Tyres for Sud Ti QV

[Bourney]

There seems (unsurprisingly) to be very limited choice for 185/60/14s for my Sud.

It is a weekend car (no track work) that does mountain drives and some cruising. I would prefer a "sporty" tyre for the corners and don't mind how soft they are as I do limited kms in it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for tyres that are currently available?

Thanks David


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[philpot]

https://www.jaxtyres.com.au/tyres/sizes/14-inch/185-60r14?limit=15

http://www.stuckey.com.au/Tyres/TyreSearch?Search=185/60R14

http://nankangtyres.com.au/tyre/ns-2r/

Hi Bourney,   the above pages I had readily at hand. Four months ago I purchased the new model Pirelli P6 Cinturato that was released in Tokyo in march about 8500km ago. Was tossing up between Dunlop FM800 and the P6.  Have run Potenza Re001s for many sets previous, no longer available in this size....   P6  rides better but, not as responsive or firm of sidewall as Re001. Pirelli is really more of a 'touring' tyre, it reminds me sometimes of the Continental CC5's that were on a work car, a tendency to be soft in the sidewall.  Dunlop FM800 with the benefit of hindsight probably more of a mid- performance tyre than the P6.  The P6 supercedes the P1 in many sizes, if so, the P1 must've been quite city/eco/mileage oriented in this size...

Next step up would be the Dunlop Direzza range ...  Don't have any personal experience of them, just what read when searching online.  MX-5 forum and the like that used the same size tyre originally is worth a search.  Good Luck !

Cheers, Phil

[amichie]

I have a set of Hankooks on mine. K426 I think is the number and they are great.

[philpot]

Hi Amichie,

Think these are what you're running? Which strangely don't list for 185/60 R14.

Sizes for 14" rims are either 175/60 R14 or 185/65 R14:

http://www.hankooktire.com/au/passenger-cars/hankook-optimo-h426.html

[amichie]

Yes. That's the one and mine are 185/60R14 but fitted over 3 years ago so maybe some size revisions.
Never had a bad experience with Hankooks.

[philpot]

Yes, tyre companies are always messing around with what you can get. Was always really happy with Bridgestone Potenza RE001 tyres, had bought many sets since they were released.  Were discontinued 'bout three years ago and not replaced with the RE002 or more recently the RE003.

Would still buy them it they were available, fresh, not NOS many years old sitting on the shelf.

Went for the 'New' Pirelli Cinturato P6 but they are not a patch on the responsivness and grip  (when new of course) of the Potenzas.  Do ride better than old, worn down RE001's if I'm looking for a positive. And I'm sure they're very 'eco' and will last a long time ...

Dunlop SP Sport FM800 I reckon would've been the higher performance tyre when I was deciding between the two, but I went for the 'newer design is better' choice!

[Bourney]

Thanks Phil and Amichie, looks like Hancooks or Dunlops are the way to go.


Great to see there are some good choices around for an "old" tyre size and to get feedback on how they work in real life on a Sud.

Regards David



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[Sportscar Nut]

David, my Sud currently has Dunlop Motorsport Direzza Z2's but have probably 'over tyred' the car as eliminated under steer no matter how hard it corners! They are the best road tyres I have ever had on the Sud but will only last maybe 5 years before hardening and then are only good for the bin! Always ran Pirelli P6/ 600/ 6000's previously.

Would go back to Pirelli P6's if they were identical to the original OEM tyre for that 'original' look.

Cheers
Paul

[Bourney]

Hi Paul, good to know and more than happy with 5 years tyre life.
Regards David


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[philpot]

Hi Paul,

Dont think the P6 CInturato is what it once was:   

Superceded P6:      Treadwear    260   Traction   AA   Temp   A

'New' Cinturato P6                       420                   A                 A

Potenza RE001                            220                  AA               A

I have both models at the moment on my 16V's and the near nine years old, but very little use P6,  has better grip and handling than the new version, fresh from the factory.

Go figure ...


nb:  Ginas' old white 33 16V

[Sportscar Nut]

The only thought on the Dunlop's is that the Sud has lost some of the joyful & nimble handling characteristics due to the high grip level. Ie balancing under steer under throttle! Z2's are also on my Esprit and are the choice of tyre for many Porsche 911 track cars so I do rate high.

Philpot, I wish Pirelli were making retro P6's. It will happen one day as have original period Michelin race tyres on the Mk6 and Michelin road on the 105.

[philpot]

Just tracked down the US Wear Rating figure for the Michelin Energy XM2, which is available in this size, and guess what?

It seems the make and model Pirelli marketing men directed the engineering team to match with the New Cinturato P6, is not the superceded version


Make:                     Treadwear          Traction          Temp


Michelin Energy XM2      420                  A                  A


Pirelli Cinturato P6          420                  A                  A       


This explains my anecdotal, seat of the pants, opinion of driving on the new Cinturato P6.
     

[philpot]

Hi David and Paul,

Bit more info re. Direzza Z2

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?zip-code=&width=185/&ratio=60&diameter=14&rearWidth=255/&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17

Not that the treadwear number is gospel in the way a tyre feels like to drive on, but it's a start of a basis of comparison.

Dunlop Direzza Z2    Treadwear:200

I'm actually thinking of shuffling the Cinturato P6's onto one of my 33's that gets used less and getting a new set of Dunlop SP Sport FM800's onto my daily driver 16V that clocks up lots of km

Paul, I found the Potenza RE001's great when new and fresh, but also harden about the four or five year mark. More noticeable in the ride and to a lesser degree wet grip.  Agree, good to have a tyre that not only performs well but 'talks' and gives feedback to the driver. And even the ability to 'dance' around their limits. Without biting back.

Cinturato P6

[philpot]

Pirelli P6

[Bourney]

Thanks Phil and Paul,

Must admit I am not a big fan of Pirellis. Had some pzero neros on my old golf gti mk5 that was modified and at only 12000kms they became very noisy and lost their grip. Did not happen to the other tyres I used on the car over 11 years.

What do you think the 'road feel' would be like between the Dunlops (Direzza v Fm800s)?

Regards David




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