Factory tyres on Euro - impressions.

[Slugoid]

So what are your impressions of the factory tyres on the Accord Euro (Dunlop SP Sport 2050...that's what I got)?? I find that they're not bad, but after 14,000km on the clock, I think I've almost shredded these tyres, especially the front ones (due to my "style" of driving). Has less than 50% thread now, haha. Good for all conditions, but on the limit, these tyres will not hold. I've experienced a lot of understeer in this car, and I reckon it's due to the tyres.

The tyres will last me a while, but the next set I get will definately NOT be dunlop. Maybe a set of Bridgestone Potenza's, I dunno.....any recommendations?

[yfin]

So what are your impressions of the factory tyres on the Accord Euro (Dunlop SP Sport 2050...that's what I got)?? I find that they're not bad, but after 14,000km on the clock, I think I've almost shredded these tyres, especially the front ones (due to my "style" of driving). Has less than 50% thread now, haha. Good for all conditions, but on the limit, these tyres will not hold. I've experienced a lot of understeer in this car, and I reckon it's due to the tyres.

The tyres will last me a while, but the next set I get will definately NOT be dunlop. Maybe a set of Bridgestone Potenza's, I dunno.....any recommendations?

I reckon the Dunlops are damn good tyres. They perform better than my Falken 512 silica in the wet and the Falkens are 225s. Not sure how long the Dunlops last as I put my new rims and tyres on after 2000 or so kms. If anyone wants to buy mint Euro rims with near new Dunlop tyres... PM me They are still gathering dust on my balcony!

I am a little surprised you think the car understeers significantly. I find the Euro to be fairly neutral. Body roll could be less IMO (lowering the car will improve this) but understeer is not a common complaint heard about the Euro. Apparently, if you fit the Comptech rear sway bar to the Euro/TSX you can get it to oversteer easily....if that suits your style of driving. I prefer neutral handling as it is damn near idiot proof.

[Slugoid]

For such a big car, it's quite netual in terms of steering. I've had a good run around in a skidpan, and well, there's no hint of oversteer at all. More bias between nentral and understeer. Well for normal conditions, yes, I agree it's quite neutal. Lets just say that for abmormal conditions, getting a little lead footed, with some corners, you can experience the understeer :D.

[aaronng]

Actually, it is not Dunlop's fault that this tyre doesn't meet your expectations. If you check the specs at various tyre review sites, the 2050 (larger version of 2000 series) is actually an OEM spec tyre. It was designed to be produced at a low price. If you go for the higher spec tyres such as the Eagle F1, I'm sure you won't be disappointed (except for the increased tyre noise)

[ECU-MAN]

the factory tyres seem to be little to noisy for my liking, but I can live with it :) performance wise they rock.

[qmjona]

I think the dunlops we get are pretty good, there not a top class tyre, but that's not what we have paid for and they are well above average (imo anyway)

I don't think you can blame the tyres for understeer at the limit, I would think this is the result of the car /suspension dynamics and would not change much no matter what tyres - but could be altered by suspension mods etc.

I'm happy with these tyres as orginal equipment - wish the wheels were 17" though, they 'look' too small on the euro and I will look to replace with 215 or 225 17's (on new wheels) when they are due or replacement.

[Slugoid]

I don't think you can blame the tyres for understeer at the limit, I would think this is the result of the car /suspension dynamics and would not change much no matter what tyres - but could be altered by suspension mods etc.

Well understeer is pretty much the loss of traction in the front wheels. So when u try to turn, no grip, therefore you head wide out of the corner and understeer. Suspension do play a big part, but in the end, it's the tyres that's on the road that's moving the car.

Hum, second part of my question. Anyone know how much a set if 16" 205/55 Bridgestone Potenza's S03 will set me back??

[coladuna]

Geez. Of course the Euro will understeer if you push it to the limits. It's FWD car and hence understeer is inevitable no matter what you do. How would you know it's the tyre that's causing the understeer unless you tried two different tyres under same condition? IMO Dunlop Sports 2050 is fairly good tyre. Ofcourse it can't compare to higher range of performance tyres but it does its job pretty well. I didn't find it noisy either.

[PERTH_EURO]

I sold my tyres to my old man for $600.

Funniest thing is they went on his IS200 and the ride became noticably quieter. He likes em alot

[aaronng]

On a tyre note, if you install 225 wide, 50 series tyres, will that compromise the suspension geometry? The rolling diameter is maintained and from the wheel and tyre bible website, the 225 width tyres require a rim width of between 6" and 7.5" and therefore can be fitted on our 6.5" stock rims.

