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I have about 27,000 kms on my 2008 RS wagon and it looks like the tyres (Continental SportContact 2) might need replacing in a few months. And I want to stick with the original equipment size and type (225/40-18 92Y). I don’t want to risk fitting 235 tyres even if they are a more common size and therefore, less expensive.
Basically, I require a tyre that is very cheap, has excellent grip in the wet and dry, is quiet and will last for at least 100,000 kms.
Anyway, I drove over a nail yesterday so I took that tyre into Goodyear this morning to be repaired. While I was there, I got some prices for replacement tyres. So the guy said that replacement Continentals would be about $550 each (?!?!). But he said that Continentals are made for the German autobahn and don’t really hold up well on Australian roads.
So instead, he said that Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetricals would be an improvement for $470 each. Goodyear is currently having a sale (get 4/pay for 3) so I figure that 4 would be $1410 (+ fitting?). But the sale ends on 21 April and the fine print seems to suggest that the tyres need to be fitted at the time of purchase. That is, I wouldn’t be able to buy 4 now and get them fitted (by someone else, potentially) down the track. Now the Continentals probably have a little life left in them yet so I don’t really want to replace them right now.
He also said Federal brand tyres provide good performance for the money. He said that the 595EVO (more of a performance tyre) would be $260 each or the FD2 (more of touring tyre) would be $250 each. The load rating for the 595EVO is 92Y and this matches the Continentals. But the load rating for the FD2 seems to be 92W so could I run into problems (RTA, insurance, etc) if I fitted W speed rating tyres onto my RS which came with Y speed rating tyres?
Has anyone had any experience with Federal tyres? Any other suggestions?
As far as treadwear (UTQG), the Continentals and Goodyears are both 240. I found some info on the internet that suggested that the Federal FD2 is 420. I couldn’t find anything on the Federal 595 EVO but I assume that it’s softer.
Now the Tirerack question...
Since the Australian dollar is so strong, I’m also thinking about ordering from Tirerack. On their blog, it seems like shipping costs are in the US$300-500 range. But even with that, I’d probably still save money based upon how much dealers here charge. I was even thinking about ordering the tyres, having them sent to my parents’ house in California and then picking them up the next time we visit. But with a family of 4 travelling from California to Canberra, I think that US$300-500 is a fair price to pay to avoid having to manage 4 huge boxes (in addition to all the other luggage) even though bringing them back over on Qantas would probably be free.
Anyway, a set of 4 Continental SportContact 3’s would be US$904 from Tirerack. If we assume A$1 = US$1, I’d be doing pretty well if Continental SportContact 2’s are A$550 each here. But I’m not confident about the treadwear on Continentals now. Maybe the 3’s are better than the 2’s but who knows.
I am replacing my Sport COntact 2 as we speak here in Sydney. I am told they are on sale $300 fitted. I would actually prefer the Sport Contact 3's but unfortunately I have a pot holed stuffed tyre with only 5000 klm's on it so can't justify replacing them all.
Just replaced my tyres last week:
Front: Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE002 (way better on the track in wet/damp) = $410 each
Back: Pirelli PS3 = $260 each
I've opted for the pirellis on the back two wheels for the following reasons:
1. Very high tread wear rating... (lasts forever)
2. Great in the wet at low speeds
3. Not as grippy a the higher end brand rubbers, but alows me to easily Scandinavian-flick the back out on the track
4. They're cheaper!
Hope this helps for anyone buying RS treads in the future.
Ok, I am starting to think about tyres for my RS. The car now has 36k on the clock with the Dunlop Sport Maxx's that came one the car.
As the Dunlop's have started to wear, the road noise has increased dramatically and the grip levels have dropped big time. It's hard to get the car off the line in a hurry when the turbo comes on song without getting a chirp and the ESP light coming on......makes you look like a adolescent P plater at times.
I am after a good quality QUIET tyre. I have read a lot about the Michelin PS3's getting good reviews and would like to know what people have thought after replacing the Dunlop's that came on the car. I also want a tyre that lasts longer than 20,000kms.
MY10 Skoda Octavia vRS Wagon 2.0 TSI 6sp Man
A250 Sport on order (impatiently waiting!)
It's been about a month since i purchased the Falkens and still can't fault them. finally got some we weather to see how they'd perform and i'm impressed with them.
They're pretty quiet as well.
I recommend them if your budget is in the mid $200's per tyre
How many kms now? I've been quietly hoping they last as everyone I know loves them and then they wear badly after a while and they hate them. Maybe they are finally getting it right.
I'm running 235-45-17 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 on GTI Denver rims since Monday. VERY quiet compared to the 225-50-16 Falken Ziex that were there on Contour rims. I have Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (235-45-17) on my XY'GT' 351 and they are also very quiet.
Check out the latest Wheels mag (not sure what month it is but it has an OrangeBMW M1 Coupe on the front) as they have done a tyre test.
It's based on 225/45 18 tyres and used a Kia Optima as the test car. Similar tyre size to the RS and similar car to the Octavia as in front drive, weight & power.
I don't have the mag with me at the moment, but from memory 8 tyres were tested and the winner was the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 with the Continental Sport 2 a close runnerup. The Michelin's were the quietest too.
Just an out of the blue update for those based in VIC. I fired off an email to Vicroads nearly a month ago, so long ago in fact I forgot about it, so much for their replying within a week policy.
Anyway Michelin PS3 235/40/R18 tyres on the Skodas 7.5" width rims are a no-no which is why most tyre shops will refuse to fit it. If the manufacturers specs allow for that size its ok, but the 225/40/R18s only just allow a min width of 7.5" with the recommended being 8"
Same goes for any tyre/car combo where the rim width is outside the tyre specs. And by no no, to use their words:
"The fitting of a tyre to a rim that was not of the recommended width or listed as an acceptable alternative width would be an illegal modification and would render your vehicle unroadworthy."
Appparently this is from the Tyre and Rim Assoc of Aust Standards manual so probably applies to other states as well.
So there goes the cheaper option of going a size up in the PS3s....wonder if the OEM size has come down at all, tirerack don't seem to sell that size.
So there goes the cheaper option of going a size up in the PS3s....wonder if the OEM size has come down at all, tirerack don't seem to sell that size.
WTF? I just searched 225/40x18 & get 102 hits - 53 are 92Y (XL) load rated. Take out the rubbish brands & the M&S & there is still 30 quality tyres leftover starting at $109 for kumho SPT & finishing at $249 for Michelin PS2. Have I got something wrong?
carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums
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