Semi Slick tyres

[Wezelton]

60 profile is too big, has to be 195/50 and yeah hill climb/mountain pass, too much initial d this week lol i could probably squeeze 205/50's

guards are flared as but the low offset make them hang out still.

[TooF]

the 615's come in 205/50/15 although they do feel like they are actually little bigger then that size ... if that makes sense

i find they scrubbed a tiny bit at first at the front in the two but once they wore down a shade they have been fine.

[TurboRA28]

what are people paying roughly for a 615? in 15".

[TooF]

$219 in 205/50/15

[Nark]

FWIW (just in case others may be looking at the same rare size)

225/45R18
$324ea from Blairs in Cabramatta
$348ea from Bob Janes in Fyshwick - Had to squeeze them really hard for this price though

[Draven]

Mmmmm - cheap

[Nark]

Well, the OEM RE050As that don't grip as well and have a worse wear rating cost $400ea (cheapest price I found, some places quoted me $650!!). It sux to have a car with wheel sizes the same as Porsches and Ferraris.

[SmellyTofu]

No idea. I only asked for (and got) 18s.

I know they make them down to 15" sizes, but whether you can get them in Australia is another question.

I have a friend with 195/60R14 on the Echo ... bought them from Tempe.

[SmellyTofu]

Can anyone tell me about heat cycling. I've got a set of A048 in the shed (just waiting on rims).... what is the process to do it right?

[Nark]

Just thought I'd write a few words on the RT615s.

Type:
Semi-slick street compound. ADR approved (street legal).

Grip:
Absolutely phenomenal. Leagues ahead of any other tyre I've ever had. The amazing thing is that they're not even R comp.

Breakaway:
Very progressive. Very predictable and not snappy at all.

Noise:
Quiet. But I pay very little attention to tyre noise so YMMV.

Wear:
I've had them on for 20,000km now and they look like they'll make at least 25,000km. Very happy.
Here's a pic of what they look like at 20,000km.
http://toymods.net/forums/showthread...574#post313574

Cons:
Being semi-slick, they are more susceptible to aquaplaning than the average tyre. But nothing dangerous. I have no fear of the wife taking the car out in the pouring rain. Wet grip is also very good, just watch out for puddles when you're hammering it in the wet.

Compared to:
The OEM tyres on the Liberty were the Bridgestone RE050As. The RE050As have won the latest Motor tyre test.
The RT615s are shitloads grippier, last just as long, and cost less.
The RE050As have stiffer sidewalls (so turn in response is better) and don't aquaplane as readily.

Overall:
I'm absolutely stoked with the tyres. Can't stop raving on about them.
Everyone I've spoken to who's bought these tyres share my feelings as well.
Feel the love.

Highly recommended. I don't think I'll ever go back to a normal street tyre and the R comps don't last long enough. These are the perfect balance for a daily driver that's driven hard IMO.

[Draven]

nice - these are my planned tyre for then the RE050As run out on the supra... good to hear rave reviews

[MR22ZZ]

great review

I've been looking into these myself, but cannot find them in the right size

EDIT: the webpage says that 215/40r17 is available
I just hope they are also available here as well as the US

[kingmick]

any tyre that is a semi-slick that you get more than 3000km's out of is more a harder compound road tire and less of a semi-slick uless it hasnt been pushed on a track etc.
example, you dont do anywere near 3000km of good driving in a targa event but you have to be very careful you dont stuff the tires in the event and look after them!
Proper semi slicks you wouldnt use every day unless you had a healthy bank balance and you didnt want problems in the wet!
A proper semi-slick is very average in the wet if you have any sort of HP. It only takes a quick look at what a track car that uses slicks for its class, uses for its wet weather tyre to get an idea of the diffrence!

Road tyres are like road engines and suspension, its all a compromise!

[Nark]

Mick, I think you're confusing semi-slick with R compound?
They generally go hand in hand, but not all the time.

[kingmick]

Yes and no, R usually means soft compound and is a semi-slick but anything hard really isnt a semi slick as slicks are soft!
But i know what you mean Max.