I never liked the Michelin Pilots' that came as OEM fitment on the Fabia vRS, or at least not on the front. The sidewalls seemed to lack rigidity and the car squirmed around on them. I put F1's on the front and like them a lot, though I wouldn't fancy them in a bad winter (but I have winter tyres/wheels for that).

@wja96: If you search through my past posts, you'll see plenty of mention of the tyre fitters I mean, but this is a thread about what tyres the vRS came with from the factory, and I've not mentioned them here as it would be off-topic. Likewise, further discussion of the impartiality (or not) of the motoring press would be OT, but if you want to start a new thread on the subject, I'll gladly pitch in...

Oh, and you're absolutely right, I've never been to one of Costco's...

chain of membership cash & carry warehouses

They could be a Carnaby Street boutique for all I care, the analogy stands!

@wja96: If you search through my past posts, you'll see plenty of mention of the tyre fitters I mean, but this is a thread about what tyres the vRS came with from the factory, and I've not mentioned them here as it would be off-topic. Likewise, further discussion of the impartiality (or not) of the motoring press would be OT, but if you want to start a new thread on the subject, I'll gladly pitch in...

If it's Event Tyres based in Warrington, then they don't cover me because I live some way away. Now, the same, entirely valid argument could be levelled at CostCo, but at least they do cover the entire country if you're prepared to drive 60-100 miles, which, in a Fabia diesel, should be about £20 worth and therefore still worthwhile on more than 1 tyre.

As for the motoring press - they say one thing, you say another. That's what free speech is all about. I suspect you're not quite correct on the validity of car magazine tyre tests and manufacturers supplying 'specials' though.

I would also seriously recommend having a look at CostCo for tyres. Just go and take a look at their tyre fitting bays. The tidiness, equipment and training genuinely put most nationally recognised brands to shame, certainly Kwik-Fit, National etc.

Edited 12 July, 200916 yr by wja96

I never liked the Michelin Pilots' that came as OEM fitment on the Fabia vRS, or at least not on the front. The sidewalls seemed to lack rigidity and the car squirmed around on them.

if the pressures are raised 2-3 psi, they are loads better, i run 36-37 psi on the front

Has anyone tried Nokian Z's? They seem to have a high test rating and are reasonably priced.

Tread wear is a high priorty for me though of course I don't want the car to handle like dog.

Also, don't forget that when buying tyres if you go via cashback site such as Quidco.com you can squeeze some further money off.