Uniroyal Rainsport 5

[JamesBryan]

How come you have gone for 55 profile mate? @Steve

For a Fiesta, not a Clio i think.

 

[MrBlonde]

For a Fiesta, not a Clio i think.

Oh i see,makes sense now.

 

[JB21]

Just ordered a set of these for the MR2.

195/50/15 front
205/45/16 rear

£182 delivered from Demon Tweeks Ebay shop with 15% discount code.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Just ordered a set of these for the MR2.

195/50/15 front
205/45/16 rear

£182 delivered from Demon Tweeks Ebay shop with 15% discount code.

Have you gone for 83v on the 205's ? I couldn't see the higher load rating of 87.

 

[Bluebeard]

Oooh, Uniroyals…..

I've just bought 'four' uniroyal rainsport 5's for the Kangoo. I did a trackday in said Kangoo with my new Rainsport 5's and the day went well.

Upon finishing the track day, I noticed that one of the tyres is actually a Uniroyal Rainsport 3..... *SPASTIC TYRE FITTER ALERT*

Would that bother any of you?? Should I take it back and get it replaced? But then i'd have one Brand new tyre and 3 that are a track day old. Or shall I just leave it??

 

[JB21]

Have you gone for 83v on the 205's ? I couldn't see the higher load rating of 87.

83w mate

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Oooh, Uniroyals…..

I've just bought 'four' uniroyal rainsport 5's for the Kangoo. I did a trackday in said Kangoo with my new Rainsport 5's and the day went well.

Upon finishing the track day, I noticed that one of the tyres is actually a Uniroyal Rainsport 3..... *SPASTIC TYRE FITTER ALERT*

Would that bother any of you?? Should I take it back and get it replaced? But then i'd have one Brand new tyre and 3 that are a track day old. Or shall I just leave it??

I'd take it back. In theory different tyres will offer different levels of grip . Plus the RS5's are supposed to last 15% longer according to Uniroyals website.
My experience with the 3's was piss poor wear rate , I was only getting 5 - 5.5k out of a set on the road. So you might end up with 1 tyre knackered before the other 3.
If the 5's get good reviews regarding wear rate I might go back to them in the future.

 

[MLB]

Oooh, Uniroyals…..

I've just bought 'four' uniroyal rainsport 5's for the Kangoo. I did a trackday in said Kangoo with my new Rainsport 5's and the day went well.

Upon finishing the track day, I noticed that one of the tyres is actually a Uniroyal Rainsport 3..... *SPASTIC TYRE FITTER ALERT*

Would that bother any of you?? Should I take it back and get it replaced? But then i'd have one Brand new tyre and 3 that are a track day old. Or shall I just leave it??

That would definitely bother me! Not sure if you'd be able to get it replaced after a track day though..

 

[JB21]

Just took delivery of these and the sidewalls on the 195/50/15 still seem very soft. The 205/45/16 are much, much firmer...

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Just took delivery of these and the sidewalls on the 195/50/15 still seem very soft. The 205/45/16 are much, much firmer...

When I used to run the RS3's I was surprised just how thin the sidewalls were. If you put your hand inside the tyre you could feel your fingers on the outside.
I always used to run a couple of psi higher than recommended.
I think I'll wait until the RS5's have been out a while and read some reviews.
I'm really hoping they're positive reviews as I like the Rainsports for wet grip.

You'll have to do a write up once you get them fitted.

 

[R3k1355]

Yea the RS3's were notorious for having mega soft sidewalls, the often looked like they'd got a puncture. Did they do an XL version that was better?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Yea the RS3's were notorious for having mega soft sidewalls, the often looked like they'd got a puncture. Did they do an XL version that was better?

I used to use the XL 87 higher load rating with a couple of psi higher , that seemed to do the trick compared to the 83 load rating.
They still felt soft but you soon got used to the different steering feel.

 

[JB21]

We'll see what these are really like come Saturday as i'm at Oulton in the MR2 and Storm Dennis has just been forecast to hit 🤞

 

[JamesBryan]

We'll see what these are really like come Saturday as i'm at Oulton in the MR2 and Storm Dennis has just been forecast to hit 🤞

I'm more worried about your mate on T1R's 😂

 

[JB21]

I'm more worried about your mate on T1R's 😂

Haha, he's in a ep3 so will just understeer into the gravel traps. I'll be going in backwards 😂

 

[JamesBryan]

Haha, he's in a ep3 so will just understeer into the gravel traps. I'll be going in backwards 😂

 

[Martin.]

Just ordered a set of these for the MR2.

