Driven about 1500 miles in the (used) 4x4 since I've had it (2 weeks) and it suffers from road roar on the Dunlop 2000E's - especially on motorway concrete and the rougher m/way tarmac.

As the car has 4x4 I'm happy to give up a bit of grip and turn-in for quietness and comfort.

The only tyre I've experience of being particularly quiet is the Pirelli P6000 - and Tavia mentioned the Conti S.C.2 as good all round.

Any other suggestions (I've done the search but aboluter grip is most people's criteria) ?

Pirelli P6000s now fitted - much quieter than the Dunlops on rough stuff !

Another one for future reference is the Michellin Pilot Primacy, on a par with the P6000, but lasts slightly longer.

Dunlops that I had - YUK! Noisy and crap in the wet.

Cheers Tavia

I've had the Pirellis before on 3 cars (Audi, Audi, Mondeo) and while not very aggressive, I've found them pretty grippy and a fair all-rounder on heavy'ish cars (4x4 est is 1500kg).

Would probably have tried the Contis this time but none in stock and

I know Jon does not rate them, but hey that's Jon But I came from the P6000's to the toyo Proxies T1-s, they (the Toyo's) felt better as I drove out of the garage and alot better once I got the release agent off. As to noise; the primary concern here, I find them as quiet as the p6000's. No thats a lie, they are quiet enough for me not to notice. I normally have my window open (even when raining) and the tyre noise never bugs me...however the old fella has a db monitoring device and an idea is forming.

I agree with Colin about the Toyo Proxes T-1S.

I've been driving around now for a couple of days with a set fitted to my new wheels.

Previously had Dunlop Sport 2000s on 185/60 14s. The Toyos are 195/45/ 16s.

The ride is slightly firmer, but actually better overall. Over rough surfaces the Dunlops used to fidget around where the Toyos dont.

I now have much meatier steering feel and the car feels so much more stable, especially on the motorway.

I was expecting my Fabias good ride quality to suffer with the new wheels and tyres.

Not really adding anything to the thread here, but I was quite surprised!

Colin / Fabia

Thanks for your views - I have tried the Proxes on an Audi A4 Quattro I had and they gripped very well, but weren't the best in comfort/noise (as you said, my trade off !). To be honest though, even from memory, they were far better suited than the Dunlop 2000Es that were on the Octavia until earlier today ! As you said Colin, I don't notice the road noise now the Dunlops have gone.

Fabia - you may be pleased to hear that even though I didn't go for the Fabia TDI in the end, Jabba are getting my remap business - just seen the original DieselCar test (in my parent's loft) of the TDI in std form - 0-60 in 9.0 dead.....so with 145bhp and grippy tyres, you have no excuses for getting a TRUE 7.8!

(The best I got on my chipped A4 TDI V6 quattro was 7.3 where I allowed for speedo error of 5mph).

Great stuff Fabpreza!

I bet your 4x4 turbo will go like the clappers with a Jabbachip!

I'm a bit wary of doing 0-60 runs in mine by the way.

I dont know about 7.8 seconds, but I did manage 30-70 in around 7.0 seconds once.

Well having got back from the ring last weekend needing tyres, I have now replaced the conti sport 205/50 x 17 jobbies with Michellin Pilot Sport's 225/45 x 17.

Only time will tell how well these live up to with regards tyre life and noise

Manny

Why did you change your tyre sizes? Was it just the price difference or do you think the 225/45s will have more grip?

Duncan,

2 reasons for changing the tyre size really

1st, I hope that the extra width will give extra grip

2nd, The 225's were actually cheaper than the 205's. strange as it may seem.