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View Full Version : What are the best tyres?



Caudy
06-05-2008, 03:03 PM
hello all,

just wanting to know what is the best tyre for a mk5 golf? im wanting a very grippy sporty feel.

im new to driving as ive always been a biker so im unsure of what tyres to buy for my new bbs alloys (18'')

also what is the cheapest place to get them?

any help would be great and i thank you in advance

prolfe
06-05-2008, 07:01 PM
Potenza's are good but only last on the front for about 8-10,000 miles. They were supposed to be quite good for wear.

Eagle F1's are really grippy but again don't last that long, too soft.

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's came top in the which report on tyres recently.

Potenza's came third by the way. and they are fitted to the new scooby wrx as standard. Even the new GTR has some, albeit different model of tread.

:)

paul b
06-05-2008, 10:08 PM
Michelin Pilot Sport 2s are very good, so are Michelin Pilot Primacys. I have just fitted a Bridgestone Potenza RE050A to mine, and will fit another shortly. I'll let you know how they go on.

Paul

paul-s3
07-05-2008, 10:13 AM
i have Michi PS 2's on my old golf and my current S3... very very good grip in dry and wet... prefer them to toyo proxes and conti sports definately.. i'd rate them 4.9/5 :):) as they cost a little bit more, but well worth it imo.

markbob917
07-05-2008, 01:49 PM
potenzas when they go off are useless, especially in the wet.
eagle f1's are good but go off quick if you hammer them early on
michi's again are good but by all accounts arent as good overall as eagle f1's
a friend with a corrado has falkens for the summer and toyo's for the winter and he swears by them, just down to personal choice, i even know a lad who gets tyres just by the cut pattern and what he thinks looks good, or rather did do till he put his ********* airfix kit punto into a ditch

Caudy
07-05-2008, 02:19 PM
Has anyone tried the yokohama parada's? ive read good comments about in verious places.

and what about the pirelli pzero nero's?

thankyou for all you great feedback so far:notworthy

prolfe
07-05-2008, 06:28 PM
Has anyone tried the yokohama parada's? ive read good comments about in verious places.

and what about the pirelli pzero nero's?

thankyou for all you great feedback so far:notworthy

P Zero's are a soft tyre, great grip but rubbish wear. Ask anyone who's had Avon ZV1's

:)

tdi-tel
08-05-2008, 06:34 PM
Has anyone tried the yokohama parada's? ive read good comments about in verious places.

and what about the pirelli pzero nero's?

thankyou for all you great feedback so far:notworthy

had them on my escort gti & clio !!!! USE to run A539's until the parada's came out !!! think they could wear quite quick due to the weight of the golf !!! very good tyres tho

hongkongstuey
08-05-2008, 07:40 PM
for the past 2 cars ive had falken 512's up front and now falken 912's on my passat, no budging them at all, i know when i had my old car i got through a set in 10k but thats driving hard (fwd) they are soft but have brilliant grip in the wet too. not that noisy but there is a lot of sound deadening on the car :aargh4:

just had 2 falken 912's fitted to the car 195/65/15's and they set me back 100 quid fitted, i do about 20k a year so will let you all know how i get on :beerchug:

http://ssl.delti.com/tyre-pictures/FalkenOhtsu/ZIEXZE-912.jpg

prolfe
08-05-2008, 09:59 PM
I ordered 4 Sport Maxx's yesterday, etyres are fitting them tomorrow.

:)

£392 for the 4 corners.

Crasher
08-05-2008, 10:05 PM
The new Uniroyal Rain Sport 2 seems promising, especially if its predecessor is anything to go by.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/uniroyal/automobile/themes/02_summertyre/01_rainsport2/rainsport2_en.html

paul b
08-05-2008, 10:06 PM
I have just got the tyres put on the car. I have moved the Michelin Pilot Primacys (with about 6mm of tread) from the front to the back and put 2 new Bridgestone Potenzas on the front. The first impressions are good, I've not noticed any increased road noise or anything.

