What tire for wet? - LotusTalk

wdonovan · 10-08-2009, 06:20 AM

I need tires on my 07 Elise. 6000 mi on the AD07s. Although tread looks good, they aren't all warm and fuzzy in the wet. I can put up with a lot of (softer) tires on dry but really want something that is predictable on wet. I ran Toyo RA1's on my Vettes and Porsche and absolutely loved them in the wet. Both these cars felt almost as fast on wet pavement as on dry. They are autocross tires with R compound and only rated to about 100 MPH. That's fine for me. I am nearly always slower than that. I wanted to put the RA1's on the Elise (base 16 & 17" rims). I can get a 255/40ZR17 for the rears but the front is a problem. The 205/55ZR16 has a dia of 24.9". This is an inch and a half larger than the AD07 that's on the car now. I found a R888 with a lower aspect ratio 195/50ZR16 that will fit correctly but there's no tread. I am not confident about running the R888 in the front and a RA1 in the back. Are there any other R compound tires with enough tread to drive bat**** (maybe the server will let me type 'batpoop') in the rain? Autocross (low MPH rating) tires welcome.

Dragon · 10-08-2009, 06:30 AM

My Toyo R1R's rule in the rain and the grip very well in the wet or dry...

hroundy · 10-08-2009, 06:41 AM

I am very pleased with the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs I recently put on mine. They are good in the dry and very good in the wet. They are relatively inexpensive also. I will autocross on them this weekend for the first time.

I put on the 205/50R16 in front and the 235/45R17 on the rear. Both are about 1/2 inch bigger than the originals. I have experienced no rubbing.

wdonovan · 10-08-2009, 07:11 AM

are the R1R's and the Z1 both R compound? I really am not interested in a non-competition compound. I don't mind changing them (fairly) often.

BRTHTAKR · 10-08-2009, 07:21 AM

Wider tires in rain?

wally77 · 10-08-2009, 07:22 AM

I wouldn't recommend going with different ones front to back.

I'm running the same set up as hroundy. They are a very good tire for the money. They are 1 of the tires to have for the STS classes. Also, they are fairly cheap. The whole set ran me about $500. I've driven them through some pretty decent rain and had no issues. Even seem to do fine in the mud.

The only issue I have seen going to the slightly larger tires is when my brother but some Goodyears on his car. Occassionally in very low speed sharp corners his traction control will kick in briefly due to the difference in tire speed. Easy solution there is to ignore it or turn it off, if you have it.

*Edit: They are not R-comps. They are the minimum treadwear allowed by the SCCA for street tire classes.

MattG · 10-08-2009, 07:24 AM

I actually like the AD07 tire in the wet, as long as it has decent tread depth. I did an autocross on them once in a steady Oregon rain, they handled great.

ZTEC · 10-08-2009, 07:44 AM

I am happy with my full tread Toyo Ra1's for street and track, I did go to the 15/16 Rotas . I do however drive more cautiously in the rain.

wdonovan · 10-08-2009, 07:44 AM

anyone on yoko a048's or hoosier radial wet?

wdonovan · 10-08-2009, 07:45 AM

ztec, what size RA1's?

frostylocks · 10-08-2009, 07:47 AM

+1 for the AD 07 in the wet. especially with the narrow front.

interestingly enough, i watched the WRC Ireland raced in wet conditions. there was an interview with the Ford Focus tire dude from Pirelli saying they chose the snow tire for the conditions instead of the regular tarmac tire.

his reasoning was the snow tire was narrower with deeper tread depth. hence the better contact patch with the pavement.

wider tires are cool, but sometimes, not always better.

good luck with your decision.

mjf · 10-08-2009, 08:47 AM

I have R1R back, AO48 front. The plan is to replace the fronts with R1R as well. The car is a bit loose with the AO48's up front, but manageable even at v.high speeds. I would not recommend having different tires on F/R. The only reason I did it was to avoid wasting the front AO48s which had not ran out of life as fast as the rear ones.

We get some rain in the Seattle area. I've been quite pleased with the R1R.
(235/40R17 on rear)

Lifespan · 10-08-2009, 10:32 AM

I've been impressed with how well the AD07s have been doing in the most recent downpours, so I'm planning on sticking with them for the rainy season. I was shopping around before and came to the conclusion that the Z1 are likely the best wet performance tire and they way I would go unless I wanted to jump to full winter tires.

ZTEC · 10-08-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdonovan

ztec, what size RA1's?

