Strut Brace and PS2's
- Thread starter mason storm
- Start date
Tyre choice is always so subjective (as this thread and many others before it prove).
There are so many variables.....
* car set-up - suspension: OE or aftermarket
* geometry
* wheel choice - diameter/width/weight/offset & resultant impact on cars track width
* tyre pressures
* tyre condition
* driving style
* use (road/track)
* surface
* temperature
* weather conditions
* expectation & experience
* ability to accurately evaluate and compare
At the end of the day if you have found a tyre that you like and gives you confidence, that is what matters.
For what it's worth, I really rate the OE conti's for road use (not yet tried them on track) - I think for the road they are brilliant. But that is my opinion, on my car (which is no longer std.) and reflects my driving style and expectation of a performance road tyre.
I also have fitted the BMW retro fit strut brace which has helped my front tyres better key into the road on medium & high speed corners and offers more feedback from the front end. It works for me on my car but may not suit the next guy with a different driving style, set-up, or expectation...
The general concensous of those adept in the "black art" of suspension tuning will say that if a manufacturer has developed a car on 18" wheels putting 19's on will not likely improve the handling, they will probably have the opposite effect (as some of you have found)... Mine is on 18's.
I wanted handling over looks - Again to each their own (there is no judgement here...)
Going smaller in diameter than OE, given the alloys are lighter, can further improve accelleration, handling, feedback, turn-in speed etc.. due to reducing unsprung weight. But to really get a discernable improvement here, this mod inevitably will require signifcant suspension tuning by someone who knows what they are doing (potentially new adjustable shocks & springs & geometry tweaks) to dial everything in to make positive use of the reduced rotating mass (unspring weight) - The benefits of this mod has to be weighed up against the cost (if new suspension parts are to be purchased) & potential reduction in brake disc size (I don't know if OE discs & calipers will fit under 17's), then likely reduction in brake performance/overheating if disc size is reduced (unless you then fit cooling ducts and pipes for the brakes, like race cars).
Might be worth it for a track/race car but most would see it as a bit extreme for a road car where the benefits on road couldn't really be fully exploited anyway...It makes more sense to go for light weight 18's - OE shocks and springs can release benefits here.
There are choices aplenty depending on what you want and like... "life is like a box of choc's"
There are so many variables.....
* car set-up - suspension: OE or aftermarket
* geometry
* wheel choice - diameter/width/weight/offset & resultant impact on cars track width
* tyre pressures
* tyre condition
* driving style
* use (road/track)
* surface
* temperature
* weather conditions
* expectation & experience
* ability to accurately evaluate and compare
At the end of the day if you have found a tyre that you like and gives you confidence, that is what matters.
For what it's worth, I really rate the OE conti's for road use (not yet tried them on track) - I think for the road they are brilliant. But that is my opinion, on my car (which is no longer std.) and reflects my driving style and expectation of a performance road tyre.
I also have fitted the BMW retro fit strut brace which has helped my front tyres better key into the road on medium & high speed corners and offers more feedback from the front end. It works for me on my car but may not suit the next guy with a different driving style, set-up, or expectation...
The general concensous of those adept in the "black art" of suspension tuning will say that if a manufacturer has developed a car on 18" wheels putting 19's on will not likely improve the handling, they will probably have the opposite effect (as some of you have found)... Mine is on 18's.
I wanted handling over looks - Again to each their own (there is no judgement here...)
Going smaller in diameter than OE, given the alloys are lighter, can further improve accelleration, handling, feedback, turn-in speed etc.. due to reducing unsprung weight. But to really get a discernable improvement here, this mod inevitably will require signifcant suspension tuning by someone who knows what they are doing (potentially new adjustable shocks & springs & geometry tweaks) to dial everything in to make positive use of the reduced rotating mass (unspring weight) - The benefits of this mod has to be weighed up against the cost (if new suspension parts are to be purchased) & potential reduction in brake disc size (I don't know if OE discs & calipers will fit under 17's), then likely reduction in brake performance/overheating if disc size is reduced (unless you then fit cooling ducts and pipes for the brakes, like race cars).
Might be worth it for a track/race car but most would see it as a bit extreme for a road car where the benefits on road couldn't really be fully exploited anyway...It makes more sense to go for light weight 18's - OE shocks and springs can release benefits here.
There are choices aplenty depending on what you want and like... "life is like a box of choc's"
delete
As the tests show (my experience concurs), the Direzza is very close to the PS2 in the wet and tread life, but also very close to the Pilot Cup in dry grip. Seems to be the most popular tyre here at the moment for those who use the car on the road and track, but don't have dedicated track tyres.wooter said:I'd hope the Direzza would have better rain performance than the Pilot Sport Cup, which is a semislick.
And in the test, the PS2 is still on top in the wet. Not by much though.
The only downside is that they seem to be prone to picking up debris in the tyre compound more than other tyres I've had and have a bit of a hum at 60 to 70 km/h.