Okay, I've trawled through all the threads posted on tyres, and I think I have been fairly comprehensive in my list of options, judging from what people seem to be using.

I'm looking for a balanced opinion based on the following criteria, in no particular order -

Grip

Durability

Don't worry about comfort (I'd have bought the L&K if this was important to me), ignore noise (turn the stereo up) and don't consider price (as quotes make this fairly obvious)

I'm not so interested in the views of 4x4 drivers as they'll have different handling characteristics, same goes for people running less powerful models, for the same reason.

So here goes, your votes please -

PS: I haven't listed "Kuhmo" tyres as an option as I never heard of them until this morning - apparently a lot of people are using them at Knockhill trackdays and the like - would like opinions on these if anyone has used them.

what size are you going for 195/50 R17 or 225/45 R17?

I was looking at a showroom tavia vRS the other day and it had the conti sport contacts on from new rather than the Dunlops

I've got 225/45/17s at the moment, apart from getting more rubber I think they're slightly cheaper as they're a more common size ?

From new mine had conti sports, but I now run Pilot Sports. They are quiet noisy and needed some time to bed in, but mine seem to be wearing well (done 30 laps of nurburgring) and seem reasonable in the wet and stick even better in the dry. They are also very expensive, and as greg suggests go for 225/45 x 17 they are a little cheaper than 205/50 x 17.

Grip and durability........

Durability....definately the Michelin Pilots but not for grip.

I have Pirelli PZero Rossos....excellent grip in the wet and the dry. I doubt they would outlast the Michelins due to their softer compound.

Heard good things about the F1 GSD3s.....apparently a little better than Rosso in the dry but not as good in the wet. Not sure about durability.

I'm quite happy with the Dunlop 3000's mine came with. Admittedly they've only been used on the road, but they've been fairly well used on the road all the same

Question..

How much tread does a new tyre come with? Its not something i've ever taken much notice of before. After 8000 miles i reckon theres a good 5mm left on my fronts....

How much tread does a new tyre come with? Its not something i've ever taken much notice of before. After 8000 miles i reckon theres a good 5mm left on my fronts

:confused: All new tyres have 8mm of tread

dunlops on my vrs were very noisy (hard compound) they lasted about 13500k:thumbdwn:

the Goodyear F1`s (225 45 17) by contrast are a lot quieter, i`m in the tyre game and these are definately the ones to have... :auto:

Phil

P Zero Nero if you can get them My favourite tyre.

If not, the Rossos get good reviews

Durability....definately the Michelin Pilots but not for grip.

Must echo that - hardly any wear after 20k kms but lack of grip is apparent, and it was especially noticeable during last week's snow period. :(

And because of the wear I'm stuck with them for some time to come...

Hi,

im new here But {Please Be warned from tyres called National Continatel } they are a replica for continatel tyres , i used them on my octavia 2.0l as a 205\40 R17 but they didnt give more than 10000K and the left side tyres just ripped off while i was driving for work my aprox. speed was about 160 Km\h , but thank good that all my tyres were filled with N2 not Air it will save your life in hot climates so Please check will before buying there might be a letter like for example { Panasonic Replica is Pansonic } Take care Guys

Must echo that - hardly any wear after 20k kms but lack of grip is apparent' date=' and it was especially noticeable during last week's snow period. :(

And because of the wear I'm stuck with them for some time to come...[/quote']

I know what you mean Mattijs......I hated the original Dunlops on my RS. Didn't inspire any confidence and were noisy. Fortunately due to over inflation and then under inflation I got wear on the inside.outside edge plus dow n the centre........yipee...new tyres here I come!

New Michelin Pilot Sport 2 are supposed to have good dry weather grip.

Anyone tried Michelin Cups?

Yup! I like them BUT, they will last about 3k miles. The latest ones are even better than the old ones and at

Yup! I like them BUT, they will last about 3k miles. The latest ones are even better than the old ones and at

They're running Pilot Sport Cups on their Focus? Lucky them. I tried to get hold of some of the V2 ones as I liked the V1, but was told that Michelin would only supply them to RMA members, Porsche club members and people with BMW M3 CSLs. :(

P Zero Corsas are better (and available)

Winter tyres? Its down to the tread pattern and the rubber compound used. Driving in snow is like driving on a wet road (I had my own personal lane on the M5 with 4" of snow ), they take ages to scrub in (about 2k miles) and barely wear. I've had them on for 6,000 miles and have used 1mm of tread on the front.

