If you want to try something different try checking out BF Goodrich.
They did (and still do) a range of tyres (name i forget) that are wet weather specialist. They grip like anything in the wet and their dry performance was something out of this world.
They didn't cost the earth either and they were pulling an easy 45k miles before we had to change them due to the min tread pattern appearing.
This is definitely a make i'll be going after next year for the Golf.
Tin