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I stumbled on 2 large Yokohama branded semi's in a parking lot near where I live. As I got closer (and then asked the folks there), I discovered they were doing a something *and drive day* (I didn't catch the exact phrase). Basically, it was yokohama showing of their tires on an autocross track with one their vendors (and the guys with the vendor were the ones driving). What drew my attention was all the cars in question were Minis (one was even a newer clubman JCW)... I think 5 cars total?
Now I live in Northern California, and on Wednesday, for parts of the day, it was POURING rain. I was very, VERY impressed at how the Minis (virtually stock) handled in the rain with yokohamas on the car. Honestly, while I didn't (and should have) ask what tires were on the cars... the traction was impressive to say the least (and these guys weren't "sunday driving" around the course either). I currently run the oem runflats and hate them.
anyway ... I'd love others to sound off on yokohama experiences if possible. I'm considering bigger wheels (something like Breytons) and wider tires.
Anyone care to share their experiences with yokohama's in this thread?
I've had ES100's on my MINI and liked them a lot. They were pretty loud but traction was very good for only a $100 tire.
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'02 MCS, Sport, Premium, Webb Sportbox RAF, 15% pulley, Milltek cat back, H-Sport comp rear swaybar, Powerflex engine and gearbox inserts, Stewart Warner boost and oil temp gauges in E-Pod, Optima Red Top 35, Whalen knob, M7 front grill, Hella FF200 fog lights on Out Motoring brackets, MCAW
I do like their tires and had the A048s before. Good wear for what it is, and great grip. Can be a little abrupt at its limits.
Many friends have run the AD07 (no longerin production) and the AD08s and like them too. These can be somewhat OK in the wet but not in snow.
The problem with Yokos is their price. They seem to charge a premium price relative to Bridgestone here in the US but they are a lower priced tire outside especially in Asia. Not sure why.
I'm currently running Yoko S.Drives and have been very pleased with them. Horrible in the snow, but what do you expect for summer tires? Normal wet weather traction is fine.
We had a member in our club report that around 20k his started getting noisy. I'm coming up on that, but thus far road noise has been good.
I've got S.Drives on Tristan. They seem like a pretty good tire, surprisingly quiet and comfortable. They spoilt me for the old tires I used to run, so I had to go looking for quieter ones. They're fine in the dry and wet, when its slightly wet they can get a little slippy. I wouldn't even dream of driving them in snow.
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Serial MINI owners (keep 2), Shawn: 08 Cooper-S (DS/B with red cloth/leather interior). Tristan: 07 Cooper (LB/W with blue cloth/leather interior). Quentin: 05 Cooper-S (PH/W). Our first: 04 Cooper (Indi Blue/White)
I've got S.Drives on Tristan. They seem like a pretty good tire, surprisingly quiet and comfortable. They spoilt me for the old tires I used to run, so I had to go looking for quieter ones. They're fine in the dry and wet, when its slightly wet they can get a little slippy. I wouldn't even dream of driving them in snow.
Btwyx... fyi .. it was that parking lot behind Great America off Tasman.
I just switched from the roller skates (aka runflats) to S.Drives. What a difference...
I've only driven them a few miles but here are few things I noticed right off the bat:
1. Less noise...I was near the wear bars on the old tires.
2. Bumps and road imperfections aren't harsh and jarring when I hit them.
3. Steering response is a few ticks down from the old tires, but I can live with that.
And the biggest difference...the steering wheel seems lighter. I have to check, but I'm banking that the S.Drives are wayyyyy lighter than the run flats. Its strange how the car feels now. I have to get used to it.
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2008 Dark Silver/Black Top/Black Racing Stripes/Flame Spoke Wheels MCSa...AKA "Winston" (Pics to follow soon)
I just ordered the S Drives in oem format, 205 40 18 for my breyton gts-r rims. I'm glad you like them auto pilot! I can't wait.
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'05 jet black MCS on black panther gravity leather / black roof and mirror caps / anthracite headliner & trim / 6 spd + LSD / fully loaded minus navi / 18" breyton gts-r / k&n typhoon CAI / 8% limo tint / no decals or stripes
That event you noticed is called a ride and drive and your right different tire manufacturers bring out their newest products on the same cars and first have a professional show (ride part) you how to run the course and then you get to drive the cars on the same course to feel the difference between the product lines. Mucho fun! There was an event up at Infineon speedway last year and one of the pro's took an R53 thru the track backwards and passed other cars along the way thru the whole course! Very Cool!
Normal wet weather traction is fine.
