I did plenty of research on the net and did a search for Tyre threads on as many car forums I could find (not just VW)
Anyother VAG forums you care to mention?
Funny thing is, most people recommend the Goodyear eagle GSD3 but i wasn't keen on the tread pattern (a bit "Max Power" I thought)
I know what you mean! OK, the GSD3 isn't a
bad tyre - if you want to turn the clocks back by about ten years! Sadly, that is the problem with them - old-skool technology, using directional tread (which is only really any use in a straight line, and is shyte in the wet when worn), and uniform, rather than dual compound rubber. Because it is quite a bit cheaper than either the Contis or the Michelin, it also gains an advantage (though not justified IMHO) in that area.
Finally, there is the whole "prejudice" issue regarding Michelins. Some peeps just won't touch Michelins, because they are hung up over some dark, distant past "opinion", about them being crap tyres. OK, in the 1970s, Michelins wern't particularly good - and equivalent offerings from Avon, Firestone, Goodyear, Dunlop and Pirelli - were either on a par with, or were better than Michelins. From the early to mid 80s, though, Michelin have really made quantum leaps in the development and quality of their tyres.
Most of the reviews rated it top in my main criteria which were wet grip / breaking and noise. It turns out they were the most expensive but price didn't factor into the choice, i've spent enough on the car and didn't want to skimp on the tyres.
You are so right about not skimping on tyres. At the end of the day it is ONLY the tyres which keep you in contact with the road - it is they that do all your traction, braking, cornering, and carrying the general weight of the car. It frustrates me, when peeps spend 15, 20, 25k or more £Â£Ã‚£ on a car, then fit cheap crap tyres on it!
Just don't get their logic!
Regarding the price, in future, if you are able to spend half a day on the dog'n'bone, phoning all the tyre suppliers in the yellow bits of assorted fone numbers, after logging on to mytyres and black circles - you can usually haggle the price of Michelins down to a near comparable price of the "lesser" boots.
I have had a bit of a blast over the tops from Sheffield to Stockport today and can confirm that the dry performance is brilliant too.
Good, pleased to hear another positive review.
Still trying to get the grips with DSG mind you, I always find the paddles in the wrong place. Probably learn to use the lever instead.
Ah, where are you holding the steering wheel? You really need to rest your thumbs on top of the left and right spokes, and forget the "grandad" style of push pull steering (which was developed long before power assistance). Normal bends, and roundabouts, you should be able to keep your hands "locked on" next to the spokes, and simply cross over your arms (like race car drivers do) on the paddles will always be in reach. Only when at T junctions, or some smaller tighter roundabouts, will you need to move your hands on the wheel, and possibly revert to the floor shift lever.
