Been meaning to do this for ages now, thought it might be useful to have a subjective and informative thread on tyre choice for the Racing Puma..
If people add to this thread, maybe they could stick roughly to the same format of scoring etc to make comparisons clear... A single line saying "I had these tyres, they were crap" isn't very helpful..
![:rolleyes:](http://www.pumapeople.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
![:P](http://www.pumapeople.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
Scoring will be:
1 very poor
2 Disappointing
3 average / acceptable
4 Good performance
5 Outstanding
Comment on the following attributes:
Dry weather performance
Wet weather performance
Suited for track or road (or maybe both)??
Overall firmness/feel and FRP suitability
Asthetics / tread pattern
Still available?? / cost / supplier
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Pirelli P7000 – OEM Tyre
![Posted Image](http://www.pumapeople.com/stuff/1328698232/med_gallery_435_251_1000.jpg)
Dry weather performance - score 4/5
Excellent 10 years ago when the tyres were a little ‘fresher’.. A clear choice for Ford as they were no doubt ‘cheap ish’ probably due them being phased out fairly soon after, also they were super firm.. When the car was new and you drove on these in warm weather there was seemingly endless grip..
Wet weather performance – score 3/5 acceptable
Never really had a problem with these in wet weather. You knew where you stood and knew not to take the piss!
Track / road performance score 4/5
A good all rounder for both I thought, but definately more a road tyre than track.. Even after hard driving on track the tread stood up well and tyres were generally ok to carry on using on the way home after the mild bobbling had worn down.
Excellent overall suitability 4/5
Tread Pattern - Directional
Availability
Cost was generally around £100-120 each… none currently available
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Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2
![Posted Image](http://www.pumapeople.com/stuff/1328698232/med_gallery_435_251_56501.jpg)
Dry Weather Performance 4.5 /5
Excellent grip in the dry
Wet Weather Performance 5/5 Outstanding!
Defies the laws of Physics! Outstanding wet weather feel and grip. Incredible how hard you can drive the FRP in wet weather on these tyres!
Road/Track?
Definitely a road tyre. Just too expensive to use on track, also the outside semi/slick shoulder wears down too quick on proper hard driving to make them a do’able track tyre. I’, sure this was the tyre developed for the Clio Cup cars… would be interesting experiment if money was no object to give them a good go on track.
FRP Suitability and ‘feel’ - score 4.5/5
Excellent feel on the floor, I had real trouble getting a set to balance up properly after numerous attempts, even when I was nearly happy with the balancing, after some hard driving the steering wobble came flying back again… very annoying ( iv’e been very unlucky in this respect I think). Have driven them on three other cars, and the general feel and suitability is excellent, just make sure your tracking and balancing and bushes are all in good order so you don’t spoil them like I did!
Tread Pattern
Aysemmetric tread
Availability
widely available at around £150-160 fitted each!..eek
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Hankook RS2
![Posted Image](http://www.pumapeople.com/stuff/1327439839/med_gallery_435_251_16746.jpg)
Dry weather performance score 4.5/5!
Excellent dry performance when up to temperature, can catch you out a little if you swing them into a corner without appropriate warm up time.
Wet weather performance - score 3.5/5
Acceptable wet performance
Track/Road?
Marketed as a track tyre with full tread depth...stand up very well on track.. excellent feel and response
Overall feel and suitability - 5/5!
Awesome feel on the FRP, a very firm and grippy feel, compliments the handling superbly, going from the pilot exaltos to these was like fitting whole new suspension! In my opinion simply the ultimate FRP tyre!!
Asthetics 5/5
Nice chunky looking thick tread blocks - Directional tread
Availability
Unfortunately this tyre was phased out a couple of seasons ago.. major bummer! They have developed an RS3 but it’s not for European distribution..boooo
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Hankook Ventus V12 EVO
![Posted Image](http://www.pumapeople.com/stuff/1327439839/med_gallery_435_251_87669.jpg)
Dry weather 'grip' - Score 4/5
Very grippy in the dry – very impressive in this respect
Wet weather - score 3/5
Acceptable but you know not to take the piss!.. nothing like the Pilot exaltos.. observe caution!
Track/Road -
Definitely a Road tyre, can’t see them taking much punishment on track
Overall feel and suitability - 2/5
Quite a ‘thin’ feel to them compared to the Pilot Exalto’s, but as least you can feel more of whats going on (recommend fitting new oem anti-roll bar bushes with these if they are worn).. feel quite nice when new, can imagine they might feel harsh when down below half worn.. A decent mid priced tyre, very similar in feel and quality to the Toyo proxies (similar price too)... recommend 32-33 psi on the front with these (personal choice)
admendment.... These have just felt thinner and thinner as the year has gone by....like driving on jelly now
![:rant:](http://www.pumapeople.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/ranting2.gif)
Asthetics
Directional tread - Very nice touch having hankook stamped down the center rib..super cool! Score 5/5
Availability
Widely available at very reasonable money! (around £75ish not incl. fitting)
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