Summer tyres are designed for use during Spring, Summer and Autumn. Approximately March to October when temperatures are above 7 degrees C.
The
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyres have just been realeased and are the ones to purchase for 18" and 17" wheels,
for now.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Auto-Zeitung-Max-Performance-Tyre-Test.htmhttp://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Subjective-shootout-255-40-19-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyres.htmPrice 225/40 R18 92Y XL from mytyres
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=34905630.110.30756&typ=D-116082&ranzahl=4&Breite=225&Herst=Goodyear&Quer=40&Felge=18&Speed=W&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&rf=1&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=SoPrice 225/45 R17 94Y XL from mytyres
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=34905630.110.30756&typ=D-116075&ranzahl=4&Breite=225&Herst=Goodyear&Quer=45&Felge=17&Speed=W&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&rf=1&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=So-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have 19" wheels then the
Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres should be considered.
Price 235/35 ZR19 91Y EL from mytyres
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=34905630.110.30756&typ=R-196942&ranzahl=4&Breite=235&Herst=Michelin&Quer=35&Felge=19&Speed=W&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&rf=1&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=SoPrice 225/35 ZR19 88Y XL from mytyres
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=34905630.110.30756&typ=R-196941&ranzahl=4&Breite=225&Herst=Michelin&Quer=35&Felge=19&Speed=W&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&rfEither size is suitable and won't affect the gearing. They have different Load Indices (LI) though this should not be an issue either. The narrower tyre will possibly be slightly quieter and is also slightly cheaper.
Lesser tyres are only about £30 less per corner, so not worth it IMO.
I would also have a look at the Continental ContiSport 5P and the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
2 (when available) tyres. Might be a bit cheaper but probably not as good.
http://www.porscheblogs.co.uk/tested-the-new-michelin-pilot-super-sport/http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Is-the-Michelin-Pilot-Sport-about-to-get-Super.htmhttp://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-Michelin-Pilot-Super-Sport-has-arrived.htm-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another important feature to consider is the tyre's
Rim Protection.Some of the tyre companies are pretty poor with this. Continental comes to mind. We have these as summer tyres on our Mercedes. It is a good tyre which sadly happens not to protect the wheel rims suffeciently.
The Bridgestones have excellent rim protection. However, they are lousy in the wet, noisy and have a rough ride.
I have
nearly decided to purchase the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric
2 tyres for my 18" Monza Shadows. At present it is shod with Bridgestone Potenza 050A tyres which I don't like for the reasons above. I've only done 3.2k miles and want to be rid of them.
My winter tyres are the Michelin Pilot Sport PA3s which are 'W' rated and cost an arm and a leg, about £246 per corner.
I will stay clear of Pirellis as I have no intention of aquaplaning in the wet. Every car I had with these caused this to happen. It was quite unnerving at the time.
It therefore seems to me that one can't go far wrong with tyres from Michelin, Goodyear and Continental, all of which are
Premium Brands. As an aside, there are
6 Premium Brands: Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli (in alphabetical order).
In order of
market share: Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear/Dunlop, Continental and Pirelli.
Last bit of information: Continental are revising their entire range of summer tyres soon, so these would also be worth waiting for.
Also, have a look at the
Tyre Traders site. They appear cheaper than
mytyres, though they don't always have the latest tyres in stock if you are in a rush.
http://www.tyretraders.com/Tyres_Home.aspx
