Looking at getting some new treads guys and these appear to be the leaders on this website at least. Anyone tried both of them and know what they're like in comparison?Can we get some specifics on here as well, such as tyre life, comfort, etc.?My motor is a 1.8t L&K, although it IS driven spiritedly every now and then despite being a cruiser.

The Falkens seem to be recommended primarily for their quietness. Are your wheels 17s or 16s?

Have used both over the past couple of years on different vehicles.The 452 while an acceptable tyre loses out significantly to the Vred in the area of grip, especially wet grip. I never felt completely at ease with the 452 in the rain. I went through a pair on the front in 9K but thats because I give tyres a hard time and not the fault of the tyre. The rear had minimal signs of wear.I've been running a set of 18" Vreds on the Octy now for 2K and they are a HUGE improvement on the 452. Much grippier and give you an awful lot more confidence in the wet, so much so that you feel you can actually play with the attitude of the vehicle if desired. Very progressive breakaway - the 452 let go earlier and with less warning or so it seemed.The Vreds ARE noisier than the 452 but both are noiser than something like a Potenza. That said its not a huge difference and noise is a subjective thing and very person dependant.Personally I'd rather have a tyre that sticks to the road and provides real confidence over one that is a little quieter but has lower grip. Wear - too early to really tell as there isn't noticable wear on the tyres after 2K. I would expect them to wear reasonably well.I really rate the Vreds and think they are one of the best tyres around on the market bar none at the moment. I think you'd have to spend double the money to make a noticable difference. Buy them.

[i reckon that for your car the choice would be the new Ultra Cento rather than the Sessanta. This tyre was launched during the summer and complies with the new noise regulations. The tread looks just like a Continental.

I have a set waiting to go on my wife's L&K (17") but the OE Michelins are lasting longer than expected!!

I've given 452's the beans in the wet on both my Octavia vRS and my current VR6, and both have performed very well, never felt as if I had to back off at all.

Well i had the sessatas on my Passat, there the best tyre i've ever had, far superior to p-zero's i had before, excellent grip in the wet and just as good in the dry, and for the price there amazing, look good too :P

It amazed me how many people comment on how good they are when the see them on the car, never had that before with any other tyre

I never felt completely at ease with the 452 in the rain. .

Just got a set of 452s after my Michelin PE2s. I really rate them and they were great value for money. Fantastic in the dry and great in the wet but I have to agree with the above - they are just a tad short of giving me the reassurance I would want. Result is that I don't push it too much in the wet and am happy to have an excellent set of tyres that beat others at double the price.

I've got 17's.It's a balance between cost and practicality I think. The vredesteins are at least £20-30 more than the 452's per corner, from what i've been quoted, so it's whether they're £20-30 better.

Hmm. Not taking away from the Vredsteins in any way but I was there myself and decided to save the money. I guess it's a personal choice on that one. Have a look at Event tyres for prices.

It's not just about confidence its about ultimate grip levels when it comes to avoiding an accident. Personally I'd rather spend another £25 per corner than risk that extra couple of metres of stopping distance which could mean the difference between stacking your £17grand car ..... or not! You pays your money and takes your choice. 452's are budget tyres. Vreds are midrange. Personally I value my life my car and other people and property more than £25 per corner. Its that happy balance between budget and ability. The Vreds have grip levels as good as any premium tyre. They have grip levesl considerably higher than the 452's. Up to you but to answer your question - yes they are worth the additional money.

Look at the sidewalls and the traction rating will either be "A" or "AA". The double A is the better performer in wet and dry grip in the compulsory European standard tests. All the Vreds I have had are "AA". I suppose that it rains a fair bit in Holland!!

I have a friend who just took delivery of a brand spanking Audi A3 170 cr Quattro on fabulous 18" wheels and it is shod on Bridgestones. Guess what? Single "A" rating!!

It's not just about confidence its about ultimate grip levels when it comes to avoiding an accident. Personally I'd rather spend another £25 per corner than risk that extra couple of metres of stopping distance which could mean the difference between stacking your £17grand car ..... or not! You pays your money and takes your choice. 452's are budget tyres. Vreds are midrange. Personally I value my life my car and other people and property more than £25 per corner. Its that happy balance between budget and ability. The Vreds have grip levels as good as any premium tyre. They have grip levesl considerably higher than the 452's. Up to you but to answer your question - yes they are worth the additional money.

