When I bought my Mk2 VRS, I had a quick look around the tyres and was pleased to see Continental Sportcontact 2's all round. The owner said he had one tyre replaced, backed up by the history, sure enough it has an uneven set on the front. One is fairly new, one is fairly near the limit.

Had a Bluefin remap done before Christmas and struggle to get any traction in 2nd gear when pressing on which I've attributed in some degree to the tyres - hence, I'll stick a new pair on the front. Rears are fine with even wear.

Went to get the sizes off the car today for ringing around, only to find:

NSF: 225 40 18 "extra load" rating 92Y (the one to be replaced)

OSF: 225 40 18 rating ZR (the one that was replaced - this will come off as a spare)

NSR: 225 40 18 rating 92Y

OSR: 225 40 18 "extra load" rating 92Y

Odd that the 2 rears are different unless the 2 'extra load' tyres were paired at some point.

Anyway - rang around today and have got a price of £117/£121 for Contact 2s/ Contact 3s all in per tyre.

Questions are therefore:

1) What speed rating should I get? Is 92Y standard?

2) Should I get the 'extra load' version? I'm sure they said they could get either.

3) Will having the 2 odd tyres on the back ('extra load' vs not) cause any problems?

4) Does the price seem reasonable?

5) I'm happy to pay the price, but are there any recommended alternatives for this kind of money?

Thanks for any help.

When I bought my Mk2 VRS, I had a quick look around the tyres and was pleased to see Continental Sportcontact 2's all round. The owner said he had one tyre replaced, backed up by the history, sure enough it has an uneven set on the front. One is fairly new, one is fairly near the limit.

Had a Bluefin remap done before Christmas and struggle to get any traction in 2nd gear when pressing on which I've attributed in some degree to the tyres - hence, I'll stick a new pair on the front. Rears are fine with even wear.

Went to get the sizes off the car today for ringing around, only to find:

NSF: 225 40 18 "extra load" rating 92Y (the one to be replaced)

OSF: 225 40 18 rating ZR (the one that was replaced - this will come off as a spare)

NSR: 225 40 18 rating 92Y

OSR: 225 40 18 "extra load" rating 92Y

Odd that the 2 rears are different unless the 2 'extra load' tyres were paired at some point.

yes seems 'odd'. Are you sure you have not missed an 'extra load' somewhere on the sidewall? Might be worth reading up on tyre details here;- Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 1 of 2 Loads of info you never thought you would need to know.

Anyway - rang around today and have got a price of £117/£121 for Contact 2s/ Contact 3s all in per tyre.

Questions are therefore:

1) What speed rating should I get? Is 92Y standard?

Yes - stick with this. OK to go one or two steps higher to, say 94Y, but do not go lower.

2) Should I get the 'extra load' version? I'm sure they said they could get either.

Yes; worth it if you intend to do lots of 'brisk' driving.

3) Will having the 2 odd tyres on the back ('extra load' vs not) cause any problems?

Best scenario is to have identical tyres. have you missed an 'extra load' somewhere?

4) Does the price seem reasonable?

Seems pretty fair for Conti 3s, but Conti 2s should be cheaper as they have been superseded.

5) I'm happy to pay the price, but are there any recommended alternatives for this kind of money?

Yes; Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas, they're slightly cheaper but IMHO better. Do a 'search' on them in the forum for other threads with comments.

Thanks for any help.

Good luck.

Seriously, you were PLEASED to see Conti SportContact2 on the car?!? You need to go back on the pills, quick!

Stick on a set of Vredesteins as bahn says, then you'll realise how crap the Contis are considering their huge price.

Stick on a set of Vredesteins as bahn says, then you'll realise how crap the Contis are considering their huge price.

..... but you're getting rid of yours for Goodyears? :confused:

Thanks bahnstormer vrs for the comprehensive reply - It may be the 'extra load' bit is only printed on one side and I missed it like you say - I had bare feet, it was cold and the road was full of sharp stones

..... but you're getting rid of yours for Goodyears? :confused:

No, I'm not. I tried Goodyears on my last car which also had Vreds, but didn't rate the Goodyears so would go back to the Vreds if I still had the car. Which I don't. :P

Current car is on factory fit Goodyear NCT5, and I'll be putting Vreds on it when and if the NCT5s ever wear out (they're lasting an annoyingly long time).

No, I'm not. I tried Goodyears on my last car which also had Vreds, but didn't rate the Goodyears so would go back to the Vreds if I still had the car. Which I don't. :P

Current car is on factory fit Goodyear NCT5, and I'll be putting Vreds on it when and if the NCT5s ever wear out (they're lasting an annoyingly long time).

Oops, Sorry. Had a rush of blood to the head

It is your Belfast-ish location that got me confused with Tom1362 in this thread;- http://briskoda.net/octavia-ii/will-you-sell-me-your-tyres-listen/138350/

Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas

Another vote for these, grippy and decent wear rate, not a bad price too

Cheers

Brian

It is your Belfast-ish location that got me confused with Tom1362 in this thread;- http://briskoda.net/octavia-ii/will-you-sell-me-your-tyres-listen/138350/

No problems. He's in Mayo - he's probably further away from me than you are.

Went for the Continental Sport Contact 3's in the end, simply because no-one could get the Vredesteis at a reasonable price without having a fair drive.

Best result is that I can now feel the effects of the Bluefin - on a decent road, it will just about grip accelerating in second gear without the ESP kicking in - with the old tryes there was no chance - smiley faces all round :)

Glad to know you are sorted.

Went for the Continental Sport Contact 3's in the end, simply because no-one could get the Vredesteis at a reasonable price without having a fair drive.

Best result is that I can now feel the effects of the Bluefin - on a decent road, it will just about grip accelerating in second gear without the ESP kicking in - with the old tryes there was no chance - smiley faces all round :)

Good to hear you got your tyre issues sorted. My vRS came with the Conti 3s, and I've had no problem with them in any conditions, although I wait to see how many miles I'll get out of them.