Decision time

[gareth08]

Can't make mind up on the following issue so thought I'd get some other input.

My car handles fine at low speed but once you start getting into triple figures under hard accelerating it becomes pretty unstable almost like the whole car is trying to skip across the road from one side to another and even at speed as soon as you start to go into anything more than a very gentle corner it feels like it sways from side to side.

All the suspension is/has been set up and the only thing left are the TYRES.

when the car is parked you can grab the roll bar and move the car by around 2" side to side if you rock it and you can see the movement in the sidewall of the tyre front and back.

I have tried increasing the tyre pressure by 2psi increments from 18 to 26 psi but it appears to make very little if any real difference.

The tyres I know are pretty crap and are Cooper Cobra 245/60/15 rear and 215/65/15 front on 7J rims.

I was thinking of changing the tyres to reduce/correct the problem as I feel that it's the only thing left and was looking at TOYO R888's which are available in 235 or 225 50/15 rear and 205 or 215 50/15 front.

Anyone got any other ideas or tyres that may suit and the best place to get them ,

Thanks

[Clive]

You shouldn't be in triple figures on the public highway.

[gareth08]

Originally Posted by Clive

You shouldn't be in triple figures on the public highway.

Didn't say I was on a public highway

[Neil O]

Gareth, I know it's a different wheel size etc. but....

I had Khumo tyres on my Dax and was a bit of a "wanderer", I changed them to Michellin Pilot Sports and it transformed the car.

Can't help with 15" tyre references though, sorry.

[Marty V6]

I had a similar problem with mine - a lot of sidewall slop. It would wander like crazy even when driving in a straight line. Going into a corner was weird as it took a fraction of time for the ass end to catch up to what the front was doing, and then because the sidewalls were so soft and tall, it would keep going. Felt like oversteer even though it wasnt. Whole car felt like it steered from the rear.

Solved the problem by swapping to 17" Halibrands all round. Rear tyre sizes changed from 235/60 15 to 245/45 17. Oh what a difference !! I 've got Toyo Proxes TR1's, which I think are very good.

If you dont want to go up a wheel size to reduce the sidewall height, you could look for a tyre with a stiff sidewall or a reinforced sidewall. Cant help on a choice for these though.

Cheers

Marty

[Purple AK]

Sorry I didn't return your call Mate! (things have been manic) I now have the Toyo Tech data on my desk if you want to ring

[gareth08]

Cant/dont want to really change wheels but a 235/50 must have a smaller sidewall than a 245/60 and being a Toyo R888 a much better tyre I would assume than a Cooper Cobra.

The only other option is if someone has a set of suitable 16" or 17" rims for reasonable money.

[Purple AK]

R888 versus Cooper Cobra is Chalk and Cheese! However 235/50 x 15 is probably at least 100mm down on overall dia to a 245/60!

[Clarkson]

Sounds like wheel change time,that's why I done mine,it's best thing I have ever done. Or you could buy those extra expensive Avons.

[sumoboy]

Gareth, I have seventeen's on my mk3 Sumo with front and rear suspension mods, I am very pleased with the handling now and can't feel any swaying or tyre movement at any speed

I think you would find a massive difference with larger wheels and lower profile tyres.

I owned a Porsche 944 (the porker that should handle) with Cooper Cobra tryes (245/60/15) and it was Sh!T in corners at speed Don't own the car long enough the change the tryes but know they were the problem

Dave.F