In an effort to minimise tyre noise, have backread much useful advice/info on tyres, however, having discussed with a tyre specialist contact, am considering Yoko Decibel ABS V550 225/45/R17

Does anyone have experience of these?

Will also have wheel geometry laser checked/adjusted - big question is, should I have rear camber set to new recommended values of -1-20' +/- 30' or stick with original settings?

Would appreciate any comments

They look like any other boring bog standard tyre and to be frank, I doubt they are "performance orientated" tyres which begs the question - why fit them to a performance orientated car such as the VRS?

I've used all kinds of tyres over many years from Yoko, Toyo, Goodyear, Pirelli, BF etc and to be honest road noise is such a subjective thing I think I'd struggle if you asked me which ones were the quietest!. I've always gone for a grippy but reasonably hard wearing tyre rather than the (supposed) quietest. Its easy to fucus solely on one feature at the expense of the other.

I'm just about to replace the 17" Zeniths shod with Potenza's for 18" Zenith with Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta which have scored very highly in most tyre tests. I have no doubt others will agree that these are probably the direction in which you should be looking, especially given that the Yoko's look as if they might have trouble clearing standing water which is an issue with 225 width tyres due to their size. They also have the sexiest tread this side of Cameron Diaz's trainers!

As for the camber settings, I'd be interested in others views on the subject as I'm looking to get a four wheel alignment done at Elite in the near future. They did such a good job with my Punto HGT (fitted eccentric bolts to the front struts to alter the camber and stop the thing eating a set of fronts every 3000 miles!)

In an effort to minimise tyre noise, have backread much useful advice/info on tyres, however, having discussed with a tyre specialist contact, am considering Yoko Decibel ABS V550 225/45/R17

Does anyone have experience of these?

Will also have wheel geometry laser checked/adjusted - big question is, should I have rear camber set to new recommended values of -1-20' +/- 30' or stick with original settings?

Would appreciate any comments

I had some Yoko DB's of the same size on a Honda Accord Type S a couple of years ago, and they were absolutely awful in the wet :thumbdwn: I can't guarantee they are exactly the tyre model as the ones that you quote though.

I replaced the front tyres with Bridgestones RE040s which were excellent (but wore quickly), and left the Yokos on the back - until I spun the car and ended going backwards down the road. After that I put the Yokos on the front and suffered the lack of traction and understeer until they wore out, but at least they were more predictable.

What about michelin tyres? They ware the best, always give grip and seem near the top on any tyres reviews.

James

Vredestein Ultrac = £85

Michelin Pilot Sport 2 = £122

The Vredestein's are at least as good if not better than the Pilots..........

I haven't had to buy new tyres for my VRS yet (still got the dealer-fitted budgets) but on my old Focus (sitting on 17" ST170 wheels) the best tyres I had, by a country mile, were Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s. Tried a few, Pilot Sports - Continental Sport Contacts, but they weren't as good.

They lasted ok, gave good levels of comfort, reasonable road noise, gripped ok in the wet... but in the dry they were something else!

I think they've been discontinued now and replaced with the Eagle F1 Asymmetric, I'll definately be looking into them when I come to change.

I haven't had to buy new tyres for my VRS yet (still got the dealer-fitted budgets) but on my old Focus (sitting on 17" ST170 wheels) the best tyres I had, by a country mile, were Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s. Tried a few, Pilot Sports - Continental Sport Contacts, but they weren't as good.

They lasted ok, gave good levels of comfort, reasonable road noise, gripped ok in the wet... but in the dry they were something else!

I think they've been discontinued now and replaced with the Eagle F1 Asymmetric, I'll definately be looking into them when I come to change.

Dont know about the tyre places but i asked my dealer about the F1 GSD3s in 17" and they came back with a RRP of arounf £175, including VAT and fitting.

I said "that's not bad for a pair". I chuckled. They didnt.

I'm not keen on paying much over £100 a corner so i'm currently shopping around

I need to get some more tyres at the moment - can get goodyear assymetrics for 93 fitted. Got them on at the moment and am impressed.

However, always fancy something different and am looking at the vredestein ultracs but can't find them fitted anywhere online (black circles don't supply them).

Does anyone know of any other good value fitters online?

cheers

I need to get some more tyres at the moment - can get goodyear assymetrics for 93 fitted. Got them on at the moment and am impressed.

However, always fancy something different and am looking at the vredestein ultracs but can't find them fitted anywhere online (black circles don't supply them).

Does anyone know of any other good value fitters online?

cheers

The new Goodyear Assy's can't hold a candle to the old GS's - lots of stuff online about unnaceptable wear etc. No good making a tyre grip like **** to a blanket if it lasts 5000miles :-)

I bought my Vredestein's on ebay;

here's a listing for 225/40/18's

225/40r18 Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta on eBay (end time 18-Oct-09 11:29:44 BST)

here's one for 225/45/17

225/45 r 17 Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta on eBay (end time 18-Oct-09 11:29:50 BST)

They took a week to come but it was due to a screw up by the courier. The guy I bought them from runs a garage and called me twice to check if they had arrived.

I just take mine down to my local C-Tyres and pay £15 a corner for fitting and balancing.

Seriously, well worth a look - these are excellent tyres otherwise I wouldn't risk my family on them.

Another vote her for the Vredesteins

I need to get some more tyres at the moment - can get goodyear assymetrics for 93 fitted. Got them on at the moment and am impressed.

However, always fancy something different and am looking at the vredestein ultracs but can't find them fitted anywhere online (black circles don't supply them).

Does anyone know of any other good value fitters online?

cheers

Try Camskill.co.uk, have a look at Hankook, Falken and Avon, these are all very good tyres at very affordable prices.

cheers - just find i have trouble around here finding someone to fit them, that's why I use black circles as they offer fitting as well. Anyone know of fitters around melton mowbray / leicester?

cheers - just find i have trouble around here finding someone to fit them, that's why I use black circles as they offer fitting as well. Anyone know of fitters around melton mowbray / leicester?

How about etyres? www.etyres.co.uk

ATB, Jon.

Try Camskill.co.uk, have a look at Hankook, Falken and Avon, these are all very good tyres at very affordable prices.

....and all at a similar price to the Vredesteins but much less competent. I know I keep pushing them but they really are the best reasonably priced rubber you can buy yet they compete with other much more expensive tyres.

I used to rate Toyo when they had the T1S but the "new" T1R are absolutely appaling IMHO.

As for fitting, Black Cirlce just use local gagages anyway so I don't see what the issue is?! Just put them in the back of the car and drive to the nearest tyre fitter. They will never turn work away (unless its a flat out Saturday).

i have the t1r and very happy with them compared to the michelin sport contact 2. much quieter and grippy, especially in the wet