Which tyres are the best?

[jade12378]

I have a 2008 58 A4 Avant 2.0T (petrol) which has covered approx 10k miles. At present it has the standard Bridgestones on it but they (the fronts) are over half worn already! So, thinking that i'll need to replace them soon, has go me thinking about an issue I have with my car - it's very easy to get the front wheels to lose traction when pulling away. I'm no car expert so there may well be another reason for this that you intelligent people may be able to inform of but if it is down to the tyres can anyone recommend any that will be better than the Bridgestones, while hopefully not having a shorter life! Thank you in advance for your useful replies. :beerchug:

[ScottyUK]

Apologies if I'm teach you to suck eggs :

In any car when you accelerate the weight move backwards and hence the back drops and the front of the car lifts. This means there's less weight on the front tyres and hence it's very easy to spin them up.

Check your tyres pressures regularly and be sensitive to the slipping and thats about all you can do.

To be honest if your get 15-20k out of the fronts then I reckon you've done well.

To the regulars on here :

See !!! I didn't even mention quattro :p :D

[jade12378]

Thanks for that ScottyUK, I did already know what you said but I guess I just wanted to ignore that knowledge and live in hope that there's a "magic" tyre out there that would allow me to drive as hard as I like without losing traction!!!
I take it you're a Quattro fan? I added pretty much every extra possible when I bout my car (added over £10k to the price!!) but if there's one thing I wish i'd spent some extra on it' sthat I wish i'd got a Quattro!!! I'd love to change it for a Quattro but would have to buy new again (as nothing out htere used with the same spec) and i'd lose shed loads on PXing my car :( Oh well - that's life!

[ScottyUK]

Errrm yup I am.

Many think that we don't have enough weather bad to justify the extra cost and the reduced mpg from quattro but after 8+ years in a quattro and 5 months in a 2009 FWD A4, I know it's right for me.

Sorry I can't answer your question with the answer you wanted :(

[satsu]

I'm a Quattro fan too - I bought one this time because I was fed up of the front wheels spinning at the slightest opportunity in my 170hp Volvo V50.

On the tyres front, I reckon it's six of one and half a dozen of the other. In my V50 I used to get 15-20k out of the front tyres and 40k+ out of the rears. My current quattro looks like it will do 25-30k on the fronts, but only about 30k on the rears.

I'm also interested in the tyres - I read a selection of reviews that rated the Michelin PS2 as being much better than the RE050A for traction, noise and wear. Any views on here?

Cheers. :)

[Ramon959]

For what its worth, I got 22k out of my front Bridgestones though they were pretty done at 19-20k. I have continentals on now, and they appear to have more traction, but more traction does not equal less tyre wear! Softer compound means more rubber falling off with every rotation unfortunately. I do have7k on the conti's and they are still looking good - as are the rears. Ill do 37-40k on the rear.

I suspect, unless you drive like a granny in a 120hp petrol, you will struggle to get over 25k no matter what tyre you get.

[jade12378]

For what its worth, I got 22k out of my front Bridgestones though they were pretty done at 19-20k. I have continentals on now, and they appear to have more traction, but more traction does not equal less tyre wear! Softer compound means more rubber falling off with every rotation unfortunately. I do have7k on the conti's and they are still looking good - as are the rears. Ill do 37-40k on the rear.

I suspect, unless you drive like a granny in a 120hp petrol, you will struggle to get over 25k no matter what tyre you get.
Thanks for that Ramon959. I'd be reasonably happy if I could get around 20k out of front tyres. Based on previous experiences I was thinking about Conti's....I think i'll give them a go when I need them.
On another note....I notice you have remapped your ECU using Bluefin, I was looking at doing this. How have you got on with it? Was it as easy as they claim? What about insurance/warranty?

[Mr_Meeks]

I have a 2008 58 A4 Avant 2.0T (petrol) which has covered approx 10k miles. At present it has the standard Bridgestones on it but they (the fronts) are over half worn already! So, thinking that i'll need to replace them soon, has go me thinking about an issue I have with my car - it's very easy to get the front wheels to lose traction when pulling away. I'm no car expert so there may well be another reason for this that you intelligent people may be able to inform of but if it is down to the tyres can anyone recommend any that will be better than the Bridgestones, while hopefully not having a shorter life! Thank you in advance for your useful replies. :beerchug:

Check this website out:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/

im currently looking at buying some Vredestein (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/) Ultrac Sessanta (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Ultrac-Sessanta.htm)

[jade12378]

Check this website out:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/

im currently looking at buying some Vredestein (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/) Ultrac Sessanta (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Ultrac-Sessanta.htm)
Thanks - a useful website!