What is really good about the Bridgestone Potenzas over the Michelin PS2s I took off is that the Potenzas give much more protection to the edge of the alloy. Wifey put some kerb marks on the wheels when Michelins were being run, if she kerbs them anymore she'll be in trouble because the Potenzas offer more protection.

I've yet to try the Potenzas in the wet as it hasn't rained, but I'll keep you posted.

Paul

prolfe
08-05-2008, 10:25 PM
I have just got the tyres put on the car. I have moved the Michelin Pilot Primacys (with about 6mm of tread) from the front to the back and put 2 new Bridgestone Potenzas on the front. The first impressions are good, I've not noticed any increased road noise or anything.

What is really good about the Bridgestone Potenzas over the Michelin PS2s I took off is that the Potenzas give much more protection to the edge of the alloy. Wifey put some kerb marks on the wheels when Michelins were being run, if she kerbs them anymore she'll be in trouble because the Potenzas offer more protection.

I've yet to try the Potenzas in the wet as it hasn't rained, but I'll keep you posted.

Paul
Dry or wet the Potenza's are great.

Just didn't last as long as I had hoped.

paul b
08-05-2008, 10:30 PM
Dry or wet the Potenza's are great.

Just didn't last as long as I had hoped.
Well, the car does about 20k per year so I'll soon tell you how quickly they wear out.

Paul

prolfe
08-05-2008, 10:43 PM
Well, the car does about 20k per year so I'll soon tell you how quickly they wear out.

Paul

Are they on the fronts?

Mine lasted between 8 and 9k

:(

paul b
08-05-2008, 10:45 PM
Yes. I'll be hoping to get more out of them than you did.

Mind you, your A3 is 40bhp more powerful than mine. That'll wear the tyres quicker.

Paul

prolfe
09-05-2008, 12:04 AM
Yes. I'll be hoping to get more out of them than you did.

Mind you, your A3 is 40bhp more powerful than mine. That'll wear the tyres quicker.

Paul

well enjoy them

:)

Crasher
09-05-2008, 01:24 PM
The new way of thinking by some tyre companies (Michelin is one) is that new tyres should always be fitted on the back.

http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/auto/auto_cons_bib_pqr_neuf.jsp

http://www.tyresafe.org/news-and-events/detail/motorists-get-their-tyres--back-to-front--/

paul b
09-05-2008, 05:20 PM
The new way of thinking by some tyre companies (Michelin is one) is that new tyres should always be fitted on the back.

http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/auto/auto_cons_bib_pqr_neuf.jsp

http://www.tyresafe.org/news-and-events/detail/motorists-get-their-tyres--back-to-front--/
Only so that some clown doesn't go flying round a corner and lose the back end. I went to Costco and got 2 Michelin Energy tyres put on my old 02 Vectra, and they would only fit them to the rear. But then I went to a local guy who put them on the front for me. I can't be spending £200 plus on rubber that often.

Paul

capri_rob
12-05-2008, 07:00 AM
for the past 2 cars ive had falken 512's up front and now falken 912's on my passat, no budging them at all, i know when i had my old car i got through a set in 10k but thats driving hard (fwd) they are soft but have brilliant grip in the wet too. not that noisy but there is a lot of sound deadening on the car :aargh4:

just had 2 falken 912's fitted to the car 195/65/15's and they set me back 100 quid fitted, i do about 20k a year so will let you all know how i get on :beerchug:

http://ssl.delti.com/tyre-pictures/FalkenOhtsu/ZIEXZE-912.jpg

I've got Falken 512's all round on my E30 BMW 325i - good tyres, quite grippy and not massively expensive:biglaugh:

GrazzerFR
19-06-2008, 12:36 PM
P Zero's are a soft tyre, great grip but rubbish wear. Ask anyone who's had Avon ZV1's

:)


I got 18K out of my front P Zero Rosso's, and your right there grip is incredible :approve:

prolfe
19-06-2008, 04:00 PM
I got 18K out of my front P Zero Rosso's, and your right there grip is incredible :approve:

blimey. 18k !!

