DeTomaso Mailing List: December 98, Message #281

Anybody who is interested in some tire comparisons,
I have been using (testing) several brands (BFG R1's, Dunlop SP8000,
Michelin Pilot MXX3, Yokohama A520).  The Yokohama's are great for all
around performance/wear compromise, but you can't get them in the 335 x
35 x 17 size.  I just got the newsletter from Team T/A on the g-Force
T/A R1
P335/35ZR17 P/N 97597 for $195.  I doubt they would last real long, but
WOW do they look cool.  They are 26.1" dia and 12.6" wide.  13.2" wide
on 11" rim.  The tread depth is only 3/32" (no shaving required).  BFG
also has a g-Force that is not the R1 version (harder compound and
deeper tread) but no price was given.

For my personal driving impression, read on:
The vehicle is a '92 Eagle Talon w/racing suspension and 205 x 55 x16
tires.
The driving is on a 1 lane mountain road that is very coarse (Hard on
tires) 20 miles long and driven very aggressive.  I also raced at
Thunder Hill (Pilots) and Sears Point Autocross (A520)

The BFG R1's are without a doubt the stickiest and best handling tire I
have ever experienced (better than the Yokohama A008R).  They only
lasted about 400 miles (very fun 400 miles and worth the $120/tire)

The Dunlop was a real disappointment.  I had these on both the Eagle and
Pantera 335 x 35 x 17.  They were not that sticky and wore out very fast
considering the hard compound (my seat of the pants opinion).  I can't
remember the price off hand.
The Michelins were much stickier than the Dunlop's, but not even close
to the BFG R1's.  They lasted longer than the Dunlop's.  This is why I
just purchased them for my Pantera.  The price was expensive for my
Eagle @$240 but only $199 for the Pantera.

The Yokohama A520 handle better than the Pilots and not as good as the
R1's.  They feel very precise and seem to be wearing better than all the
tires so far.  Unfortunately, you can't get them in the 335 x 35 x 17
size (yet).  They were only $115 for the Eagle.

Remember, these are the only tires I've tested so far.

Sorry if I'm taking up bandwidth, but I never say anything on this list.
I felt there might be a few people interested in tire comparisons on the
same car driven the same way by the same person.

Stephen Anderson
'72 Pantera/'92 Eagle Talon
Livermore, CA



> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Zachary J. Lembo [SMTP:zlembo@erols.com]
> Sent:	Wednesday, December 09, 1998 1:03 PM
> To:	Anderson, Steve
> Cc:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	Re: $199 335 ZR Pilots & CostCo Tires
> 
> I have these tires on my car (72 Pre L) front and back. They are great
> tires.
> I also have a set on my BMW M3, they are std. from the factory.
> When these wear out, I'll buy another set.
> FWIW -Zack
> 
> 
> Anderson, Steve wrote:
> 
> > Richard,
> > I bought a set of 335 x 35 x 17 Pilot MXX3 for $199 and my Pantera
> is
> > several months away from running, so I say go for it.  My old tires
> were
> > not even completely wore out yet, but I knew the $199 price wasn't
> going
> > to last forever.
> > Stephen Anderson
> > '72 Pantera
> > Livermore, CA
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: rbarkley@earthlink.net [SMTP:rbarkley@earthlink.net]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 1998 9:10 PM
> > > To:   Multiple recipients of list
> > > Subject:      $199 335 ZR Pilots & CostCo Tires
> > >
> > > All,
> > >
> > > Was down at CostCo getting tires and noticed they had ZR tires.
> The
> > > guy
> > > said they could special order about anything. They carry Michelin
> so I
> > > had
> > > him look up 335 x 35 x 17 Pilot MXX3. Price is $297. So I get home
> to
> > > see
> > > what the TireRack price is. They're on special for $199. Don't
> know
> > > what
> > > the regular price is but the 315/35s are $297. So is $199 a good
> > > price?
> > > Should I buy them now (even though my P is month away from
> running)??
> > >
> > > CostCo also carries Bridgestone and BFG. They (at least our local
> > > brand new
> > > store) also have a "European touchless" mounting system.
> > >
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Richard Barkley
> > >
> > > To Ski or not to Ski, that is the question!
> > >
> > > Richard Barkley
> > > (310) 373-6695 (home), 813-2432 (work)
> > > E-mail: richard.barkley@trw.com (work), rbarkley@earthlink.net
> (home)
> > > Mammoth Condo 2BR+loft/3Bath - Horizons 4 #186 (760) 934-6758
> > > Condo web address: http://home.earthlink.net/~rbarkley
> > >
> > >
> > >
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 
>  --
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>  Perfect Order Inc.                           1-609-268-2700
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