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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: gunnag on 18 December 2009, 02:46

Title: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: gunnag on 18 December 2009, 02:46
I have recently bought a 1997 VW Golf MK3 1.9 TDI with 150k on the clock as a run around. I have done quite alot of work on the car including new shocks all round and new cam belt, new front discs & pads.

The car does not have ABS fitted and Ive noticed in the wet, when braking hard in a straight line, the car does skid more than I like (IM used to an Audi TT with ABS/ESP etc). The front tyres are virtually new 175/65/14 Kumho KH17 and the rear are Austone. So IM hoping someone can provide a recommendation for a really grippy wet tyre.
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: justalex81 on 18 December 2009, 08:29
first off i'd go and get some longbeach alloys off a gti cause they are wider and will give you better grip. you can pick up a good set for £50. then i believe the best wet tyres are uniroyal rainsport 2's.
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: javalin on 18 December 2009, 08:57
don't brake so hard!  Look further ahead and plan your braking.

James
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: Len on 18 December 2009, 09:02
Uniroyal Rainsport 2's! FTW!
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: ace on 18 December 2009, 09:10
Uniroyal Rainsport 2's! FTW!

+1
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: Wayne on 18 December 2009, 09:28
I have recently bought a 1997 VW Golf MK3 1.9 TDI with 150k on the clock as a run around. I have done quite alot of work on the car including new shocks all round and new cam belt, new front discs & pads.

The car does not have ABS fitted and Ive noticed in the wet, when braking hard in a straight line, the car does skid more than I like (IM used to an Audi TT with ABS/ESP etc). The front tyres are virtually new 175/65/14 Kumho KH17 and the rear are Austone. So IM hoping someone can provide a recommendation for a really grippy wet tyre.

To be honest, running poor quality tyres like these will not be helping also maybe try braking a bit less harder, you say your used to a modern Audi TT then it is worth remembering that the brakes will be leagues ahead.
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: percymon on 18 December 2009, 13:24
Kumho are a lot better than peple give them credit, albeit they're not my choice. I've had Michelin Energy on my TDI for the last 50k miles and never had any complaints (185/60/14), the choice being dictated by costco pricing rather than anything else. It gets driven hard in and out of roundabouts too - poor olde girl gets scrapped today  :sad: :sad:
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: rubjonny on 18 December 2009, 13:39
+1 for the rainsports, mate of mine puts them on the back of his mr2 so they must be good  :grin:
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: MK3TDi1996 on 18 December 2009, 14:26
Kumho are a lot better than peple give them credit, albeit they're not my choice. I've had Michelin Energy on my TDI for the last 50k miles and never had any complaints (185/60/14), the choice being dictated by costco pricing rather than anything else. It gets driven hard in and out of roundabouts too - poor olde girl gets scrapped today  :sad: :sad:

Scrap?  I'll take it :)
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: gunnag on 18 December 2009, 18:41
Thanks for the comments chaps, I got the front Kuhmos KH17 fitted as a variety of reviews (Which mag/AutoWelt etc) rate them highly. The rear Austone's came with the car and are rubbish.

The Rainsports sound good although I dont think they have my size, an alternative might the uniroyal rain expert which seem highly rated. I might fit the Kumhos on the back and rain expert on the front, hopefuly this combination will improve grip.
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: percymon on 18 December 2009, 21:44
Kumho are a lot better than peple give them credit, albeit they're not my choice. I've had Michelin Energy on my TDI for the last 50k miles and never had any complaints (185/60/14), the choice being dictated by costco pricing rather than anything else. It gets driven hard in and out of roundabouts too - poor olde girl gets scrapped today  :sad: :sad:



Scrap?  I'll take it :)

too late, although I doubt you'd match the £3900 part ex price!
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: noms on 19 December 2009, 13:36
I used to have Yokohoma S's with which the grip in the dry was excellent, however for grip in the wet (and as an all-rounder), I am now sporting Michelin Pilot Exalto's. Amazing (dependant on our driving style).
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: VW BUSH on 19 December 2009, 15:56
Uniroyal Rainsport 2's! FTW!

+1

All day long,  Rainsports FTW :smiley:
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: oneblueleg on 20 December 2009, 14:42
I've got Dunlop SPs on the front of mine and I have no complaints.
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: gunnag on 20 December 2009, 21:15
Great comments guys, I think IM going to try the Uniroyal rainsports/rain experts :nerd:
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: justalex81 on 20 December 2009, 21:29
you know it makes sense  :wink:
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: axewielder on 23 December 2009, 13:17
I've got Dunlop SPs on the front of mine and I have no complaints.
urgh i had those on my mk4 + they were rubish in wet+ dry, now got some pirelli p6000 on there + a large increase in grip
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: bored_Welsh_lad on 23 December 2009, 23:37
I ran toyo proxy t1-r's all last winter and was doing 700 miles every weekend on them.. they were stable as anything.. i loved them..
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: Khare on 24 December 2009, 11:12
I ran toyo proxy t1-r's all last winter and was doing 700 miles every weekend on them.. they were stable as anything.. i loved them..
+1
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: gunnag on 26 December 2009, 10:51
Hi chaps & thanks for the replies, IM now wondering what size tyres other people are using on their MK3 Golfs? IM not sure the 175/65/14's I have fitted are the best option.

Looking at my owners manual, it suggests that 175/65/14 is a winter tyre size but does not give the size of standard summer tyres.

Im guessing that most members use wider 185 or even 195 sizes which would help grip.
Title: Re: Best wet tyres for Golf MK3 1.9 Tdi 1997
Post by: justalex81 on 26 December 2009, 10:53
yes but only on bigger wheels. get some longbeach alloys. they are peanuts to get hold of. then the tyres would be 205/50/r15