Cat amongst the pigeons!

[Rolfe]

Ah.  Don't really have a local dealer. I tend to end up with whatever has been bulk-bought by Homebase of the petrol station.

Rolfe.

[herbie911]

reading that Top Gear review makes me think i bought the wrong car....  

Topgear is a s***e mag. They never really talk about steering feel etc.. Their TV show is even worst. Their star journalist--I mean that tall fat middle-age flat-face curly hair man drove a SLK AMG in the past. For someone earning millions every year, its c**p!
If you really into car, I think EVO is a much better mag. At least they got better driver like Chris Harris and John Barton
If you after staistic, Autocar will be the one! They got decent driver too---Steve Sutcliffe and Jamie Corstorphine
Autobild is also a good mag but one need to know another language!

[RickS]

I think the R is a bit too mature to be a great fun hatch--That's why mags like Evo prefer the Clio 200 or Megane 250.
Since I trust German cars more than French. My personal preference is a Bluefin 'MANUAL' GTI fitted with lighter 17 alloys and better tyres such as conti sportcontact 5. I am sure it will provide more fun on our B roads being lighter, ride better and more agile!

Horray herbie! Yes, Bluefin and the Conti 5Ps would do the trick.

BTW: The smallest available size of the Conti 5Ps will be 225/40 R18s. These will be in January 2011. I've ordered mine already!

Where did you buy the Conti 5Ps? Can't seem to find them in 225/40/18 ont tinternet.

[am1w]

Rick:

Conti 5Ps in 225/40 R18s will be available end of January 2011 as MO (Mercedes Originals). This has been confirmed by Conti to me by e mail and will fit the GTi.

At present they are available in 235/40 R18 size.

[The Danno]

Rick:

Conti 5Ps in 225/40 R18s will be available end of January 2011 as MO (Mercedes Originals). This has been confirmed by Conti to me by e mail and will fit the GTi.

At present they are available in 235/40 R18 size.

What's so good about these tyres? Should I be getting some when it's time? Do they make them for the 19" Talledegas?

[am1w]

Danno:

They are available for your 19" wheels now in 235/35 R19s. They are fitted as Original Equipment to the Megane Sport 250 and I hear to new Rs with 19" wheels.

PS: Rated as top tyre in your size by Auto Bild and Evo Mags.

[am1w]

The Danno:

The other tyre which will be available for your car is the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport. This will be available in January 2011. Unfortunately it is not availble in the size I want.

It is probably the one you should go for. It will be very expensive.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-Michelin-Pilot-Super-Sport-has-arrived.htm

http://www.michelin.com/corporate/news/products/article?articleID=DP_Michelin_Pilot_SuperSport

[MAW73]

A fantastic car and a great review.

Is it just me but I don't like the seats in the R.....? The cloth trim looks really boring compared to the GTI cloth. I would have to spec leather if I was to buy one.

[am1w]

A fantastic car and a great review.
Is it just me but I don't like the seats in the R.....? The cloth trim looks really boring compared to the GTI cloth. I would have to spec leather if I was to buy one.

Now it's both of us.

[herbie911]

Rick:

Conti 5Ps in 225/40 R18s will be available end of January 2011 as MO (Mercedes Originals). This has been confirmed by Conti to me by e mail and will fit the GTi.

At present they are available in 235/40 R18 size.

What's so good about these tyres? Should I be getting some when it's time? Do they make them for the 19" Talledegas?

Like lots of car nuts in this country I used to love big wheels but save pennies for my tyres. Now I am very picky with what tyres go on my beloved motors as tyres play one of the most important role in a car handling + safety. If you go through these tyre review, it is amazing how much better a Conti or Michelin perform eg. aquaplanning compare with budget tyres.
In motorsport like F1, a tyre with the wrong compound can even cost you a race!