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I've just had four 225/45 x17 94Y XL F1 Asymmetric's fitted to replace the standard 215/45 x 17 RE050's on my 07 WRX. I was a bit concerned that they would look a bit big, as the 7J's are the minimum size for these tyres, and although they do look a bit porky, at least I'm less likely to kerb my rims. I've snapped some quick pics with my mobile, and yes my car is that dirty. I'll update the post as I get some miles on them.

ukdave

Dont know if its the angle that last pics took at but the wheel dont look central in the arch

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Never noticed, it is parked on a slope if it makes any difference.

Mark'sWRX

Be interesting to see if your speedo is more accurate with bigger tyres. Have you got a satnav to check it with?

Mikkel

They look too big mate. Odd as mine are on 17" wheels and they look a perfect fit... photo angle perhaps?

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Yup. Not had a chance yet.

I deliberately took them from that angle to show what I meant about the porkieness, if you see what I mean

Mikkel

They still look bigger and mine don't over hang the wheel like that... probably just the design of wheel itself?

dunx

iTrader: (3)

B*ll*cks to the looks.... do they grip ?

LOL

DunxC

Mikkel

Can't get better for road driving IMHO. Hold their own in both the wet and the dry. The road noise levels and wear is respectable too. Cracking tyre.

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Bambi's blind mother! I've only done about 12 miles on them. Mikkel, aren't STI wheels 17x7.5, not 17x7

MaDaSS

Makes no difference at all to the speedo. I have em on mine and it did make em look a lot wider than the rim, but it is good for rim protection! LOL
Do they grip? They do on the Notts ring road at 40mph!

Bikebloke

iTrader: (2)

Wont make any difference to the speedo!! The tyre wall size's are the same 45 only the width has changed.

Janspeed

iTrader: (1)

Keep us updated!

M535I

i think thats wrong mate as the side wall is 45% of the tyre width so it will be diffrent .

jonny_693

iTrader: (5)

The '45' is the aspect ratio i.e a percentage of the width. To keep the same outside diameter of the tyre you would probably of needed 225/40/17.

Xia

My own review of assymetric:
assymetric in the wet

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

STi wheels are 17" X 8" (8J's)

IIRC

I've been told, ideal width, should be between.

7.0J = 195-215
7.5J = 215-225
8.0J = 225-240

TYRESAVE: Tyre Size Calculator

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Here's my 225/40 on an 18x8J wheel.

IMHO I just about got away with the width/rim 'look', hence my posts when I first had them pointing out the problem you may have fitting a 225 to a 7J (WRX) rim..



Just remember these are excellent tyres, although don't expect too much in the first 500 miles or so..

Mikkel

Aye my tyres look like the 18's above, but obviously on 17s, so I guess the width on the STi is wider as stated above.

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The Goodyear specs say that they can be fitted to 7" rims, and I double checked with Goodyear via email.

First impressions in the pissisting rain, as good or better than the RE050's, but I haven't pushed them too hard yet, as they feel different. The steering seems to return to centre under it's own steam a bit more, and the road noise is more noticeable, I thought a back window was slightly open, but will probably change as time goes on and the tyres bed in.

Bizarrely, and it's just my way of explaining it, the car has an "Elephant on rollerskates" feel It does remind me of the way GSD3's felt when they were new, again I suspect this will change as they get some miles on.

Also, please note that this is all "urban" driving, due to the 35MPH speed limit here, I will be in France for a weekend soon, so motorway speeds will be tried out.

I also think that tyre pressures will need to be experimented with, I ran my RE050's at 36 all round as that seemed to suite my driving style, any suggestions?

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Yeah ! Give them some grief !

LOL

DunxC

P.S. Now have to choose between these and Hankook rs -thingys....

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Well the roads have been dry, so I have "experimented" a bit today. I tried the dry braking performance from speed on a private road and was very impressed, and I've also given it some beans pulling out of side roads and again feel that the grip is better than my RE050's. I'm building up my cornering speed on some tight corners and haven't felt near the limit yet. The stiffer construction does seem to be better, enthusiastic use of the loud peddle hasn't exhibited the customary squirm I was used to. I've taken another couple of pics from a more direct angle.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Lol, like you I've found that these tyres are so good that some of the 'fun' factor has been taken away..

Basically, the grip is so relentless that I find it very hard to get the rear to step out, let alone sideways like I used to ..!

However, what you loose in one area is made up for it many others and ultimately they are one very capable tyre..

As I keep saying, you need to give them 500+ miles before they start to settle from that 'elephant on rollerskates' feel..lol.! Interestingly, I just rotated mine f-r after ~6k and the fronts (old rears) needed a few miles on them to settle properly at the front. To start with they were a bit wofty/understeery, and yes I did correct the pressures after rotation..

FWIW, pressure wise I run 36 all round.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

For the record fellas.... a rear ARB transformed my cars handling, a good value mod !

If you like oversteer (?) then get an adjustable one.
LOL

DunxC

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Hooray, I can update this at last, the dreaded 404 error has gone.

Right, been increasing the enthusiasm level, and also tried severe braking in wet, dry, damp, standing water conditions and I'm gobsmacked, I've really had to try to get the ABS to kick off. The handling is much better, and very different. Grip whilst giving it some beans from a standing start is much better. I don't know if it's because I'm getting used to them, or they're settling in, but the elephant on roller skates felling is less noticeable. The strange whining, shushing sound has also noticeably reduced.

SineSTI

Found them very soft for me. (GY assymetric)

richiewong

Just had mine fitted yesterday, 225/40/18 XL's, with uprated f+r ARB's, droplinks and full geometry.
Lets see what they are like once scrubbed in, but if they are like the GSD3's then they'll be good

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Richie, there's no comparison to the previous F1..

It'll be interesting to see what you think after you've put ~500 miles..

Lol, Croatian drivers must be very demanding, as that's the first negative comment I've heard about these tyres..

SineSTI

Well, I don't know about this but I like feel of original ones RE070. Now, I'm on Advan Sport's 18", not hard like Potenzas but good compromise in performance/comfort.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Ah, that explains it, if we had the weather you have in Croatia all year round, RE070 would be on every scoob in the UK..

RE070's are the dry weather gold standard..