Goodyear F1 GS-D3

Larry · #1 (**permalink**) 03-21-2004, 10:27 PM

I've ordered the LSS option and plan to dismount the Yokohama's and wait til I get a second set of wheels to mount them for autocross. Goodyear F1 GS-D3's are available in the appropriate sizes. Does anyone have any experience with these tires? I'm hoping they'd last longer than the Yokohama 048's. Any idea on 'ride'? Assume they have less grip, but probably decent 'feel'/response.

Tripledigits · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2004, 07:25 AM

Larry

I've got 'em on my Supra for a street tire. I think they're a great tire. Very good dry weather grip, but I got them for their wet grip for autoxing. I have not discovered the limits for dry weather grip, but they are higher than the Bridgestone RE 730s I had previously, and *much* higher than the Kumho Ecsta 712s I'd had before that. They are categorized as a max performance tire by Tire Rack, and the price is quite reasonable for such a good tire, IMO.

Jeff

Larry · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2004, 10:23 PM

Jeff,
Thanks for the info. Sounds like an excellent value for such good performance. Can you tell me anything about wear and ride quality?
Nice Supra. Always thought it was one of the best looking cars Toyota ever made. Continued good luck with your autocrossing.

Tripledigits · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2004, 07:47 AM

Larry

It's too soon to have any wear feedback. Ride quality is very good, tire noise is not an issue.

Jeff

Larry · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2004, 09:17 AM

Jeff,
Thanks again for your help. I think I have enough information to feel confident buying the Goodyears. I have Goodyear F1 GS's on my old '70 AMX and they are great on that hunk of iron, but it's a pretty different animal than the Elise.
If anyone else out there has experience with these tires, especially regarding tread wear (I don't expect them to be high-mileage economy leaders), please let me know.

mslpilot · #6 (**permalink**) 03-27-2004, 01:07 PM

Appropriate sizes? What are you planning on using front and rear?

Larry · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-2004, 09:00 PM

The Tire Rack lists the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 as being available in the same sizes as the LSS Yokohama's (195-50x16 front and 245-45x17 rear), but I was thinking that for daily road use, going either to 15" front and 16" rear or to 16" front and rear if they clear the calipers...ideally 15's & 16's so I can run a higher aspect ratio tire to get a little more 'bump absorption' with the taller sidewalls. I've been seeing some better mileage/wear predictions for the Yoko's recently, so maybe I'll just leave them on. I've never had a rear/mid-engined car (have had a few years experience in a small production SCCA racer, some autocrossing in a variety of cars and some irresponsibly crazy road driving I was fortunate to grow out of) but I'll need to go a bit carefully for a while to get the feel of the tires and the car. Maybe should run an autocross with it early to learn the low speed (relatively speaking) limits before trying anything faster. Or there's always the mall parking lot!

**mason** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-27-2004, 10:40 PM

The 15/16" combo should fit and I think would be a great combo for street driving. Like you stated the taller sidewall should allow for a slightly more compliant street ride, and the smaller tires will be a little more inecpensive.

I’ve had very good luck with the performance and ride of the Kumho Ecsta MX. The tires are very inexpensive (under $100), the grip is just short of a full race tire, the sidewalls have some flex, and they’ll last around 10,000-15,000 miles. The one drawback is because they’re so popular with the autocross crowd they can sometimes be difficult to find in stock.

Larry · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2004, 10:38 PM

Mason, Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I'll wait til I get the car to see how it rides with the LSS and to measure for caliper clearance with 15"/16" wheels. Any suggestions on reasonably priced, moderately light, quality wheels in that range that'll fit the Elise?

**alex@tirerack** · #10 (**permalink**) 08-18-2004, 04:18 PM

GS D3 was a breath of frsh air on the test track. I have yet to find a tire to knock on the S03 Pole position's door in wet conditions. I got this tire around a wet skidpad just as fast as S03, and actually slightly faster in the slalom. To split hairs it doesnt feel as planted - but went as fast. The S03 breeds more driver confidance for me. Its VERY directional, and requires regular rotation to mantain its low road volume.

Over all a pleasant surprise from Goodyear!

Alex

Larry · #11 (**permalink**) 08-21-2004, 09:32 PM

Alex,
Thanks for the Goodyear tire info, as well as on the SO3. Does the Tire Rack have a wheel in 6.5" or 6.0"x15" front and 7.5" or 7.0"x16" rear for the Elise? As my earlier (old) post mentioned, I'm considering running higher profile tires on the street and am considering this possibility. Thanks. -Larry

**alex@tirerack** · #12 (**permalink**) 08-23-2004, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry
Alex,
Thanks for the Goodyear tire info, as well as on the SO3. Does the Tire Rack have a wheel in 6.5" or 6.0"x15" front and 7.5" or 7.0"x16" rear for the Elise? As my earlier (old) post mentioned, I'm considering running higher profile tires on the street and am considering this possibility. Thanks. -Larry

I am having our fitments looked over, but at this point 15's were not an available option. I will post if I find otherwise, Larry.

thanks

Alex

**mapes** · #13 (**permalink**) 08-23-2004, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry
As my earlier (old) post mentioned, I'm considering running higher profile tires on the street and am considering this possibility. Thanks. -Larry

Larry,

We'll have a 15"/16" set-up from Kodiak. We should have them sorted by next Spring.

Send me your email and we can put you on our mailing list for product updates. shinoo @ sector111.com

pkrehbiel · #14 (**permalink**) 11-12-2004, 04:26 AM

I run the Goodyear F1 GS-D3's on my MINI Cooper JCW S and the S02's on my 993TT in the summer and they are both oustanding everyday and sport drivers. Both are excellent in the rain and improve overall handling significantly. I have heard that the S03's are an improvement again over the S02's. Either way you will be well served by the performance although neither is a real bargin.

Larry · #15 (**permalink**) 11-12-2004, 08:05 PM

Hey "pkrehbiel"-
Thanks for the tire info. I also saved your MINI picture so I can e-mail it to my brother. That's his next 'toy' & daily drive-to-work car.
Also noticed the color scheme on your Elise and it almost makes me wish I'd thought of that combination...especially since I'm an Ohio State fan...instead of Nightfall Blue. Picking a color was the hardest part of ordering.
Hope you'll post a few pic's when yours arrives.
-Larry