Got myself some sticky tyres

Matmulder · 6 Apr 2011 at 19:35

sigma said:
You must be traveling at stupendous speeds to be able to break grip on semi-slicks on the road though, surely? Far too quick for other road users to react.

I don't want this to turn into a futile 'road safety' discussion, and I won't argue the case with Gibbo, different car to my Exige so its hard to comment on the EVO - but if you're at the limit of grip with warm A048's on an Elise/Exige on the road, then you're a bit mad! Or should be in F1.

As for them in the wet, easy for you to say in an EVO with 4WD, trick diffs and electronics - try it in a mid-engined lightweight car with no aids!

My buttcheeks are so tight after a drive I don't poo for a week!

Gibbo · 6 Apr 2011 at 19:51

Matmulder said:
I don't want this to turn into a futile 'road safety' discussion, and I won't argue the case with Gibbo, different car to my Exige so its hard to comment on the EVO - but if you're at the limit of grip with warm A048's on an Elise/Exige on the road, then you're a bit mad! Or should be in F1.

As for them in the wet, easy for you to say in an EVO with 4WD, trick diffs and electronics - try it in a mid-engined lightweight car with no aids! My buttcheeks are so tight after a drive I don't poo for a week!

No agreed, it would be a completely different ball game in an Elise as in theory its break away point will not only be higher but it will also be a lot more snappy and nowhere near as progressive.

But yes on fully warm AD08's which have huge amounts of grip its not that hard to drive the EVO constantly at its grip limitations and actually beyond them on both road and track.

Gibbo · 6 Apr 2011 at 19:54

sigma said:
You must be traveling at stupendous speeds to be able to break grip on semi-slicks on the road though, surely? Far too quick for other road users to react.

No different than a GTR flying along on a road on its sticky tyres. I've never had any issue with other road users, they are either on their side of the road and I am on mine or I simply overtake them when safe to do so.

I've been in GTR doing well over 160mph on the road, I was not driving but at the same time I felt completely safe and well it all just seemed rather calm, I guess thats why in the end I did not for a GTR as the speeds that car needs to travel at to get your pulse going in jail sentence fast, its just too capable, but again there was never any issue with other road users.

Gibbo · 6 Apr 2011 at 19:57

jon- said:
Tried the Super Sports yet Gibbo?

No mate

The AD08's have really proved to be the complete tyre, even after 4000-5000 miles they appear to have another good 3000-4000 miles left in them, really can't complain at that.

But when I wear down the Pirelli Pzero Rosso which are on the 911, I shall look at getting the Super Sports just as long as my car can take 305's on the rear as I believe thats going to be the only n-rated size.

jon- · 6 Apr 2011 at 22:59

I was wondering if that was you on PH

RedvGreen · 6 Apr 2011 at 23:42

AD07 and AD08 are virtually the same tyre - same compound different tread pattern. A048 are the semi-slick widow makers. You'll be lucky to net 1sec off lap times when comparing A048s versus 07 or 08s.

That in itself is NOT worth it. 48s are very soft and wear away faster, they are much more expensive AND they start with a ridiculously low tread depth. Always go for the 07 or 08s.

These are from an Elise's perspective. In a heavier car 48s will last even less time, especially if you burn rubber or frequently lock the wheels with heavy right foot syndrome.

In case you didn't notice, I love AD07 and AD08.

For reference, i'm running 07s on my Elise SC (245BHP (equivalent of 270BHP per ton) - on the thresh-hold of breaking traction under maximum acceleration without any suspension mods) and they have lasted me 12k miles.

Dredd · 7 Apr 2011 at 08:33

f00f1ght0r said:
That in itself is NOT worth it. 48s are very soft and wear away faster, they are much more expensive AND they start with a ridiculously low tread depth. Always go for the 07 or 08s.

They last around 3000 miles for me without being on track on my exige, good luck in a heavy car

but a great tyre, had some fun using them in snow and wet this year

sigma · 7 Apr 2011 at 21:36

Gibbo said:
No different than a GTR flying along on a road on its sticky tyres.

My point was that if you're about to push semi-slicks to the point of breaking traction on public roads then I would class that as being dangerous. You'd be going at such speeds that there would be little to no margin for error.

At least on a track you have run-off and traffic going in one direction. I'm quite shocked that you see no problem with it.

We're not just talking about your average 'hoon' here, we're talking pretty crazy speeds.

ScoobyDoo69 · 7 Apr 2011 at 21:42

These will be used mainly for track use..

Shad · 7 Apr 2011 at 21:58

Would be wary of re-using A048s. I've been told the beading doesn't do so well when they are taken off wheels and re-used. Not had any personal experience, just what I've been told.

Great tyres though. Use them all year round on the 7. Usually get between 1500 and 2000 dry miles from the rears (you Lotus boys need to try harder

). Do be mindful of their abilities in the wet though, as people have said.

And I do love the argument about needing to drive like a loon to make these worth while. Don't forget that the tyre is the only thing touching the road and believe me the grip these offer for dry braking is phenomenal, not to mention direction change.

sigma · 7 Apr 2011 at 22:00

Shad said:
And I do love the argument about needing to drive like a loon to make these worth while.

Which argument is that then? :confused:

Shad · 7 Apr 2011 at 22:08

sigma said:
My point was that if you're about to push semi-slicks to the point of breaking traction on public roads then I would class that as being dangerous. You'd be going at such speeds that there would be little to no margin for error.

At least on a track you have run-off and traffic going in one direction. I'm quite shocked that you see no problem with it.

We're not just talking about your average 'hoon' here, we're talking pretty crazy speeds.

Ok I wasn't going to comment but this narrow-minded point of view has wound me up slightly.

Do you agree that 70mph on a clear and dry motorway is ok? Would you perhaps agree that higher speeds are also ok on a dry and clear motorway? Hopefully you'd also agree that 30mph in residential areas is ok.

How about that motorway when it's covered in standing water and you can't see 200m in front due to spray? 70mph still ok then?

You drive to the conditions available. If you have good visibility, good surface conditions, have taken stock of all the possible hazards and are capable, then you can often find the limits of whatever machinery you have beneath you. I'm not saying it's always the right thing to do or a good idea, but that's where training and experience come in so you know when to push and when not to.

If you think I'm spouting crap then fair enough, but consider some advanced driver training and improve your own standard of driving before making blanket statements.

sigma · 7 Apr 2011 at 22:13

Shad said:
Ok I wasn't going to comment but this narrow-minded point of view has wound me up slightly.

Do you agree that 70mph on a clear and dry motorway is ok? Would you perhaps agree that higher speeds are also ok on a dry and clear motorway? Hopefully you'd also agree that 30mph in residential areas is ok.

How about that motorway when it's covered in standing water and you can't see 200m in front due to spray? 70mph still ok then?

You drive to the conditions available. If you have good visibility, good surface conditions, have taken stock of all the possible hazards and are capable, then you can often find the limits of whatever machinery you have beneath you. I'm not saying it's always the right thing to do or a good idea, but that's where training and experience come in so you know when to push and when not to.

If you think I'm spouting crap then fair enough, but consider some advanced driver training and improve your own standard of driving before making blanket statements.

I think you've miss-read my posts.

Specifically

We're not just talking about your average 'hoon' here, we're talking pretty crazy speeds.

Also, the posts have been about driving the car to the point where semi-slick tyres are past their grip limit, not just driving on the road with them.