Spudrig
19-06-2008, 06:42 PM
I've got 225/40/ZR18 Falken FK-452's on my Passat. About 10000 miles in and I haven't noticed any wear at all. Great grip in dry and wet, and even held up well enough in the snow at Christmas :D.. They were only 62 quid each at www.camskill.co.uk . Really good value

GrazzerFR
20-06-2008, 07:40 AM
blimey. 18k !!
well admittedly i do alot of motorway driving :D

prolfe
20-06-2008, 08:27 AM
well admittedly i do alot of motorway driving :D

An no cornering

:)

inertia
21-07-2008, 07:12 PM
Basically there is a choice, Long wearing, Best Grip or somethign middle ground, the best grippign tyres will never last very long, and the longest lasting tyres will never grip very well, this is simple physics.

Personaly I prefer to be at the grippy end of the scale than go for longevity, I use Goodyear F1 eagle Tyres, I love them, they have a good tread pattern for the wet, and they are super sticky in the dry,they only last me 8-10k and on my 19" rims they are £550 for a set of 4 (not fitted, from an online supplier) but i think its worth it.

prolfe
21-07-2008, 08:03 PM
Basically there is a choice, Long wearing, Best Grip or somethign middle ground, the best grippign tyres will never last very long, and the longest lasting tyres will never grip very well, this is simple physics.

Personaly I prefer to be at the grippy end of the scale than go for longevity, I use Goodyear F1 eagle Tyres, I love them, they have a good tread pattern for the wet, and they are super sticky in the dry,they only last me 8-10k and on my 19" rims they are £550 for a set of 4 (not fitted, from an online supplier) but i think its worth it.

Jesus H Christ

GarJE
21-07-2008, 10:02 PM
You're lucky.

Bought a set of 17" eos alloys for my golf, they had brand new continental sport contact 3's on them.

6,000 miles later and they're at 2.5mm all round having already done a front-rear swap.

Will be lucky to get 10,000 miles out of them.

Mike McKinstry
21-07-2008, 11:12 PM
25% off 4 michelins at ATS until 30th july-
I have done 21k on michelin energy e3as -not sure whether to go for same again as do find them a hard ride however this may sway me-still a couple more k left.

Mike

softsorter
22-07-2008, 02:18 AM
i used to get 9000 from Gy/Conti/Dunlop on my Bora 130TDI and most cars of that nature all fall into that mileage unless driven very carefully and all motorway work.

just for the record the highest mileage on one set of tyres is 92000miles the tyres was a 155R13 Michelin X and the car was a reps Ford Escort Mk2 1300 cc RWD doing all motorway work and tyres swapped front to rear. this was in the days Michelins perrished before you could wear them out, and in the wet they were interesting even on a 50bhp escort.

Dave (20years Michelin/Ats)

Mike if your happy with the michelins the PPM (pence per mile) will still be one of the lowest buys available

Matt-h
03-08-2008, 03:41 PM
pirelli p-zero's everytime for me.

Had them on my old scirocco, audi coupe and now mk4 golf.

So predictable throughout the entire life span

ini
04-08-2008, 03:23 PM
If they made Yoko A539's in my size i would still be using them.

They are the only tyres i've ever had that retained full pressure for over a year (never dropped even 1 psi).

Car never left the road, nomatter how hard i tried. lol

They would probably ablate pretty fast on a big car though.

dandam
04-08-2008, 03:48 PM
Ahh, had yokies on my mk1 once, great tyre, shame they only lasted 6k miles but they were great fun while they lasted

veedubbora07tdi
06-08-2008, 03:14 PM
Michelin pilots best all rounder in my opinion

zf44
09-08-2008, 09:47 PM
Not a tyre expert but both our cars (Beetle and Golf Plus) have Continental Sport Contact 2 fitted. Front sets on both cars were replaced after 19,000. Rear sets remain unchanged, mileage now 24,000 and still 5mm left on the rears.

hongkongstuey
10-08-2008, 02:12 PM
I've got Falken 512's all round on my E30 BMW 325i - good tyres, quite grippy and not massively expensive:biglaugh:

512's are good, had them on previous car all round and it was like a go kart, now i have 912's and they seem better but as they on a different car i dont know for sure yet. dont tend to need long life as they are cheap enough to get 2 front sets a year doing 20k miles, get 2 before mot, then 2 at the service in between.

gman75
23-08-2008, 09:42 AM
I used to have Toyo Proxes on my 04 A3. Loads of grip but far too much noise at high speed. They used to howl at motorway speed which almost sent me mad on a drive down to the south of France. P-zeros for me every time! Same grip, nice and predictable, cheaper than Michelin PS, no noise!

peteo
12-09-2008, 01:34 PM
Just noticed today at my local Volkswagen main dealer that they are selling, and advertising prominently, Barum Bravuris tyres.

