View Full Version : Tyre Review
Why not setup a section on Tyre reviews and get Forum members to add their views. :confused:
Have a look :shades: on the MR2 Owners Club webpage: http://www.imoc.co.uk/
They have a section on Tyres. Tyres broken down into Manufacturers. :think:
I feel something similar would be a good addition to this Forum, :clap:
It would be the ideal place for reference :thumbup:
Yeah that'd be really helpful :thumbup: Especially as I've gotta get a new tyre... a nail decided to embed itself in a non repairable place :-o :censored: :(
try www.tyres-online.co.uk :)
Last June I bought x2 Goodyear Eagle F1 DS3 for the front on my Cupra.
They are down to the legal limit now having done just 8500 miles. :wtf:
I cant say I have been that impressed with them. :thumbd: - I would say only marginally better than the P6000. :rolleyes:
I am now looking to get either the Yoko Proxes T1-S (£55.30) or Bridgestone Potenza S03 (£78.50). - http://www.mytyres.net/start.html
Last June I bought x2 Goodyear Eagle F1 DS3 for the front on my Cupra.
They are down to the legal limit now having done just 8500 miles. :wtf:
I cant say I have been that impressed with them. :thumbd: - I would say only marginally better than the P6000. :rolleyes:
I am now looking to get either the Yoko Proxes T1-S (£55.30) or Bridgestone Potenza S03 (£78.50). - http://www.mytyres.net/start.html
You mean Toyo Proxies, not Yoko.
A tyre review section would be good.
Cheers
Ben
I think this is a v good idea :thumbup:
Tyres are very dependant upon application - some work well on some cars but nor others, and you get to repent a bad tyre decision at leisure.... :(
but....... no offense to the MR2 dudes but their tyre section is a bit of a mess.
You'd need to:-
1. State specifically the tyre you're on about. (See Toyo proxes onthat site - umpteen different spellings lead to confusion. Similarly the Kumho reviews - most talk about "ecsta" which is a generic "sport" branding that covers 5+ specific tyre models. Reviews are effectively meaningless).
2. You need to state size you are reviewing. A 225/40/18 review may be the exact opposite of a 205/55/16 review, even though both are accurate. Manufacturers often use different compounds for different speed ratings too, so a "wear rate is abysmal" comment against a ZR rated tyre may be unrepresentative of their VR rated tyre of the same model type.
3. Reviewers need to express their requirements. I do 25K+ a year, hence don't want to be using 3 sets of tyres a year. Wear characteristics are therefore more important to me than eaking out the last 2% of dry grip potential. Will be different for other folks, so you need to create a "context" for your opinions.
Despite this I think it remains a great idea, worthy of some consideration.
:)
yep a tyre review section would be good
Contisports came 2nd in the evo mag group test Mark :) (to GSD3's)
Nice idea, but not everybody is looking for the same characteristics from tyres and different driving styles/miles might suit different drivers/tyres. Comments like "GSD3s go get em they rock!", don't help anybody TBH and similarly, as with all things, price comes into the equation, so whilst my Eagle F1s are better in every respect than the Toyo Proxes T1-S I have (both pairs on car and used on both axles) I would still go and buy the Proxes again simply cos they were 50% cheaper than the F1s (but not 50% worse). It would have to be a really comprehensive review to be of any real use IMO.
Similarly, there's not many ppl that have tried a multitude of different tyres so its hard to know what comparator people are using. I mean "xyz tyre is brill" might mean more coming from a person who's tried scores of different tyres on scores of different cars than one person who's simply changed from OE spec and owned one car.
Last June I bought x2 Goodyear Eagle F1 DS3 for the front on my Cupra.
They are down to the legal limit now having done just 8500 miles. :wtf:
I cant say I have been that impressed with them. :thumbd: - I would say only marginally better than the P6000. :rolleyes:
I am now looking to get either the Yoko Proxes T1-S (£55.30) or Bridgestone Potenza S03 (£78.50). - http://www.mytyres.net/start.html
You'll be lucky if you get the Toyos Proxes to last significantly longer than the F1s, although they may last longer with regular rotation from front to rear, so I'd scratch them off your list. If it's long life you want then go for a GT/touring type of tyre.
Nice idea, but not everybody is looking for the same characteristics from tyres and different driving styles/miles might suit different drivers/tyres. Comments like "GSD3s go get em they rock!", don't help anybody TBH and similarly, as with all things, price comes into the equation, so whilst my Eagle F1s are better in every respect than the Toyo Proxes T1-S I have (both pairs on car and used on both axles) I would still go and buy the Proxes again simply cos they were 50% cheaper than the F1s (but not 50% worse). It would have to be a really comprehensive review to be of any real use IMO.
