Just wondering as i am awaiting handing over of keys for ex Japanese car & i'm aware that Jap tyres arent very good on our roads so my plan is do a day @ Bruntingthorpe c/o Don Palmer which should kill that rubber b4 sticking some F1's on there.
Now i also understand the japs also often have bizzarre alignment/geometry set ups which is often why Jap rubber is also considered so dodgy so is it worth me getting 4 wheel alignment done before doing the tyre killing day so the balance of car isnt totally unlike what it will be & wood it still need the geometry/alignment sorting out again when i then got new rubber put on?
Si (tight so dont wana need to do alignment twice ;))

Do the alignment first, that way you'll get the best from the car on the track!

Hold on - do you even know what is on it?

Sure, a few people have hit the bigtime with some banner topics/posts about receiving cars on old, shot rubber, or winter rubber, but if you get lucky and find some RE-01s, Recent Advans or other good tyres on it in decent condition count yourself lucky.

Not ALL Japanese tyres are rubbish after all. Some would argue that they don't export some of the best stuff...

As for alignment, that is entirely up to you IMHO (and while the previous owner is sometimes at fault, they oft come from the factory with pretty dodgy settings as is well known). Personally, assuming time permits, I'd wait to see the car because as ou rightloy say, you never know (although you may) if it has a full suspension upgrade (may still require alignment or other work of course), or std suspension that is totally shot and needs replacing.

Whatever happens, I hope the car arrives spic'n'span and serves you well.

Cheers:)

edit to add: and if you find some decent snow tyres on it, you may want to keep them if you ahve a spare set of wheels - you'll be laughing on those days when snow shuts the rest of the motoring world down;)

[Edited by AJbaseBloke - 12/15/2003 3:39:42 AM]

tyres described as goodyear sports tyres in good condition.
My inquiry about alignment was more whether it's likely that doing the alignment on a used set of tyres will be irrelevant for when i stick a new set on ie will it then need doing again?
Si (looking forward to track toy ;))

& suspension wise lowered 20mm is what i've been told so watch out speed bumps :eek:
Si

I'd check the speed rating of the tyres if your using it on track. I know the bridgestone rubber i got on my jap import was only rated to about 110mph. Obviously the cars over there are limited to 112mph so don't need speed ratings of 160mph etc.

Tony.

surely they dont have speed ratings that was my understanding as they cant be used to get thru SVA :confused:
Si

The rating will be written on the tyres H, Z etc. All road tyres are rated (speed/load etc even ones fitted to Micras ). Not sure i understand why you think they wouldn't be rated....

Tony.

tyre does say ZR17 on it but i thought there was something where jap tyres wouldn't pass a SVA as they weren't rated for sumin or other & most importers wood swap wheels over while getting SVA'd & then put jap stuff back on.
May just of bin BS i red somewhere or me getting confused but sounded familiar :confused:
Si

If they are Z rated tyres you shouldn't have a problem. Just check the load rating which should also be writen on the side wall.

Tony.

Do the geometry after the track day with the new tyres on the car - the old tyres will effect set up otherwise as they will not be as square as the new ones...

Be careful who you use to set the car up - suggest you find somebody familar with Scoobs such as Silverline in Warwick who have a very nice machine and some guys who are used to Impreza's.

The guys at the Subaru dealerships seem to struggle a little even when they have the correct kit...

yeah that was wot i was looking for confirmation of so ta & i agree with scoob comments i had 4 wheel set up done at a cheaper place but the 4 wheel set up TSL later did was more accurate & noticable if more pricy ;) But who said this was a scoob http://smilies.crowd9.com/contrib/guus/heilig.gif ;) lol
Si

Applies equally to any performance car... especially if you are going to be serious in your driving of it on a track... sorry assumed it was a scoobydo although other good value Jap performance cars do of course exist... let me know what it is I will look out for it at the Nurburgring when you have finished with runway circuits....

shhh cant say ATM winding everyone i no up by not letting on ;)
Si