Stock tire setup for Mondial t -- questions

I just took delivery an hour ago of my NEW (to me) 19661-mile 1989 Mondial t Coupe, a car that my shop has serviced since day one. A year and a half ago, I installed a set of Kumho Ecsta 712's on this car for the PO and am VERY happy with this choice as a GT-biased/moderately high performance tire. If I track this car (which I don't NEED to), I will buy a set of 348 wheels and put some Kumho Victoracers or Toyo RA-1's on them, but for daily driving at a reasonable price, the 712's are great. Out of your list, I would buy the Exaltos.

-Peter (welcome to the US t Coupe brotherhood, only 42 can belong!)

 

Dave,

Congratulations and welcome ! ! ! Now the long wait for "homecoming" begins - but it is well worth it.

Sophia wears Goodyear f1's. They were put on by the dealer (FoH) during her major prior to her moving in with us. So far we've been pleased but will be looking to the experience of others when it comes time for replacement. Of your listed choices, I'd choose between the Michelins.

We have Pilot Sports and Pirelli P Zero Rossos on a couple of other cars so we have something of an informal tire comparison test underway. Outcome to be determined.

Looking forward to seeing her pictures.

Ciao,

John

 

Congrats Dave. I'm certain you'll enjoy your new acquisition.

On my 'T', I recently put on a set of Bridgestone S-03's. The car had a set of Kumho 712's on previously which seemed to break loose under complex cornering (I wouldn't "lose it" per se, but there would be a lot of tire squeal and correcting while going at it in the mountains).

The Bridgestones have been excellent. I can't comment on noise since it's a t-cab, but they hold the road very well, are predictable and stay smooth driving over rain grooves, etc. I know they're not on your list, but it's just another opinion to consider.

 

Great news Dave! Have the S0-3's here as well. I increased the size too 225/50/16 and 245/45/16. This is common to do and with the power steering you have no need to worry about any extra effort.

 

Great news! Congratulations. My T is running Pirelli P7000 Supersports, which is what it came with. I don't know if you can remember the feel of the ride we took. I'm not sure how to compare them to other brands but they are ZR 16s and ride comfortably. One interesting note is that they are M+S tires, which seems a little incongruent for an F-car, given its expected driving environment, but mine is a daily driver for the most part so rain and even snow could be encountered. Good luck!

 

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. hank_sound has 'em on his t. I have them on my other car and love 'em. I'd get 'em for my t except the rubber that came with the car last Sept. is too new.

 

I have had the Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone tires on my T - currently running the Bridgestones. I did not dislike any of them...however, my next set will be the Pilot Sports for their superior grip in the rain and overall feel.

- TCab

 

Pole Position SO3s

 

I've only used the Michelin Pilot Sports on the t Coupe. Good grip in dry and wet, little road noise and reasonably priced. No complaints.

 

The PS2 do not have much road noise in my experience. In fact the Kumho 712 were worse, and the Kumho also tramlined MUCH worse as well. The 712 are a very good value, though as mentioned by another they do not have the handling capability, especially when compared to the Mich PS2. For street use the PS2 are very good, including wet weather. On the racetrack the PS2 did very impressively, especially when track temps were dry/75F or higher.

Have since retired the PS2 for track days in exchange for the Mich Pilot Cups R-compound, but still use what is left of the PS2 for street use and wet track days. FYI: Might switch to Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 when the PS2 are trashed. Am amazed the (ab)use the PS2 have taken and the tread left. The other track guys say the Mich Cups also seem to have very good wear life, especially when compared to Hoosier, but that is another game eh?

 

Did it arrive yet? I'm looking for the pictures!

Now that we've discussed which tires on a stock T, what inflation pressure do people use for regular street use? For no particular reason, I'm using 35 psi both front and rear. That pressure seems to give a good ride and handling.

 

I am using 35/38 in the Kumho 712's. Rides fine. If the expansion joints in the concrete highway start getting to me, I just switch to "soft" and it goes away <grin>!

-Peter (to work and back for the last three days, the "new" will NEVER wear off!)

 

For every day use I run 30 front, 34 rear psi for the Pilot Sports.

 

Changed from Dunlop SP 9000 to Pirelli P Zero Rosso. Markable difference when driven on dry road in terms of lateral capabilities. In the rain I never push the car to the limit so I have to rely on a test in a sports car magazin: The Pirellis where better than the sucessor of the 9000, the Dunlop SP Maxx.

I´m always looking for an excellent allrounder (dry road, wet road, steering precision, predictability, braking ...). The actual choice depends always on your individual demand profile.

I figure that recommendations wrt to tires have a short life: Almost every year brings new innovations and the best tires change from year to year. I have been attentious to tire reviews in sport car magazins for quite a time and the top score comes generally from Michelin, Continental, Pirelli or Dunlop with Bridgestone and Goodyear a little bit behind.

 

Congratulations Dave. Looking forward to seeing some pictures.
Ciao,
John