Similarly, there's not many ppl that have tried a multitude of different tyres so its hard to know what comparator people are using. I mean "xyz tyre is brill" might mean more coming from a person who's tried scores of different tyres on scores of different cars than one person who's simply changed from OE spec and owned one car.
I would have to agree with you Ed. But, you can get a general ideas if the tyres are good or not. I usually go to the tirerack to check on ratings, even though road conditions and road speeds are quite different.
I'd also add that a tyre that may work well on a lighter mk3 ibiza, might not be that good on a heavier leon TDI or toledo V5, so that would need to be taken into account.
PS..I'm one of those that have tested a multitude of tyres... :rolleyes:
Contisports came 2nd in the evo mag group test Mark :) (to GSD3's)
excellent news
hope they don't stick oot too far ?? :bleh:
mark sheerin
26-03-2004, 13:47
Contisports came 2nd in the evo mag group test Mark :) (to GSD3's)
I have had contisports for years on my mercs and now on my cupras...less prone to wheelspin in the wet than pirellis and are always there or thereabouts in group tests...
best bit is they are £65 each...how much for the Goodyears? ;)
cpufreak
26-03-2004, 13:58
I had 205/40R17 yokohama A539's (I think) on my Ibiza, they were fitted at ~3000 miles.
They were down to ~2.5mm tread, when the car had done ~13000 miles (so 10,000 with the yokos on).
At this point the tyres were spinning all over the shop, couldn't get power down cleanly in 1st or 2nd, and tractioncontrol would flap in 3rd, too.
This might've been due to the rubber hardening over time, I don't know.
Replaced them with Uniroyal rainsports, but I'll have to wait a while before I can drive my car again to see how they last, oh and one of them needs replacing as a result of lastnight *sigh*
I have had contisports for years on my mercs and now on my cupras...less prone to wheelspin in the wet than pirellis and are always there or thereabouts in group tests...
best bit is they are £65 each...how much for the Goodyears? ;)
Which contisports though??? I had a set of the older contisport1 and wouldn't rate them highly for a max performance tyre. Have heard good things about the new version.
mark sheerin
26-03-2004, 14:02
Which contisports though??? I had a set of the older contisport1 and wouldn't rate them highly for a max performance tyre. Have heard good things about the new version.
sportcontacts..assymetric
sportcontacts..assymetric
I think there both asymetric..the new version came out last year..
ibizacupra
26-03-2004, 16:38
Tyres and the vehicles they mount to are too much of a variable to say which tyres is 'best'.
Least of all, peoples opinions of them and wants and needs all varies.
Good for me is, grip and sidewall strength vs price. GSD3's are my preference.
Longevety is'nt my #1 deciding factor. Performance is.
Light cars suit different tyres than heavier ones.
I suspect people would be none the wiser
chriskaven
26-03-2004, 16:42
I feel I am in a good position to comment on tyres as I have recently realised that I have managed to get through 14 tyres (inc originals) in 2 years and two track days :p !
My car is on standard suspension and wheels but with some extra power courtesy of Revo :D
1st was (2 sets of 4) Pirreli P zeros (standard fittment) Not a bad balance in terms of wear, cost and grip.
( 1 set of 4) Goodyears - very grippy but relatively expensive and wear at alarming rate. Im talking 6000 miles and that was winter driving so not full pasty :D
( 1 pair) Avon ZV1 Initially not that grippy ( i was comparing them to goodyears) but once scrubbed in they seem the best balance so far in terms of wear, cost and grip.
These are more grippy than the pirelli's and only slightly less grippy than the goodyears. Wear rate is similar to pirellis but much better than goodyears.
The Avons are the best so far for my criteria
One other thing I have noticed (which I guess is quite logical) is that the tyres with stiff sidewalls (like the goodyears) give a much more direct 'turn in' than the likes of the Avons for example.
slim_boy_fat
26-03-2004, 18:12
I feel I am in a good position to comment on tyres as I have recently realised that I have managed to get through 14 tyres (inc originals) in 2 years and two track days :p !
My car is on standard suspension and wheels but with some extra power courtesy of Revo :D
1st was (2 sets of 4) Pirreli P zeros (standard fittment) Not a bad balance in terms of wear, cost and grip.
( 1 set of 4) Goodyears - very grippy but relatively expensive and wear at alarming rate. Im talking 6000 miles and that was winter driving so not full pasty :D
( 1 pair) Avon ZV1 Initially not that grippy ( i was comparing them to goodyears) but once scrubbed in they seem the best balance so far in terms of wear, cost and grip.
These are more grippy than the pirelli's and only slightly less grippy than the goodyears. Wear rate is similar to pirellis but much better than goodyears.
