Tyre options for 185/60R14s?

[Credible]

Since it is many years since I bought my last set (Bridgestone Grid III) I understand that there aren't as many choices for performance tyres to fit standard teardrop rims. I thought it might be useful to document the currently available tyre choices here (as I look at new tyres on a run, and promptly forget them).

So, what have you bought lately, that you recommend?

[Millhouse1]

Are they 14" or 15"?

[Credible]

Are they 14" or 15"?

14"

[mickeyduck]

The original tyre for the AW11 was a 185/60-14 and I believe was a Bridgestone Potenza.

Bridgestone were recently offering their end-of-line RE-01 Potenza at a very good price. Mag & Turbo were doing a similar deal with the same tyre. The size is not exactly correct as they are 185/55-14 and this leaves your speedo reading about 105kmh at an actual 100kmh. But they work well, wet or dry, and being the original width they do allow an AW to handle with it's original nice controllable power oversteer if that's how you like driving. I have them on my blue AW11SC and I'm thinking I'd like to leave them on the front to cut through the wet, but fit some Toyo R888 to the rear in a 205 width, just for that extra cornering grip.

RE01 -

RE01.png (41.25 KiB) Viewed 6147 times

RE01-on.jpg (404.06 KiB) Viewed 6147 times

Toyo still offer their R888 road and track semi-slick in 14 inch - 185 for the front and 205 for the rear, if you want to balance the car's handling up. The only problem with the R888 is they don't last long, but if you only drive the AW as a toy mota it won't matter eh.
http://www.toyo.co.nz/tyre/catalogue/ra ... -prx-888-3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

R888.jpg (28.39 KiB) Viewed 6147 times

I see they offer another tyre (the Teo) also in the original AW rim size:
http://www.toyo.co.nz/tyre/catsearch/ca ... /185/60/14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Toyo website suggests the T1R is still available in 195/55-14. These will keep the speedo etc pretty-much perfect. I've been running T1R on Isaac's SW and frankly they are a bloomin good tyre, wet or dry. Very cost effective and if they are indeed still available for 14 inch rims, I'd pounce on a set. You'd not go wrong.
http://www.toyo.co.nz/tyre/catalogue/ul ... proxes-t1r" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

T1R.jpg (35.62 KiB) Viewed 6147 times

T1R-SW.jpg (366.59 KiB) Viewed 6147 times

[Credible]

Thanks for that, Charlie.

Here's my summary of the state of the play, if you (like me) want to keep your original 14" rims. This is based on what I can find on manufacturer's web sites.

Bridgestone
Potenza RE002 - is no longer made in any 14" size
Potenza RE11 - is manufactured in 185/60r14 but not sold in NZ

Toyo
Proxes R888 - a street legal track tyre, semi-slick. Available in 185/60r14. List price $299.
Proxes T1R - is available in 195/55r14. List price is $189.
TEO+ - is available in 185/60r14. List price is $139.

[Credible]

Anyone running Dunlop Direzza ZII tyres? They have been recommended to me as a suitable tyre for my AW11 - And they come in the right size.

[mickeyduck]

I personally am gutted the RE11 is not available here for the AW any more - even in 15 inch. They are IMMENSE.

Frankly David, go for the T1R you won't be disappointed mate. Has to be about the best you can get in NZ now for a road tyre for original AW rims I reckon.

[Credible]

I personally am gutted the RE11 is not available here for the AW any more - even in 15 inch. They are IMMENSE.

Frankly David, go for the T1R you won't be disappointed mate. Has to be about the best you can get in NZ now for a road tyre for original AW rims I reckon.

You don't think that writing to Bridgestone on behalf of the club might persuade them to bring in a bunch of RE11s in the required 14" size?

I was warned by 2 places that changing to 195/55 from 185/60 could affect steering and ride. Do you have them on standard 14" rims?

[Instinct]

I personally am gutted the RE11 is not available here for the AW any more - even in 15 inch. They are IMMENSE.

Frankly David, go for the T1R you won't be disappointed mate. Has to be about the best you can get in NZ now for a road tyre for original AW rims I reckon.

You don't think that writing to Bridgestone on behalf of the club might persuade them to bring in a bunch of RE11s in the required 14" size?

I was warned by 2 places that changing to 195/55 from 185/60 could affect steering and ride. Do you have them on standard 14" rims?

I was speaking to Ken at KW Historics and there is a similar situation with Elise front tyres. Bridgestone will bring them in if you purchase 30 or more.. I assume this is the same for your tyres. You'll probably want to look at organizing a group buy to make this work.

[Credible]

Bridgestone will bring them in if you purchase 30 or more.. I assume this is the same for your tyres. You'll probably want to look at organizing a group buy to make this work.

I would sign up for 4. Anyone else?

Does this need wider publicity?

[Joel]

I got some Bridgestone RE-01 Potenza 185/55 R14.
I wanted to keep the standard Teardrop alloys also.

Have had no issues with these tyres. I got them when Bridgestone had buy 3 get one free deal. They were $205 each.
Apparently they had 15 sets left in the country so should be no problem getting a set.

[Credible]

I got some Bridgestone RE-01 Potenza 185/55 R14.
I wanted to keep the standard Teardrop alloys also.

Have had no issues with these tyres. I got them when Bridgestone had buy 3 get one free deal. They were $205 each.
Apparently they had 15 sets left in the country so should be no problem getting a set.

Joel, you are the champion. I asked for those and found that Bridgestone still have some. So my GridIIIs will get one more run this weekend, and get changed next week. They are now $228 all up (per tyre), but the 3 for 4 deal is on for 1 more week.

[kevinandEmma]

...and sooooo , to carrry on this conversation some years later - what is everyone now using on their AW11 with 185 60 14 rims??

[Alsw20]

Hyper has Yokohama AD07s in stock at the moment in that size and also have 40% off. $866 for all four.

They came standard fitment on the series 2 and 3 Lotus Elise.

[Credible]

Elise S2, S3 tyres are 16s on the front and 17s on the rear.