Currently running a 225 / 245 combo on Rotas and am very happy with this setup so much that I don't even run my stock AO48's anymore! This is by far the best all around setup I have ever had, I drive to the track, run the event, drive home! No rubbing issues and more meat on the pavement and I will say I was just as happy with the 205 up front but decided to give the 225's a shot and not really much difference from a handling standpoint.

mjf · 10-08-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifespan

I would wanted to jump to full winter tires.

I've only lived here 5 years, but I can't imagine you would want to go with winter tires.

CosmosMpower · 10-08-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdonovan

are the R1R's and the Z1 both R compound? I really am not interested in a non-competition compound. I don't mind changing them (fairly) often.

neither are R compound. Just very sticky street tires.

dwkoski · 10-08-2009, 01:45 PM

The AD07's are fairly good in the rain WHEN NEW!! They become downright dangerous when they approach the wear bars, especially the rears. If you are going to use them (and I do), be sure to replace the rears before the tread depth gets near the wear bars. I've not gotten more than 11,000 out of a set of rears but got 33,000 out of fronts...Dave

Lifespan · 10-08-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjf

I've only lived here 5 years, but I can't imagine you would want to go with winter tires.

Oh yeah, I pretty much have given up on that idea. I live atop some steep hills, but to be honest my WRX went down one sideways with last winter's snow, so even with winter tires my Elise won't make it when things are as bad as can be...

BRTHTAKR · 10-08-2009, 06:14 PM

So is Toyo RA1 or R1R better in wet?

Dragon · 10-09-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRTHTAKR

So is Toyo RA1 or R1R better in wet?

I've never run the RA1's, but I can tell you the R1R's are the best tire I've ever driven in the rain...

10-08-2009, 06:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
wdonovan Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey shore Posts: 60	What tire for wet? I need tires on my 07 Elise. 6000 mi on the AD07s. Although tread looks good, they aren't all warm and fuzzy in the wet. I can put up with a lot of (softer) tires on dry but really want something that is predictable on wet. I ran Toyo RA1's on my Vettes and Porsche and absolutely loved them in the wet. Both these cars felt almost as fast on wet pavement as on dry. They are autocross tires with R compound and only rated to about 100 MPH. That's fine for me. I am nearly always slower than that. I wanted to put the RA1's on the Elise (base 16 & 17" rims). I can get a 255/40ZR17 for the rears but the front is a problem. The 205/55ZR16 has a dia of 24.9". This is an inch and a half larger than the AD07 that's on the car now. I found a R888 with a lower aspect ratio 195/50ZR16 that will fit correctly but there's no tread. I am not confident about running the R888 in the front and a RA1 in the back. Are there any other R compound tires with enough tread to drive bat**** (maybe the server will let me type 'batpoop') in the rain? Autocross (low MPH rating) tires welcome. Last edited by wdonovan : 10-08-2009 at 06:22 AM. Reason: mistake

10-08-2009, 06:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dragon Hydrocarbons Rule Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Okinawa Japan Posts: 1,747 Images: 2	My Toyo R1R's rule in the rain and the grip very well in the wet or dry... __________________ 2006 Exige; BWR Supercharger, Adj Sway Bar, Ohlins Suspension, BSK Oil Catch Can, Moroso Oil Pan, ORC Clutch, Custom Exhaust, Black Volk Racing CE28N's w/ Toyo R1R's, 2 piece rotors, Pagid Blue Pads, BSK Wet Carbon (Side Skirts, Front Lip Spoiler, Gas Cap Cover, Center Console, Door Panels), Dry Carbon rear Diffuser, Harness Bar, BWR Gauge Mount, OMP Superquadro steering wheel, LETSLA Short Shifter, V2arms, Rear Tow Link Brace, RLS Battery Bracket, BOE Tow Bar, Stickers.

10-08-2009, 06:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
hroundy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Concord NH Posts: 62	I am very pleased with the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs I recently put on mine. They are good in the dry and very good in the wet. They are relatively inexpensive also. I will autocross on them this weekend for the first time. I put on the 205/50R16 in front and the 235/45R17 on the rear. Both are about 1/2 inch bigger than the originals. I have experienced no rubbing. __________________ Howard 2005 Elise AP LSS hardtop

10-08-2009, 07:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
BRTHTAKR AKA XHILR8N! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Asheville, North Carolina Posts: 1,151 Images: 6	Wider tires in rain? __________________ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo Da Vinci 2005 Elise LRG, Trim Shop interior, full cage, Cup wheels, other stuff. 2007 Toyota Tundra (about 10 cup holders) 2004 BMW X3 (4 small cup holders) 1980 Rover SD1

