The S2000 OEM tyres have VERY stiff sidewalls compared to other tyres, my tyre fitter hates seeing my car, the tyres are a pain to get on the rims apparently. The S2000 is set up to utilise this feature of the tyres, any change will mean you'll notice the difference.

The 'wandering' you're experiencing sounds like underinflation, if the Toyos have especially soft sidewalls then tyre flex would manifest itself in this way.

The only answer is to up the pressures to compensate. But then you overinflate the tyre and lose grip.

However it's relatively cheap and simple to rule this out. Inflate to something well above recommended and go for a drive. if the problem is cured, then you have your answer. I'd doubt it was geometry, it sounds like thin walled tyres to me.

 

Had alignment checked this morning and it's spot on so going for $hit or bust and having the front pair fitted to see if it handles better with them all round.

It has, as a few have suggested, calmed down alot as the mileage has built up on the new rears but still evident and i'm gonna hate the handling in the wet if the fronts don't cure it.

People have emphasised smoothness in wet weather driving and they go against that when changing lane at speed by not wanting to go and then stepping right across agressively... we all know how that could end up but i guess i'll find out more as the mileage builds and the fronts are fitted.

 

It is completely beyond the wit of many tyre monkeys to measure the rim width correctly with the calipers provided.

Thus, the machine 'thinks' the wheel is lop-sided and tries to compensate.

 

Im not sure about the 04 bridgestones but when i had s02s combined with s03s i had exactly this kind of movement, very scrary. If your new tyres have slightly more supple sidewalls it will effect the handling. I would either go back and have the oem tyres put on or change the fronts to the same. S2000s have always been really sensitive to tyre changes, pressures and alignment. If you want a second opinion im in Mansfield my self. Good luck.

 

Thanks Mole... i'll let you know.

I'll keep an eye out too around Mansfield, if you fancy a spin sometime let me know... might have to fight our way thru the Saxo's first though.

 

No probs. My god there are some seriously horrendous Novas and Saxos in Mansfield. Ive not got an s2000 now but still have a soft spot for them as it was my first proper sports car. If you see a black 05 987s around Mansfield give it a wave.

 

G0d you're right there! The inner ring road of Mansfield is a haven of boy racer wrongness. I can never drive around it in the S2K without some little punk trying it on. I don't get into races with these guys... I'm not about to crash my S2 because a Nova 8v wants to go hell for leather past Field Mill!

 

[QUOTE=Dembo,Nov 4 2005, 01:51 PM] It's Toyos. I had the T1-Ss for about a month on my FTO and hated them (despite the good reviews) because they flexed way too much. To overcome it I had to run at least 4 extra psi, and then there was much less grip. Apparently the T1-Rs are grippier, but no better constructed. This has been discussed quite a lot over on seloc (Elise forum) and some say they don't mind it, and some say they can't stand it, but everyone says they flex much more than other tyres.

Don't know about the S, but it's put me off the brand for life.

 

possibly a stupid suggestion but are the tyres directional??? if so are they the correct way round?????

 

Tire rack talks about the break in period of a tire on their site. They use a releasing material to get the tire out of the mold. the outer rubber is compromised from this material. It takes 100-500 miles to wear the the outer rubber, or get them shaved.