New Tyres time.. Suggestions please???

[Hurdy]

I've just changed mine from Conti 2's to Conti 3's. The Conti 2's lasted just under 9K of hard motoring, very little motorway use and mainly fast A and B roads, plus a track day and around 4 or 5 1/4 mile sessions, so I'd say they did fairly well to last that distance.

The Conti 3's are just recovering from being roughed up at Bruntingthorpe after I got unlimited runs for the weekend

Grip in the wet is excellent, but in the dry I think they could be bettered.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Liking my p-zero rosso's at the moment, but done less than 1000 miles on them so time will tell. Road noise is the only downside I've found so far.

On what car?

There are many "fan-boys" of Pirellis, but they are usually on much lighter cars, such as Saxos, Corsas, Ibizas, etc.  They have obviously been considerably "over tyred", and certainly don't place the tyre under anywhere near the same amount of stress as a heavier car would, such as an RS4 or RS6 - and RS owners have seriously slated the factory fit P-Zero Rossos.  One owner had a massive flap rip out of the sidewall on a minor pot hole at relatively slow speed, and I had horrendous problems with them on mine which forced me to change all four after just 4000 miles.  I would never recommend any Pirelli tyre, because they all have very weak carcasses, which do make them fairly light, but have a serious and potentially lethal side effect.   

[luca]

I've just changed mine from Conti 2's to Conti 3's. The Conti 2's lasted just under 9K of hard motoring, very little motorway use and mainly fast A and B roads, plus a track day and around 4 or 5 1/4 mile sessions, so I'd say they did fairly well to last that distance.

The Conti 3's are just recovering from being roughed up at Bruntingthorpe after I got unlimited runs for the weekend

Grip in the wet is excellent, but in the dry I think they could be bettered.

Hurdy i have conti 2's at the minute. Are the conti 3's loads better?
Would you buy conti 3's again?
Thanks

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Read AutoExpress.  They tested 200 tyres on a Gti and GT 225/45/17.  The edition came out a few weeks ago.  It's also here...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/212628/the_total_tyre_guide.html

And please explain how the scorching environmental conditions of Rome compare to chilly old Blighty.

And how these tyres are specific to a hot hatch?  They are not!  They are actually for a family car, or even a luxury car, which places very, very different requirements, and expectations on a tyre!  

And the fact that they completely failed "up front" to detail the exact specification of each tyre being used is typical of the way journos distort their reports.  

Finally, regarding the wet tests, they only tested brand new tyres - as tyres wear down, they can dramatically alter their wet weather ability - what may get the highest wet performance rating when brand new, may very well be dramatically overshadowed by others as the tread is say half worn.  This is the classic problem with the Dunlop SportMaxx - when brand new, its aquaplaning resistance isn't too bad, but when you get down to 5mm of tread remaining, they dramatically start to aquaplane.  This is caused by "strengthening ribs" in the tread pattern blocking the outer channels.  Michelin are well known to be one of the most consistent wet weather performers, even as the tread wears to the legal limit.  

[winrya]

I've had conti 2's, goodyear f1 gsd3's and im running on f1 assymetricals at the moment.  The contis were awful, GSD3's were brilliant until half worn where they became noisy and awful in the wet.  The assymetricals I've had on the front for the past 6k and they have transformed the car.  The ride is more supple, handling is more adjustable and i can floor it in 1st and 2nd and not have to worry about traction (even in the damp)

I had another 2 put on the rear yesterday to replace the contis which have done 30k and the car feels so much smoother.  Those mid corner bumps seem to have gone, but the biggest difference i noticed yesteday on a 100 mile trip is that there is almost no road noise.  It's amazing how much difference there is between tyres.  I would never consider anything but F1's

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Hiya, got back home and checked the age code on the tyres and the were made 20th week of 2008. I picked the car up from the stealers on 21st June.

OK, that means your tyres were manufactured week commencing 12 May 08, and you picked up your car 5 weeks later!    Any reason to delay the collection of your car from the stealers (maybe you were away on hols, or wanted to wait for a birthday or sommat)?    If you want to PM me your VIN, I will be able to tell you the exact day your car came off the production line.  This will go some way to confirm if your tyres have been swapped, as VW (just like all the major manufactures) will factory fit tyres from the same or previous week as the car is rolling along the line.  I reckon that a Passat supplied by your stealer has your tyres on it!    Do your alloys have the factory wheel balance weights, or the dealer balance weights?  Post a picture if you aint sure. 

Not surre what all that means but they are definitely Michelin Primacy's. I have 17" alloys and my spare 17" has Michelin Pilot Sport on it which I got from Costco.

What, you got an additional full size spare? 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's - loads better than the conti OEMs.

But they are directional tyres, and 1980s technology.    Why do you think that even Goodyear have caught up with modern technology, by ditching the GSD3s for their latest Eagle F1 Asymmetrics?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

I've had conti 2's, goodyear f1 gsd3's and im running on f1 assymetricals at the moment.  The contis were awful, GSD3's were brilliant until half worn where they became noisy and awful in the wet.

And that is the classic reason why directional tyres are useless, and explains why Goodyear, a long time "champion" of directional tyres were forced to ditch their old skool technology for the modern asymmetric design.

I would never consider anything but F1's

But you have never run on Mich PS2s.  On the RS forums, many peeps compare Goodyear, Conti and Michelin - the vast majority select the PS2 as being the top of the crop.

And if the Goodyear F1s where such a good tyre as the Goodyear fans would have you believe, why dont Porsche fit them?  Porsche are a no nonsence, no compromise out and out high performance sports car manufacturer, and if these Goodyears did perform better than the Contis or PS2s, you can be absolutely certain that Porsche would factory fit them! 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Sorry mate, thought I put Exaltos on there, but obviously didn't.. 
Before you shoot bud, what would you recommend for my car then. Considering it's running over 300bhp and I do a bit of 1/4 mile sprinting, so woud like some decent grip..   

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. 

Or if you have some track-only rims, and just for the 1/4 mile'ers, then some semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cups.  A set of tyre warmers would also be handy in chilly Blighty!   

On the other hand, I do quite a bit of motorway miles and need them to crack 10k minimum really.. (These have easily cracker 15k with a bit to spare..

Well, to be honest, if your Exaltos have reached 15k miles with all the above, then providing you don't start driving like a continual loon, then the PS2s should crack the 10k mark.

[luca]

TT how much are the ps2 in 225/40 18?
Do you think the pilot sport cups are as good as toyo r888?
Never used a semi slick tyre so no idea which to go for. Will only use them on trackdays, drag strip, very hot days etc.