195/50/15 front
205/45/16 rear

£182 delivered from Demon Tweeks Ebay shop with 15% discount code.

Possible to share that discount code?

 

[JB21]

Possible to share that discount code?

Its finished now mate.

 

[Flat Eric]

Bit of a thread bump.

I need some tyres for the 182
I've ran federal RSR's for a good while now, currently out of stock on Camskill so was looking at some alternatives.

I imagine grip won't be same as the RSR's but the 182 doesn't see the track nowadays anyway so only road use.

I also noticed Michelin PS3 are available in 205/45/16 too
I have no experience of these, are these any good?

 

[White16valver]

@JB21
@Daniel
@Steve

Tagging to be annoying and ask if you'd be able to update on the Rainsport 5 so far!

 

[JB21]

@White16valver for wet weather driving they are fantastic, couldn't ask anymore from them. However for dry weather on my track focused MR2 they just dont cut it. To soft. Dry handling is fine it's just the lack of feed back that isnt fine. On a different car that's more road focused I'd say they would be OK, but on mine which is set up very stiff they are the first thing to flex which just doesnt work in dry conditions. The car feels like its floating around to much.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bluebeard]

@JB21
@Daniel
@Steve

Tagging to be annoying and ask if you'd be able to update on the Rainsport 5 so far!

I’ve done about 2000 road miles on mine and 3 trackdays. 2 wet one dry. They’ll do another track day I’m sure but then they’ll definitely be dead. They’re definitely not cut out for dry track work!

I can’t fault them really. Are they as good as a tyre twice the price? No. Are they somewhere close for just a fraction of the price?? Absolutely.

 

[White16valver]

@White16valver for wet weather driving they are fantastic, couldn't ask anymore from them. However for dry weather on my track focused MR2 they just dont cut it. To soft. Dry handling is fine it's just the lack of feed back that isnt fine. On a different car that's more road focused I'd say they would be OK, but on mine which is set up very stiff they are the first thing to flex which just doesnt work in dry conditions. The car feels like its floating around to much.

Hope this helps.

I’ve done about 2000 road miles on mine and 3 trackdays. 2 wet one dry. They’ll do another track day I’m sure but then they’ll definitely be dead. They’re definitely not cut out for dry track work!

I can’t fault them really. Are they as good as a tyre twice the price? No. Are they somewhere close for just a fraction of the price?? Absolutely.

Thanks, chaps

I'm not mad-keen on soft sidewalls, I have experienced Toyo T1-S and I didn't like it , but the car they'd be going on is a road car and quite softly sprung anyway, so it might not be so much of an issue.

Wear rates are wear rates - I'd rather have grip than tyres that last 30k, lol, so as long as they do more than 6k...!


Drives me nuts that older stuff with unusual tyre sizes (including valvers and Williams) is impossible to buy tyres for after a while, because all the performance tyre manufacturers stop making tyres in that size, leaving all the LingLong Super-sail Ditchfinders as the only options.

 

[Fishfire]

Thread bump!

I've got Rainsport 5s fitted on my 2118s so 195 50 15's......I absolutely detest them 😒

The side wall is made of chocolate I think. If I put my car into a corner the back end literally wobbles round. I genuinely thought there was an issue with my suspension.

Wet grip is also not good considering it's sold as a tyre that grips in the wet, and have had them break traction on damp roads. Also not confidence inspiring at speed as it's made the car feel decidedly twitchy 💩

They've been on for 500 miles or so but I'm gonna have to take the hit, and get rid in favour of something better like Pilot Sports or similar.

Other tyre sizes may be more stable, but on 15" rims....avoid like the plague!

 

[JamesBryan]

Thread bump!

I've got Rainsport 5s fitted on my 2118s so 195 50 15's......I absolutely detest them 😒

The side wall is made of chocolate I think. If I put my car into a corner the back end literally wobbles round. I genuinely thought there was an issue with my suspension.

Wet grip is also not good considering it's sold as a tyre that grips in the wet, and have had them break traction on damp roads. Also not confidence inspiring at speed as it's made the car feel decidedly twitchy 💩

They've been on for 500 miles or so but I'm gonna have to take the hit, and get rid in favour of something better like Pilot Sports or similar.

Other tyre sizes may be more stable, but on 15" rims....avoid like the plague!

Make sure your rear shock aren't fucked, that can give a loose rear end feeling.

I went from Toyo R1R's to PS3's and had a similar feeling of it feeling a bit floaty at speed. Made me realise how much stiffer the Toyo's must have been.

But yeah, PS3's are more than good enough.

 

[Fishfire]

Make sure your rear shock aren't fucked, that can give a loose rear end feeling.

