Apparently there are quite a few threads around here recommending tyres (which I'm struggling to find) but I was interested in peoples latest opinions. I've got a MKII Octavis VRS, and I need a new set of front tyres (tread = 0 on my service report from yesterday). Ideally I'd like to spend somewhere under 100 per tyre, and there are quite a few to choose from on Event Mobile Tyres - Your Local Mobile Tyre Fitting Service and UK Car Tyres Online from Black Circles but to be honest I know nothing about this kind of thing.

My requirements are the usual, plenty of grip, a decent lifespan (14K for my last set of Bridgestones seemed a little miserly) and a smooth ride.

So, gentlemen (and ladies of course), your recommendations please......

Try Falken 452, apparantly cheap and grippy.

I know scoobychris has some on his ford barge and seems happy with them so far, and mbames has them on his octy TDI.

Yeah, as said above, I picked up some of these recently and am very impressed with their performance in both wet and dry. Will be interesting to see how they wear.....

Chris

You used event on the next day service didn't you chris?

Goodyear eagle F1 GSD3 absolute awsome in every way, under hundred pound if you've only got 17" but 18" will be slightly dearer.

My father runs avons zz3 on his Octavia and I have great faith in the also, but not quite as good as the F1's but you would need to be driving on the door handles to notice the difference.

You used event on the next day service didn't you chris?

Yep, had I been earlier in the day, they could have done same day, but as I rang about midday they'd already booked out all their jobs.

Top work and it's a revelation to have tyres fitted and not need to take them to be rebalanced afterwards!!!

Event Mobile Tyres - Your Local Mobile Tyre Fitting Service

Chris

Goodyear eagle F1 GSD3 absolute awsome in every way, under hundred pound if you've only got 17" but 18" will be slightly dearer.

I found the F1's to be a bit "squishy" in corners which I'm told is down to their slightly softer sidewall. I think I had been spoilt with my Bridgestone SO-2's at the time though!

Chris

I found the F1's to be a bit "squishy" in corners which I'm told is down to their slightly softer sidewall. I think I had been spoilt with my Bridgestone SO-2's at the time though!

Chris

What size (profile) of tyre.

You must be a real fussy bugger:D I ran them on my last car with 215/45/17 and never feal the side walls where soft!!!

I've used avon ZZ3's and are very happy with them..... worn out now at 14,000 miles... (front fabia vRS..)

Try Falken 452, apparantly cheap and grippy.

I know scoobychris has some on his ford barge and seems happy with them so far, and mbames has them on his octy TDI.

I've heard some good things about these Falken 452's (177 fitted from Event seems quite good too), but others say they wear out a bit quick... I suspect these guys were doing a bit of track work tho.

Can anyone tell me what [Extra load] means on some of the tyre descriptions? I'm guessing that they are designed for cars that carry a bit of "Extra Load", but what would be the effect on a car that generally just carries me to work???

What size (profile) of tyre.

You must be a real fussy bugger:D I ran them on my last car with 215/45/17 and never feal the side walls where soft!!!

Pretty sure it was 215/45/17's as well, or maybe 225/40/17? And yes, I am a fussy bugger

Chris

If you look on your tyre you will see 205/55/R16 then a load and speed rating eg 91W

91 is the load

W is the speed

You just need to get that number the same as the ones currently on your car or higher. Higher number == greater load. so 94 or 98 would probably be called extra load.

Pretty sure it was 215/45/17's as well, or maybe 225/40/17? And yes, I am a fussy bugger

Chris

I thought I was too:eek:

If you look on your tyre you will see 205/55/R16 then a load and speed rating eg 91W

91 is the load

W is the speed

You just need to get that number the same as the ones currently on your car or higher. Higher number == greater load. so 94 or 98 would probably be called extra load.

And so the tyre buying process gets more complicated.... great!

I've heard some good things about these Falken 452's (177 fitted from Event seems quite good too), but others say they wear out a bit quick... I suspect these guys were doing a bit of track work tho.

