GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: iball on 13 April 2004, 08:06
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The previous owner of my car had scrimped on the choice of tyre they had used on the car, and every corner has a different make of tyre at different levels of tread. One of the fronts is badly worn (read as bald) and one of the rears will need replacing in the not too distant future.
Anyway, I was going to use this opportunity to get 2 new decent tyres and get them put on the front and take the one decent tyre on the front and get it put with the other decent tyre on the rear (if that makes sense!)
So can anyone recommend a brand of tyre that's good for use with the 16v? And possibly give me an idea of cost. They're 205/50/15. I've had Yoko A539's on previous cars they were good but didn't last too long, I've also had Dunlop Sports on a car and they were alright, but a bit iffy in the wet. Heard good things about the Toyo proxes, but also heard they don't last too long. So any suggestions would be good, want a tyre that's going to last and provide decent performance in the wet and dry.
Cheers.
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Had Goodyear Eagle F1s on the front of the 16v for two months now and they are great in all conditions. Can't comment on wear yet though. But they look brand new after two months.
Cost ?62 each from www.mytyres.co.uk - 205/50/15
Got them fitted at local tyre place for ?5 per tyre.
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I've got F1's on mine and theyre great, have only done about 3000m on them so cant say much about the wear, other than they're still like new, and I'm very confident with them.
The Missus has F1s on her 206GTi, she's coverd 27,500 and only now do the fronts need changing. Rears are still fresh.
Each to thier own with tyres, but hope that helps.
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Toyo Proxes T1-S
Cant fault em.
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I'd always go with Michelin tbh, as they typically offer the best grip and wear rates. Not entirely sure if Pilot Sports can be had in GTi size, but I have a set of Pilot Exaltos on the front and they have been superb. Very little wear after 10,000 miles at least (my old car would be most of the way through a set of Pirelli P-700 Z's by now), dry grip is excellent and wet grip is out of this world, certainly several notches above the Contis that came with the car. Plus, putting them on the front can help liven up the rear end a tad, especially in the wet. If oversteer isn't your thing, for chrissakes put them on the back.
Which brings me to another point. New tyres should always be put on the front axle. My father was at a very interesting demo of this point, where the tyre company he works for (it's not the same one as the brand I always recommend, honest :)) put two new tyres on two separate Golf GTi's (mk3's aswell, which makes it all the more pertinent in this case). On one, the new tyres were put on the front, the back on the other. The cars were then driven round a circular track, and the max speed the cars obtained before spinning out was measured. With new on the back the Golf circulated at around 40-45mph, washing wide occasionally, but not doing anything too hairy. They then took out the car with news on the front and partly worn on the back. The test driver managed 25mph before the car span out of control.
Now when I came to get 2 new tyres, due to logistics they had to go on the front (Kwik-fit's driveway fitment service, along with two different brands on the rear axle - switching these to the front could have produced all kinds of torque-steer shenanigans -enough to make a Focus RS owner weep). I noticed a change in the balance of the car immediately. The nose was much keener to dive into corners, however as I said the back end got a bit livlier - i remember having a huge moment going into a puddled 50mph right hander, where the fronts, true to what they said on the tin, cut straight through the surface water, whilst the backs aquaplaned like their lives depended on it. Martin Brundle would take great pleasure in declaring it a tank slapper. And now, whenever the car slides it's the back end to go first (unless stamping on the throttle is involved - amazing, a slow car that can push its nose out under power. Whatever next.... ::))
Dunno how much help that is, as I've effectively told you to put them on both axles, but certainly bear it in mind. If opposite lock scares you, put them on the back, if yhou want to spice up your spirited drives, especially in the wet, stick em on the front.
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^Interesting points there. I've got new f1s on the front and plenty of tread on p6000s on the rear and the back end always behaves very well as you would expect.
So if your rears are going to be different brands, tread and age maybe you should change all four if you've got the cash.
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curious ... we've all said different things ... and Im sure their all good... my brother swears by Michelin Exalto's ... I like my Toyo's ...
but im sure u need to try em for yourself ... all "premium" tyres are good ... but od u really need to THAT good? do u hit corners at high speed? ...
Im sure any of the above will suffice...
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Yes you do need very good tyres, its not all about tankin it around corners at high speed.
You get what you pay for - just like Toyos are poor mans F1s - only joking, dont bite!!
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Don't buy Avons - I did and they are sh*te.
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Yes you do need very good tyres, its not all about tankin it around corners at high speed.
Yes I agree .. but Toyo Proxes T1-s, Michelin Exalto, F1's etc etc are all very good and u wont notice the difference through everyday driving between each of those.
But for the love of god DONT put cheapo tyres on...
eg, Kumho, Hankook etc ... urrgghh all the lads with big alloys near me have those cos the tyres for 17/18" wheels (good tyres) cost alot..and they are just bothered about the wheel .. LOL ...
