I am thinking about getting a set of 17" Speedline Supertourismos (the split spoke style) as supplied by Prodrive through Subaru dealers. I want to put 215/40 Toyos on - can I take it that there will be no clearance problems bearing in mind that Prodrive fit 205s? My car is not lowered at the moment and if there are no problems with that will it be OK to lower it later on? I don't want to fit 205s due to the limited range available. Thanks for any info.

Raymond.

 

Raymond, I have 205/45/17 P-Zeros fitted, and have no problems with clearance. For what I belive 215/40/17 have about the same diameter.

Dan

 

205/45/17's have a slightly larger rolling diameter than the standard 16" wheel/tyre setup and 215/40/17 are slightly smaller(2 or 3 % either way) you shouldnt have any problems with these sizes as long as the wheels have the correct offsets, which the Speedlines will. One thing to mention, if you have a 99MY or newer car the split spoke speedlines wont fit it, because of the 4 pot brakes !!!!!!

 

Raymond,

I have 17" Prodrive/Speedline SuperTurismo (aka Chronos) also. I have 215/40R17 Toyos T1-S tyres and have no problems whatsoever.

I am using standard suspension (lowering springs may effect clearance) although there seems to be a fair amount of space around the arches.

Thanks

Gavin

 

Thanks for all your replies - I'm convinced now! The point about not clearing 4 pots is interesting, though. My car is a 98 but can I take it that somebody makes a 4 pot kit which can be used with these wheels? (Might as well plan ahead!) Cheers.

Raymond.

[This message has been edited by RaymondH (edited 05-01-2000).]

 

Raymond,

I believe that there are two types of Speedline Superturismo. The early type (which I have) which will not take Subaru 4 pots and the ST2 which has slightly curved spokes which will.

If you are buying new, they will almost certainly be ST2's.

I got my wheels very cheap from a Subaru dealer in Scotland (£300 for set of four - no tyres).

Scoobysport do a Brembo conversion for the original Superturismos incidentally.

This subject gets confusing because OZ also produce a wheel called Superturismo.

I hope this helps.

Thanks

Gavin

 

The split spoke ones are ST1's the ST2 has 6 flat spokes similar to last years rally car in tarmac trim, cos thats what i have, pics at

 

You learn something new every day...I thought that there were two types of wheel with double spokes (thanks Ian)

Just goes to show what happens when you call three completely different types of wheel the same name

Sorry if I caused you more confusion,

Gavin

 

Raymond.......P.S I think Prodrive don't offer anything wider than 205 because they have a supply deal with Pirelli who don't manufacture a 215/40 17 inch.

My suspension is lowered about 25mm I think on the front, and the 215/40 17 SO-2s don't give a problem with Leda suspension. Are you sure you want to fit Toyos and not SO-2s though, for the ultimate wet weather handling?

Steve

 

Steve,

Are SO2's better than the Toyos in the wet ?

I've never tried SO2's but I would have thought (in theory at least) that the V tread would disperse water better than a conventional tyre ?

Is the ride quality better with SO2's ?

I understand that the sidewall is more flexible - does this increase ride quality ?

Has anyone tried both ?

I fitted Toyos in November (anticipating bad weather) and thought (rightly or wrongly) that they would work better in a downpour.

If they don't offer an advantage, I'll give SO2's a go when I wear the Toyos out (although I understand that may be some time away...)

Thanks

Gavin

[This message has been edited by GavinP (edited 07-01-2000).]

 

Dick Grimes has a set odf T1-Ss on test from Toyo on 17s. If there is anyone with the right credentials who can comment on these tyres...this is your man.

In case you don't know Dick is an Essex Police driving instructor in his day job and runs the SIDC Driving Course.

Dick, I know you are not on e-mail but what's the score running the Toyos vs the S02s.

 

Gavin......I can not confirm that they are better than the Toyos in the wet, but from the comments gathered above about understeer in the wet I'd say they probably are. However one swallow doesn't make a summer, and I can only confirm how throughly satisfied I am compared to the P Zero's in the wet, and most particularly in the SO-2s sideways wet grip.

As to comfort...difficult to say owing to the fact I run these harder than the P Zeros, but they are noticeable noiser on concrete motorways in particular.

Steve

 

I've got those Speedlines for sale, gold, if you're interested.

 

I've driven the same car on both S02's and the Toyes (17's), the sidewalls of the S02's are stiffer IMHO. The car did not feel anything like as poised on Toyes and I felt distinctly uneasy. Should say that this was not my car. Because the pressures were a bit higher to compensate for the sidewall flex the car tended to wash out a bit at the front. With the S02's it never felt like going anywhere but round the corner. Suspension Leda B set with a distinct track bias. ie hard !!

Bit off the thread but may be of interest. Toyes are generally a much cheaper tyre though. The flex issue would probably not bother most drivers.

Bob