[Speedychic]

I have a 2008 58 A4 Avant 2.0T (petrol) which has covered approx 10k miles. At present it has the standard Bridgestones on it but they (the fronts) are over half worn already! So, thinking that i'll need to replace them soon, has go me thinking about an issue I have with my car - it's very easy to get the front wheels to lose traction when pulling away. I'm no car expert so there may well be another reason for this that you intelligent people may be able to inform of but if it is down to the tyres can anyone recommend any that will be better than the Bridgestones, while hopefully not having a shorter life! Thank you in advance for your useful replies. :beerchug:
Try this website they maybe able to help you:

www.etyres.co.uk

[Mr_Meeks]

Try this website they maybe able to help you:

www.etyres.co.uk (http://www.etyres.co.uk)


that website ^^^ is ****king expensive!:confused:!!

try this:

http://www.camskill.co.uk/index.php

[Speedychic]

No etyres are quite cheap compare to other places i have been, i had a look on camskill but you have to find some where and someone to fit the tyres where as etyres you order the tyres they come to you and fit the tyres much more convenient.

[A1exp]

My factory fit Bridgestones gave up the ghost at 13k (heavy right foot?) so I swapped to Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta after spending hours reading the reviews.

It doesn't solve the traction problem completely but I noticed a significant drop on wheel spin on take off, and that seems to have continued as they've started to wear.

I've got them on all corners now and it's running very well, especially in the normal Yorkshire rain. I've seen quite a few other A4's with the same tyre, probably because of the price!

I bought mine from Tyre Express (http://www.tyrexpress.com) and had them mobile fitted for approx £150/corner, although they are getting more difficult to get hold of apparently. (Looks like Cmaskill have them in stock for £120)

Reviews:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Ultrac-Sessanta.htm

http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/vredestein/ultrac_sessanta/index.html

The tyre also came second in an Evo review and most people seem to have positive things to say about them. (Plus they're £100 cheaper than Conti's!)

[jade12378]

My factory fit Bridgestones gave up the ghost at 13k (heavy right foot?) so I swapped to Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta after spending hours reading the reviews.

It doesn't solve the traction problem completely but I noticed a significant drop on wheel spin on take off, and that seems to have continued as they've started to wear.

I've got them on all corners now and it's running very well, especially in the normal Yorkshire rain. I've seen quite a few other A4's with the same tyre, probably because of the price!

I bought mine from Tyre Express (http://www.tyrexpress.com) and had them mobile fitted for approx £150/corner, although they are getting more difficult to get hold of apparently. (Looks like Cmaskill have them in stock for £120)

Reviews:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Ultrac-Sessanta.htm

http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/vredestein/ultrac_sessanta/index.html

The tyre also came second in an Evo review and most people seem to have positive things to say about them. (Plus they're £100 cheaper than Conti's!)
Thanks A1exp, useful information!

[Dtom]

Do you guys rotate your tyres? I was used to rotating tyres every 6000 - 8000 miles on my 4x4 Jeep Grand Cherokee and will do the same on my FWD A4. That way you should get fairly even tyre wear.

David

[A1exp]

I had my fronts moved to the back when swapped but not crossed as the Vredesteins are directional tyres.

I know standard advice now is to have new on rear but I'm doing enough miles such that the issue of never replaced back tyres is not an issue and the other reasons don't apply. (I think!)

I had my tyres rotated once on my old car and they made an odd humming noise so I've never bothered since.

[Dtom]

..................................

I know standard advice now is to have new on rear but I'm doing enough miles such that the issue of never replaced back tyres is not an issue and the other reasons don't apply. (I think!)

..........................................

I think standard recommendation these days is to replace any tyres once they are over 6 years old.

David

[A1exp]

My tyres don't usually see out 12 months, let alone 6 years!

[Dtom]

My tyres don't usually see out 12 months, let alone 6 years!


Mine never last 6 years either but a lowish mileage user might make it to 6 years doing say 5000 miles a year, I would expect most tyres to last 30K miles, they do that at least for me.

David

[ScottyUK]

3.5 years and 35k in a TT and 7 sets of tyres.
5 years and 35k in a S4 and 5 sets of tyres.

I don't think I'll be tracking this car ;)

[Dtom]

3.5 years and 35k in a TT and 7 sets of tyres.
5 years and 35k in a S4 and 5 sets of tyres.

