question on Yokohama A048 tires

[nealb]

the Yoko A048 has been around for a while, but very expensive

aimed mostly at track use, but supposed streetable too

too hard for top autocross competition

was talking to a Yoko guy yesterday at TMS and he says they have a new pricing strategy -- low

said the tire is not being discontinued, just priced better

he said $125 for the 205 50 15, down from $200 or so

anyone know anything good or bad ?

worth the try?

[Miatamoto]

I think people liked the A032 (the predecessor to the A048 ) but I haven't heard very good reviews of the A048. I bought a used set for my old CSP car and they were really bad. I think the sport package of the Elise comes with these tires and I don't think the Elise drivers like them very much.

Cosmos might have some insight b/c he's been through a couple of sets of those on his Elise. It should be interesting to hear how he compares them to the Star Specs he's running now.

[Miatamaniac92]

I wonder how they compare to the other top "street" track tires as well.

That price is in line with the new rs3, but the rs3 is a 225.

Chris

[CosmosMpower]

a048's suck. I much prefered the A032's. Think of the A048 more as a sticky street tire but much slower than a RA-1 or R888. They also wear like crap.

[Miatamoto]

a048's suck. I much prefered the A032's. Think of the A048 more as a sticky street tire but much slower than a RA-1 or R888. They also wear like crap.

So what's better on course? The D-laps or the Yokos???

[ken o]

I thought they had a 60 tread wear. Are these for STS?

[CosmosMpower]

So what's better on course? The D-laps or the Yokos???

I never ran 100% fresh A048's on course but I would say average temps the star specs are a little faster (but have mushier turn in). In hot temps (100+ summer at MW no watering) the A048's might be a bit faster. I would not call A048's any sort of true R-comp though (even though the treadwear rates them as such)