I looked at the F1s because of the recommendations (and loads of others) - but the info from Pneus Online and mytyres.co.uk indicated the Hankook and Toyos were very very good AND inexpensive.

Really I wanted the Toyo Proxes but mytyres didn't have them in and didn't know when they'd be getting any more - so I plumped for the Hankook.

Sod's Law, got the Hankkoks delivered last Thursday - this Monday mytyres were quoting prices for the 205/45/16 Proxes.

Anyway, the Hankook are a lot quieter than the Michelins - noise and rumble. Whether a lot of that is because the Michelins were at 2mm and 3mm (when you think about it you've 8mm tyre and around the same in carcase - I guess at this. If you're down to 2mm tyre then you are at 10 mm for the 'whole' tyre so you will get a lot more 'feedback'. And, actually, I'll bet the carcase is only 6mm).

Do any of the alternatives offer at least as good wet performance for less?

If performance in the wet is important to you (as it should be!) I suggest you take a look at the Uniroyal Rainsport1. Best tyre in the wet I've found. Better than average wear too. Although the T1-R and F1 do probably offer a better all-round package, particularly in terms of outright grip and dry performance.

On the subject of vRS rubber - can anything wider than a 205 be fitted to the rim. Would a 215 fit correctly? Was thinking about it earlier, for no apparent reason!

Steve

Would a 215 fit correctly? Was thinking about it earlier, for no apparent reason!

Steve

Who aksed you - I know notheeng - you drive a perch for a bum (-:

(Still can't suss the limitations I have with this goddamn editor, hence the smilies. Still want your autograph !)

- have you been drinking?!

Steve

- have you been drinking?!

Steve

How did you guess (El inquistion / Manuel) ?

It's Thurs(hic)day - wellllllll friiiday.

How are you ?

Yep - nearly the weekend

I'm fine mate, thanks for asking

Steve

I need some new fronts, Hankook ventus have been great but have only lasted

10k miles,think i might price uo toyos

I need some new fronts, Hankook ventus have been great but have only lasted

10k miles

Oops. Just bought the Hankooks.

Ah well, time will tell (maybe you go round corners on 2 wheels (-:

though that would save the other two).

not on the track they don't

very grippy tyre though until they get too hot

True. Not been on track with this set. The falkern however They didnt like brunter and 33C. They JUST lasted 12K with 2 trackdays. Original Mich's lasted 16K with a track day and a handling day.

I ended up getting 4 x F1's put on at Micheldever for a bit over £300. They're not really scrubbed in yet but so far I'm impressed at the improved traction and grip, hopefully they will only get better

Just getting some Toyo T1-Rs fitted today, in replacment of my eagle F1's, so will cast my opinion next week, rears are due for new soon too, so i will maybe mix and match with p zero neros so find which i perfer on the front.

Thought I should mention I have got 30,000 on the original tyres which I thoght was pretty good!

Mike

Oh my.. This will be my 4th set on the fronts, done 23k miles.

Rears are still original.

Well I'm booked in for a new set of Nero's on saturday. £300 fitted by a PPC.

Ahh bother, just got back from the garage, looks like they ordered in the 205/40/17 for an octy vRS.

Pickup up some Goodyear Eagle F1's tomorrow :/ Only ones i could get asap.

Toyos for the back next month and swap them over i think.

A big up for kumho ecsta sports brilliant cheap tyre:)

Am I alone in not wanting to mix tyres?

Fitted Eagle F1 GD3 recently. Great in the wet and dry but f***** scarey in the snow! Snow means the bus from now on!

Fitted Eagle F1 GD3 recently. Great in the wet and dry but f***** scarey in the snow! Snow means the bus from now on!

i found this also. they are rubbish in ice and snow. but brill the rest of the time!

I'm not surprised TBH. They can't be good at everything

I wouldn't expect any tyre of this ilk to be any good in the snow really. You'd need some specific tyres for that, and there's not exactly much call for them in the UK, well not down here anyway.

Steve

Hi guys... I need to buy some new tyres... found some damage on the sidewall of the passenger side front some I reckon I'm on borrowed time.

I've currently got some of those god aweful bridgestones on... the road noise is deafening. It looks to me that the Toyo Proxes are a pretty good bet... what are your opinion on road noise from them ?

Are they any good in the snow?..... (not that we've had much up here) ie are they drivable or death trap in snow ?

I ended up getting 4 x F1's put on at Micheldever for a bit over

I've been really pleased with how my Proxes T1-Rs have been performing over the winter and my traction control has nothing to do anymore!

However, I am hoofing the car about but the front tyres appear to have lost 3mm in 3,000 miles which I am not so impressed by!

Back to Uniroyal Rainsports for me in future!

That what happens mate - there has to be a compromise somewhere along the line. If they grip very well, they're going to be a softer compound than something more mainstream. It's a viscous circle, you drive the car harder because the grip's there. But it eats through more tread as a result

Steve

My car isn't driven hard and isn't scrubbing the tyres off the inside or the outside edges. The read is simply disappearing!

Uniroyal Rainsports everyone!

I've been really pleased with how my Proxes T1-Rs have been performing over the winter and my traction control has nothing to do anymore!

I must add that since scrubbing in the F1's are great too, the car is so much more sure footed and I'm no longer scared of driving in the wet. I'll watch with interest how long they last.