Author Topic: TCR Tyres  (Read 3924 times)

Offline Kpow99

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 218
TCR Tyres
« on: 05 October 2020, 12:06 »
Some advice please from this marvellous knowledge base....

So I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4 on front and Pilot Sport Cup 2 (Semi slick) on rear.  I had to replace the fronts as dealer was paying for them so went for PS4 for a bit more grip coming in to the rainy season.  On two occasions this past couple of weeks the back end has stepped out going round a roundabout, not under load or any great speed, it just lost grip and quick counter steer to keep straight.

Should I get the PS4 on the back now or should I switch all 4 to winter tyres soon?  If getting the winters on what would be recommended? They are 235/35 19's

Thanks all.
2019 TCR, Pure Grey, DCC/PP Revo Stage 1

Offline Will2018

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 58
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #1 on: 05 October 2020, 12:35 »
I believe the Cup 2 tyres need heat in them to grip properly. The cool wet conditions mean they won’t be performing anywhere near as well as the PS4 atm which is more of an all rounder.


I’d definitely recommend getting some PS4 tyres for the back so grip levels are equal.

Offline Watts

  • Forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 4,713
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #2 on: 05 October 2020, 12:38 »
As above, PS4S all round. As for winters, it seems a bit early, probably depends on where you live but I'd have thought the Michelins will be great for a while yet.
2019 Oryx White 5dr TCR.

Was - 2015 Tornado Red 3dr GTI PP, manual, Santiagos, Audi short shifter.

Offline Guzzle

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,060
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #3 on: 05 October 2020, 13:29 »
I would echo the comments above. PS4's all round seems like the best way forward for now.

As Watts says, it seems a little early yet for full winters. When to swap over will depend on where you live. This will be when you consistently see ambient temperatures around 7°C or lower.

If the upcoming winter is a mild one, you may well find the PS4's are adequate. If you do decide winters are necessary, and if you have the cash and the space to store them, I would suggest mounting them on a second set of 18 inch wheels.
7.5 GTD

Offline baka

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 179
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #4 on: 05 October 2020, 16:35 »
Swapping front to back for the time being would make the car more predictable, as you'll just get understeer.

It'll also be easier to judge how much grip they have by how much power you can put down.

The Cup's would also warm up quicker and stay warmer as they'll be doing most of the work.

But yeah I'd totally get another pair of PS4's and stick the Cup's in the garage for summer.

Offline Exonian

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,319
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #5 on: 05 October 2020, 17:00 »
Swapping front to back for the time being would make the car more predictable, as you'll just get understeer.

It'll also be easier to judge how much grip they have by how much power you can put down.

The Cup's would also warm up quicker and stay warmer as they'll be doing most of the work.

But yeah I'd totally get another pair of PS4's and stick the Cup's in the garage for summer.

Agree totally with this ^^^^

As soon as I started reading the first post I knew where it was going - sideways!!


As above also, whether you get winters or not really depends on where in the UK you live and the lottery of winter weather. Possibly how often the car gets used and what it gets used for too.
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline rajb

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 349
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #6 on: 06 October 2020, 10:12 »
Personally would just swap them out for PS4's. Even if you get heat in them they'll struggle with the rain we are/will be getting it appears. I've run on r888r's in rain and I can tell you whether it was the front or back it was not happy trying to even keep the car straight on the M54 with the rain that was coming down.

Offline Kpow99

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 218
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #7 on: 06 October 2020, 12:52 »
Thank you everyone, amazing as always.  I predicated what the answers would be too lol

I was thinking that if I splash out and take time to go get tyres I would wait till November and switch straight to winters but I see general opinion on the PS4's is really good and would probably do me the winter I'll buy a new set and put on the front to balance all round and keep the Cups for the spring.

Thanks again all.
2019 TCR, Pure Grey, DCC/PP Revo Stage 1

Offline Kpow99

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 218
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #8 on: 06 October 2020, 13:14 »
Just curious, what price have people paid for their PS4's?

£132inc VAT and fitting for me.
2019 TCR, Pure Grey, DCC/PP Revo Stage 1

Offline Yusee

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 918
Re: TCR Tyres
« Reply #9 on: 06 October 2020, 22:35 »
Just had 4. £427 including VAT, fitted- for  18s
I use a mobile tyre fitter who I know well and will look after my wheels, I think you probably can buy cheaper if you look.
2018 Golf GTI Performance  5dr manual, Isaac blue
1988 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9, 2022 Triumph Street Triple R, 2016 Seat Alhambra.