Yokohama compatability?

[Wavey]

Last fall I installed a set of Yokohama AVS Intermediates on my '88 Carrera. They now have 6900 miles on them and the rears are shot - completely worn down past the tread markers. I got a great deal on them on a close-out at Tire Rack, and the fronts are still fine - maybe 75% tread left, and I genrerally abuse them so I'm not complaining. I wish I had bought an extra pair or rears!

My question is - will the currently available Yokohamas, like the AVS ES100s or the AVS Sport, be compatable with the fronts or should I just replace the whole set? I don't want any weird handling issues.

OR - does anyone have a pair of 225/50-16 Intermediates available?

I'm running the stock tire sizes on the stock 6&7X16 Fuchs rims, with 1/4" front spacers and 3/4" rear spacers.

[Dantilla]

Probably fine on the street, but you will not pass a tech inspection for any track duty.

May I suggest an alignment?

[Wavey]

The rear axle doesn't appear to be out of line - the tires are worn very evenly across the tread.

[IROC]

I average two sets of rears for every one set of fronts, so what you're seeing isn't all that unusual. 6900 miles out of a set of AVS Intermediates is unusual, though. Was the wear even? Just wore them out? Good for you. :>)

As for having different tires front and rear, I've done it and it didn't affect the handling adversely at all. YMMV, but I'd pick one of the two tires you mention above and just buy the rears and see how it feels. Worst case, you end up buying the fronts, but if it's OK, just run 'em till the rears wear out again and then buy a whole set.

I've never seen someone excluded from a DE for different tires front and rear. I've done it many times.

Mike

[Emission]

I will have the same problem soon. I bought four new AVS Intermediates at close-out (why, oh why didn't I buy an extra set for the rear...?) and now the rears are going quickly. I plan on buying a pair of ES100's to replace them. I am not worried about the front/rear difference...

[VincentVega]

Just a heads up. At a DE in June I had mismatched (F&R) tires on my SC. In the dry everything was ok. In the wet however, the tires had very different rain abilities and the car was very unsafe in my mind, can you say instant oversteer? Just a heads up.

[Emission]

Originally posted by Chris Martin
"...In the wet however, the tires had very different rain abilities..."

Good point. Be wary of the different wet capabilities of the two tires.

Most likely, in your case (Wavey), the ES100's will be much better in the wet (adding understeer as they grip better than the fronts).

[Dantilla]

In the Northwest region, you will not be allowed on the track if all four tires are not the same manufacturer and model. The reason given is that they can react differently at different temperatures, resulting in very inconsistant handling.

[Silveresrty911S]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dantilla
[B]Probably fine on the street, but you will not pass a tech inspection for any track duty.

Does anyone know the answer to this? Or might it change from PCA region to region. I'm in the San Diego region and want to autocross, driving school, ect. and have AVS 100's on the rear and Michelin energy's on the front.

[VincentVega]

DE and auto-x with PCA are regional so you should check with the group you will be running with. Everyone is a little different, be it helmet spec's, harnesses or tires.

[Dantilla]

You're probably okay for autocross.

You don't want any handling "issues" while at triple digit speeds.

[nylart]

Wavey,

I had the exact same situation. I went with the AVS ES100's on the rear and the AVSI's on the front. I was at the track two weeks ago with absolutely no problems. Track was totally dry though.

Art

[EdT82SC]

I have run SDR autocrosses with different tires front and back. They almost never seem to wear out at the same time.