Tyre Recommendations

[sbuk73]

Hi Folks, I currently have Dunlop Sp sport 9000 / 255 40 zr19 on my A8 3.0Tdi Sport. As I understand it, the SP 9000 is now discontinued or hard to get hold of, has anyone tried any of the following tyres and what did they make of them taking into account quietness, grip, cornering etc.

Dunlop Sport Maxx TT
Dunlop sport 01
Goodyear Eagle F1

I have to admit I am bit of a tyre snob so if I already have dunlops on there would be nice to keep the same brand .... thanks.

[EG-4.0TDI]

Hi,
Can't comment on the Dunlops, but I have Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s on a BMW 330d that I also own. Good wear and wet weather grip but absolutely hopeless in snow or mud. I currently have Bridgestone RE050s on my A8 (but on 18" rims) and would recommend them - their steering feel is much better than the previous RE040s and they seem to last considerably longer.

[Gerbil]

I had Continentals. They lasted just over 20k (which two people told me was good for an A8, and two said was dreadful??)

Changed last year to Dunlop Maxx TT. Review I read suggested these were better in the wet.

They seem to be a little quieter than the continentals, but I find it difficult to be objective about things like that.

No idea how good they would have been in the snow as I fell off a bicycle in the ice and damaged my arm so could not drive!

[argeez audi]

Hi,
I' not a Dunlop fan at all....don't give you any confidence in the wet. I've got Bridgestones on at the moment and they are pretty good, however I've got four Pirelli P Zero Rosso's ready to go on in the garage...can't make my mind up whether to refurb my current origianl 19's or go for some new rims ???? decisons decisons.

[Micha_elD]

I read endless reviews before getting mine. I wanted the tyre with the highest level of grip when wet or dry, the lowest level of noise, the longest life, and the lowest price. And I wanted a good brand. And would like them to look good!

Guess what, there isn't a tyre with all that. The ones that give best grip don't last long, the ones that are good in the wet don't have low noise. Ones that work well on a BMW don't necessarily work well on an Audi, its frustrating and tedious trying to find the one that is best for your car.

I concluded that my priorities were: good wet grip, decent dry grip, long life. I was prepared to ignore road noise and looks

After re-reading the reviews, I went for Contis, just like Audi had, then shopped round to get the best price.

[sbuk73]

I am now trying the Goodyear F1 asymetric on the rear - will probably change the front to the same in due course ... the way I see it, if you don't try something new how will you know

[Keebs]

Ive had Falken 452's on the rear of my A8 3.0 TDi's 20" alloys for the last 22k miles. They were brilliant in all the snow we had in Scotland and they still have 4.5 mm tread left now.

Different story on the fronts however as, yet again, i have suffered premature inner edge wear despite twice having the tracking checked and checking the pressure every week.

Maybe 32psi is too soft?

Anyone have any views?

[argeez audi]

I an running 35psi on 19's and wear is even. Probably worth trying it with abit more.

[EG-4.0TDI]

Just a thought re premature inner edge wear Keebs, did you get the full 8 way alignment done (usually about £100 or so) or just the tracking (which is just one of a number of angles that need to be right)? Mine seems very sensitive to full alignment and I have also found that just doing the tracking without getting the rest done means that the tracking doesn't last very long. Might be worth getting the whole lot done...

[bellkevin]

Hmmm. I have continental contact sport 2 and I think they are very good in the wet, amazing grip it the dry but I think the ware is poor. You're going to get that, something has to give.. Look at race tyres.. Amazing grip levels, expensive but only last about 150 miles.. LOL