I went from Toyo R1R's to PS3's and had a similar feeling of it feeling a bit floaty at speed. Made me realise how much stiffer the Toyo's must have been.

But yeah, PS3's are more than good enough.

Rears suss is all good:

Cup shocks fitted 24 months ago with Eibach Proline springs.

Had a good look anyway, but it's all good.

I'll be booking in with F1 for PS3s fitted for £288 all in.

Bit of an annoyance but I can't live with the detached/wobbly feeling the Rainsport 5s give 🤷

 

[Bluebeard]

Rears suss is all good:

Cup shocks fitted 24 months ago with Eibach Proline springs.

Had a good look anyway, but it's all good.

I'll be booking in with F1 for PS3s fitted for £288 all in.

Bit of an annoyance but I can't live with the detached/wobbly feeling the Rainsport 5s give 🤷

I’ve used Rainsport 5’s on both of my track cars and zero complaints from me.

They’re nowhere near my MRF’s in terms of ability or longevity but Rainsports are £24 fitted each and MRF’s are over £100 each.

I think it’s about setting expectations. And for £24 a tyre, i think they’re a fantastic wet weather tyre for the track.

 

[Fishfire]

I’ve used Rainsport 5’s on both of my track cars and zero complaints from me.

They’re nowhere near my MRF’s in terms of ability or longevity but Rainsports are £24 fitted each and MRF’s are over £100 each.

I think it’s about setting expectations. And for £24 a tyre, i think they’re a fantastic wet weather tyre for the track.

What size tyres are you running out if curiosity?

It may be that the 15s with a a higher tyre wall are less stable than 16scwith a lower profile.

I'd read some good reviews on these, and I agree they're cheap, but damp road grip is shocking (another member on here said his 888r tyres were better on damp roads lol) but they're just so unstable at both higher straight line speed and cornering to the point I've got a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and anything even approaching spirited driving.

The tendency to tramline probably doesn't help with the twitchyness my car now has.

I'm having pilot sport 3s fitted as soon as I can get in tbh, so if you want a set of 15" RS5s with around 59o miles on the .....🤣

 

[Mcaff]

I went from rainsport to Ad08rs and sold the wheels so back to the rainsports. I’m in the same boat as you really everything is good in the wet as you’d imagine, but damp and dry roads I find them sketchy at best.
As Daniel states it’s about expectation. They are probably one of the best cheap tyres I’ve used, however compared to a premium tyre they are absolutely naff.
I’d actually consider them dangerous in the dry if you try and use them like you would a premium tyre.
If mine didn’t have so much tread I’d bin them off for some PS3s. Thankfully the car doesn’t see much road miles anymore.

 

[Bluebeard]

What size tyres are you running out if curiosity?

It may be that the 15s with a a higher tyre wall are less stable than 16scwith a lower profile.

I'd read some good reviews on these, and I agree they're cheap, but damp road grip is shocking (another member on here said his 888r tyres were better on damp roads lol) but they're just so unstable at both higher straight line speed and cornering to the point I've got a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and anything even approaching spirited driving.

The tendency to tramline probably doesn't help with the twitchyness my car now has.

I'm having pilot sport 3s fitted as soon as I can get in tbh, so if you want a set of 15" RS5s with around 59o miles on the .....🤣

I’m on 195/50/15’s and my two track cars are a F4R’d Kangoo van and a Mk1 F4R’d clio.

I personally wouldn’t be using Rainsport tyres in the damp, they’ll be useless. They’re a rain tyre.

 

[Darryl_1983]

I've got Rainsport 5's on my Z4, previous owner had them fitted just before selling the car to me. They're not too bad on there to be honest, but I remember how bad the Rainsport 3's were on my Clio 182 a few years ago and was expecting to have to change them. I wouldn't choose them over a set of Goodyear F1's or pilot sport 4, unless they were a lot lot cheaper.

I'd definitely go for AD08RS's over the pilot sport 3's. I was pretty disappointed in these too regarding the sidewall stiffness and grip.

Regarding the comments on the rear shocks, they can fail very quickly sometimes, I had one last less than 6 months once.

 

[Fishfire]

I went from rainsport to Ad08rs and sold the wheels so back to the rainsports. I’m in the same boat as you really everything is good in the wet as you’d imagine, but damp and dry roads I find them sketchy at best.
As Daniel states it’s about expectation. They are probably one of the best cheap tyres I’ve used, however compared to a premium tyre they are absolutely naff.
I’d actually consider them dangerous in the dry if you try and use them like you would a premium tyre.
If mine didn’t have so much tread I’d bin them off for some PS3s. Thankfully the car doesn’t see much road miles anymore.

