*im learning about tyres!*

[R3OBC]

i had a good drive in the new car last night, and was on some familiar roads i used to have the silver 1.2 on........i was coming off of a roundabout, and put the foot down on the exit, now, my old car had the standard 15s with 195/50 toyo proxes, my new one has 205/40 on 17s, being Federals.........and even with the bigger contact patch, the 205s do NOT grip as much as the toyos did.............just an interesting comparison i noted last night. The federals are also very shady in the wet if you get onto the outer edge of the rubber.........some people dont rate the toyos...........well, the 195s certainly outgripped the 205 federals

*also, i used to get great feeling from the 195/50 proxes on the 15s, lowered 40mm too.............the -60mm on the 17s with the 205 federals feels a lot more numb..........i imagine the tyre will have some say in this......but obviously the suspension difference will too...........Basically my old car was great for driving enjoyment from a fee-whats-happening point of view, the new one is more of a high-street cruiser.........Compromise of going back to a 40mm apex full kit and some toyos on the 17s may be considered soon...opinions???

(yes Fred i know you will abuse me!) Rob

 

[White16valver]

Keep the 17s for cruising and stick to 15s day to day

 

[edde]

I would have thought the lower the car and the slimer the side wall the more incontact you would be.

HAve you though about coilover or changing for adjusable dampers?

 

[Tigger]

I was thinking I would get the same sort of thing . Was going to get 17s

My car is just standard from new - thinking now of going for 16s, they look just as good

not too sure on lowering as I like my comfort, again hence the 16s

 

[R3OBC]

yea but i think the GRIP level will be dependant on the tyre you are contacting the road with.......trev.........16s with standard suspension would look high.......and the -40mm apex springs are pretty flexible between comfort and handling

 

[northy]

Did you manage to salvage any bits from the silver one pal ???/

 

[Tigger]

i think yourre right R3OBC.

im going to get the rims on som tym over the summer and maybe lower it after a few months. rather get my spoiler and bonnet vent done 1st

not a serious modder, but i do like nice clios

dont want to be going off topic ere too much- do 16s give a more comfy ride than 17s? (without lowering)

like some of you people, im only "learning" about the technical end of things and some mehanical car jargon

is it true that 17s will wear the drive shafts and bearings out quiker than 15s or 16s?