Hi all

I need to get new tyres for my front wheels. I currently have Michelin PS4s on 18" Gemini alloys. My other half has a bad habit of scraping kerbs with the front wheel. I'm looking for a tyre with decent rim protection. Anyone got any recommendations?

Just look on kwikfit, they are very clear which have rim protection when buying. I bought continentals for the 1.8Tsi LK I acquired from father as that was what was on it.

After fitting these were chunky around rim offering protection and was clear when trying to buy them which ones are protected (not mentioned below for some reason though), so just use the websites.

2 x Continental SportContact 7 at £95.50
Tyre Size 225/40 18Y
EU Tyre Label Info -
Vehicle Type C1, Fuel Efficiency C, Wet Grip A, Noise Rating B-72dB
Load Index: 92

Mrs Gaz has got Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's on her Polo GTI, they've got quite good rim protection. Mrs Gaz still remains undefeated in the kerb assault operations though 🙄

Gaz

1 hour ago, Gaz said:

Mrs Gaz has got Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's on her Polo GTI, they've got quite good rim protection. Mrs Gaz still remains undefeated in the kerb assault operations though 🙄

Gaz

I've heard elsewhere that the GY asymmetric 6 is supposed to be pretty good, so I'll probably go with that. The other tyre I had in mind was a Pirelli P zero PZ5 - a Porsche down the road has the, they look really chunky round the rim. It does have bigger wheels though!

On 10/08/2026 at 20:20, vRSAnt said:

Just look on kwikfit, they are very clear which have rim protection when buying. I bought continentals for the 1.8Tsi LK I acquired from father as that was what was on it.

After fitting these were chunky around rim offering protection and was clear when trying to buy them which ones are protected (not mentioned below for some reason though), so just use the websites.

2 x Continental SportContact 7 at £95.50
Tyre Size 225/40 18Y
EU Tyre Label Info -
Vehicle Type C1, Fuel Efficiency C, Wet Grip A, Noise Rating B-72dB
Load Index: 92

The trouble I have with Kwikfit etc is all the tyres I look at (including the ones I already have) have rim protection listed in their features. I guess it's how much protection as the vrs alloys do stick out a bit!

Could you post a picture of the tyres on your car, so I can get an idea?

You won’t get that much on the Gemini due to the design. The best solution is to look at something like Rimblades.

Personally, I’d rather damage the wheel. A scuffed wheel is an aesthetic issue, a chunked tyre is a safety issue.

20 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

You won’t get that much on the Gemini due to the design. The best solution is to look at something like Rimblades.

Personally, I’d rather damage the wheel. A scuffed wheel is an aesthetic issue, a chunked tyre is a safety issue.

Yeah the wheels are a bit sticky-outy! Here's how they look with the PS4s. The PS5 on the back have less rim protection. I am tempted to get some rim blades, have you tried them yourself?

Rimblades I think are a total waste of time.
Expensive and then when it comes to a smack don't REALLY save the wheel from opinions I've seen and then trap crap behind them which spoils them anyway -but I've never actually bothered to own any to give a first hand verdict, just what I heard.

Just refurbed mine before and then more careful ( and wife doesn't want to drive it anyway!) plus rim prot. You can definitely get a bit of rim protection with some tyres like one I mentioned.

It wasn't Gemini tho it was the L+K mirror polished style octy ones on with the Conti's just fitted, same tyre size as vRS tho.

Goodyear eagle f1 definitely offer a bit of rim protection. Contis about the same (LK alloy) a fair chunk of rubber at least . Uniroyals, somewhat considerably less if at all anything ( my back tyres )

7 hours ago, N-C said:

Yeah the wheels are a bit sticky-outy! Here's how they look with the PS4s. The PS5 on the back have less rim protection. I am tempted to get some rim blades, have you tried them yourself?

I have the PS5s on the car now - I can’t say the carcass appears to be any different to the PS4s they replaced.

I think I had Rimblades on my first car, but I haven’t kerbed a wheel since I was learning to drive. I’d rather spend the extra time parking, even if I look like a fool, than chunk my tyre or wheel. Not practical advice in this instance, though.

The Gemini has a very proud outer lip - I think it looks quite good, but it is more vulnerable to damage.

Nothing is going to protect it from being clobbered. I do think something like Rimblades will help but, as @vRSAnt says, they aren’t miracle workers - they do also need to be applied properly to a smooth, fresh surface. I can’t imagine they’ll adhere well to a chunked alloy.

I suppose you could put a 235 on there? That is on the limit, though.