10-08-2009, 07:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
wally77 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 28	I wouldn't recommend going with different ones front to back. I'm running the same set up as hroundy. They are a very good tire for the money. They are 1 of the tires to have for the STS classes. Also, they are fairly cheap. The whole set ran me about $500. I've driven them through some pretty decent rain and had no issues. Even seem to do fine in the mud. The only issue I have seen going to the slightly larger tires is when my brother but some Goodyears on his car. Occassionally in very low speed sharp corners his traction control will kick in briefly due to the difference in tire speed. Easy solution there is to ignore it or turn it off, if you have it. *Edit: They are not R-comps. They are the minimum treadwear allowed by the SCCA for street tire classes. __________________ 2006 Elise - Phantom Black 1995 Mazda Rx-7 - Montego Blue 1982 Mazda Rx-7 - Track/IT Project 1992 Ford Bronco - Need something to tow with

10-08-2009, 07:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
wdonovan Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey shore Posts: 60	are the R1R's and the Z1 both R compound? I really am not interested in a non-competition compound. I don't mind changing them (fairly) often.

10-08-2009, 07:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,676 Images: 11	I actually like the AD07 tire in the wet, as long as it has decent tread depth. I did an autocross on them once in a steady Oregon rain, they handled great. __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

10-08-2009, 07:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
ZTEC Third Eye Open Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,737 Images: 3	I am happy with my full tread Toyo Ra1's for street and track, I did go to the 15/16 Rotas . I do however drive more cautiously in the rain. __________________ GO: Vision Function Stage II Intercooled Bliss with Charlie's ECU magic and Ronin's Tenacity! STOP: DBA 4000's, Porterfield R4! TURN: Nitron S/A's Toyo RA1's 225/245 on Rota's!

10-08-2009, 07:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
wdonovan Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey shore Posts: 60	anyone on yoko a048's or hoosier radial wet?

10-08-2009, 07:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
wdonovan Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey shore Posts: 60	ztec, what size RA1's?

10-08-2009, 07:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
frostylocks Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central US Posts: 174 Images: 6	+1 for the AD 07 in the wet. especially with the narrow front. interestingly enough, i watched the WRC Ireland raced in wet conditions. there was an interview with the Ford Focus tire dude from Pirelli saying they chose the snow tire for the conditions instead of the regular tarmac tire. his reasoning was the snow tire was narrower with deeper tread depth. hence the better contact patch with the pavement. wider tires are cool, but sometimes, not always better. good luck with your decision. __________________ '08 Elise SC Laser Blue, Sport, Touring, HT, SS, Larini S Club Sport, Manly Motor Mounts, K&N. '02 Audi S6 Avant/snowmobile '01 Toyota Echo (quit laughing! it's the perfect 4 door golf-cart-grocery-getter!)

10-08-2009, 08:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
mjf elf Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,341	I have R1R back, AO48 front. The plan is to replace the fronts with R1R as well. The car is a bit loose with the AO48's up front, but manageable even at v.high speeds. I would not recommend having different tires on F/R. The only reason I did it was to avoid wasting the front AO48s which had not ran out of life as fast as the rear ones. We get some rain in the Seattle area. I've been quite pleased with the R1R. (235/40R17 on rear) __________________ 2007 Elise Type 72D #6 of 50

10-08-2009, 10:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
Lifespan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 92	I've been impressed with how well the AD07s have been doing in the most recent downpours, so I'm planning on sticking with them for the rainy season. I was shopping around before and came to the conclusion that the Z1 are likely the best wet performance tire and they way I would go unless I wanted to jump to full winter tires. Last edited by Lifespan : 10-08-2009 at 02:13 PM.

10-08-2009, 01:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
dwkoski Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 441	The AD07's are fairly good in the rain WHEN NEW!! They become downright dangerous when they approach the wear bars, especially the rears. If you are going to use them (and I do), be sure to replace the rears before the tread depth gets near the wear bars. I've not gotten more than 11,000 out of a set of rears but got 33,000 out of fronts...Dave

10-08-2009, 06:14 PM	#19 (permalink)
BRTHTAKR AKA XHILR8N! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Asheville, North Carolina Posts: 1,151 Images: 6	So is Toyo RA1 or R1R better in wet? __________________ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo Da Vinci 2005 Elise LRG, Trim Shop interior, full cage, Cup wheels, other stuff. 2007 Toyota Tundra (about 10 cup holders) 2004 BMW X3 (4 small cup holders) 1980 Rover SD1

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