I don't think I'll be tracking this car ;)


No way!!!

You must have one very heavy foot!

My last Jeep Grand Cherokee was sold with 29K on the clock with it's original tyres and 3mm still left to go, my best car was a BMW 525i which had tyres on it which were still street legal (just) after about 45-50k miles.

Clearly I am no Stig!

David

[leehal]

With regards rotating tyres, don't they say for a front wheel drive that the best tyres should always be on the rear?

[satsu]

With regards rotating tyres, don't they say for a front wheel drive that the best tyres should always be on the rear?

I've heard this too, and iirc it was because it's harder to control a spin due to loss of traction at the rear. This may be true in theory but I've never experienced this so personally I go for new tyres on the front wheels, which do most of the braking and all of the steering.

[A1exp]

http://www.michelin.co.uk/michelinuk/en/car-van-4x4/less-worn-tyres-rear/20070314172074.html

It's really generic advice to suit the majority of the population.

If you can cope with the change in balance and a (theoretically) twitchy rear end then as satsu says, the majority of the steering/braking is done with the front wheels so put new tyres on the front.

I was also told it's easier to recover from a front-wheel blowout than a rear-wheel blowout, hence rear fit, but you pays your money, you takes you choice.

[Mr_Meeks]

My factory fit Bridgestones gave up the ghost at 13k (heavy right foot?) so I swapped to Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta after spending hours reading the reviews.

It doesn't solve the traction problem completely but I noticed a significant drop on wheel spin on take off, and that seems to have continued as they've started to wear.

I've got them on all corners now and it's running very well, especially in the normal Yorkshire rain. I've seen quite a few other A4's with the same tyre, probably because of the price!

I bought mine from Tyre Express (http://www.tyrexpress.com) and had them mobile fitted for approx £150/corner, although they are getting more difficult to get hold of apparently. (Looks like Cmaskill have them in stock for £120)

Reviews:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Ultrac-Sessanta.htm

http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/vredestein/ultrac_sessanta/index.html

The tyre also came second in an Evo review and most people seem to have positive things to say about them. (Plus they're £100 cheaper than Conti's!)

Alex where did you get your vredestein from and costs?

My tyre size is 235/40/18

[A1exp]

I bought both sets from Tyre Express which are basically an internet outfit with a network of dealers/fitters.

I paid £138.09 fitted for each tyre for 245/40/R18 in June, I havn't got the invoice for the previous ones but IIRC they were approx £145/tyre fully fitted.

I had mine fitted by http://www.tyres2younorthwest.com/ (through the Tyre Express website) and they've been fine both times. Quick, no hassle and the tyres seem to have worn evenly both times so they've been balanced correctly.

The Vredesteins are a little difficult to get hold of, I tried my local garages but they all wanted to sell me Pirellis or Conti's at almost double the price so I had to fall back to the internet.

[borutp]

Going back to your answer....

I think that the best - or one of the best tyres are : Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.eu/dunlop_euen/tyre_range/car_tyres/uhp/summer/sp_sport_maxx_gt/

I got them standard on my Audi S4 and they are the best tyres i have driven

[A1exp]

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2009-Auto-Zeitung-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm

Summer Tyre review makes interesting reading, especially raw data before and after they add the subjective score.

The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT does quite well and I understand that is similar to the GT but not quite as good in the wet.

[borutp]

I think GT is better ?

TT is only 18" maximum, GT is 22"

[ScottyUK]

I have these Dunlops on mine. I looked them up and they seem great for California but in the UK we have winters and they're really not rated that high for that.

Time will tell I guess....

[markp306]

Autoexpress have a tyre test, which can be found at: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/213186/tyre_guide.html

My Avant came with Conti's which is a good all rounder apparently - 3rd place behind Goodyear and Vredestein, and cheaper than both.

[juniperz]

Autoexpress have a tyre test, which can be found at: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/213186/tyre_guide.html

My Avant came with Conti's which is a good all rounder apparently - 3rd place behind Goodyear and Vredestein, and cheaper than both.
Now you've depressed me - my car came with Pirelli P7 225/45 R 17 Y.
AutoExpress said "And let’s hope Pirelli has penned a replacement for the ageing P7, as it’s way below the standard expected from a premium brand. It struggled just about everywhere, and the fuel economy it returns is simply not good enough in these eco-friendly times." :(

[troc]

I got the Bridgestones with mine, they seem ok so far but then again I reckon I'd need to be working this car harder than I want to at the moment to actually test their grip :)

Maybe when the car is run in - and it's wet and miserable outside (actually that part is true 99% of the time here....), I'll see what happens!

