I'm currently deciding between MH compound A048's and R888 GG compound.

Seeing as how i'll be running them on my daily driver, i'm wondering if how many more kms would one expect I could get out of the R888(no real numbers given) vs the A048 (based on searches some said 1.5 years but other say 6 months only??) I've searched the Lotus forums and they say the heat cycling for A048 happens quite fast resulting in a change of grip balance after just a few months, just wondering if anyone here could confirm that?

In terms of grip difference, is there much discernible outright performance between the two? I don't think there is much difference in the wet performance is there? In the dry, can users please share their input on how much more/less grip each can give?

Thanks!

 

What car are the tires for? Let me know and I can try to help.

 

[QUOTE=Jim@tirerack,Apr 22 2008, 05:05 AM] What car are the tires for?

 

I am interested in the topic as well.

 

Hi Jim, any updates?

Would appreciate other experienced forumer's feedback too.

 

I got my A048 MH compound from Tire Rack two years ago, and have them heat-cycled the tires. They were used for two summers between April to October for about 7000 miles. I drives about 20 miles per day and autox once or twice a month. I think they still have 30% life left and can be used through this summer.

The tire compound are harder than when they were new. It seems to be less grip when they are cold. Once the tires are warm up, there does not seems to be much difference.

I normally don't drive my S2000 when it is wet, but I was caught in a heavy rain when the tires were about two months old, and the car drive just fine. Now that the thread is almost gone, I will try my best to avoid driving it in rain.

 

the toyo's dont need to be heat cycled out of the box they are designed for use on street with secondary use for track. I am going to pick up a set soon.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rw2lbwPZ5x4

 

I have sold quite a few sets of R888s to Lotus owners since January. The Elise has a unique 195/50R16 on the front and the R888 was released in that size Jan 1. The Elise has the A048 as OE and the owners experenced about 8 to 10K for mileage and some said they would loose traction after 3 or 4 heat cycles. It's to early to say what mileage the R888s are getting but the drivers are much happier with the traction and heat cycles.
I hope that helps,
Joe
TheTireShoppe.com