If you want some, use www.mytyres.net and search for winter tyres in the size you require. I'm running Conti Wintercontact, not so good when the temp goes above about 10c though. No aquaplaning when it's wet though.

I don't have any doubts on the safety of winter tyres in cold or snowy conditions, but I still doubt the economics. I agree that I will wear my regular tyres less, but how many winter days would winter tyres actually be favourable? With today's 12 degrees and huge gusts of wind I'd rather have my wider summer tyres. It might be me but winters are starting to become more like this every year.

So I'd be using tyres for five months that will only handle better and more safely on just a handful of days in that period.

Which begs the question - which summer tyres have the best winter/rain characteristics?

They're running Pilot Sport Cups on their Focus? Lucky them. I tried to get hold of some of the V2 ones as I liked the V1' date=' but was told that Michelin would only supply them to RMA members, Porsche club members and people with BMW M3 CSLs. :(

P Zero Corsas are better (and available)

Winter tyres? Its down to the tread pattern and the rubber compound used. Driving in snow is like driving on a wet road (I had my own personal lane on the M5 with 4" of snow ), they take ages to scrub in (about 2k miles) and barely wear. I've had them on for 6,000 miles and have used 1mm of tread on the front.

If you want some, use [url']www.mytyres.net[/url] and search for winter tyres in the size you require. I'm running Conti Wintercontact, not so good when the temp goes above about 10c though. No aquaplaning when it's wet though.

As usual, your a font of information....cheers Jon!

My local tyre dealer is trying to flog me some Kuhmos at the moment,

For

Okay' date=' I've trawled through all the threads posted on tyres, and I think I have been fairly comprehensive in my list of options, judging from what people seem to be using.

I'm looking for a balanced opinion based on the following criteria, in no particular order -

Grip

Durability

Don't worry about comfort (I'd have bought the L&K if this was important to me), ignore noise (turn the stereo up) and don't consider price (as quotes make this fairly obvious)

I'm not so interested in the views of 4x4 drivers as they'll have different handling characteristics, same goes for people running less powerful models, for the same reason.

So here goes, your votes please -

PS: I haven't listed "Kuhmo" tyres as an option as I never heard of them until this morning - apparently a lot of people are using them at Knockhill trackdays and the like - would like opinions on these if anyone has used them.[/quote']

Ferrari race on Bridgestones, does not make all bridgestones good tyres. Okay that the Khumo bit done...

...two things of importance in my mind, grip and stopping, this is a grip thread.

As to what Jon said he is a tyre demon afterall. I had the 4x4 and had toyo proxis t1-s fitted, great soft shoulders but great. Picked up RS, it do had Toyo's on, yet somehow felt nervous on them...of coure it was new and they were near bald. Now on a set of P-Zero Assimetrico's which is the old Rosso, had to change and all they had as rears were making there only bump markers. However they have been very good, good in the wet and excellnt on track, but then not much to compare against.

Next set will be Nero's or equivilent P-Zero setup. Maybe I'll venture out to other brands, but if you'll excuse me I'll wear my sheep hat and follow in the tracks of others on this important factor...That said all are good, depends on your limits and what you ask of your car.

Conti's get good comments, just this

See what you can source, sadly I was desperado so took what I could that was close enough to the Rosso line. Maybe they are better for road use. Tread patterns can be seen in reviews section along with a small write up of tyres I have found thus far...will be adding more.

Put two of those cheapo tyres at the back, Colin, and your WRC will be an instant drifter. Great fun on trackdays...

I've just ordered 2 Pirelli PZero Rosso's as my Continental SportContacts2 have lost their grip on about all surfaces. And the thread is still around 3-4mm! So a big thumbs down for them in regards to longetivity :(. Only done about 11K on them.

Put two of those cheapo tyres at the back, Colin, and your WRC will be an instant drifter. Great fun on trackdays...

Drifting :eek: :eek: :nono: Careful Mattijs - the Corner Carvers will be round any minutes to flame you

Pirelli P Zero either 205/50r17 or 225/45r17

Continental Sport Contact 2 either 205/50r17 or 225/45r17

does anyone know an approx cost of these?

'Bout a ton a corner