UPDATE ON NEW TIRES
I’ve talked about the new tires I have on My BMW M3. I have a “straight” set of wheels with Yokohama S.drive tires that are about 4 years old. Two of them are pretty worn and hydroplane on certain surfaces. These tires have done well for me and they still have a little life in them. I can use them as long as I’m on a dry surface. I like the tires so well that I’m getting them again. This time I’m putting them on my original wheels, which are “staggered.” (The rear wheels are wider than the front.)
Here’s what I noticed after taking the tires for their first drive.
Continue reading »
Comparing an old Dunlop SP Sport 9000 to a new Yokohama S.drive
Old tires with plenty of tread can perform poorly or even be dangerous. Time and exposure to elements degrade the rubber and the compound begins to harden. That means that the tire won’t grip as well. This video talks about tire aging and compound degradation.
Aging can also effect the tire structure below the surface. The generally accepted sweet spot of tire life is around 5 years for normal driving. High performance driving and trucks pulling or carrying heavy loads might have a shorter practical life. Some have suggested 4 years.
I’ve had great success with Yokohama tires on my BMWs, but not so much with my Hondas.
On my BMWs I’ve had Yokohama Avid V4S tires on my ’96 328i and S.drive tires on my ’97 M3. They’ve served me well, both on the street and track. I’ve been especially pleased with the S.drive tires. So I’m generally a fan of Yokohama, demonstrated by the fact that I have a 10′ Yokohama banner on my garage wall.
I’ve had POOR results with Yokohamas on our Hondas. My daily driver is an ’01 Accord. (Handles like a SOFA compared to my M3) About a year ago I tried replacing the tires with Avid H4S Yokohamas.
Continue reading »