The Avons are the best so far for my criteria
One other thing I have noticed (which I guess is quite logical) is that the tyres with stiff sidewalls (like the goodyears) give a much more direct 'turn in' than the likes of the Avons for example.
Case in point Mik & Bill!!!! :rolleyes:
I have had contisports for years on my mercs and now on my cupras...less prone to wheelspin in the wet than pirellis and are always there or thereabouts in group tests...
best bit is they are £65 each...how much for the Goodyears? ;)
I got my last 2 GS-D3's for £82 each (inc vat, balancing etc..).
Just noticed a screw embedded in my original Bridgestone Turanza offside rear last night, if I can't get it repaired today I will fork out for 2 more GS-D3's and put them on the front and put the other (partly worn) GS-D3's on the back.
I remember a thread about putting the best tyres on the front, is this right?
slim_boy_fat
27-03-2004, 07:33
I got my last 2 GS-D3's for £82 each (inc vat, balancing etc..).
Just noticed a screw embedded in my original Bridgestone Turanza offside rear last night, if I can't get it repaired today I will fork out for 2 more GS-D3's and put them on the front and put the other (partly worn) GS-D3's on the back.
I remember a thread about putting the best tyres on the front, is this right?
Isnt it the back?
I remember a thread about putting the best tyres on the front, is this right?
The advice on this has changed over the last couple of years.
Whoever "advises" these things officially (????) did advise new tyres to the front ~ school of thought being that front does 80+ % of your braking.
In an amazing :rolleyes: u-turn however they now recommend fresh tyres to the back. This appears to be due to the number of accidents where the tail has gone walkies and the driver has lost control. Correlate these against lower rear tyre tread and....bingo.
All current road cars are designed to understeer as it's considered safest for the masses. Peugeot would never get away with releasing a 2004 model that was as oversteery as the 205GTi in our now ligitative society. "New on the rear" ensures this handling trait remains (or is heightened) when it's teeming wet too.
Another factor - as most cars are now FWD drivers obviously go through lots of front sets, but not many rears. Following the old guidance, you can end up with rear tyres that are years old, with the rubber well beyond it's best even though you still have tread.
I still swap my tyres front to back every so often. This is no longer recommended 'cos cars run such differing camber front to rear, so the life of the tyre is lessened. It can also be "fun" for a few hundred miles after you've swapped whilst the tyre assumes it's new "shape"
I continue to do this however to:-
a/ try to ensure minimal tread difference front to rear.
b/ try to ensure all my tyres wear out at the same time, so I can put a fresh set on and not worry that I have tyre x on one axle, and tyre y on the other.
I still swap my tyres front to back every so often.
I won't insist you do this SBF :p
Just rang my local 'Formula One' place in Bedford, they say that it will cost £94.98 for each tyre and they will not be beaten locally, but this doesn't help me as the price I had for £82 for each tyre was in Milton Keynes.
So I rang F1 in MK and they say they will better any other offer in MK and are offering the tyres @ £79.98 each, which is good, so ordered 2 of them for Monday as one of my rear tyres needs replacing, so I may as well replace both of them at the same time.
Pic if screw below :(
Goodyear Tyre offering attached
Just rang my local 'Formula One' place in Bedford, they say that it will cost £94.98 for each tyre and they will not be beaten locally, but this doesn't help me as the price I had for £82 for each tyre was in Milton Keynes.
So I rang F1 in MK and they say they will better any other offer in MK and are offering the tyres @ £79.98 each, which is good, so ordered 2 of them for Monday as one of my rear tyres needs replacing, so I may as well replace both of them at the same time.
Pic if screw below :(
That 'should' be an easy repair cos 1) it is in the meat of the tread and 2) it has entered the tyre dead straight.
That 'should' be an easy repair cos 1) it is in the meat of the tread and 2) it has entered the tyre dead straight.
Tyre place I took it to in Bedford said they can't repair it :(
Surprised at that cos that 'type' is most oftent he easiest repair (sidewall a no no, in between the tread v difficult, angled nail entry is awkward), must be a fat nail then or the hole has been enlarged somehow?
EDIT: looked again and probably decided against repair cos close to the tread edge?
Sorry, but that is too close to the side wall to repair. The puncture must be at least 1 inch away from the side wall to repair otherwise due to the flexing of the tyre, the repair will fail
Thanks for the info guys, it gives me a bit nore piece of mind as the new tyres are gonna cost me £160!
:-o
PurpleFlash
29-03-2004, 11:32
I drive my V5 (170 bhp) much the same way all the time (some fun, some cruise, some town, no tyre burning tho') so my experience with longevity versus performance may help people a bit!
