Tyres

[AudiA8Quattro]

I'm not a tyre expert unfortunately 
I thought directionals were good in the wet, unless you fit them on the wrong side 

OK, everyone knows the Goodyear GSD3 (don't they?  ) - anyway, these were 'directional' - and could be identified with a Y shaped tread pattern.  Both shoulders of the tyres were identical - but they had an arrow on the sidewall indicating which direction they should be rotated.

But asymmetrics are very different - when you look across the whole surface of the tread, from one shoulder to the other, one side will be very different to the other.  On one sidewall, it will say 'outside' and on the other, it will say 'inside'.  On the more expensive tyres, they generally use two different rubber compounds - a harder compound on the outer edge, to cope with the increased loads when cornering, and a softer compound on the inner edge, so the tyre can disperse water and provide a degree of 'flexing'.

Google images of the GSD3 and the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. 

Oh yes, i've already seen tyres like that before.
I know what you mean but just didn't know the term for it  :embarassed:
I take it this type of tyre is the more expensive type?
I'm tight so usually go for the best of the budget range 

[gossa]

A8 I'm not knocking you at all mate, I think you are very typical of tyre shoppers.

However when you think about it they are the most important part of any vehicle as they are your only connection with the road.  I have a 150hp Vito van and when it needs new boots I take it to the local (better) dealer and he always quotes me the cheapest tyres, I always ask for premium tyres as I take my kids in the back of the Vito and it's pretty quick (and RWD so tail happy!)

How do you judge what is a budget or performance tyre though? There are the obvious big names that we all recognize but for example Maxxis are deemed a budget to mid tier tyre yet in the world of mountain biking they are one of the best.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

A8 I'm not knocking you at all mate, I think you are very typical of tyre shoppers.

And Volkswagen.  Have you seen some of the truely shyte tyres they are fitting on some of their mainstream specification cars - Kumho, Matador, Firestone . . . 

However when you think about it they are the most important part of any vehicle as they are your only connection with the road.

You are so right.

Without any shadow of doubt, tyres are THE most crucial item on a car - for performance, handling, braking, safety, etc.  You could have the best highest spec ceramic brakes, with massive 10-pot calipers, or the most expensive coilovers, or the most highly developed ESP system, or the most powerful engine - but these are all nigh-on useless if the tyres don't provide the necessary grip! 

How do you judge what is a budget or performance tyre though? There are the obvious big names that we all recognize but for example Maxxis are deemed a budget to mid tier tyre yet in the world of mountain biking they are one of the best.

Dunno about Maxxis (for me, the jury is still out on them for car tyres).  But 'budget' tyres are generally deemed those which originate from eastern Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, etc - ever tried 'Trayal' tyres?  Just make sure you have shares in Andrex), and the far east (such as Korea, China, Taiwan - but not Japan).  And they can also include the 'lesser' brands which are owned by the premium brands - so Firestone (which is owned by Bridgestone), BF Goodrich (who are owned by Michelin), General (owned by Continental), Dunlop (who are owned by Goodyear!    ) and so on - but this is more of a grey area.

[AudiA8Quattro]

A8 I'm not knocking you at all mate, I think you are very typical of tyre shoppers.

However when you think about it they are the most important part of any vehicle as they are your only connection with the road.  I have a 150hp Vito van and when it needs new boots I take it to the local (better) dealer and he always quotes me the cheapest tyres, I always ask for premium tyres as I take my kids in the back of the Vito and it's pretty quick (and RWD so tail happy!)

How do you judge what is a budget or performance tyre though? There are the obvious big names that we all recognize but for example Maxxis are deemed a budget to mid tier tyre yet in the world of mountain biking they are one of the best.

I get advice from the guy that fits my tyres. He works for a company and does tyre fitting 'on the side' for small cash.
He knows his stuff so i trust his opinion 

[Wurzel]

A8 I'm not knocking you at all mate, I think you are very typical of tyre shoppers.

However when you think about it they are the most important part of any vehicle as they are your only connection with the road.  I have a 150hp Vito van and when it needs new boots I take it to the local (better) dealer and he always quotes me the cheapest tyres, I always ask for premium tyres as I take my kids in the back of the Vito and it's pretty quick (and RWD so tail happy!)

If you take your kids on the back of it drive it slower, it wont be tail happy then.

[gossa]

A8 I'm not knocking you at all mate, I think you are very typical of tyre shoppers.

However when you think about it they are the most important part of any vehicle as they are your only connection with the road.  I have a 150hp Vito van and when it needs new boots I take it to the local (better) dealer and he always quotes me the cheapest tyres, I always ask for premium tyres as I take my kids in the back of the Vito and it's pretty quick (and RWD so tail happy!)

If you take your kids on the back of it drive it slower, it wont be tail happy then.

The two things are not related mate, of course I wouldn't drive it hard enough to get the back end out with my kids in, however on a few occasions on my own the back end has stepped out (in rain or just gunning it a bit hard).