[Pauls898]

Well mine came fitted with Michelin Primacy HP 245 45 R17 95Y and they seem to hold the road well, a little noisy on the Motorway as the Engine is soo quite so can't complain

[AndyH123]

Early review of my new Michelin PS2s -

It seems the previous tramlining / wobble on country roads has gone!

Early days to assess grip, my previous factory fit Bridgestones were pretty bare which is making a comparison tricky.

Only bad thing is I think road noise has increased slightly.


Question is.. will I get to try it out on any white stuff over the upcoming weeks? :)

Update - Yes, and they're good!

[pitch3110]

Am I the only one with Pzero's??????

They seem fine

Ta

[ScottyUK]

I had them on my MY2009 and they seemed fine. ;)

[Dr Airbag]

I spent a lot of time looking at tyres from a professional perspective a few years ago and I came to two conclusions. First, Audi will have spent a couple of million making sure the car suspension/tyre set up optimises the handling of the car. If the tyre was not on the original equipment list for the car, you really are unlikley to do anything positive by changing to something different. Second, not all tyres are created equal. Tyre companies only make money on the aftermarket - not the original fitment - and so you can commonly find that the the design has changed when you buy off the shelf. This is especially true if one of the tyre & exhaust chains has a "special offer". It might say "Michelin Pilot Primacy" on the tyre, but it has come from China, or Indonesia, or somewhere else where the tyre is optimised for roads unlike our own. The only way to get around this is to physically inspect the tyre before it is fitted. On the sidewall, in tiny letters, it will define the tyre reinforcment which will say something like "2 plies rayon, 1 ply nylon". If the reinforcement is polyester, it is a cheap, "second rate" tyre compared to the OE fitment, which will always be rayon. So buy what was on the car, but check for rayon. If it is not rayon, try the alternative OE tyres.

Finally, try an independent specialist. My local guy actually gets the tyre codes from Bridgestone and orders the actual OE tyre, not the "general", apparently identical model from the shelf. It costs more this way, but you have spent £20-30k on the car. An extra £50/corner every 18 months is worth the money.

[rd1]

Dr Airbag,
good post and something to actually help identify the better tyres,we all seem to have personal views on the best tyres, and vastly different driving styles looking at the rapid wear with low mileage of some posters so this helps.
From your research do you consider that the manufacturers put the best all round tyre for winter and summer or do they just go for the best ride/ noise reduction etc? In your opinion is there much to be gained by going for the winter tyres over the originals?
Cheers
Roger

[Gary_W]

I'm feeling all 'inadequate' now... I've always just gone for the Michelins that Costco have in... They've been shedloads cheaper than going elsewhere and I've always had good mileage and decent roadholding. They were pants in the snow last year but besides that I've been happy.

The above has been on my A4 B6... I'm soon to have one of the economy tuned 136bhp A4 2.0 TDIe models. These say something about 'low rolling resistance tyres'.... What on earth are they and does grip suffer vs other tyres'?

[Raoul_Duke]

Any recommendations for good grippy winter tyres?

[ScottyUK]

I'm feeling all 'inadequate' now... I've always just gone for the Michelins that Costco have in... They've been shedloads cheaper than going elsewhere and I've always had good mileage and decent roadholding. They were pants in the snow last year but besides that I've been happy.

Don't feel inadeaute. Judging from the tyres Audi put on it's down to cost rather than much else. The Continentals they were putting on B6's were horrendous. On the B8's theirs at least three or four manufacturers tyres on the cars so I can hardly see they're being bery picky.

[AndyH123]

Any recommendations for good grippy winter tyres?

The Michelin PS2s I've just put on the front are getting a thumbs up from me.

[Dr Airbag]

Interesting question from RD1. Audi will have spent a couple of months hammering around a test track with a couple of dozen tyres designs each from probably three manufacturers, gradually iterating design of the tyre and suspenson until it feels "right" from a handling and noise/vibration/harshness perspective. As far as I can tell this is usually not in very cold weather and will be a mix of wet and dry testing - so what you have as OE is as good as Audi can get it for most of the time. Again, as far as I can tell few OEMs test winter tyres, so there is little chance of getting an "ideal" winter tyre for any particular car and buying off the shelf is as good as you will probably get. When I lived in Germany winter tyres were a must. Living in the UK I don't feel the need....