A048's at this time of year?

[Deany1986]

Hi all, been posting in the newbie section asking a few questions. Ive put a deposit down on an exige s and im travelling down south to see it on fri and if it is as descibed il be driving it back up the road.

My question is regarding the yoko's with it being quite frosty lately are these going to be an absolute nightmare in present conditions?
And does it basically (sensibly) rule out using the car at this time of year?

I work offshore and leave for a long trip next week and it's playing on my mind to get a set of something like t1 r's ordered for when i get back at the end of January.

Kevin.

[philthy]

plenty of topics about them on here, just do a quick search.

Basically comes down to they are just like any other tyres (better in most cases) in all conditions except standing water where they aquaplane a lot easier.

[TommyK]

I've had no trouble with mine. A bit of sensibleness is required - but not so much that enjoyment is removed.

[Shug]

plenty of topics about them on here, just do a quick search.

Oh dear, SELOC-itis...

Just put a new set of 48s on the front of mine. They are okay, bearing in mind that they will aquaplane faster, they will climb up on top of snow and they don't get the temp they need to really work well. Drive smooth and it's fine - I've been through winters on far worse tyres than 48s (Maxsports)

[jj]

I personally cannot see the point in using track tyre throughout a winter - never mind an expensive track tyre.

Fine if you are only going to use them on dry days but given that a set of T1Rs is £300 thats a lot cheaper than a resulting insurance claim because you aquaplaned off a motorway / ran into the back of someone.

I put a set of LTS spec A039s on my old S2 Exige and they were by far the best all round tyre I have driven a car with. Had to abandon the car on 48s when it got stuck in snow and walk 2 miles home. Not fun

[robin]

Agreed - you will never keep any temp in them on the road, so you cannot push them. On the other hand they are way softer than normal road tyres, so you need less temperature in them to achieve the same grip.

Depending on your planned use of the car, a set of road tyres are good value for money as the 48's are not a good road tyre for all round use on Scotland's roads and are pretty expensive mile for mile.

If you're mostly going to track it, leave the 48s on and take care - it's not just water that will catch them out - they are terrible on loose surfaces, so any place a tractor has come off the field, watch out!

If you're planning on mostly road use, you can fit any of the normal road tyre choices (Toyo T1R, Yoko AD07, etc).

Take care and enjoy the car!

Cheers,
Robin

[Shug]

Oh, I didn't fit them to use over winter - I just don't have the cash or spare wheels to spunk on winter tyres, that's all and I want the car in shape for when it's spring again. Winter slogging is what the Merc is for. So, if you have to use them, they are fine, that's what I'm saying. No doubt it'd be daft to drive on them if you didn't need to.

[philthy]

plenty of topics about them on here, just do a quick search.

Oh dear, SELOC-itis...

no... just trying to point him to more information than I can offer.

[Shug]

Fair enough, my bad.

[Deany1986]

Thanks for the replies guys, I plan on taking the car on track but this will prob only be a couple times a year and more than likely during spring/summer time. Will see how i get on with the yoko's. Can see me buying another set of tyres for the winter months and keep the yoko's for the better weather, dont have enough money the now for another set of alloys so guess id just be swapping the tyre's over twice a year.

Wont ask you's whats the best road tyre to buy as from reading previous post's i gather as usual with something like this there is some disagreement on what tyre choice is best

Cheers, Kevin.

[paulW]

Wont ask you's whats the best road tyre to buy as from reading previous post's i gather as usual with something like this there is some disagreement on what tyre choice is best

Cheers, Kevin.

Even more reason to ask, nothing better than a good heated debate ...(and get my pathetic post count up) +1

I am running Goodyear F1's on a narrower 205 profile at the back, great in rain and snow...so far.
(though I am driving like a girl.)

[steve_weegie]

I am running Goodyear F1's on a narrower 205 profile at the back, great in rain and snow...so far.
(though I am driving like a girl.)

Paul, let me know how you get on with the GSD3's. Did you get the XL's with the stiffer side walls??

I'd have them on the S2, but would need to go to a 205 front & i'm not sure about clearance....

[scott_e]

i tried a winter on A048s, in the dry when cold i couldnt get the back end out if i tried, in the wet i found them very confortable but i drove like a granny, on icey days it was scary ... even when granny driving. Lots of people here that can handle a lotus better than me , just my opinion as a noivce.

take it easy
Scott

[Neil72]

Yesterday I done a 200 mile + round trip to Newcastle and back in the passenger seat of an Exige S shod with A048's. Conditions were not great at places on the A68.....snow, slush, water all lying at various stages of the journey.

The car was 100% rock solid and it never so much as twitched at any point. Based on this performance, I was highly impressed with the tyres and I'd say you shouldn't have any major problems as long as you are sensible.

[VXJON]

While on the subject

has anyone tried acb10's in the snow and ice