My TDI 140 has 17" wheels and the original fit Dunlops. I recently did a long A road run in very wet conditions and although the tyres are half worn, if that , the lack of grip and aquaplaning was so bad it was laughable. I have rarely driven anything so bad in very wet conditions.Obviously new tyres would be better- and they were, a bit, when the car was new but I have always been disappointed at the crappy level of grip the Dunlops offer. It ain' the car - on my winter tyres she grips like a limpet in all bad conditions. So..when I come to replace the Dunlops what should it be with ? Dry road grip is a given really. I don't hammer it very hard around the bends anyway but wet road grip is crucial where I live .

I've been using Kumho K39's for over 2 years, and they have coped admirably with the wet Welsh roads.

I have the same Dunlops on mine and you're right Grayson.

The very wet weather grip isn't that good at all but, having got gradually used to it over a couple of years, it only became really apparent when the winters on.

I'm looking forward to trying the Pirellis.

I wonder if they'll be any better?

The contis i have on are laughable in the wet as well.

I put it down to the low rolling resistance nature of "greenline" ness.

I wouldn't choose them again for preference but i've got used to them.

Goodyear, Michelin, Toyo, Kumho, Yokohama.

Look, it would be faster to say that I've never used YingTong Ditchfinders, WooHoo Dark Spins or similar than to complete that list. Dunlops have the worst part-worn wet performance of anything I've ever fitted.

Edited 29 May, 201313 yr by KenONeill

. So..when I come to replace the Dunlops what should it be with ? Dry road grip is a given really. I don't hammer it very hard around the bends anyway but wet road grip is crucial where I live .

I have a set of Dunlop Blue Response and I am very pleased with them; it does rain a bit here in Derbyshire and going fast around roundabouts (purely for test purposes you understand)

they grip like the proverbial stuff to a blanket. We have a 50mph limit on most main roads, (It's for your safety!) but you can corner fast or kill yourself with impunity on the side roads - ho hum.

Now where is that carer, she is late today................

I've just remembered this website...

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/

It uses the new rating system

Check out the Mytyres website.

They have comprehensive test reviews on most tyres.

The Goodyear efficient seems to come out tops,however, Ironically the latest Dunlop maxx is also up there as well.

I have Dunlops, and to be honest I have found them ok so far. The nice people at Sinclairs Skoda Swansea told me the other day that the front drivers side was near the limit and the other 3 are not far off. I suppose not bad for 19,500 miles.

I have the idea to go onto All Weather tyres, but want to get the full use of whats's left of the tread on the 3 good-ish Dunlops (ever the tight Welshman!) So I may get a part worn Dunlop for the one bad tyre just to go alongside the others, until time to change all 4 at the same time.

Graham, are your Kumho K39's all weather? Strange name for a tyre, sounds like something out of a porn movie :think: .

Graham, are your Kumho K39's all weather? Strange name for a tyre, sounds like something out of a porn movie :think: .

A parody of a submarine movie?

I'm sure Bob or MarieK will be able to come up with sufficient smut to put us all firmly in the corner.....

For, primarily wet grip, Id recommend Uniroyal Rainsport 2's - from experience, nothing beats them for wet grip. The other tyre im currently using to great all round effect inc wet weather/longetivity/feedback are Michelin Pilot Sports 3's - brilliant all round tyre imo.

They're (Kumho K39s) regular summer tyres. The all-season of choice seems to be Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons.

They're (Kumho K39s) regular summer tyres. The all-season of choice seems to be Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons.

Many thanks for that.

A parody of a submarine movie?

I'm sure Bob or MarieK will be able to come up with sufficient smut to put us all firmly in the corner.....

The initial 'wet grip' title was enough to get me giggling, and all the subsequent discussion about which rubber is better in which conditions ... that fine balance between sensitivity and security ...

I had the dealer swap the fitted tyres on my new SM with Continental 4 Seasons, which had impressed me on my wife's Panda 4x4 a few years ago. They performed well in all conditions, even when quite worn.

I tend to swap them out at 3mm as the performance goes down in the wet after that. Good to know some are good when lower on tread also.

The initial 'wet grip' title was enough to get me giggling, and all the subsequent discussion about which rubber is better in which conditions ... that fine balance between sensitivity and security ...

Thats another one gone down the drain. :think:

Graham, are your Kumho K39's all weather? Strange name for a tyre, sounds like something out of a porn movie :think: .

I missed the U out:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Kumho/Ecsta-KU39.htm

A parody of a submarine movie?

I'm sure Bob or MarieK will be able to come up with sufficient smut to put us all firmly in the corner.....

Never even entered my innocent mind

Interesting to note about bjlun777,s comments regarding Goodyear and Dunlop tyres. Goodyear actually own Dunlop ( tyre side),so some of the Goodyear magic might one day rub off on Dunlop!!!!

Tony

I may be mistaken but I believe wider tyres give less wet grip since weight is spread over a greater area. This in turn would lead to a greater dependence on tread depth to clear water away. I would be interested to hear opinions on this!

Often when I look at my Yeti I get the impression it 'overtyred'?

I know that many moons ago in my Citroen 2CV's, of which I had a few, the tyres, very narrow, 125/15 Michelin, never did let go, well only once - in the snow

I may be mistaken but I believe wider tyres give less wet grip since weight is spread over a greater area. This in turn would lead to a greater dependence on tread depth to clear water away. I would be interested to hear opinions on this!

Often when I look at my Yeti I get the impression it 'overtyred'?

This is, apparently, from some adac testing a while ago:-

Tyre width conclusions

The advantages of wider tyres:

• significantly shorter braking distance (on both dry and wet surfaces),
  
• better grip in curves.
  

The advantages of narrower tyres:

• decreased susceptibility to aquaplaning,
  
• increased driving comfort,
  
• lower noise level,
  
• lower price (of tyres and rims).
  

I would guess the answer would vary on if the water is standing or raining / running off.

Certainly in snow i'd agree about a narrower tyre is generally better.

I found the original Dunlops not too bad, I have since had three sets of Bridgestones which were also ok but did suffer from strange edge wear when there was still 5mm in the centre of the tyre. I now have Continentals on, first impression is that they lack the instant grip of the Bridgestone, however after 1500 miles they seem to be getting better.

I think with any wide tyre the wet grip is worse as the tyre wears as there is nowhere for the water to be displaced to, if the tread pattern is deeper and wider then the road noise in the cabin would be a problem.

At least a bit of slide in the wet will put a smile on the face of most drivers.

My first Yeti had Dunlops and the new Yeti has P. zero's. I'd rather have the Dunlop tyre, less noise and a better feel on the road to my mind.