For those of us who haven't got or can't afford flashy 17" or 18" alloys... :P

I've now had experience of three types of tyre on my Octy II 2.0 TDi Ambiente DSG - all on the front as I seem to get just about 15k from each set, the rears will see another 5-10k yet :-

Goodyear Eagle NCT5 - original fit from new, noisy with road roar and only reasonably grippy

Michelin Pilot Primacy - much quieter for road roar but they squealed a lot on roundabouts, can't think why

Continental Premium Contact2 - just had them fitted 250 miles ago, as quiet as the Michelins right from the off, but NO squealing and they have more grip in the wet and dry, turn in seems to be improved as well... so far HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (£59 each fully fitted by Tyres 40% Cheaper than leading tyres depots, free mobile tyre fitting)

Thanks, I'm due to replace the fronts on my 1.9TDi Octy for the first time and was wondering what was best to go for. Will probably give them a try.

The Contis came out top in the Which? report as a Best Buy (in this size) along with the Bridgestone Turanza ER300, the Vredestein Sporttrac3, Pirelli P6 and Dunlop SP Sport Fastresponse, however, on Googling the Internet regarding the others I dropped the Turanzas as some reported sloppy handling at the limit, the Dunlops as I read some people found them noisy and I've had Pirellis before and fancied trying something else

Having said that, the Vredestein has the sexiest tread design

They're all within £5 of each other at the usual places (Etyres, Blackcircles, Mytyres etc)

Only 15k from each set and squeeling on roudabouts. I think you are driving to hard man.

I yse to have 15' before upgrade to 17'.

They come with my new car at that stage and it was a set of michelin energy.

I keept them for 5k then I put my other set of 15' alloys with a budget tyre (kenda komet 215/60r15)

This last set of ceap tyre after 25k miles was looking better than michelin brand ones after 5k and with a very good grip on wet and dry.

Like people from above not every premium tyre brand is up to the expectation dictate by the price you pay for them.

Now on 17' I have the bridgestone ones and gues what: 2 new kendas waiting in the shed,

one of the bridgestone has a bulk on the side wall.

Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 or Primacy HP should be good as I like both of those on 16" wheels. shame you can't get the Falken 452 in your size.

Only 15k from each set and squeeling on roundabouts. I think you are driving to hard man

no, really?

Only the Michelins squealed, same road, same roundabouts etc etc so obviously the tyre was making more noise than the others...

My wife's VW Golf mk5 with same engine/box etc but on 16" wheels and supposedly the same Michelin tyres don't squeal even with me driving it so it seems to be the compound used for their 15" tyres.

Out of interest you will find the contis start to lose grip around 4mm and have approximately no grip at 3mm as the compound goes very hard at that point.

Vredestein tyres : good if you can find them. Try independant dealers.

Hi,

I'm currently running on 205/60 R 15 and thinking of changing to 195/65 R 15, since I don't push the car hard and it never carries a heavy load. Anyone done this? Were there any disadvantages?

Car is 2L Diesel DSG Estate.

Auto Express's Total Tyre test 2007 is well worth a read for detailed reporting and objective testing; see here;- Tyre test | Total Tyre Guide | Products | Auto Express

Although they tested 215/55 16 tyres, these are close enough to the 195/65 15 being asked about and certainly they are different to the performance 45 or 40 profile tyres used on the vRS and L&K models.