Author Topic: Summer Tyres for the GTI  (Read 47995 times)

Offline am1w

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Summer Tyres for the GTI
« on: 10 March 2011, 22:48 »
Summer tyres are designed for use during Spring, Summer and Autumn. Approximately March to October when temperatures are above 7 degrees C.
Thought I'd go hell-for-rubber with this thread.
So here goes, all you rubber lovers.

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyres have just been realeased and are the ones to purchase for 18" and 17" wheels, for now.

Review and write-up on the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyres:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Auto-Zeitung-Max-Performance-Tyre-Test.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Subjective-shootout-255-40-19-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyres.htm

Price 225/40 R18 92Y XL from Tyre Traders
http://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation.aspx?ItemID=GOO22540R1892YF1ASY2

Price 225/45 R17 94Y XL from Tyre Traders
http://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation.aspx?ItemID=GOO22545R1791YF1ASY2

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If you have 19" wheels then the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres should be considered. 

Price 235/35 ZR19 91Y EL from Tyre Traders
http://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation.aspx?ItemID=MIC23535R1991YPSS

Price 225/35 ZR19 88Y XL from Tyre Traders
http://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation.aspx?ItemID=MIC22535R1988YPSS

Either size is suitable and won't affect the gearing. They have different Load Indices (LI) though this should not be an issue either. The narrower tyre will possibly be slightly quieter and is also slightly cheaper.

Some write-ups on the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres:
http://www.porscheblogs.co.uk/tested-the-new-michelin-pilot-super-sport/
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Is-the-Michelin-Pilot-Sport-about-to-get-Super.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-Michelin-Pilot-Super-Sport-has-arrived.htm

Lesser tyres are only about £30 less per corner, so not worth it IMO.
I would also have a look at the Continental ContiSport 5P and the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 (when available) tyres. Might be a bit cheaper but probably not as good.

Price Continental 5P tyres 225/35 R19 91Y from Tyre Tradershttp://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation.aspx?ItemID=CON23535R1991YCONSPT5

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Another important feature to consider is the tyre's Rim Protection.
Some of the tyre companies are pretty poor with this. Continental comes to mind. We have these as summer tyres on our Mercedes. It is a good tyre which sadly happens not to protect the wheel rims suffeciently.

The Bridgestones have excellent rim protection. However, they are lousy in the wet, noisy and have a rough ride.

I have nearly decided to purchase the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 2 tyres for my 18" Monza Shadows. At present it is shod with Bridgestone Potenza 050A tyres which I don't like for the reasons above. I've only done 3.2k miles and want to be rid of them.

My winter tyres are the Michelin Pilot Sport PA3s which are 'W' rated and cost an arm and a leg, about £246 per corner.

I will stay clear of Pirellis as I have no intention of aquaplaning in the wet. Every car I had with these caused this to happen. It was quite unnerving at the time.

It therefore seems to me that one can't go far wrong with tyres from Michelin, Goodyear and Continental, all of which are Premium Brands.

As an aside, there are 6 Premium Brands: Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli (in alphabetical order).

In order of market share: Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear/Dunlop, Continental and Pirelli.

Continental have just launched the new ContiSportContact 5 and ContiSportContact 5 SUV, which replace the ContiSportContact 3. The ContiSportContact 5 sits just below the max performance SportContact 5P in the range.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Continental-ContiSportContact-5-Launched.htm

Sites worth looking at for tyre purchase:
http://lovetyres.com/search/tyres/225-40-18
http://www.tyretraders.com/Tyres_Home.aspx
http://www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/

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Latest reviews:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Michelin-Primacy-3-Launched.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Auto-Express-Ultra-High-Performance-Tyre-Test.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-AMS-Ultra-High-Performance-Tyre-Test.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Tirerack-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Auto-Zeitung-Max-Performance-Tyre-Test.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Subjective-shootout-255-40-19-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyres.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Autoreview-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Autobild-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Sport-Auto-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm

Tyre overview:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Grid/
« Last Edit: 16 November 2011, 16:24 by am1w »
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP

Offline Sam

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #1 on: 11 March 2011, 00:28 »
Jesus H christ... I can understand issues in the winter and extreme conditions but in the summer? Seriously?


The entire world is a Money Pit, you just have to pick yours.

Jimmymature

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #2 on: 11 March 2011, 07:09 »

Excellent piece mate.


Doc, looks like a sticky candidate to me.


Jim

Offline R32UK

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #3 on: 11 March 2011, 07:19 »
Jesus H christ... I can understand issues in the winter and extreme conditions but in the summer? Seriously?

its about having the best... surely not that hard to understand

Offline am1w

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #4 on: 11 March 2011, 10:31 »
Thanks Jim, Gilly for the positive comments.
Tyres make such a significant difference to the overall feel of the car and the safety of the drive especially in the wet. :smiley:
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP

Offline PenguinGTI

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #5 on: 11 March 2011, 16:27 »
Good right up Asker,

For those who are interested in "Summer Tyres for the GTI" then you're at the right place.

For those fed up of Asker sharing reviews of tyres for any season guess what... you shouldn't have clicked this topic.

Offline GolfTi

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #6 on: 11 March 2011, 19:29 »
Great write up Asker.

Some people don't realise how important good tyres are...

I'm not a great fan of my summer bridgestones but they are wearing well. 14K and about half worn. Contis when the time comes.
« Last Edit: 11 March 2011, 20:28 by GolfTi »
Mk7 GTI. DBP, DCC, Winter pack. Mine since new, July 2013.
GTI no. 4. Golf no. 5.  VW no. 7.

Offline Buck

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #7 on: 11 March 2011, 20:03 »
Nice one Asker

When do you get your new tyres fitted?

What are you doing with your old ones? They'll be "as new" won't they?

Offline am1w

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #8 on: 11 March 2011, 20:19 »
Nice one Asker
When do you get your new tyres fitted?
What are you doing with your old ones? They'll be "as new" won't they?

Thank you for all the positive reactions/comments.

There are just two little hurdles to overcome.
(1) Continental are revising their entire range of tyres soon, so I might just wait a couple of months for this.
(2) Really worried that changing tyres might involve damage to the Monza Shadows.

My Bridgestones have tread depths of 6.5mm front, 7.5mm rear. Evenly worn. I'll probably advertise them on ebay or on one of the forums. Don't know for how much yet, but they'll be attractively priced. :smiley:
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP

Offline GolfTi

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Re: Summer Tyres for the GTI
« Reply #9 on: 11 March 2011, 20:32 »
(1) Agreed


(2)If you're worried take date stamped photos. Or simply show the wheels to the tyre fitters beforehand.

Kwik fit have changed mine twice now, summer to winter and winter to summer.


They were most gentle.
Mk7 GTI. DBP, DCC, Winter pack. Mine since new, July 2013.
GTI no. 4. Golf no. 5.  VW no. 7.