[Type R Positive]

I'm very happy with the dunlop's. I find it is the suspension that causes the understeering, not the tires. Too much body roll with the high ride height. Try braking a bit earlier / trail braking to shift the weight forward. I find I have to turn the traction controll off cause it kicks in too much with "spirited" driving. I don't think that the dunlops will last too long the way I like to drive. I'm lucky that it is the girly's daily driver.

[aaronng]

Your girl drives stick? Wow. My girl doesn't even want to TRY to drive my car (in an open space, not on the road). She has been on auto all her life

[Type R Positive]

Your girl drives stick? Wow. My girl doesn't even want to TRY to drive my car (in an open space, not on the road). She has been on auto all her lifeYeah, she is also the one that was dead set convinced on getting the Euro. She hates auto's. Lucky me!

[baboo]

I wouldn't let my girl touch mine, she'd stalled it at least 10 times before she get out of the driveway.

Dunlops we have on our car are comfortable cruising tyres, they are not performance tyres. They perform alright on the street.

[EuroAccord13]

Dunlops we have on our car are comfortable cruising tyres, they are not performance tyres. They perform alright on the street.

Yeah, These Dunlop tyres are merely street comfy tyres....

Funny thing is when Dunlop realised the Euros are fitted with the model tyre, they raised the prices of that model LOL...

[falco]

I think the Dunlops are quite good tyres, better than some others I have had.

[Thorn2004]

Haven't had any problems with the Dunlop SP's and I am convinced that they have saved me from having at least 1 accident when some idiot decided he was going to turn into a service station without indicating and his brake lights didn't work either! They are a good grip tyre for what they cost.

[Euro_Boy]

I agree with the positive comments about the tyre however for a supposed luxury car, I think they are noisy which is dissapointing.

[coladuna]

I think they are noisy which is dissapointing.

I didn't find them noisy at all.

[yfin]

My Falken 512s have travelled around 10,000ks and the original factory Dunlops grip better than these in the wet.. Sigh.. And the FAlkens are 225s, made in Japan with silica and claim to have "superior wet weather handling"!

http://www.falkentire.com/tires_512.htm

The Falkens were fine in the wet when they were new.. My traction control now works hard on a rainy Melbourne day.

[Type R Positive]

Hey Yoram, do you really like the 512's in the dry? I am after a tyre that lasts long but still being sporty, and was thinking 512's. Kind of the best trade off between performance and wear. I don't care at all about wet weather handling as it is never wet up here. How is the wear on them mate, they are supposed to be pretty good. From what I have seen on the net, they seem to be what I want. I don't really want to spend big on something like bridgestone SO3's.

[yfin]

Hey Yoram, do you really like the 512's in the dry? I am after a tyre that lasts long but still being sporty, and was thinking 512's. Kind of the best trade off between performance and wear. I don't care at all about wet weather handling as it is never wet up here. How is the wear on them mate, they are supposed to be pretty good. From what I have seen on the net, they seem to be what I want. I don't really want to spend big on something like bridgestone SO3's.

Gday - a couple of things. First, they are really good in the dry - you will be happy with them. I can't get the Euro to break away (ie slide) around corners in the dry front or rear. The tyres will protest and squeal but the grip in the dry is beyond the speeds I can lawfully go - they refuse to break away...

Anyway - they are more of a luxury sports tyre though (eg suited for a Toyota Soarer V8) rather than an all out performance tyre (eg Porsche Boxter). They have some flex in the side walls when pushed hard (similar to the stock Dunlops).

The tread wear is really good. I have 10k on mine and guaging by the tread depth they look like they will last at least another 30k (so around 40k-55kin total). Not bad at all. The edges of the tyres are showing wear from the way I corner - but hey - so did my stock Dunlops with 3500kms on them. :D

They have a really good alloy wheel protector which has come in handy. It sticks out far from the tyre and is a must have if you have aftermarket rims.

It is all about compromise I guess. I wanted something with decent wear, quiet, and decent performance too. Overall they are good value - made in Japan - silica compound - fairly keenly priced. Wet weather - nothing special.

Would I buy them again? Probably not - not because they are bad (they are good) - I am just the kind of person who likes to try different things.

Hope this helps

[Type R Positive]

Thanks man, I'm sold!