New Tyres time.. Suggestions please???

[Saint Steve]

Whats your honest opinion On Dunlop Sportmax??   ( gets ready for it! ) worn fronts that are on about 4mm, and ive posted about esp making me almost headbutt the steering wheel when trying to excellerate hard.

[182_blue]

Goodyear asymetrics are fine on mine, i has Michelin ps2's on my old car and they never felt quite right, the conti 2 originals felt better if im honest

[Vtec Abuser]

Like you I have found the mich's to last a very long time, the Bridgestones and Pirelli both lasted less than 9K for me.

Bloody hell, don't want to be going through a set in less than 10/11k really.. What mileage have you got out of the Michelins Steve, just to compare..?

Just other 13K now and they have probably got at least another 6-7K to go  

Bloody hell, quite a difference then mate..
To be honest I could probably get another 2k out of mine, as they are not on wear bars yet, but the traction at the min is getting pretty sh!te ) compared to when they were newer, so just want them changed asap..

[Vtec Abuser]

As title says, after 15k, my boots are about shot and will be going for change next week after service..
The car is on a maintenance contract, but going from previous contracts, they can be slightly flexible on changing brand...
On my old LCR I changed from the original Pirellis to Conti sport 2's and I could not believe the difference!!!  Hardly ever lost traction under normal driving (it was remapped too). Are these wise for the ED30, or what is the best choice for you boys..?
The Michelins that are on at the min, must be made from tungstun carbide or something, as they seem to wear very little, so obviously a very hard compound. But can't help thinking they could grip a little better.. So idealy I am looking for something that is a little softer (more grip), but something that I won't wear out in a fortnight.. 
Suggestions please? 

P.S. I know I could do a search, but, well, if i'm honest, I can't be arsed! 

Which type of Michelin?  If they are the Pilot Exalto PE2, then the Pilot Sport PE2 would be considerably better.  And I'll say it again, the Mich PS2 IS the best tyre in the world.  They are fitted as standard to a whole host of cars, from Audis, Porsches, through to the Bugatti Veyron.  There is a chap in the Isle of Man who has a seriously tuned B5 RS4, and regularly does 200mph on the island, and states that only the Mich PS2s are good enough.

As you have already discovered, Pirellis are fooking shyte, and actally fookin lethal.

And whilst many on here and elsewhere will rave about the Goodyears, they too IMVHO are shyte too, because they have unresolved issues which cause adverse handling traites, and will actually cause the ESP to kick in.  Owners on this forum have reported this directly to Goodyear UK, and these same issues were reported in various car mags - yet Goodyear do fcuk all about it.  Finally, Goodyears (of the size and type relevant to the GTI) have NO OEM approvals or fitments.

Appart from Michelins, the only other tyre I would recommend is the latest Continental - the ContiSportContact3s, which also have OEM approvals and fitments from Audi and Porsche.

Cheers for the ridiculous amount of usefull info again TT.. 

[Vtec Abuser]

The Michelins that are on at the min, must be made from tungstun carbide or something, as they seem to wear very little,

On the side wall of your tyre you will have a bit that says something like this "Traction A,  Temperature A, Treadwear 280.  What is the number you have on the treadwear?  Im not sure on the scale that its is based but im pretty sure that the lower the number the softer the compound.  For example the Toyo 888's are 100 and my Conti 3's are 280

To be honest i cant complain about the conti 3's that i have although i have not had any other tyre fitted to the GTI as yet so this is a somewhat flawed opinion

Will have a look in a bit mate and let you know..

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Whats your honest opinion On Dunlop Sportmax??   ( gets ready for it! ) worn fronts that are on about 4mm, and ive posted about esp making me almost headbutt the steering wheel when trying to excellerate hard.

They are crap (but not "overrated" like Pirellis).    Weak carcasses (just like Pirelli and Vredstein), which make them suffer from static deformation.  They also have quite a hard tread rubber, which is why they don't grip too well. 

[bobotheclown]

My Michelin Pilot Primacy's are pretty good, an have read that the Michelin Pilot Sports are good too. Costco (if you are a member or know someone who is) are doing the Pilot Sports for £116 each.

Pilot Primacys are NOT suited to the GTI, or any hot hatch or performance car.  They are specifically designed for large luxury limos, such as the Merc E and S classes, Audi A8, VW Phaeton, etc.

Oh man, really? These are what came with the car from the dealership. It was a brand new factory build. I'm going to change them as soon as I have the cash. Cheers for the heads up T_T. Always appreciate the advice you give.  

[E30M3]

Ben defintly go for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric one of the best tyres if not the best and i'm used Michelin Sport cups !

Failing that get Michelin PS2's or the Bridgestone equivalent.

All three of the above tyres are great in the wet/dry and give a good ride !

Judging by the high mileage you do, semi slicks out of the eqaution ??  ie Michelin Pilot Sport Cups / Toyo T1 R s ?


i would definatly go for the Goodyear Asymmetric , thats whats going on the CH's .

[john_o]

Heres my previous thoughts
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=91265.0

Exaltos are mediocre imho
I'd get the PS2 if possible (check you get the right version!)

I dont share TT thoughts on the F1's , but then again I have never fitted them to the GTI so I cant fully refute them either.

Cost will prob help you decide  

[WhiteGTI]

And whilst many on here and elsewhere will rave about the Goodyears, they too IMVHO are shyte too, because they have unresolved issues which cause adverse handling traites, and will actually cause the ESP to kick in.  Owners on this forum have reported this directly to Goodyear UK, and these same issues were reported in various car mags - yet Goodyear do fcuk all about it.  Finally, Goodyears (of the size and type relevant to the GTI) have NO OEM approvals or fitments.

Appart from Michelins, the only other tyre I would recommend is the latest Continental - the ContiSportContact3s, which also have OEM approvals and fitments from Audi and Porsche.

What you say above is very true, no disputing at all. I was one of those that commented how sh!te my Goodyears were during the wearing in phase (which as discussed before seemed to take way too long, and could be labelled as borderline dangerous)

However........ once they became scrubbed in, I honestly cannot fault them. Once heated up I literally struggle to get ESP coming on when giving the throttle the full beans exiting a corner/midway through a corner, they just have loads of grip! The same can be said for accelerating from a standstill. But...I cannot compare to the PS2's, as I only had the Exalto's on before.