Guys

I'm just about to buy some rubber but I need a sanity check before I go and spend £400......

For my 18" Zeniths, do I need 225/40/18 or 235/40/18?

The Zeniths are 7.5_ rather than the "norm" 8" so I'm not sure.

I'm on 18's and have 225/40's

225/40

What tyres are you getting? Vredesteins?

What tyres are you getting? Vredesteins?

Yup - the secrets out:

225/40r18 Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta

£88.95

They are probably the best allround tyre on the market today at sensible money. I've had Eagle F1's, Toyo T1S, T1R, Khumo's Conti's, Potenza's etc and I reckon the 'Steins' knock the lot into next week when you take their price into the equation. I used to be a dyed in the wool Toyo guy ...... until the lates T1R - what a pile of crap they are. Toyo will insist on buggering about with tread design instead of just leaving well alone. The original T1R was excellent and the T1S was even better but they've fallen flat on their face with the new design.

The 'steins' however have either beaten the leadr or come second in almost every recent tyre test so I'm going to give them a good seeing to on the VRS!

Yup - the secrets out:

225/40r18 Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta

£88.95

They are probably the best allround tyre on the market today at sensible money. I've had Eagle F1's, Toyo T1S, T1R, Khumo's Conti's, Potenza's etc and I reckon the 'Steins' knock the lot into next week when you take their price into the equation. I used to be a dyed in the wool Toyo guy ...... until the lates T1R - what a pile of crap they are. Toyo will insist on buggering about with tread design instead of just leaving well alone. The original T1R was excellent and the T1S was even better but they've fallen flat on their face with the new design.

The 'steins' however have either beaten the leadr or come second in almost every recent tyre test so I'm going to give them a good seeing to on the VRS!

They are the future

They are the future

Not according to these two tyre tests, they come last in one of them and don't excel in the other.My money would be on the Hankooks, especially for the price and how well they do in the tests. £11 a tyre cheaper than the Vredestein:

Sport Auto Summer Test 2009 - Hankook S1 takes 3rd place

AutoBild Sports CarsTyre Test pdf - Hankook S1 wins the test

Tyre reviews, tests and ratings at tyre reviews - the online tyre guide is handy.

I'm pondering the Sessantas next, but erring towards the Hankook V12 Evo at the moment.

Steve

Where do you get them at that price...fitted?

I paid around £225 for a pair six months ago, fitted. Quite happy with them - better than the OEM Conti's for sure (IMHO)!

I'm pretty certain that will be a 'loose' price. If not, I want to know where these are being fitted as well!

They're £88.40 each from Camskill. Are these ones coming from Elite?

Steve

Ive just fitted the ultrac's to mine after coming from the Bridgestone RE050 A's. I think they are just as good (if not better) than the Potenza's that were fitted previously and at that price they are a no-bariner. They seem to be quiter and I think they grip better in the wet. I read loads of tyre reviews before buying them and the ones I read they consistantly scored in the top 3 tyres on test.

Mine are 225/40/18 by the way.

Not according to these two tyre tests, they come last in one of them and don't excel in the other.My money would be on the Hankooks, especially for the price and how well they do in the tests. £11 a tyre cheaper than the Vredestein:

Sport Auto Summer Test 2009 - Hankook S1 takes 3rd place

AutoBild Sports CarsTyre Test pdf - Hankook S1 wins the test

For me it is their wet weather performance that is most impressive. The SporTrac3s are unfazed by standing water and damp conditions. Fair superior to anything I have run including Dunlop Sport Maxx 3s

I'm on my second set of Ultrac Sessantas and find them hard to fault; bought them from Elite Direct in Rainham and fitted locally, very competitive price and tyres nice and 'fresh'.

PS> to answer OP's question - 225/40 18

PPS> If anyone wants a copy of Evo's tyre test in which they came 2nd, please PM your e-mail address to me.

That Evo tyre test does rate the Vredesteins really well, but it is 2 years old now and I guess new models of tyres have been released since? The Ultrac Sessantas are still one of the best looking tyres out there.

That Evo tyre test does rate the Vredesteins really well, but it is 2 years old now and I guess new models of tyres have been released since? The Ultrac Sessantas are still one of the best looking tyres out there.

I don't think that is quite the case. AFAIK all the tyres tested are still 'current' and have not been superseded with the exception of the Bridgestone, which has been replaced by the 'Adrenalin' except it is not available in UK/Europe and the Yokohama where a new 'Advan' has recently been released.