Got a VRs, done 22k miles from new in May 06.

Existing Conti tyres look like needing replaced coming into autum/winter

Whats best ?, another set of Conti's ? - ive never had a problem with the standard fit ones.

Dont want budget tyres, nor do I want boy racer ones.

Must be suitable for country driving with decent bad weather performance and good economy.

Sorry if this has already been discused to death but most posts I see only speak about budget tyres.

Cheers

Goodyear Eagle F1's are pretty good. Decent grip but not too soft so they last

How the hell did you get 22k out of the originals!?

I've never heard good things about Contis, something to do with cracks forming in the blocks on the tread. Everyone I've spoken to have all said that Michelin are the best - Energy as standard or Pilot Sport/Exalto for something more sporty. Dunlop and Goodyears are good too. I've got Dunlop SP2000 as they are designed to be quieter and I've had no issues, very secure in the wet.

How the hell did you get 22k out of the originals!?

I got almost 40K out of my fronts, and 60K out of the backs. Drive smoothly through bends and don't hammer it pointlessly off the line and the tyres will last a decently long time.

I've got Conti's all round on mine as SUK/VAG fit them on their leasing plan as they last longest.

The best tyres I've owned for wet and dry performance, on any car, are Goodyear Eagle F1s.

Indeed, in the wet, it's almost like it's dry.

Pretty hard wearing too considering the dry traction.

My vRS is currently shod with Conti Sport Contact2s, which I am also impressed with.

So much so, in fact, that I'll probably stick with them when they need replaced.

If you want to know how grippy and hard wearing a trye is, check the tyre wall for Traction and Treadwear figures.

For example IIRC, a tyre with a Treadwear rating of 200 will last twice as long as one with a rating of 100.

And go for one with a Traction rating of at least AA. For example, Continental's Premium Contacts are just an A, while the Sport Contact 2s are AA.

The former squeal when pressed hard in a corner, while the latter are muted and grip much better.

Edited 19 August, 200817 yr by Mr Wobblytickle

I would go with another pair of Conti's or the Goodyears as mentioned above.

Speaking from my own experience, I would stay away from Toyo's that seem to get recommended on here a lot. I've had a set on for 10k now and while they may be fine in the warm and dry, they are next to useless in the grease and damp conditions of autumn and winter. They even lack low speed bite in the dry.

The Toyo's look well cool though.

That's THE most important aspect for some of our brethren.

I got almost 40K out of my fronts, and 60K out of the backs. Drive smoothly through bends and don't hammer it pointlessly off the line and the tyres will last a decently long time.

I've got Conti's all round on mine as SUK/VAG fit them on their leasing plan as they last longest.

Mine has 37k on the clock and the back contis have plenty tread on so agree with you there mate

Bloody hell my conti's only lasted 6k miles and i prob on my 4th front set and my rears are getting low ish and i have only done 22k miles OOPS

I have toyo T1R on the front they do grip very well but are very noisy tyres when cornering hard i am very tempted to get the conti sport for my next set as they were good they just didnt last very long lol but then i cant expect to have a tyre that is good at gripping and last a long time and im affraid i dont do budget tyres as they keep me on the road.

*ahem*

Really, there's plenty more than just budget tyres discussed on here - try typing in 'Toyo' for starters. You'll be asking if your Fabia will beat a Civic Type R next...

I got almost 40K out of my fronts, and 60K out of the backs. Drive smoothly through bends and don't hammer it pointlessly off the line and the tyres will last a decently long time.

I've got Conti's all round on mine as SUK/VAG fit them on their leasing plan as they last longest.

I got 9k from the fronts, and 12k from the rears?

Maybe mine were a very soft batch

yeah tyre choice is somethin that cant be taken lightly on a vrs. budget tyres is suicide! i had cheep ones on my old primera when i first got it at it was dangerous!

A full set?

It depends on your location really.

Where do you normally buy tyres from?

Ask what they have in your size and different brands.

For my car the tyres vary from £25 per tyre for budget ones (thats including balancing) to £60 for something like Dunlops (Contis are about £49)

I did settle on 2 Fulda Eco-Contacts which are an arm of Goodyear/Dunlop in Germany for £40 per tyre.