Lowering a GTD

[Rhyso]

Michelins tend to be one of the noisiest there was an Auto Express test recently which found the same. In the Auto Express test the Kumhos were quietest. Just because you had a bad experience with Falkens doesnt mean you should tar every cheaper tyre with the same brush.

I'm not saying Michelins are bad tyres but they do tend to be above average for noise from what I've seen (and heard in my dad's old car).

So you believe everything you read in Auto Express 

When i first had my MK2 that had cheap tyres - they were rubbish - swapped them for something better which cost more.

End of the day those 4 corners are you're only contact with the road.  Don't see the point in skimping on that.

[Wurzel]

Michelins tend to be one of the noisiest there was an Auto Express test recently which found the same. In the Auto Express test the Kumhos were quietest. Just because you had a bad experience with Falkens doesnt mean you should tar every cheaper tyre with the same brush.

I'm not saying Michelins are bad tyres but they do tend to be above average for noise from what I've seen (and heard in my dad's old car).

So you believe everything you read in Auto Express 

When i first had my MK2 that had cheap tyres - they were rubbish - swapped them for something better which cost more.

End of the day those 4 corners are you're only contact with the road.  Don't see the point in skimping on that.

I'm not telling anyone to skimp. Yes some cheap tyres are rubbish - I'm not surprised, I'm more surprised you think that means they all are. I like to read reviews because they are able to test far more tyres than any one person is ever going to be able to, and under strict conditions and with strict measurements. And you can end up discovering some really good bargains rather than just following the herd.

And as for believing everything I read, well they did do proper sound level measurements of all the tyres, as did the other test I showed you, whereas you havent and I dont even know what and how many different tyres you've compared them with. Do you see my point?

I shall be purchasing the Hankook Ventus S1 Evos when I need new tyres because they came out very well in that test, with the lowest noise, lowest rolling resistance, best times in the wet and dry laps and they are not that expensive either.

[Rhyso]

I'm not telling anyone to skimp. Yes some cheap tyres are rubbish - I'm not surprised, I'm more surprised you think that means they all are. I like to read reviews because they are able to test far more tyres than any one person is ever going to be able to, and under strict conditions and with strict measurements. And you can end up discovering some really good bargains rather than just following the herd.

And as for believing everything I read, well they did do proper sound level measurements of all the tyres, as did the other test I showed you, whereas you havent and I dont even know what and how many different tyres you've compared them with. Do you see my point?

I shall be purchasing the Hankook Ventus S1 Evos when I need new tyres because they came out very well in that test, with the lowest noise, lowest rolling resistance, best times in the wet and dry laps and they are not that expensive either.

Tyres are a subjective thing - what is good for one person is not for another.  The Falkens are raved about by BMW and Merc drivers and even some members on here.  I got them and find them appalling. 

That test you posted a link to used a Porsche Cayman as the car used.  How on earth can you compare it to a family hatchback 

[Wurzel]

Well it had 19 inch tyres on. You are right results may vary slightly between models of car but I still find these tests interesting.

I agree about Falken tyres, and incidentally Which? magazine gave the Falken Ziex ZE 512 (205/55R16V) 15% in a tyre test and gave them a "Dont Buy" tag. (I dont buy Which? I just subscribed for 1 month for £1 btw). I dont think I've ever seen a good review of a Falken tyre though. (Falken are a Goodyear/Dunlop brand, as are Fulda, if you're interested).

[mac7]

I'd agree that tyre noise is more down to tread pattern and hence tyre make than anything else. In the past I've gone from 225/45R17's to 225/40R18's in the same brand of tyre without a really noticeable increase in tyre roar. This time I'll probably be using 225/35R19, so I'd imagine there won't be much change in noise as long as I pick the right tyre.

Interestingly that Autobild report says the Hankooks were quietest measured from outside, but sounded 'overwhelming' inside... maybe a translation error. I've traditionally run Bridgestones but have to be honest I had no idea whether they were noisier than other brands until reading that.

[Wurzel]

Interestingly that Autobild report says the Hankooks were quietest measured from outside, but sounded 'overwhelming' inside... maybe a translation error. I've traditionally run Bridgestones but have to be honest I had no idea whether they were noisier than other brands until reading that.

Hmm, hadnt noticed that actually. Looks like the measurements they took were for outside. I dont see the point in that tbh who cares how loud it is for pedestrians!

[mac7]

Hmm, hadnt noticed that actually. Looks like the measurements they took were for outside. I dont see the point in that tbh who cares how loud it is for pedestrians!

As far as I can tell, it's only our socialist comrades in the EU who actually care. If they can measure it, means they can put a limit on it and use it to control us, as is their way. And I believe they have, 74db(A), if memory serves.

[ub7rm]

Let me defend the Falken's here.  I have the Falken FK452's (the 'sporty' version) which generally do have excellent reviews.  Certainly they were a huge leap forward from the dunlop shytemax's they replaced.  If you do some research on them they are generally regarded to be excellent.... except for mk4 owners.  I don't know what would be the difference other than they don't seem to compliment that chassis.

Certainly for me the grip wet and dry is excellent.  That said wear is maybe not the best but I wasn't expecting michelin primacy standards there anyway.

I thought Falken was an independant Japanese manufacturer?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Really? Michelin tend to be noisy tyres, lower profile tyres tend to be noisier than higher profile ones. Read this tyre test the Hankooks are the quietest by far:

What a load of bollox!    Michelin are very well known to be the quietest tyres available!  Looks like you have been reading too much ChavPower MaxPower magazine!

The cost of a tyre does not tend to tell you anything about how noisy they'll be. And my point was fitting 19s and lowering is going to have negative impacts on comfort and day to day useability.

What a load of bollox - part deux!  Cheap tyres are cheap because their manufacturers spend considerably less money on R&D.  Michelin and the likes spend millions - which is why their tyres are used on some of the fastest, heaviest, and demanding cars, trucks and busses in the world.  I don't see many Hankooks being fitted to Bugatti Veyrons, or Porsche 911, or RenaultSport Megane Cup cars! 

[Wurzel]

Really? Michelin tend to be noisy tyres, lower profile tyres tend to be noisier than higher profile ones. Read this tyre test the Hankooks are the quietest by far:

What a load of bollox!    Michelin are very well known to be the quietest tyres available!  Looks like you have been reading too much ChavPower MaxPower magazine!

The cost of a tyre does not tend to tell you anything about how noisy they'll be. And my point was fitting 19s and lowering is going to have negative impacts on comfort and day to day useability.

What a load of bollox - part deux!  Cheap tyres are cheap because their manufacturers spend considerably less money on R&D.  Michelin and the likes spend millions - which is why their tyres are used on some of the fastest, heaviest, and demanding cars, trucks and busses in the world.  I don't see many Hankooks being fitted to Bugatti Veyrons, or Porsche 911, or RenaultSport Megane Cup cars! 

yeah the test i refered to was a load of bollox 

Honestly, if you think I meant all cheap tyres are good then you're not a very good reader. Some are good. Those Honkooks are good and out-perform Michelin etc. You seem to be one of those people with no concept of it being possible for a non-premium brand producing anything decent. That's fine, just dont talk to me.