?900 on alloys and 50p on tyres LMAO
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Which brings me to another point. New tyres should always be put on the front axle. My father was at a very interesting demo of this point, where the tyre company he works for (it's not the same one as the brand I always recommend, honest :)) put two new tyres on two separate Golf GTi's (mk3's aswell, which makes it all the more pertinent in this case). On one, the new tyres were put on the front, the back on the other. The cars were then driven round a circular track, and the max speed the cars obtained before spinning out was measured. With new on the back the Golf circulated at around 40-45mph, washing wide occasionally, but not doing anything too hairy. They then took out the car with news on the front and partly worn on the back. The test driver managed 25mph before the car span out of control.
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er, read that a couple of times, dont follow. the demo shows putting new on the rear is best, but you give it as an examle of why you should put new on the front. so which is it? :-\
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I know, I cleared that up in the last paragraph. If you want safe handling put them on the rear. If you want fun put them on the back.
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Don't buy Avons - I did and they are sh*te.
Yep they are. Best tires i ever had were Yokohama A520's. Shame they are discontinued :'(
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Blimey I'm away for a couple of days and come back to all this! Cheers for all the info guys, it's much appreciated. I'm a great believer in not scrimping on tyres after all they are the only thing that keep your car in contact with the road! The only budget tyre I've ever come across that was decent was Nankangs, they just don't last too long unfortunately but did provide good grip in the wet and dry. I'd ideally like to replace all four tyres, but not sure I can afford to, especially as my road tax is due as well, plus one of the tyres was only put on the car about a week before I bought it, seems a shame to just sling it away.
Thanks again.
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Just read a report in my dad's 'which?' magazine. For sports tyres (the ones tested were 225/45/17s), Pirellis, Goodyears and Continentals came out well. I've Also heard Bridgestones are good.
I always put new ones on the front and shift the old ones to the back cos they wear out quicker at the front.
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I know, I cleared that up in the last paragraph. If you want safe handling put them on the rear. If you want fun put them on the back.
youre car seems to have some novel mod ive not seen before. whats best at the front then, a couple of oranges ;D
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^^^^^^^ lol! I was thinking the same thing. ;) ;D
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My Experience with tyres:
P6000's - good grip in all conditions with a decent wear-rate - a good alround tyre
http://www.sicherbestellen.de/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=R-104017&dsco=10 (http://www.sicherbestellen.de/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=R-104017&dsco=10)
Goodyear F1 D3's - just had these fitted today 8) Initial impressions are good feel of the road and more 'sensitive' to steering input - will post more feedback over the coming miles...
http://www.sicherbestellen.de/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=D39104&dsco=10 (http://www.sicherbestellen.de/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=D39104&dsco=10)
Bridgestone Potenza RE720 - had a pair of these on my Nissan 200SX - better wet grip and feel than P6000, but a higher wear-rate. Good dry-weather grip and handling. Slightly harder feel than a P6000, but better feedback.
http://www.bridgestone-eu.com/articles.asp?ID=139 (http://www.bridgestone-eu.com/articles.asp?ID=139)
BTW - handy site for checking out tyres: www.mytyres.co.uk (http://www.mytyres.co.uk)
Hope this helps in some small way ;)
Dobbs.
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Update on the Goodyear F1 D3's:
Got caught out on the M11 today in one mother of a rainstorm - the F1's were great coping with the 'rivers' that were running across the motorway. No aquaplanning whatsoever - I could feel the tyres cutting through all the water, in conditions where a lesser tyre would have let go.
Glad to have the best tyres on the front ;D
BTW - they cost ?55 per tyre inc fitting and balencing from Fast Fit (for 195/50/15 V-rated).
Cheers,
Dobbs.
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I know, I cleared that up in the last paragraph. If you want safe handling put them on the rear. If you want fun put them on the back.
youre car seems to have some novel mod ive not seen before. whats best at the front then, a couple of oranges ;D
Heh I realise my folly now. Never mind, I'm sure enough people got the point. New tyres on the front are lots of fun yes, but as I found out, also lethal on a greasy road. A combination of new-ish Pilot Exaltos on the front and older Pirellis on the back helped put my old 8v into a spin which resulted in its untimely demise. The exaltos got through the cover of grease fine but pirellis didn't stand a chance, you can imagine the spin, and my horror when a previously dry road had seemingly spat me off for no reason.
Still, I've got 4 new Eagle F1's on my new 16v and so far they seem excellent. Grippy as you like, cut through water like the Exaltos and are noticable quieter than the Pirelli's the valver came with.
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Update on the Goodyear F1 D3's:
Got caught out on the M11 today in one mother of a rainstorm - the F1's were great coping with the 'rivers' that were running across the motorway. No aquaplanning whatsoever - I could feel the tyres cutting through all the water, in conditions where a lesser tyre would have let go.