So you're basically saying everyone who's rated the 452's is talking ****** then?? Bit conroversial isn't it??

That and if you look at independant studies, if all you're concerned about is grip and stopping distances, it's be shown time after time that you can spend a lot less and get more, but they end up sacrificing in other areas, such as comfort and noise. The vredesteins are supposed to be great but don't assume price means safer.

I will say that the 452 are pretty squirmy on slightly damp road, but very good on wet and dry road.

I will say that the 452 are pretty squirmy on slightly damp road, but very good on wet and dry road.

I'd agree with that.

So you're basically saying everyone who's rated the 452's is talking ****** then?? Bit conroversial isn't it??

What? Get a grip mate (;-)). If you read my original post you will see I rated the 452's having used them but IMHO the Vreds provided more wet weather confidence and in fact overall felt like the better tyre by quite a margin. I did not at any point state that everyone who's rated the 452's is talking ******.Just to reiterate - the 452's are very good tyres - much better than your average budget option but lets not forget thats what they are - budget tyres. The Vreds are better by some margin and are more of a midrange tyre so perhaps they should be. Sometimes a product comes along which blurs price points somewhat and again IMHO the Vreds are one of those products. Personally I'd rather spend the bit extra on the Vreds and have more of a safety margin in addition to other things. You are correct in stating that just because something costs more does not necessarily mean its better but in the case of these two tyres, in my humble opinion, and others on this forum, the more expensive tyre offers advantages far in excess of the price differential. One of these advantages is shorter apparent stopping distance and improved wet weather confidence. Like I said, you pays your money and takes your choice. In this case the more expensive tyre IS better - IMHO! You asked for advice and I gave you mine based on my experiences running both tyres!

Edited 2 December, 200916 yr by wardth

I just put a set of Hankook Evo V12's on a couple of months ago. The wet weather grip is absolutely fantastic. Sorry, I just had to throw that in !!

i just put a set of hankook evo v12's on a couple of months ago. The wet weather grip is absolutely fantastic. Sorry, i just had to throw that in !!

lol !

The 452's aren't budget tyres lol

Nankang, Federal... they're budget! Granted they're not Michelin et al, but they're certainly not budget tyres!

I will say that the 452 are pretty squirmy on slightly damp road, but very good on wet and dry road.

I haven't tried the 452's but I have tried the 512's " If it's damp I suggest you go by Bus "

Excellent in the Dry and the wet though

The 452's aren't budget tyres lol

Oh for crying out loud - what else would you call a £60 tyre?!!! How about Economy Performance then?!!!!Sorry Babs after a lifetime of coughing out £135 a corner £60 is a budget tyre in my book!

Well that's your fault for not shopping round!

Lol at the arguments on here about the 452s!

I have to agree with the majority of the comments here about the 452s - namely that they are great in the dry and good in the wet, but not as good in damp/greasy conditions. I must also add that I have been a Michelin (Pilot Exalto2) man for a while after having a Clio 182 for 3 years and the Falkens are neither as good as those tyres or the ContiSportContact3 tyres that were on the vRS before, in the wet. However, at £80 a corner, they are nearly half the price of the Contis and Michelins.

Most of my driving is on fast rural roads that are often wet or covered in standing water, so from what I have read on here and in many other threads, it would seem the Vreds offer that bit more in the wet and so I will be purchasing a pair when the 452s have given up.

Wear-wise, the Falkens have done pretty well so far. The Contis lasted 8k, whereas the Falkens have done 6k with at least 4mm left on them.

If you want something for the wet, try Uniroyal Rainmasters, You'll struggle to find anything better. OK they cost a bit more but what price do you put on safety.

The 452's aren't budget tyres lol

Oh for crying out loud - what else would you call a £60 tyre?!!! How about Economy Performance then?!!!!Sorry Babs after a lifetime of coughing out £135 a corner £60 is a budget tyre in my book!

I can get premium brand tyres for £60 a corner and I have to say I'd place the 452 in the mid range tyre. I got a new pirelli for only £2 more than a budget tyre offering the garage suggested.

The Vreds were in the same price band, but are now moving towards the premium brand tyres prices.

If you thing £60 a corner is budget, you should see some of the ditch finders that are offered as a budget tyre at £30 a corner :eek: