hi 

so i have 4 pilot 5's on the VRS estate, two i replaced at last service 12 months ago and i'm shocked they have lasted only 10k, all 4 are now on the limit 3mm so i'll need to change soon, i don't drive it like a rally driver so i'm looking for recommendations please, i'm not putting pilots on again. i live in SE so hardly ever any snow or ice.

thanks

 

Have you got alignment checked? No tire should be done in 10k.

Edited 7 February, 20251 yr by RattleWagon

I had the alignment done when I got them fitted 12 mts ago (not my regular garage ) and it handled like a shopping trolley since, I've just had two shocks replaced (my garage) and new alignment two days ago and the difference is night and day. 

i guess it was the bloody alignment then 😠 

Most likely. There should be some kind of audit for all these garages doing alignment. Too many are doing poop work.

I've always sworn by Goodyear Assymetrics, had the 3  the 5 and the 6. Friend the same and now on GYA 6 (albeit on a 130i)

 

Due to cost and a refurb I ended up with a set of Hankook S1 Evo3.l currently.

 

I've had PS4's before in the VrS.

 

For me the PS4s were fine wear wise but we're poorer than the GYA's in cooler or from start up. Once warm both performed as good as the other. I'm not able to eek any extra benefit from either on the roads so I always ended up with GYA's as they were cheaper.

 

The current s1 Evo3. There is no rim protection at all, which is annoying as whilst I'm not in the habit of hitting curbs the protection on the PS4' and GYA's saved the odd nic a couple of times over the years.

 

They are very slippery in the cold, damp, as all summer performance tyres are but these are worse than the others. Having said that a recent 2hr drive in heavy rain I found them to be as good as the others sure footed and dealt with standing water. I had confidence in them. Dry weather they are all I need but not as much grip as the GYA's. 

 

I paid £75 fitted a corner at a time when the GYA's were £105. But prices seemed to have come down considerably since I purchased about 12 months ago. Hence I got them as with a refurb it was a hefty bill.

 

I'd go back to GYA's but I'm a matching 4 kind of guy so it means rotating and then a bill for all 4 again.

 

Milage I've always had 15k out of GYA's. Got 28K on a set of rears.

 

20 years ago I was doing GYA's and Potenzas in 6K on my old 150 PD Leon. But I've grown up, and slowed down a little since then, well I tell myself that.

 

In short Goodyear Assymetric 6's

I'm on GYA6's and they are good tyres.

I've just bought a replacement Fiesta that has come with Uniroyal Rainsport 5's and they have been surprisingly good.

If they are noticeably cheaper than the Goodyear AS6 tyres, I can see me replacing like for like on the Fiesta when they are worn out.

I have been running GT radial on my mk2 and also Seat altea xl and found them excellent. They both had Michelin when I got the cars and on both cars the Michelin started to deform and cause wobble while driving. Guy at tyre service said they get a lot of Michelin tyres with the same problem after two to three years they seem to go out of shape but still loads of tread left.  GT are Mid range tyre but excellent in wet. My sons got the same but all season on his fabia and there good as well especialy in wet for an all season tyre. Bit cheaper than the Goodyear. Think they were around £70-00 fitted. 

Alasdair

 

VRS's are always harsher on their tyres.  Its down to the way the car is setup.

 

However, I would recommend getting a 4 wheel alignment done.  Most places only do two wheel alignment and that's a problem.  Octavia's (especially the ones with independant rear sub-frame) - need the rear aligning.  It makes a world of difference.

7 minutes ago, varaderoguy said:

VRS's are always harsher on their tyres.  Its down to the way the car is setup.

 

However, I would recommend getting a 4 wheel alignment done.  Most places only do two wheel alignment and that's a problem.  Octavia's (especially the ones with independant rear sub-frame) - need the rear aligning.  It makes a world of difference.

Totaly agree, My old mk2 rear swing arm bushes are shot and tyres wear to one side. They are really bad and sounds like a rear wheel bearing is going. The offset bolts for adjustment on mine are seized solid. Probably why most places only do a front alignment. I decided to get new swing arms complete with bushes etc and new bolts. Once fitted will get the alignment checked. Main problem will be getting the old ones off. Just hope the subframe passes the MOT

23 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

Totaly agree, My old mk2 rear swing arm bushes are shot and tyres wear to one side. They are really bad and sounds like a rear wheel bearing is going. The offset bolts for adjustment on mine are seized solid. Probably why most places only do a front alignment. I decided to get new swing arms complete with bushes etc and new bolts. Once fitted will get the alignment checked. Main problem will be getting the old ones off. Just hope the subframe passes the MOT

This has been done to my mk3 at 200k km, same story, seized adjustment bolts and one of the lower control amr bushings was about to surrender. Both upper and lower control arms were replaced. The garage had to drop the subframe to get the seized control arms apart. Had to be done to get alignment done.

 

The job pays itself back when tires last longer and also the car is better to drive.

 

Btw, rear sway bar links were also done since they were easy and cheap to do while at there. Idk if there was any actual need for it.

 

Ps. I also expect the rear subframe to be first major problem with MOT in future, I wish that also the rear wud have some sort of undershield for weather protection. Front subframe is in so much better condition.

 

Edit. I got and recommend using Lemförder control arms if you plan to keep the car as long as possible. I believe they are the OEM manufacturer, not sure tho, but good quality regardless.

Edited 10 February, 20251 yr by Skodaudi

Yep if only they galvanized the sub frame or perhaps made them of alloy. I got Febi swing arms as they were cheaper and car is pretty past it with corosion. Going try and get an MOT and use it as a shed/works car. Got a mk2 1.6tdi to keep me going but I prefer the 1,9tdi plus get much better MPG and no DPF!