsports, rather than for use on public roads?

Jonathan

[opplock]

As reported in many previous threads the 021R hasn't been E marked for a few years now due (if my memory serves me well) to changes in EU law. Idiotic in my opinion as they're a fantastic tyre but it is no longer legal to sell them for road use. You could try using non E marked 021Rs but likely to get grief at MOT time and invalidate your insurance to boot. 

I'll have to replace mine before long. Uniroyals and Toyo 888Rs seem to be the favoured tyres in 14". 

[JonT]

I'm not a great fan of the Uniroyals. They work very well in the wet, cope well in cold conditions, but are very squeally and ultimate levels of grip pretty low, and they're particularly unhappy in hot/dry weather.

My favourite by far are Continental Premium contacts (available in 185/60/14s), and the current set of Dunlop BluResponse (same size) aren't too far behind. 

[opplock]

I've not heard of the Continental Premium Contact before. I've just looked at Continental UK website which only offered one tyre in 185/60/14 - All Season Contact which looks like a winter tyre. 

The comments on here about Uniroyals remind me of hotel reviews on Tripadvisor. People seem either to love them or hate them.  

[chrisr1718]

They do list the EcoContact 6 in 185/60/14 here

Thats a summer tyre.

[chrisr1718]

Interesting scores between the Uniroyal RainExpert and the Continental EcoContact

[eric]

Hello

I use Nankang NS2R  Very Good in dry and wet  . Avalaible in 13" and 14"  .  

I have them  185/60/13

[eric]

Hello

I use Nankang NS2R  Very Good in dry and wet  . Avalaible in 13" and 14"  .  

I have them  185/60/13

[StevehS3]

I have a second set of wheels with Rainsports and I must say that JonT sums them up rather well. Having said that I would buy them again as a second set as I've had some great fun with them and they do seem predictable rather than suddenly breaking-away. I wouldn't want them as my only set though as the level of grip is nothing like such as ZZS.

[Brightonuk]

With a limited selection in the US and the Toyos being a rather expense (but Good) option what is the smallest width tire I can mount on 13" SLR rims?

I am running 185/60/13s and 205/60/13s now and my only choice at this size is the Toyos

I can get different brands for each size but obviously would prefer to have the same all round

 

[eric]

I am surprised by Nankang NS2R very good for dry and wet condition, good comfort too and not noisy or tramlining .

[JonT]

Rats, it does look like Conti have now discontinued the premium contact in 14s :(

In which case I'd suggest the Dunlop Sport BluResponse (which I've currently got on my 14s as they were much cheaper than the Contis last time) aren't a bad second. The tread pattern is very similar to the Contis and overall fairly similar I just don't think they quite offer the same ultimate levels of grip. Next time round I'll be keeping these as my "daily" tyres and replacing the RainExperts with NS2Rs that others have suggested above.

[StevehS3]

In 14" size the NS2R is an Extra Load XL tyre, designed for heavy vehicles. Is that OK in a 7

[Viblue7]

I have asked this before - as I understand it

"When an XL tyre is run at the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, it will last longer. These tyres are considered to have greater grip and better traction. Because they are more rigid, they will corner better and maintain stability. They also transmit power from the engine to the road more quickly, which may be an important feature in performance cars. In addition, XL tyres can provide better resistance to the extra load from acceleration and braking, and the centrifugal force from cornering. On the other hand, these tyres are usually slightly noisier than standard load tyres."

They do tend to be used on SUV's and performance cars - cars that are heavier and/or put significant loads on the tyre when driven hard. Judging by the mainly positive comments on here they seem ok on a 7

[admaraujo]

I personally think the Nankang NS2R are appalling in the Seven... Too a crashy ride on every road except smooth track-like surfaces, and I experienced tramlining more than most, apparently. I also think the sidewalls are too stiff for the Seven. I remember mine lasted less than the 6000km I was hoping for.

At the moment I am using Yoko A539, which I find great for the Seven, giving it is a "normal" tyre.