Glad to have the best tyres on the front ;D
BTW - they cost ?55 per tyre inc fitting and balencing from Fast Fit (for 195/50/15 V-rated).
Cheers,
Dobbs.
I had Eagle F1 D2s on my 16v, thought they were great, but goodyear have let everybody down by not making D3s in 205/50/15 size. The big losers.
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Toyo prox's for me too. Got em on me other car and they are great, best tyre i have known.
Also agree about sh!t tyres got cheapo marshalls on the Golf atm and not bad in dry but really skittish in the wet. (besides the power steering problem)
Hence why i wanna change them.
So it will be a set of prox's all round for me.
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I had Eagle F1 D2s on my 16v, thought they were great, but goodyear have let everybody down by not making D3s in 205/50/15 size. The big losers.
Bummer - however, according to mytyres.co.uk you will be able to get the D2's from the 2-8-04. The D2's look like the D3's, but with extra groves towards the outside of the tyre:
http://www.sicherbestellen.de/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=D39028&dsco=10 (http://www.sicherbestellen.de/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=D39028&dsco=10)
They are a bit more expensive than the D3's, but still a damm-sexy looking tyre (if there is such a thing 8)) and they seem to get a higher rating than the Toyo Proxy's...
Mind you, the Toyo's are almost ?30 cheaper and almost as good-looking ;)
Cheers,
Dobbs.
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D3s replaced D2s which have been available for ages. I bought the D2s for my gti from mytt
yres for ?62 each about 4 months ago :-\ seems they've put prices up on them now.
I think due to the number of good reviews on here, i might try Toyos on my VR6 to replace the dreadfull in all conditions GT Champiros that some tight fisted loser put on before i bought it. Still at least they are wearing away at a phenomenal rate!
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Does your VR6 eat front tyres as quick as mine? :D
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I've had it for 2 1/2 months and it's doing a sterling job of stripping tread from the cheap front tyres!
So i think it probably does! ;D
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I think front tyres will last 18 months, thats if you are really lucky :D
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Yeah, i was hoping that better quality tyres would last about that long, although i didn't buy a VR6 to make tyres last a long time! ;D
If the new fronts that will replace these truly shocking GTs last over a year i'll be quite satisfied.
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im looking for nice tyre model 205/55/16 v for my G IV 150.
Right now I have P-6000 in the front ones and Michelin ZX pilot sport (i think) in the rear ones.
they work very well, but i dont know who is responsible, the front or the rear ones?.
a lot of people reccomend Eagle F1, but i dont want to change tyres again in 30.000km!
P 6000
Dunlop sp 600
Goodyear NCT5
GY Eagle F1
Bridgestone r30
Michelin ¿?
any suggestions
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got 205 40 17 falken tyres all round on my mk3 gti ,at 55 quid each fitted they are pretty good for price ,
but on my old mk2 gti i had toyo proxes and they were the best tyres ive ever had ,such good grip it was like driveing a gocart and i will be putting them on my mk3 next defo.
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I have got toyo proxies on my car, like poo to a blanket tbh :grin:
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BEST TYRES FOR THE GTI 16V ARE TOYO PROXES T1R'S OR UNIROYAL RAINSPORT 2! Dont even bother with anything else!
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BEST TYRES FOR THE GTI 16V ARE TOYO PROXES T1R'S OR UNIROYAL RAINSPORT 2! Dont even bother with anything else!
I had toyo proxes t1r's on my 2.5V6 vectra ... but on my golf after lowering it, I opted for something else (forgotten the make, Falken Z something) because of the small footprint, to eliminate any rubbing etc with a full car.
I really want to go back to Toyo's but will they rub?
What tyres would you recommend?
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I have Toyo T1-R all round on mine - and cant fault them!
I have found them on Camskill for 29.10 each (195/50/15)
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What are people with lowered cars, with un-rolled arches running?
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What are people with lowered cars, with un-rolled arches running?
I'm running 195/50/15 uniroyal rainsports, had the coilovers wound down about 80mm at the front and 60mm at the back with standard wheels and standard arches with no scrubbing at all.
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Im running 205/50/15 - lowered and no scrubbing
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5 year old thread back from the dead :rolleyes:
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5 year old thread back from the dead :rolleyes:
Well considering I would of created a new one to ask the question few posts above, isn't it better a old one was revived?
Can't win on this forum ...
You create a thread and your told millions of people have already asked the question ...
Revive an old one, and your also frowned upon.
Give us a break dammit :grin: :grin:
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5 year old thread back from the dead :rolleyes:
:grin: I noticed that too, was just replying to DubSociety's question.
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5 year old thread back from the dead :rolleyes:
Well considering I would of created a new one to ask the question few posts above, isn't it better a old one was revived?
Can't win on this forum ...
You create a thread and your told millions of people have already asked the question ...
Revive an old one, and your also frowned upon.
Give us a break dammit :grin: :grin:
Lol :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: