new boots time - Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric vs Mich Pilot Sport PS2s

[WhiteGTI]

Incidentally, following on from all this "high praise" of Goodyears, and the apparent lack of consistent enthusiasm for Michelins - I pose another question to ponder over.

If these Goodyear GSD3s and Goodyear Asymmetrics are so good - why do they not have any OEM approvals?

....Cost?

Cost would have sod-all difference.  Michelin and Conti are the most expensive tyres on both the retail and wholesale UK and EU markets.  Whereas the Jap and far eastern tyres have the cheapest (by a huge margin) wholesale market price - which explains why so many tyre companies only supply stuff like Yokohama, Khumo and the like - they make massive profits very easily from them, compared to more meagre profits from say Michelin.

And to take Porsche as a specific example - they are seen as an out-and-out performance car manufacturer, certainly without any compromises for passenger comfort, quietness, longevity, price, etc which more mainstream manufacturers consider from tyres.  If these Goodyears were on a par with Michelin PS2 or ContiSportContact2/3, then Porsche would OEM fit them.  Afterall, Porsche do have quite a large presence in the US, where the Yanks like to be loyal to their own country! 

I agree - when looking for tyres I noticed that Goodyears were significantly cheaper than PE2's and PS2's.

I agree - it is borderline dangerous that they seem to require such a lengthy wearing in period, however there is nothing but praise for them once this period is over.

I couldn't have put it better myself - though if I had said that, I'd have probably got flamed! 

Staying with this "understeer" issue - how would you explain to the boys in blue, or your insurance company - if you understeered into a load of school kids or similar.  "I'm sorry Ocifer, they all do that" . . . .

Yes indeed - however it seems to just be me that is suffering from the understeer, although I guess that when EVO said that the handling was diabolical that they could also be experiencing such handling characteristics as I have     

[neg]

I put the 2 new F1 Asym's on the front, they are worn in now as I drove down south on them week before last - went round a usual long sweeping corner yesterday to see what they were like and the car stuck to the road just like before if not better.

[182_blue]

Had all 4 put on mine and they have been faultless from the first day, more than pleased with mine

[RedRobin]

I put the 2 new F1 Asym's on the front, they are worn in now as I drove down south on them week before last - went round a usual long sweeping corner yesterday to see what they were like and the car stuck to the road just like before if not better.

....Could you give us a little more detail please? - I'm now intending to collect as much info as I can and talk to Goodyear again next week.

- What tyres are on your back axle when Assyms on front?

- What was your previous problem, if any?

Cheers, neg

[RedRobin]

Had all 4 put on mine and they have been faultless from the first day, more than pleased with mine

....That is much more important info than you probably realise! It's suggesting that Goodyear are right when they tell me that, although they don't know for certain, they think that it's the differential in the tyre's shoulder flexibility plus the strengthened internal shoulder construction of their Assyms which 'conflicts' with directional tyres such as GSD3's, and consequently sets off the ESP's 'snatching'.

Goodyear have already stated quite categorically that all four tyres should be Assym's on AWD, quattro cars but that it's okay to mix on FWD (matching tyres per axle).

[RedRobin]

OK, thanks for the update.  I would still be tempted to swap the wheels/tyres front and rear though, and see if there is any change.  Maybe there is an inherent mis-match problem with the Goodyears, and Goodyear need to be advised if so.  I know Michelin are absolutely excellent with their advisories regarding mixing tyres.  Who knows . . . maybe Goodyear already know, and are keeping zipped, in a similar fashion to Renault with Clio bonnets, or Vauxhall with Vectra handbrakes.  Afterall, it would seem to be a logical "upgrade" or progression from the discontinued Goodyear directionals to their latest asymmetrics . . .

....They have been advised - I've been talking with them for the last couple of weeks about my 'snatching' issue.

And their response was . . . .

....As I posted earlier (unless it was in the now lost "snatching" thread) - That I should try swapping (as you suggested) if the problem persisted and would I please keep them informed.

I'll only swap if the issue reappears - Otherwise no need. I'm at VW Racing soon anyway, and we'll see what they think driving my car.

What's planned for the Red machine there? 

....Special version of Quaife diff developed with VW Racing and something I'll report about in due course. I've driven a friend's 290bhp GTI with one fitted - Truly awesome. Ironically, as the diff will reduce instances of ESP kicking in, it will probably help the Goodyear Assym 'snatch' problem. Perhaps Goodyear should pay for my Quaife!

I think I need to spend a spell in Modifiers Anonymous! I'm hoping that the Mk6 GTI isn't too sexy!! Talking of sexy cars for just a moment - I know a RS6 Avant fully Sportec loaded (40G's worth!), 03-plate 75k miles for sale £30k (he's getting latest version) - Automotive p0rn!! You wouldn't like it, T_T!

[R32UK]

RR.. I have the F1's on my front and the Sport maxx on the rear but havent experienced anything of the kind. Took about 100miles to bed in and I havent looked back since... they would piddle all over the previous sport maxx I had on the front. Understeer??? what understeer??

[RedRobin]

RR.. I have the F1's on my front and the Sport maxx on the rear but havent experienced anything of the kind. Took about 100miles to bed in and I havent looked back since... they would piddle all over the previous sport maxx I had on the front. Understeer??? what understeer??

....Is that GSD3 F1's or Assym F1's on the front axle?

Goodyear were very clear in their advice to only fit Assym's on AWD/quattro if all 4 tyres. But we know that the R32 is mostly FWD with AWD as and when needed - 80/20? 60/40?

[neg]

Mk5 GTI - F1 Asym on the front (new), GSD3's on the rear (say 4-5mm)

Mk4 GTI - F1 Asym on the front (new), GSD3's on the rear (say 3-4mm)

Not experience any problem yet on either but not drove the Mk4 much as only had them fitted Thursday.

Reason for swapping - wear on both counts.

[RedRobin]

....Thanks, neg

It's supposed to be better practice to put your deeper treads on the rear axle but clearly not necessarily in the case of the Assym's. My GSD3's are about 4mm too.

There's a logic in having the strengths of the Assym's construction as the driven tyres, i.e. on front axle.