These are often seen as a budget brand tho' they are made by Continental in the Czech Republic.

I gather they are also fitted as standard to some Skodas.

They are very cheap at Tyre Shopper (on line retailer) and I have used them happily on my previous car.

VAG seem to have given them a substantial vote of confidence.

bladerider666
25-09-2008, 09:35 PM
toyo proxes t1-r, they are incredible mate so much better than the old t1-s and lasts loads longer with even better wet weather grip :)

nascar
28-09-2008, 12:53 PM
In my opinion as a general guide GOODYEAR or MICHELIN tyres are about as good as you will buy, based upon many years as a main agent trained mechanic Ford/Bmw, also specialising in selling ex police vehicles for the last 20 years, these tyres tend to be what the police authorities use mainstream, particularly on high performance vehicles and, although some people may think differently, if they're good enough for the police, they're good enough for you.
I currently have for sale a 04/54 Bora 1.8 T sport turbo 180 6 speed, direct from the police, 39,000 miles, unmarked vehicle in pearlescent blue, service history, just as a privately used car- fitted with GOODYEAR tyres- £5500
Paul.

BigRob69
29-09-2008, 12:59 PM
I started using Kumho's a couple of years ago due to cash flow problem, and they really surprised me. On a modded 1.8t they lasted 15k and grip levels didn't start dropping off in the wet until there were at 3mm and in the dry 2mm. In these days of astronomical petrol prices and the wife expecting at christmas, I will keep on using them.

hongkongstuey
29-09-2008, 03:47 PM
just had some pirelli powergy fitted to my car, cant fault them, although they squeal more in car parks :biglaugh: i like them better than the falken 912's ive been using, just hope they last longer

peteo
29-09-2008, 04:39 PM
In my opinion as a general guide GOODYEAR or MICHELIN tyres are about as good as you will buy, based upon many years as a main agent trained mechanic Ford/Bmw, also specialising in selling ex police vehicles for the last 20 years, these tyres tend to be what the police authorities use mainstream, particularly on high performance vehicles and, although some people may think differently, if they're good enough for the police, they're good enough for you.

Paul.

I do a pretty low mileage and, as i am entering old codgerdom, don't drive as quickly as I used to. Would your advice still hold true? I have heard that it is a good idea to go for premium if you do a high mileage and/or drive hard but budget/mid range should do for "pottering about."

nascar
03-10-2008, 01:17 PM
I do a pretty low mileage and, as i am entering old codgerdom, don't drive as quickly as I used to. Would your advice still hold true? I have heard that it is a good idea to go for premium if you do a high mileage and/or drive hard but budget/mid range should do for "pottering about."


For your requirements you have really already answered your question in that if you don't do the mileage/hard driving there probably isn't the point in spending extra money on high/top quality tyres, just bear in mind the budget tyres are more likely to wear quicker/won't handle/ride the same. At the end of the day you get what you pay for. When i was working for main agents, a long time ago now, the cheaper brand tyres would sometimes have problems like misshaped / egg shapes on sidewalls etc after having been run a while but i don't think they have so many prublems like this these days. The Michelins etc would have very few/no problems in comparison. There can be quite a difference in price and probably for you the cheaper tyres are more suited to your needs. The choice is yours. I hope this helps.
Paul.

peteo
03-10-2008, 09:51 PM
Cheers Paul.

Have just had a couple of Barum Bravuris fitted (used them on previous car) for £47 per corner. Made by Continental so they should do for my trips to Tesco!

Crasher
03-10-2008, 10:49 PM
Isn’t Barum what Tree Beard said in The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers?