Toyo tyres.

[Caracad]

My "new" S3 coupe is fitted with Toyos, 165/80/14 on standard 4.5 inch Cromodoras.
I don't think they are any good, but I don't have anything to compare them with.
Grip in the wet is almost non existant and the steering vague.
Anyone else used Toyos?

[lancialulu]

Only Proxes CF2! which were brill track day and road tyre combined.

I would recommend you look at Barum Brilliantis 165/80/14's very cheap and very good.

[Caracad]

Thanks Tim.
Have got to say the name Barum Brillantis doesn't sound promising.
The fact they are cheap is secondary to grip levels especially in the wet. In fact they sound too cheap.

I guess the issue is lack of choice in 165/80/R14 size.

Is it worth tracking down some Flavia 5.5J wheels so I can fit 175/70s?

[Parisien]

Only Proxes CF2! which were brill track day and road tyre combined.

I would recommend you look at Barum Brilliantis 165/80/14's very cheap and very good.

Barum Brilliantis were also on a 1990 190E I bought, no complaints whatsoever after 4k odd miles, mostly in the wet!!!


P

[lancialulu]

Only Proxes CF2! which were brill track day and road tyre combined.

I would recommend you look at Barum Brilliantis 165/80/14's very cheap and very good.

our Chairman fitted them to his Fulvia and completed a week long Rally in the Alps with no complaint. In fact the oppsite so I fitted them to my Sport as I wanted the original profile. I am more than happy with them and they compare more or less exactly the Michelins. Bear in mind you have to pay for fitting but excellent value non the less. Are you interested in the Fulvia Weekend next June in East Anglia. A couple of spaces still available!

Barum Brilliantis were also on a 1990 190E I bought, no complaints whatsoever after 4k odd miles, mostly in the wet!!!


P

[Scott]

To help in your search, tyres these days should come with a wet weather rating with a letter between A and G.
A is great; G is something you probably don't want to shed your lovely Fulvia with unless you like adrenaline spikes in the wet!

I hadn't heard of Barum Brilliantis either but they do get a good wet weather rating of C. Your Toyos by comparison only get an E ... so definitely nearer the dicey end of the scale. Unlikely you'll get anything better than a C on a 165/80 - I've certainly searched and couldn't find anything.

Scott.

[RobD]

In 1979 I equipped my Hillman Super Minx with 4 x Colway remoulds, they cost £4.99 each. The name is etched in my memory because a few days later the policeman attending the scene of the accident I'd  just been involved in commented that the skid marks  were some of the longest he had recorded. I'd been traveling quite briskly down a hill in the wet. Presumably the Colways would have been at the 'G' end of the scale! Never bought another cheap set of tyres after that... I didn't need to, those Colways were so hard they never wore out.

[nistri]

Fitted Toyos to my Fulvias and driven many thousand kms (wet and dry) through Europe with no problem. Admittedly I have not done any competition but they were fine on the Mugello race track, of course, old tyres are not very good, regardless their make, Andrea

[neil-yaj396]

Barum tyres are highly respected in the motorbike world, where losing grip can literally be a matter of life and death.

Not sure why they have hung onto the budget image in the car tyre world, as per the above rating they certainly are not 'cheap' tyres. I think they are pretty popular in Germany and Eastern Europe too.

[Caracad]

Okay, I stand corrected on Barum Tyres.
For some reason I am looking for an excuse to go to larger 175 tyres, when I know that its generally best to stick to original sizes.
I have seen some 5.5J Cromodoras for sale on ebay. They are in Germany and will need a repaint, but I'm tempted and can still use 165 tyres.
Are they worth £350+ postage for four?

[lancialulu]

It will cost over £200 to have them properly refurbished so bear that in mind. Not sure why you want wider tyres. The Fulvia has such good handling I would be surprised if you could tell the limit on different widths of 1cm of tread and you would lose some of the delicacy of the steering.

[Richard Fridd]

How about trying some Flavia steel wheels 5J?

[Caracad]

I don't really want to go wider and your right you can ruin the steering.
A lot more choice in 175 section tyres though.

Flavia wheels in general would be good as the current Fulvia 4.5J wheels are very narrow even for 165 section tyres.
The ones on Ebay would need refurbishing making them very expensive.

[Neil]

You could always try Falken Sincera SN807 72db/wet grip E, I have them on my S2, they seem pretty reasonably priced and the grip is pretty good. In 165/80 x14 size.

[lancialulu]

I don't really want to go wider and your right you can ruin the steering.
A lot more choice in 175 section tyres though.

Flavia wheels in general would be good as the current Fulvia 4.5J wheels are very narrow even for 165 section tyres.
The ones on Ebay would need refurbishing making them very expensive.

Lancia were very happy to fit 165 on 4.5j.....