Can anyone tell me what [Extra load] means on some of the tyre descriptions? I'm guessing that they are designed for cars that carry a bit of "Extra Load", but what would be the effect on a car that generally just carries me to work???

extra load (XL) means they have a stiffer sidewall, I have these (with the avons) on the front of my fabia vRS, and they really help to stop the dreaded understeer, as the normal spec tyres seem to roll on the sidewalls too much (this may not be so much of a problem with the octy)

extra load (XL) means they have a stiffer sidewall, I have these (with the avons) on the front of my fabia vRS, and they really help to stop the dreaded understeer, as the normal spec tyres seem to roll on the sidewalls too much (this may not be so much of a problem with the octy)

Thanks for the info! Makes sense... I think I was seeing a *little* bit of understeer too, but then that could just be my slightly eratic driving style...

I've had Falkens before now and yes they were great, for the first 9 months/10,000 miles. After that, although they still had plenty of tread depth to go, the grip levels perticularly in the wet went right off. Mind you, for the price (cheap) they're fine.

Within your budget I'd aim at the Toyo T1-R available in 225/45 17 or 225/40 18, details here;- Toyo Tire

Of interest looking at Toyo's website, they are listing a NEW ultra high performance Proxes4 with our (vRS) sizes avaialble later in the year, details here;- Toyo Tire

IMHO, I prefer to pay a touch more and go for say the Michelin Pilot Exalto 2. I have these on my Fabia, find them excellent in all respects, and will be having them on my vRS Octy when I get it soon.

I've had Falkens before now and yes they were great, for the first 9 months/10,000 miles. After that, although they still had plenty of tread depth to go, the grip levels perticularly in the wet went right off. Mind you, for the price (cheap) they're fine.

Within your budget I'd aim at the Toyo T1-R available in 225/45 17 or 225/40 18, details here;- Toyo Tire

Of interest looking at Toyo's website, they are listing a NEW ultra high performance Proxes4 with our (vRS) sizes avaialble later in the year, details here;- Toyo Tire

IMHO, I prefer to pay a touch more and go for say the Michelin Pilot Exalto 2. I have these on my Fabia, find them excellent in all respects, and will be having them on my vRS Octy when I get it soon.

Thats one more tick in the Toyo box then, cheers for that. Not sure my budget can stretch to much else though, even though I'm sure the Michelin's are great!

Which Falkens were they as the older ones i heard that of but the 452 I have heard good things from. I'm genuinely interested as I might get some as my next tyres.

I don't like toyo myself as i find they are a bit soft all round and don't last very long at all. Of course that wasn't on a skoda, but same tyre.

Which Falkens were they as the older ones i heard that of but the 452 I have heard good things from. I'm genuinely interested as I might get some as my next tyres.

I don't like toyo myself as i find they are a bit soft all round and don't last very long at all. Of course that wasn't on a skoda, but same tyre.

I have been looking at new rubber myself and the Falkens caught my eye but they just seem 'too cheap' to be any good, but I suppose there's only one way to find out.!!!.

Yeah chris has been giving them death and so far so good steve.

Will be interested to see how they fare.

Which Falkens were they as the older ones i heard that of but the 452 I have heard good things from. I'm genuinely interested as I might get some as my next tyres.

I don't like toyo myself as i find they are a bit soft all round and don't last very long at all. Of course that wasn't on a skoda, but same tyre.

Can't remember which Falken exactly, but to be honest have to say it was 7 - 8 years ago. Maybe they're using better rubber these days. Mind you, at the price, who cares if they last only say 12-15,000 miles, you can afford to buy two sets for the price of one set of Michelins etc.

lol yeah the 452 have rim protectors too lol.

7-8 years ago i was running the very first generation Michelin energy tyres in a very slim profile.

Excellent, I sense a set of Falkens coming my way then!!!

Just to confuse the issue; Hankook tyres get a 'good press' from Fabia vRS users (see various threads) and are price comparable to the Falkens.

A few details are here;- Hankook Tyres Test

and here;- Enjoy Driving Hankook Tire

The S1-Evo looks pretty cool as well!