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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - A032R Yokohama.......Michel?

Interested in buying Yokohama A032Rs in size 195/55/15. I've read lots of reviews on the web but would appreciate some 'MG' input. Main concerns raised appear to be that the wet weather performance is poor and that the tyres are very noisy. I don't purposely drive in the rain so just need to know that they can get me home at normal speeds without any drama. As for noise, is it that much noisier than 'normal' tyres and is it more noticeable with hood up or down? The high wear rate isn't a problem and I would look to use the tyres for weekend road use and 2 or 3 track days a year.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks, David.
David Canning

I bought 195x65x15 Continentals for my V8.

They've had mixed reports, I've found them very comfortable and quiet at motorway speeds, I've had no problems in the wet, and grip at Silverstone in the dry last month was more than adequate for my driving ability, they did squeal a little coming out of the complex at full throttle, but braking grip was excellent.

Mike
Michael barnfather

A032R's are loud!

...worth it but loud. Try to get in a car with them before buying. If it's only a few track days it'd be worth buying road wheels and track wheels so at least you didn't have to buy new tyres after every race (if you've been driving regularly in between)....

Unless you drive on the road like you do on the track.....Shame on you ;?)
Stuart Robson

David
I do about 10 trackdays a year and have been using the 032R lately. I have a spare set of rear wheels and use normal road tyres on the back when not on the track. They grip really well and surprisingly are very good in the wet, as long as there is no standing water when the tread just cant clear the water and aquaplaning occurs normally at about 70 - 80mph.
The rears tend to wear very quickly but the fronts are good for about 5 trackdays and about 3000 miles.
Because the Yokos are so expensive I have just bought some Dunlop Formula R tyres to try on the front as they are about 20 quid cheaper.
My wheels are 7jx15 and I use 205/50-15
I have not really noticed the tyres being noisy, in fact they dont seem much louder than road tyres.
My advice is to get a spare set of wheels and just use the sticky tyres on the track or it could get very expensive.

Cheers

Mark
Mark

I have run a variety of "R" compound tires on the street, both on my 67 GT and a 90 Miata. Except for wear, there were few sacrifices. I replaced every summer (fun summers) You will be amazed by the amount of grip that these tires can generate;just not comparable to a street tire. Until they warm up, they are kind of greasy.

Having said that, I now am a BIG fan of the Falken Azeni tire. Its about 85% of the "R" compound grip. They are actually reasonable in the rain. They will last two summers. They look a lot like the A032. They cost 1/4 of the price! Until you get to be a good driver (LOTS of track time) you will not miss the extra grip.

Pete
Pete

Cheers Guys,

Looks like my best plan is to fit them on my existing 14" wheels and see how I like them (a lot from what you say!). I'm going to change to 15" for next Summer so I'll put some more regular tyres on the 15" and keep the 14s for the track.

Appreciate the input.
David.
David Canning

I use my car for track day exclusively. The V8 conversion is strictly
forbidden by the french legislation. For move I use a trailer. I have two
set of wheels. One shoed with Avon ZZCR6 rain (dry available) and one with
Yokohama 195/55x15 soft(also hard and supersoft). I have selected Compomotive HL 6x15 ET6
as wheels. The suspension at front is a Hopkinson kit with Bilstein, OE
springs, 1° negative lower arm and ¾ anti roll bar. All blue polybush. At
rear. OE leaf springs, Bilstein, antitramps, Panhard rod, nylatron and
polybush. With the Yoko, warm tyres the handling is stunning, but the slide
is brutal without warn. On the wet alike. The Yokohama is a racing tyre,
approved, for the road use. The Avon is more easy to use, but with less
grip. No doubt, the Avon is greater for the road. The Yoko wear out
rapidly, but the fun is so much good, I prefer that one.
Regards.
http://membres.lycos.fr/mgcontact/fileupload/uploads/1093277302_tyres.jpg
michel

Thanks Michel,

So it's A032R on the 14" wheels for track days and something like Bridgestone SO2 when I get the 15" wheels for the road though I'll have a look at the Avons before I decide.
I wonder if the A032Rs will seem more progressive on mine as I don't have a panhard rod. We shall see!

Cheers.
David Canning

David:

You may well need a panhard bar to run sticky tires; I certainly did. 195-60-14 were fine on "normal" tires, but I got a nice grove on my Yokos from the fender lip at the rear. The extra grip puts a lot of forces into the chassis that were never considered by the builders.

Im waiting for tires to become sticky enough to just rip the suspension off the chassis!
Pete

Michel

Are you pleased with the Compomotive wheels? It looks like my choice is between Compomotive, Minilite and Superlite. All make suitable offsets though the 6J Compomotive are actually narrower (174mm) than the other two (180mm) so the offsets aren't directly comparable.

David.
David Canning

It is necessary to improve, a little bit, the rear suspension (the front also) for track days use and with high grip tyres, nylatron for the rear shackle and sping centre pads. The panhard rod allow safety little clearance between tyre and wheel arch lip. I haven't any problems with my Compomotive wheels, good offset strong and nice. I like the Minilite, I have Mini (true mini mkII) with this.
I have sandblasted and all reseamed the shell of my car before painting.
Regards.
michel

David

I agree with michel about the uprated bushes but would not use nylatron on a road car, polyurethane will give better results if you want a reasonable ride and long life without lots of maintenance.

Also I would try 15" wheels before you buy because the ride quality will be different to the 14" - I know because I have used both.

Regards,

Dave
Dave Brooke

This thread was discussed between 20/08/2004 and 31/08/2004

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