Originals 205 55 16 Michelin Pilots Fronts 20,000 miles! and still legal (just)
Rears still legal (ca 60-70% worn)changed cause of a sidewall pucture at 30,000
Big point here NOISY lots of road roar from the Michelins, really even wear even at the end. Massive understeer in the wet when worn tho'
First change Fronts Goodyear F1 GSD3 205 55 16's
lasted 14,000 miles changed with 2.5 mm tread left Really even wear
Much less road roar
Much grippier both dry and wet (especially in wet, Michelins were awful with 3.5 mm tread left and less (especially in the wet)) feels better under braking too!
Rears GSD3's now ca 8.5k miles (tons of tread left)
Now that rears are GSD3's Much quieter all round grip is great esp in wet - slightly floatier feeling at silly speeds > 110 - 120 (don't do this too often) but nothing that felt unsafe (apart from the speed mind you, it'd be fine if it wasn't for the other cars!)
TYRE PRESSURES are vital - make sure you get them right I go by the petrol cap settings for unloaded plus 1psi front and 2 psi rear!
There is however a direct correlation between acceleration and tyre wear! Don't matter what tyres you have the grippier the tyre coupled with the quicker you drive the less wear you'll get, they'll shred! :thumbup:
has anyone tried avon tyres on their ibiza 20vt ?
I've got my new GS-D3's on the front now, swapped the slightly worn ones on the front to the back.
My car drives like it's glued to the road now, what an unbelievable difference.
I also checked the rear tyres (Originial Bridgestone Turanza's ER30's), they have uneven wear on both of them, the tread on the inside is worse than the outside, so I had it lazer checked and adjusted, seems better now.
Also Formula One (http://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/) say they will beat any price from a competitor (in the same town), also just noticed that they have free vouchers (http://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/vouchers.htm) to get more money off the tyres (which I missed :redface: )
chriskaven
30-03-2004, 11:10
has anyone tried avon tyres on their ibiza 20vt ?
Yes I have got Avon Zv1 195 45 16 on my ibiza cupra at the mo.
Personally these have been the best compromise in terms of cost, grip and wear.
see my post previously on this thread
After getting a puncture at speed in one of my goodyear f1's ( perfect round hole through tread ) ,been phoning around for a new pair ( tread down to 3mm anyway ) the cheapest i can get the pair for is £190 fitted , but i do belive that you get what you pay for with tyres . I have done about 10,000 miles on them so i think that is pretty good for a performance tyre ,
neil
£190 fitted! What size is that, seems a bit overpriced to me?
CupraR-Rog
01-04-2004, 22:12
£190 fitted! What size is that, seems a bit overpriced to me?
Wish I could get a pair of goodyears for £190 fitted...
...my 1 pirelli cost me £150...
But 16" are a whole lot cheaper.
205x45x16 !
could have bought a pair for £150 to be delivered to my house , but none of the local garages were willing to fit tyres not supplied by them !? :confused:
the highest quote was £130 each :-o
neil
205x45x16 !
could have bought a pair for £150 to be delivered to my house , but none of the local garages were willing to fit tyres not supplied by them !? :confused:
the highest quote was £130 each :-o
neil
I paid £42 ea for 195/45/16 Toyos and had them fitted at a local tyre fitter who were a ... Toyo dealer! I'm sure they chrage you a tad more but for the pair I think fitting was about £15. I bought a pair of Eagle F1s from the same fitter and that was ~£150 the pair fitted. I'd just ring them up and askhow much to fit tyres, then take them down.
To echo edc ~ just replaced my tyres. Didn't go with mytyres in the end, but the cost breakdown is valid:-
mytyres 205/55/16 Toyo proxes T1-S = £55.
Fitting using premium alloy fitter in Glasgow = £7.50
Total cost £62.50 per corner.
Using the same fitter, but getting him to source the tyres, which he didn't have in stock incidentally....... £94.80 per corner.
Same tyres.
Same fitter.
More than £32 per corner difference. £128 difference on 4. :-o
In the end I got tyres from another source and got this fitter to put them on. Did a great job of it too incidentally ~ much care taken. :thumbup:
TYRE PRESSURES are vital - make sure you get them right I go by the petrol cap settings for unloaded plus 1psi front and 2 psi rear!
VERY helpful reply :clap:
I am in the market for 4 16" tyres to replace the original (Only done 28K mine) Michelins on the V5. I just wondered why you had upped the pressures slightly? Is it because although you do all round driving the majority is at 60 mph?
Also, how come the differential between front and rear? Is that to induce a bit more rear steer to counteract some understeer??
Thanks in advance
PurpleFlash
13-08-2004, 11:45
It's cause there is a difference tween wot The tyre manufacturers quote and wot Seat quote! Also I tend to do a fairly large mixed weekly mileage (300+) :thumbup: