More Tire Questions

[mhknapp]

Does anyone have any experience with Toyo Proxies? I can get a set for the Boxster (17inch) at Express Tire for $615, or I can get a set of Michelin Pilots from Costco for $800.

Opinions please

Thanks

Mike

[Dan Chambers]

If you're talking about the Toyo Proxes RA-1, there is about a mile of discussion about this tire somewhere on this forum.

In a nutshell, quite a few drivers like this tire - shaved - as a track tire. They appear to have the same grip as Kuhmo Victoracers, last much longer, heat cycle more consistantly, and seems a lot of us (myself included) really like them. Also, we've been getting them thru Chapman Scottsdale BMW in Arizona (Bryan Shackelford). They seem to ahve the best deal for these tires. (Note: the full-tread tire drives completely different at competitive events than do the shaved tires.)

Also, it's the official tire of the 944Spec Series racers. Ask Tim C., Jackie Corwin, Mark Foley, Jeff Grow, Chuck Sharp, etc.

If your talking about the ProxesT1-S or Proxes 4: sorry ... can't help you.

I'm sure others will chime in. Jad, Carl, Jack Miller, Bill I., Tom T.?

Beulla?

Hope this helps.

[Kim Crosser]

Minor note - I am sure you checked that those are Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires (there are several varieties of Michelin Pilots available). $800 installed (balanced, etc.) is a pretty good price - TireRack has them for $674, but then you have shipping, installation, etc.

Personally, as a Boxster driver, I like the BF Goodrich gForce T/A KD for a combination street and AX tire. For 17", they are around $900-$950 installed/balanced at Discount Tire if you "work" them (don't forget Porsche Club 10% discount, no insurance/warranty [on a tire that only lasts 8000 miles?], and get them to waive recycle fees, etc.). Great dry traction (poor wet traction) - very good cornering grip.

You might want to look at the comparisons on performance at TireRack:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=MP&VT=null&sortValue=6

[Gary Burch]

And as Kim has a fondness for saying,"These are not Race Tires!"

[Kim Crosser]

Race tires? Moi?

Good thing I swapped them onto Dick & Rikki's Boxster last time!

[mhknapp]

Sorry, these are for street use, the Toyos are the Proxie4, checked with Discount Tire in Poway and they are offering a set of BFG's for less than $600, so I think that's where I'll go.
Appreciate all the input, will keep you posted on the BFG's, car currently has SO-3s and 30k, so I figure it came with OEM tires that probably lasted 15k, and the SO-3s lasted 15k (already to the wear bar in the rear). Hopefully get a little better road mileage with the BFGs.

Mike

[Jad]

If you are looking for smooth quiet, long lasting tires, you may want to keep looking. The BFG's are a great tire if AX max grip is a major concern, but they are a very sporty tire. If you want better wear and ride, avoid the ultra high performance tires and get more of a touring tire.

It all depends on your needs as to what is best. The touring tires will cost less and wear longer at the expense of ultimate grip. All tires are a trade-off and you need to figure out what is most important for your usage.

[Kim Crosser]

Also - beware that you are getting the RIGHT BFGs. One of the other Boxster drivers went to get a set of g-Force T/A KDs, and got sold a "new and improved" (and less expensive) version from Discount, which are NOT the g-Force T/A KD tires I use. I don't think he is all that happy with the performance of the tires.

Discount normally quotes the REAL g-Force T/A KDs at around $1100 installed and balanced. At $600, you would be getting them for hundreds less than the raw tire price at Tire Rack.

Tire Rack quotes the real g-Force T/A KDs at:
205/50-17 (fronts) - $157 each
255/40-17 (rears) - $222 each
Thus, a full set of 4 tires would be $758 before taxes, shipping, installation, balancing, etc.

$600 for a full set sounds incredibly low - if that is for the real set, let me know and I will buy a couple more!

My guess is that they are selling the "Sport" (or maybe the "KDW 2") variant at that price.

BFG makes at least the following:
** g-Force T/A KD **
This is the max performance tire - best for AX - not so good in wet weather (hey - but we live in San Diego!).

g-Force Sport
g-Force T/A KDW
g-Force T/A KDW 2
These three are good all-purpose variants, but will NOT get you the best grip at an AX. The KDW variants are designed for better handling in the wet ("W"), but at the loss of dry pavement grip.

g-Force T/A KDWS
The all-season version of the KDW.

Traction T/A H (and V)
All-season high traction tires (for snow and ice, I think).

If you are thinking of competing seriously in the Boxster AX classes, I can only recommend the first one (g-Force T/A KD). The others will definitely have less grip and handling.

Jad's comment about your intended use is very true. The T/A KDs are a bit noisier than some of the other tires. I personally liked the Bridgestone S-02s of the Porsche-recommended brands as far as ride and noise, but they just didn't stick as well.

Also, beware that the T/A KDs will turn into rocks at around 30% remaining tread. While you could get 10-11,000 miles out of a set on the street (which is all I got out of Continentals and Bridgestones), if you plan on staying competitive and are attending most AXs, figure on replacing the T/A KDs at around 7000 miles. Beyond that point, they can be a lot of fun and you can get a lot of practice counter-steering out of a slide/drift, but it will be difficult to get low times.

[mhknapp]

Decided to go with the BFG's they are the g-force sports, on the positive side they have a pretty high wear rating 340, compared to the others 220, and 240. I realize that I'm giving up some of the maximum performance for a little longer tire wear, initial impression is pretty good, the tires are quiet, the ride is smooth, and I seem to be able to take my normal off-ramps/on-ramps at the same speed.
Will keep everyone posted, appreciate all the input. Looking forward to meeting some of you on SUnday, just look for the old fart in the blue boxster that looks lost ;-]

Mike

[harnishclan]

I just bought goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 for 993 and they are working great! Got a screaming deal through Tire Rack, $723 delivered + $80 to have them mounted and balanced.

[4est]

Instead of checking my tire pressure on Sunday at WSIR, I just did a walk around. Then I did the first practise session. Then I checked my hot tire pressure. 37, 38.5, 38.5, 11. 11? Yep, I had run a 25 minute session where I reached 125+ twice per lap on a flat front tire. Luckily, it was the right front; the left front would have peeled off in turn two or the Omega or certainly turn 8-9. The sidewalls in the RA-1 are made of cast iron. The car didn't even feel funny. didn't damage the tire, either. These are outstanding tires for a number of reasons, the sidewall strength being another.

4est

[David Ray]

My front RA-1s gave out (corded) after the last session on Sat. at WSIR. Total of 16 cycles. I bought a shaved set for the front at the garage that evening and continued to run on Sun. I had no problems duplicating and lowering my times with the front's switched out.

The RA-1s are the most consistent tire I've run at CA and WSIR without failure. I've seen many Kumho Victor's including a set I owned with problems after a couple of cycles. They seem to be very inconsistent, maybe due to their large production runs.

[bobbrand]

I was talking to Gerry at Discount Tire on Genesee recently.
He said he now has capability to shave tires. He said that it's done offsite, but they are offering it. Plus he still can heat-cycle tires onsite.

This could be convenient for all of the local guys who want to run the Toyos or the V700's.

Plus Gerry is a big supporter the club and has been known to offer good deals and special treatment to his regular customers.

[Otto]

Good to know Bob. I had been buying all my tires from Gerry at Discount Tire (Genesee) but he couldn't supply them to me when I needed them shaved, specifically the Toyos. If he can do it now and his prices continue to be competitive, his Discount Tire store is an excellent choice for tires. He has always provided me very good service.

[bobbrand]

Speaking of great customer service...

One of my CCW wheels sprung a leak. The silicone bead between the two rim halves had a little pin-hole. I've heard this has happened to others with CCW and maybe any 3-piece.

Anyway, you have to take the wheels apart to fix them, and so I start thinking -- oh crap, what is that going to cost, and where do you go to do it, and I don't have time, and etc.

So, Gerry (at Discount Genesee) says to me. "Don't worry Bob, I'll take care of it." I say, "How much?" He says, "I said I'll take care of it." And it is done. Now THAT is customer service!

Bob