Sean I was thinking about people's opinions regards the F1 Asy Vs PS3 etc. Hate on love the other etc.
I have the Auto Express "cough" 
and the EVO December 2010 Tyre tests in front of me and the Contis do well in both tests. The PS3 come second in the AE test.
Goodyears, of all flavours, are VASTLY over-rated. Don't forget, all the usual sources of tests are done by commercial companies who rely 95% or so on ADVERTISING for their revenue. They are all prone to favoring the company who spends the most on advertsing. You only have to look at the constant GY adverts.
Why are the PS3 so much better in your opinion? ( apart from aquaplaning Vs PS2).
I'll deffer back to PS2 as being the 'best' tyre (yes, the PS3 has improved in certain areas over the PS2) - for my specific comments. OK, the PS2 has more OEM manufacturer approvals than Continental (when considering like for like high performance tyres). PS2s are factory fit on Audi RS4, Audi S4, (and many, many other Audis - high performance or normal models). PS2s are factory fit on Porsches (where Porsche massively plays on the importance of handling of their cars). PS2s are factory fit on the Bugatti Veyron. PS2s are factory fit on the BMW M3 and M5 (along with all their M-sport cars). PS2s are factory fit on most Mercs. PS2s are factory fit on the hot-hot hatches from Reno, Ford, and a few others.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric has ZERO OEM approvals!
In everyday driving how much can you tell the difference with the premium brands? Or is it only when REALLY pressing on?
That all depends on what you are 'asking' of your tyres.
Tyre noise is a big issue - even driving at 50/60/70 on the M-way - certain tyres are far more noisy than others. Dunlop and Continental are VERY noisey. PS2 and GY F1 Asymm are middling. The original directional Pilot Sport and the GY F1 GSD3 are fairly quiet.
Then there is tyre 'comfort'. Continental are very harsh, as are Dunlop. Michelin are generally quite comfortable, and at the extremely 'soggy' end are Pirelli.
And those are before you go into hard driving. Even during normal cornering, differences can be felt - if you are mid corner, and you touch a manhole cover or a cats eye - Dunlops will step out sideways, whereas Mich and Pirelli wont.
I'm sure that Hurdy mentioned somewhere that he felt that there was very little difference between the Vreds and the GY F1 Asy......
Can't comment on that, appart from the Vred demo at GTI International a couple of years ago. I was very underwhealmed by the Vreds.
The best, most impartial reviews are had at Which - unfortunately, they don't seem to test high performance tyres!
