Guys -
Because your tyres are expensive, it doesn't mean they're good. I have fitted a full set of Yokohama C-Drives to my GTI, after the OEM Dunlops.
I found the Dunlops were fairly average in the dry, and lacked grip in the wet - lots of understeer.
In comparison, the C-Drives have far far more grip in the wet, and are so much tackier in the dry. Much less wheelspin when you pull away quikly. Tyre life on the front has been about the same as the Dunlops (7500 mi) - they're ready to change again. Price per tyre (Express Tyres, Lockerbie) was about 70 quid each.