Good to see it's not me being paranoid lol.

With expectations, I expected the tyre walls not to be made of chocolate or perhaps some sort of soft cheese 😉🤣

 

[Fishfire]

I’m on 195/50/15’s and my two track cars are a F4R’d Kangoo van and a Mk1 F4R’d clio.

I personally wouldn’t be using Rainsport tyres in the damp, they’ll be useless. They’re a rain tyre.

I'm running these on a turbo converted F4R, so I guess the extra power will only exasperate any tyre weakness.

 

[Fishfire]

I've got Rainsport 5's on my Z4, previous owner had them fitted just before selling the car to me. They're not too bad on there to be honest, but I remember how bad the Rainsport 3's were on my Clio 182 a few years ago and was expecting to have to change them. I wouldn't choose them over a set of Goodyear F1's or pilot sport 4, unless they were a lot lot cheaper.

I'd definitely go for AD08RS's over the pilot sport 3's. I was pretty disappointed in these too regarding the sidewall stiffness and grip.

Regarding the comments on the rear shocks, they can fail very quickly sometimes, I had one last less than 6 months once.

Surprised to hear you dont rate the PS3s, they typically get a good rep.

Though the same can be said of the Rainsports I guess!

Just had a look at the AD08rs and it's circa £600 fitted after a very quick look. Can't find PS4s in my tyre size, but I will also look at Eagle F1s and see if I can perhaps get these at a good price.

Can't be any worse than the RS5s, surely?

I just don't want my car to feel like a blamonge turning into corners tbh

 

[Darryl_1983]

Surprised to hear you dont rate the PS3s, they typically get a good rep.

Though the same can be said of the Rainsports I guess!

Just had a look at the AD08rs and it's circa £600 fitted after a very quick look. Can't find PS4s in my tyre size, but I will also look at Eagle F1s and see if I can perhaps get these at a good price.

Can't be any worse than the RS5s, surely?

I just don't want my car to feel like a blamonge turning into corners tbh

Sorry, I meant if I was choosing a tyre for another car, ie my Z4 or E91, the new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 won't be available in Clio sizes. The older ones aren't worth looking into.

Options are pretty limited on the Clio, but if you don't like the Rainsport 5, I doubt you'll find the Pilot sports 3 a million times better. They are better don't get me wrong, but marginally. Admittedly I only ran the PS3's for about a month over winter, with about 5mm of tread left, so not the perfect comparison, but they the grip levels were rubbish and the side walls were really soft. I bought a new set of AD08R's to replace them as soon as i had the money too.

For me in Clio 182 fitment for the road, the AD08R or now AD08RS's are the best tyre. After that you're looking at track day tyres really, and running winter/summer setups.

Saying all that, most people are happy enough with Pilot Sport 3's.

 

[Hollidog]

I’ve used Rainsport 5’s on both of my track cars and zero complaints from me.

They’re nowhere near my MRF’s in terms of ability or longevity but Rainsports are £24 fitted each and MRF’s are over £100 each.

I think it’s about setting expectations. And for £24 a tyre, i think they’re a fantastic wet weather tyre for the track.

Are you running the ZTR or one of their inters/wets?

I'm on rs3's atm and could use something that's better in a mixed condition rather than a full "wet" tyre

 

[JB21]

Are you running the ZTR or one of their inters/wets?

I'm on rs3's atm and could use something that's better in a mixed condition rather than a full "wet" tyre

I'm using MRF ZTW5 wets/Inters. Really impressed with them, and a massive bonus they are e-marked for road use.

 

[Hollidog]

I'm using MRF ZTW5 wets/Inters. Really impressed with them, and a massive bonus they are e-marked for road use.

View attachment 1579272

They look good but I'm after an msuk listed tyre

 

[sbridgey]

I'm using MRF ZTW5 wets/Inters. Really impressed with them, and a massive bonus they are e-marked for road use.

View attachment 1579272

Did you see MOT motorsport are selling them for £95 a corner at the moment? And slicks for the same price

I bought wets and trying to resist the slicks as my ZTR’s are still decent but it’s tempting

 

[JB21]

Did you see MOT motorsport are selling them for £95 a corner at the moment? And slicks for the same price

I bought wets and trying to resist the slicks as my ZTR’s are still decent but it’s tempting

No mate, got mine for £100 a pair barely scrubbed in. I've also used the slicks and at £95 each new they are fantastic VFM. Only issue is that they are hard compound and no good in anything but hot conditions for my car being so light at 930kg.