I'm currently running standard Edition 30 BBS type 18's with the stock Conti Sport Contact 2 224/45/18 tyres.
So the question is ? Do I just buy more Conti SP2's ? Do I change and go for Perilli's, Michellins or Goodyear or do I go elsewhere and fit Toyo's or Avon's ???
Not really bothered about the money element, just looking for the best option. Rears are Conti SP2's and have shed's of rubber still left on them (I do like having four matching tyres !!)
Pirellis are dangerous - avoid - period!
The ContiSportContact2 isnt the best for grip - but they are superb for big heavy cars running v-max on the Autobahns. Rock steady load carrying abilities, but slightly harsh ride and noisy, especially on smaller, lighter cars such as the GTI. The CSC2 has actually been replaced by the CSC3, which has a slightly softer rubber compound, so might be better for grip.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics get some seriously diverse and opposing views - some peeps rave about them, and will hear no wrong, dispite their known probs. Others have serious concerns regarding very unacceptable handling traits, and taking an eternity to 'scrub in'. But dispite being an asymmetric tread, and one of the newest to the market, they still use just one rubber compound, which really isn't the best way for asymmetric tyres. They also use an incredibly stiff sidewall, which is basically harking back to cross-ply technology! Oh, and these still have NO OEM approvals! And shocking customer service, dispite repeated concerns raised in the motoring press, including very serious concerns raised in Evo mag, they just bury their heads in the sand - just because there are a hard-core of Goodyear 'fan boys' who will hear no wrong!
Mich Pilot Sport PS2 - these are the best mainstream tyres. Shed loads of OEM approvals, virtually all Porsches leave the factory with these (except for that bug ugly bast@rd child on stilts), they are OEM spec on all Audis, including the RS4, RS6 and R8. OEM spec on BMWs, and all BMW M series cars ONLY use PS2s, and are OEM specs on Mercedes, Reno, Vauxhall, Ford, sh*troen, and PugSnot. You will NOT find a better wet weather cornering ability than a PS2. The PS2, and their 'lesser brother' the Exalto PE2 both use different rubber compounds across the tread width - the outer section is slghtly harder than the inner section, which results in reasonable tread life, truely excellent stability under very hard cornering, yet give excellent wet weather grip too. Oh, and Michelins customer service is truely ace - been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. Dont forget, the PS2s are the fastest road tyres in the world, being the only tyre approved for the mighty 250mph Bugatti Veyron. And they are also the tyre of choice for the nutters on the Isle of Man, who regularly blat around the mountain at speeds of upto 200 mph.
Avon ZZ3 - a very good, if underrated tyre. Not as good as say the PS2 or CSC2, but considerably cheaper, specifically designed for british weather conditions, british tarmac compounds and british drivers. Competent, but not mind blowing. Don't last too long either.
Dunlops - where to start. 99% of peeps will tell you that the original SportMaxx was shyte. Shyte grip, shyte for road noise, shyte for comfort, and a real bast@ard at aquaplaning. SportMaxx GT are slightly better, but still not a patch on the PS2. SportMaxx TT is a very new tyre, and I can't comment on them - but leopard and spots must surely enter the melting pot!
Bridgestones - a mixed bag. RE040 - crap, avoid. RE050 - some very mixed opinions. Some say the RE050s are lethal in the wet, yet others don't seem to mind them. But they are noisy, and again, from what I can gather, only use a single rubber compound.
Yokohamas - seriously over-rated. Crap stability due to soft tyre carcasses. Some Yokos have amazing dry grip though, but are generally pants in the wet. Too many compromises though.
Vredstein Sens-whatevers - ask Hurdy. Though going on what the Vredstein people told me at Inters a couple of years ago, could be compromised by poor stability when the tread wears, due to the lightweight carcass constrution, and the reliance on the tread compound and tread pattern for stability.
Uniroyal - used to be an excellent wet weather tyre - not used em for ages, and don't really seem to hear much about them.
Fulda - german tyres - a good dependable 2nd tier tyre which work well on Mk1 and Mk2 GTIs. Dunno how theyd cope with a relatively heavy Mk5 though.
Kumho - fooking Korean shyte. Their top of the range sports tyre seems to get some good reviews, but the rest of their range are just downright dangerous. How the heck they got any EU approval is beyond me, but they are seriously scary. Non existant grip in the wet. Shocking grip in the dry. They make the ABS work overtime, even under moderate braking. And when cornering in the dry, if you happen to hit the slightest imperfection in the road surface (cats eye, white line, overbanding, manhole cover) - they will instantly brake away - very, VERY scary!
Can't think of any more . . .
