Hi .. my vRS Octy now needs 2 new front tyres.. I'm wanting some with a cool looking tread pattern but must give good milage. I've covered 26k now with the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 225/40/18 which were on the car from new.. I'm thinking of Michelin Pilot Sport.. I did see some nice looking Vredestein tyres the other day too..

Cheers

C

In hoping to improve the front end grip in the damp/wet Ive just bought some Michelin Pilot Sport 2 XL's (stiffer sidewalls).

I should have them fitted early next week and I'll let you know how they are.

Lee

I've got Falken 452s on my Octy II 2.0 TDi, and I'm very impressed so far - seem to be quite a few of us on here who are liking them.

Kumho Ecsta are the way to go, in the dry they are excellent and in the wet they are better than the toyos i had on.Also £168 for 2 fronts inc valve and balance .Just need two for the back now.

Have a look at these three recent threads, lots of good comments;-

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/gearbox-tyres/definitive-tyre-test/89331/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/octy-vrs-new-tyres/89324/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/new-boots-my-vrs/88239/

Just to wet your appetite here's some comment I posted before;-

I've just got my copy of this month's Evo and I think their 10 page 'Tyre Test 2007' is a fairly definitive statement on tyre capabilities.

They used a Golf GTI on 225/45 17s and put it through extensive tests on track and road - so I think their conclusions will be a tad more comprehensive than any one of us briskodians giving our opinion based on just our subjective opinions.

For the record; the tyres tested and their final scores are;-

1st - Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric - 96.4

2nd - Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta - 95.3

3rd - Continental Contisport Contact 3 - 93.5

4th - Bridgestone Potenza RE050-A - 92.7

5th - Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 - 92.4

6th - Pirelli PZero Nero - 92.0

7th - Kumho Ecsta STP KU31 - 88.7

8th - Dunlop Sport MAXX - 86.0

9th - Yokohama S.Drive - 82.0

Of course the results do not tell the full story. Each tyre has its strengths and weaknesses and different tyres may well suit different cars and driver's requirements. Best to buy Evo and read the full report.

One interesting point given is (I quote);-

"Is bigger better? The (Golf) GTI has always felt pretty good on 18in wheels and slightly lower profile tyres (225/40 R 18s, so day one of the test provided a big surprise. For familiarisation laps of the wet circuit, Bovingdon used the GTI Anniversary on its standard 18in rims to which Bridgestone had fitted RE050-As. On the fractionally higher profiled 17in tyres, Bovingdon noted significantly more turn-in bite and the Golf was around 2.5 sec a lap faster ....."

Perhaps a case of the more flexible sidewall being able to provide more grip as it was in the wet - maybe a different story in the dry.

Im gonna be looking out for either Toyo T1-R's, Yokohama Parada Spec2 or Goodyear Eagle F1's when mine need doing.

Just a word about the Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics, they are unbelievably noisy.

I changed the original 4 Contis for the F1's and that was great but now with Eagle F1's on the back and the Assymtrics on the front it is a bit poo.

Nevermind on the front they should be shot to bits soon.

bahnstormer - just out of interest, do you know how the Falken 452s did in the Evo test? Or was it just the 9 tyres listed above that were tested?

If your after wet grip try Uniroyal Rainmasters, Nothing's better, also very good in the dry.

If your after wet grip try Uniroyal Rainmasters, Nothing's better, also very good in the dry.

Do you mean Uniroyal RainSports?

If so I'd agree with your comments.

Lee

Toyo Proxes T1-R in 235/40/R18 form

bahnstormer - just out of interest, do you know how the Falken 452s did in the Evo test? Or was it just the 9 tyres listed above that were tested?

Only the nine tyres as listed were tested.

I put Vredestein ultrac's on my octy2 (17"wheels) 2 years ago. fantastic grip in the wet and also good in the dry. lasting extremely well too. the only real drawback is they are VERY noisy. If yo u want good wet weather grip check that the spec on the sidewall is "traction AA" not just traction "A". this states that the tyre has superior wet weather grip, (not necessarily at the expense of logetivity)

Vredestein is not the Sexiest name on the market but their tyres seem to consistently beat premium brands in Auto Express tests.

Do you mean Uniroyal RainSports?

If so I'd agree with your comments.

Lee

Yep................Same tyres.................. Stick like **** to a shovel in the wet

I only use Uniroyal on all my cars, I fitted 225/47 17 RS1's on my VRS when I bought it and they are excellent.

i agree with harry vrs ive heard nothing but good things about Toyo T1-Rs they grip as well in the wet as in the dry. when i need tyres im getting some.

I only use Uniroyal on all my cars, I fitted 225/47 17 RS1's on my VRS when I bought it and they are excellent.

... but how long did they last?

In my experience. not too long.

Not bad but difficult to give exact mileage. Anyway, wet grip is what I worry about; a crunch costs more than a new set of covers.

Toyos good tyre in the dry but utter rubbish in the wet.(in my view anyway)and only lasted 7000 miles:(.

I've got Falken 452s on my Octy II 2.0 TDi, and I'm very impressed so far - seem to be quite a few of us on here who are liking them.

Yep, very good, a little slippery until they have scrubbed in but once they have there is bags and bags of grip wet and dry. Even better they are very cheap too and seem to be lasting pretty well. :thumbup:

only lasted 7000 miles:(.

I wonder why.

Having said that the Eagle F1's I had on the front only lasted 9k.:eek:

Don't get me wrong the Assymetrics are superb grip wise et or dry but there is a price to pay.

Just had a look at my 57 reg Octy Vrs , its got "MICHELIN PILOT EXALTO" 225/40 ZR18 , are these any good ?

Dont wanna know how much these will cost to replace

Just had a look at my 57 reg Octy Vrs , its got "MICHELIN PILOT EXALTO" 225/40 ZR18 , are these any good ?

Dont wanna know how much these will cost to replace

Think your looking at around £125 each .:eek:

GULP

Only done 806 miles to date so should be ok for a bit lol

£125, but IMHO the Michelin PE2 are very very good tires, especially for steering turn in and wet grip.

They also last pretty well too for a `sporty` tyre.