Tyre questions

ATR84 · Post by **ATR84** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:27 pm

I need 2 new front tyres on the lude. My tyre size is 215 40 17 87W. Currently I have Falken ZE-914 tyres all round. I inherited these off the previous owner, while they seem ok I was thinking of changing them to Toyo Proxes.

So far the cheapest I can find them is £67 a tyre, with free delivery, that's £134. I will get them fitted at my local tyre place I use. I prefer to do it this way as always works out cheaper. However, the toyo proxes on balck circles differ to the site I have found them cheaper on:

BlackCircles: 215/40 R17 W (87) XL - apparently the XL stands for re-inforced?
Oponeo: 215/40 R17 W (87) ZR - what does the ZR stand for?

I am open to suggestions on other tyres. My lude is a daily but I don't want to stick budgets on there. Something midrange with good grip is what I am looking for, hence the Toyo's.

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:31 pm

The XL should stand for Extra Load in reference to the stiffness of the sidewall. I don't know what ZR means, maybe the Toyo website can explain.

Edit - I think the ZR is still a speed rating, even though the W is stated

ZR means over 150mph (which is sub-devided into Z, W & Y).

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:35 pm

If you're going 40 profile then get the XL sidewalled tyres. Lots of people prefer to run 45 profile for extra confort, but that does throw the speedo out a little. 215/40/17 is the same rolling radius as a stock 4th gen wheel/tyre setup.

W & ZR are both speed ratings.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:36 pm

Car tyre speed ratings
S 180km/h or 112mph
T 190km/h or 118mph
U 200km/h or 125mph
H 210km/h or 130mph
V 240km/h or 149mph
W(ZR) 270km/h or 168mph
Y(ZR) 300km/h or 186mph
ZR Above 240km/h or 149mph

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:42 pm

There, twice confirmed

prelude_h22 · Post by **prelude_h22** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:06 pm

Slightly cheaper here from tyre leader.co.uk

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres-215-40-17/?m=7

Post by **vanzep** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:38 pm

Ive been looking at tyres recently albeit in 15" sizes and you could also consider Khumo KU31, Bridgestone Potenza RE002, Vredestein Sportrac 5.

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:38 pm

More to 45 profile and reep the benefits.

ATR84 · Post by **ATR84** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:45 pm

RattyMcClelland wrote:More to 45 profile and reep the benefits.

can't really as the rears dont need changing and I have found the 40 profile to be ok.

vanzep wrote:Ive been looking at tyres recently albeit in 15" sizes and you could also consider Khumo KU31, Bridgestone Potenza RE002, Vredestein Sportrac 5.

I think the bridgestones will be more than I want to pay but I will check. I have heard Kumho tyres being referred to as ditch finders on more than one occasion

Post by **vanzep** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:50 pm

Khumos are similar to Toyos in that performance drops off a fair bit once your down to 4-5mm
Bridgestones and Vredesteins should be a bit better than the Khumos and Toyos but a bit more expensive
Ive tried the Khumos and Toyos and want something a bit better