I currently run Goodyear F1 GSD-3's on my octy in 225/40/18 and while I'm happy reasonably happy with the wear rate on the fronts the rears lasting only 5k is something I'm not happy about.

I was thinking of trying the Pirelli P-Zero Nero's next time I need a set of 4 as they get raved about on here. Can anyone comment on how they wear compared to the GSD-3's. Also is it likely to improve wear if I go for a wider tread, say 235?

Does anyone have any other recommendations? I hear Michelin pilot sport's wear well but also don't give as much grip as GSD-3's. I've also tried Toyo T1-R's (on the Ibiza) and whilst they are good tyre's and life was comparable to the GSD-3's grip wasn't 'quite' as good.

Moved to Octavia

I the rears lasting only 5k is something I'm not happy about.

How are the tyres wearing? On the edges / evenly / down the middle / etc.

Have you got the dealership to check the rear brakes for binding? I have had the problem on my old car with the nearside front tyre scrubbing out after 5-6k and got it renewed under warranty because the caliper was faulty.

I'm sure the VAG 4x4 sytem only puts the power to the rear wheels when the fronts loose traction!?!? So are you a "little" lead foot out of every junction? :eek:

How are the tyres wearing? On the edges / evenly / down the middle / etc.

Have you got the dealership to check the rear brakes for binding? I have had the problem on my old car with the nearside front tyre scrubbing out after 5-6k and got it renewed under warranty because the caliper was faulty.

I'm sure the VAG 4x4 sytem only puts the power to the rear wheels when the fronts loose traction!?!? So are you a "little" lead foot out of every junction? :eek:

The tyres are wearing evenly, I think it's the 400+bhp that's causing them to wear quickly rather than a brake or geometry problem.

Pilot Exalto PE2 or Pilot Sports last reasonably well and seem to grip OK too.

You'll get about 8-10 out of the Neros.

Pilot Exalto PE2 or Pilot Sports last reasonably well and seem to grip OK too.

You'll get about 8-10 out of the Neros.

If the Nero's will last that long on the rear I'd be happy to go for them.

Also does anyone know the criterea for needing the 'Extra Load' versions? My GSD-3's have always been the XL version but wasn't sure if I actually need it or not.

It's more to do with weight than any thing else. By being able to cope with extra weight, they have stiffer sidewalls. GSD3s have relativekly stiff sidewalls in comparison to Neros.

It's more to do with weight than any thing else. By being able to cope with extra weight, they have stiffer sidewalls. GSD3s have relativekly stiff sidewalls in comparison to Neros.

I'm struggling to find info on what weight the standard Nero's and XL Nero's are designed for, any ideas?

The Pilot Exalto 2 (PE2) have been on my car for about 25k and still going fine with over half the grip left.

They are IMHO a nice grippy tyre too, especially in the wet.

HTH

The load index is a numerical code, which corresponds to the maximum load a tyre can carry at the speed indicated by its speed symbol, under specific service conditions. A tyre's load multiplied by 2 must cover the gross single axle load of your vehicle. It goes up in 20kg increments eg.

92 = 630 kg

93 = 650 kg

94 = 670 kg

95 = 690 kg

I find when I "use" the car hard I get a lot of rear brake dust which I understand is partially generated by the ESP using the rear brakes to stabilise the car.

I know youve changed your haldex controller but how much more power goes to the back ?

Also what mileage are you getting out of the front tyres ??

The results for the Michelin Exalto PE2's on tyretest.com seem very good.

I find when I "use" the car hard I get a lot of rear brake dust which I understand is partially generated by the ESP using the rear brakes to stabilise the car.

I know youve changed your haldex controller but how much more power goes to the back ?

Also what mileage are you getting out of the front tyres ??

I hardly ever activate the ESP as in see the light flash on the dash unless it activates without telling me.

I don't think there's more power going to the rear wheels than with a standard controller it's just more often. It anticapates slip so if I put my foot down hard it automatically sends power to the rear, as I do this quite often the rears see alot of action.

I get at least 10k from the fronts maybe more.

I hardly ever activate the ESP as in see the light flash on the dash unless it activates without telling me.

I don't think there's more power going to the rear wheels than with a standard controller it's just more often. It anticapates slip so if I put my foot down hard it automatically sends power to the rear, as I do this quite often the rears see alot of action.

I get at least 10k from the fronts maybe more.

I understood the ESP works all the time balancing the power & the light only flashes if it cant cope & needs to cut the power.

I cant understand why the rears only last 1/2 the time of the fronts. The fronts tend to get more drive & certainly work a lot harder under braking

Clutching at straws but is the rear tracking way out, if both wheels are toeing in or out too much the tyres would tend to scrub. Im guessing if it was even you might not notice it.

Sure is a strange one, you dont do loads of handbrake turns do you ??

I understood the ESP works all the time balancing the power & the light only flashes if it cant cope & needs to cut the power.

I cant understand why the rears only last 1/2 the time of the fronts. The fronts tend to get more drive & certainly work a lot harder under braking

Clutching at straws but is the rear tracking way out, if both wheels are toeing in or out too much the tyres would tend to scrub. Im guessing if it was even you might not notice it.

Sure is a strange one, you dont do loads of handbrake turns do you ??

I think it has some toe in on the rears but not sure how much, do you know if this is adjustable?

I don't do any handbrake turns, I do sometimes drift it a bit on roundabouts but not excessively.

I'm thinking that you maybe need a 4-wheel alignment check, esp if the car's slammed and/or on different width/offset/rolling radius to standard.

I'm thinking that you maybe need a 4-wheel alignment check, esp if the car's slammed and/or on different width/offset/rolling radius to standard.

It's not slammed, rolling radius is very close to standard, 4-wheel alignment was done about 1-2 month ago.

I think it has some toe in on the rears but not sure how much, do you know if this is adjustable?

I don't do any handbrake turns, I do sometimes drift it a bit on roundabouts but not excessively.

The rears can be adjusted although not a lot, Powerstation always do mine & there is a certain amount of "tapping stick" involved