I think I hate these new Toyo Proxes T1R tires

[skjolden]

Just got a set of Toyo Proxes T1R tires. I've got 16" 7s and 9s Fuchs on my 84 Carrera, the car came from the previous owner with Michelin Pilot Sport's which, with nothing to compare to other than the feel of my '78 SC I had a few years back, felt just as nimble and go-kart like. But as I've learned from this forum and other sources, finding 245/45/16 (rear) are becoming less and less available. So based on some research and the guidance of my local (and very reliable) tire shop, I got the Toyo's, which are one of only a handful of tires that come in this size (the front's are 225/50/16).

Well, as soon as I drove it out of the shop, all I could do was gasp. It felt...squishy. Lots of dead-on-center steering feel, and with quick turns, the car seems to take a second to comply. I read someone saying they felt the sidewalls were not very stiff and it was like driving on jello...good comparison. So, am I crazy, can these tires really make the car feel this bad? Or is it not really a problem and I should just get used to it? Is it even possible for the tire shop to take them back?? I haven't checked the pressure but can only assume they pumped them up properly. To be fair, grip is still great, but the steering just doesn't feel very quick and compliant, which is what these cars are all about. Anyone else that has/had these tires, please let me know your thoughts!

Thanks,
Erik

[DRACO A5OG]

What is the tire pressure?

My tire shop put 42lbs , did not know and it freaked me out how she handled, down to OEM spec 29/36, all good now.

[KNS]

"Squishy feel, takes a second to comply...."

Sounds like most new sets of tires, give them several hundred miles to break in.

[DRACO A5OG]

+1^^^, My new Conti's came with a disclaimer "break in period" = 200 miles. Will be re-balancing soon.

[GrantG]

Toyo RA-1's feel terrible when brand new also. Shaving helps tremendously for those (no break-in required then), but when full-tread they feel much better after a couple hundred miles of hard driving.

[aigel]

I have run these on my SC, my 993 and on my daily drivers. These are excellent tires - I believe you have to give them at least a good drive with a few turn to break in and also make sure you have your tire pressure set correctly. Also make sure your alignment is in spec.

Of course you can argue that the 16" tires with a 45 ratio do have very tall sidewalls, regardless of the tire, but you say you liked your old ones, so that can't be it ...

Good Luck,

George

[175K911]

I've run the T1R on my previous 2 Audis. Like you, when I first drove them home I couldn't believe how sloppy they felt. But after about 400-500 miles they worked far better. Still weren't as precise as the Goodyear F1 GS-D3's I'd replaced on one car or the Michelin Pilot Sports on the other, but still extremely nice. The things I gained with the T1R's was far better ride comfort, and exceptional wet performance. Oh, and I found that I needed to run a few more lbs of air in them than in the Goodyears. Give them some time and I think you'll be pleased.

[skjolden]

thanks for all the replies, glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem and that it's "normal." Never felt a break-in period on tires before (usually Pirelli's or Conti's) but hopefully that will do the trick.

[chuckr]

I've had three sets of T1'Rs... great tire for the money.... I had been told they quit making them!
I just put a set of the Falken FK-452's on and are quite pleased so far, very much like the T1R's

[Jonny042]

Break in for sure.... but also, that's a fairly wide tire for the rim, especially the 7's on front. Can put the sidewall at a less than ideal angle.

What size tires did you replace?

[JeremyD]

Toyo's are known for using a lot of mold release. Takes a few hundred miles to burn off. Drive em - scuff em - you'll be good.

[KTL]

Agreed on the break-in issue. Give them some time and they will get better. Some tires suffer from this condition more than others, but still it is not uncommon. Also agreed the track RA-1 sister is notoriously bad at full tread when brand spanking new. First time I felt that RA-1 wandering and floating, I was shocked. As the day progressed each session would get better.

225/50-16 on a 16x7 is a bit wide but it is not outside the acceptable range of applicable rim widths. Don't forget that 225/50 is the "default" size for the rear of the SC or Carrera with 16x7 in. wheels. It's not optimum, but it works okay. I ran 225/50-16 16x7 on all four corners for a number of years. Fun setup. YouTube - ‪Octoberfest BHF 10-6-07‬‏

[porschenut]

I have T1Rs on my Carrera and they've been fantastic since day one.

Keep in mind you can't compare worn tires with brand new ones. New ones require a break-in period.

[Brian 162]

Same thing happened to me with Toyo R888 tires today at the track. It was my first time with R rated tires. As the day wore on the handling improved. Like others said the tires have a break in period.