Unique and rare question: what tyres?

[bkpr]

Hey all.

The search function on this forum is ok (I've seen worse) but I was not able to get the info I'm after: what are the best performance All Season tyres for a golf R (mk7.5) available in Australia?

I have the usual suspects:

• Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
• Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS
• Michelin Pilot A/S 3+

But as it turns out the first two might only be US release tyres? I'm having trouble with any of the larger stores sourcing the Pirelli and Bridgestone mentioned above so I'm assuming these are US names for these tyres? If this is the case, anyone know of what the Aus equivalents are?

For example, at a Bridgestone shop today they could not find Potenza RE980AS in their system. They gave me a bunch of other numbers RE-(S001, S007A, 003, 71R, and MY02) but looking on the Bridgestone.com.au I can't see the same tread pattern as the US RE980AS tyres.

So, if the tyres here are so different from the US, what performance All-Seasons would y'all recommend for my Golf R?
Sizing: 235/40/R18

Thanks in advance!

[shauno]

Unique and rare question: what tyres?

EDIT: The US models are mostly different, so forget them.


Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s (PS4) are meant to be awesome. I’ve currently got Pilot Super Sports (PSS), which are fantastic but a bit more expensive. The PS4’s a newer tyre and meant to be close to the PSS performance at a lower price.

I’ve had plenty of Bridgestone RE002’s &
RE003’s, they’re good & often great deals available. Not the quietest tyre, but good performance for the price. I’ve got RE003’s on my missus’ Polo TSI, they weren’t much more than a ‘normal’ economy tyre in that size.

Pirelli Pzero Nero’s are very good too, though I found they started losing grip once they got closer to the wear markers.

Continentals are fine but fairly noisy & often more expensive.

I’ve not tried Goodyear or Toyo, but they both have some good performance tyres & often cheaper.

If you’ve got a firm budget, get whatever is on sale at the time prices vary wildly from shop top shop and week to week it seems, depending on stock levels & supplier specials/rebates.

If you just want performance, the PS4 is probably the best bet

(I should probably change wheels less often, I’m on my 3rd tyre brand just on this car!)

[Diesel_vert]

Tyre manufacturers do not tend to import their range of all-season tyres into the Australian market via their official distribution channels, given our very mild winters overall when compared to the US or Canada.

Even in the UK, Europe and North Asia, all-season tyres make up a small percentage of the market.

Having said that, Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 (H452) is probably the easiest all-season tyre to purchase in Australia with a recognisable brand name. Available from Jax Tyres in your size for around $170.

[tigger73]

If money is no object and you want the best then Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Otherwise if you're on a budget then you go back from there. I've had decent success with Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2's (now up to 3's), Bridgestone S001 are OK (but soft) and RE003 are good if you're on a budget but by 50% wear you'll want to change (they lose grip as they get older).

Being AWD it's a little more forgiving. Bridgestone is doing 4 for 3 at the moment on Potenza so it makes these fairly attractive proposition.

[bkpr]

Unique and rare question: what tyres?

Thanks for all the info! Definitely helps me do a bit more research. If I’m honest, my daily driving is pretty tame so my main considerations are not to die in the rain/cold in country Vic, then probably road noise. Of course when I give it the beans occasionally I want to feel good. Also, I want to make sure something goes on the R that’s spiritually fitting.

The Michelin Pilot Sport are a summer tyre, no? Or maybe that was the point of the post up above; that in Oz/Vic All Seasons aren’t as necessary as they are in the US.

Thanks again for the info!
Will dive into research today. [emoji108]

[tigger73]

Thanks for all the info! Definitely Harlow me do a bit more research. If I’m honest, my daily driving is pretty tame so my main considerations are not to die in the rain/cold in country Vic, then probably road noise. Of course when I give it the beans occasionally I want to feel good. Also, I want to make sure something goes on the R that’s spiritually fitting.

The Michelin Pilot Sport are a summer tyre, no? Or maybe that was the point of the post up above; that in Oz/Vic All Seasons aren’t as necessary as they are in the US.

Thanks again for the info!
Will dive into research today. [emoji108]

No such thing as all seasons here. They are pretty much all "summer" tyres. Otherwise you can get a set of "mud slingers" as Dutch features in the Mk7 Wheels.

Typically you're just looking for tyres that operate well in the wet and there's plenty of "summer" tyres that have good road holding in the wet.

Ambient temps here don't get so low that you start to need different compounds.

I actually think it's partly "marketing" in the US to make everyone buy 2 sets of tyres - one summer and one winter. Though in locations where there's snow I understand that it's necessary.

[Sword_Dude]

Hey all.

The search function on this forum is ok (I've seen worse) but I was not able to get the info I'm after: what are the best performance All Season tyres for a golf R (mk7.5) available in Australia?

I have the usual suspects:

• Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
• Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS
• Michelin Pilot A/S 3+

But as it turns out the first two might only be US release tyres? I'm having trouble with any of the larger stores sourcing the Pirelli and Bridgestone mentioned above so I'm assuming these are US names for these tyres? If this is the case, anyone know of what the Aus equivalents are?

For example, at a Bridgestone shop today they could not find Potenza RE980AS in their system. They gave me a bunch of other numbers RE-(S001, S007A, 003, 71R, and MY02) but looking on the Bridgestone.com.au I can't see the same tread pattern as the US RE980AS tyres.

So, if the tyres here are so different from the US, what performance All-Seasons would y'all recommend for my Golf R?
Sizing: 235/40/R18

Thanks in advance!

Whatever you get do not put Bridgestone MY02 anywhere near your car, they are rubbish in the wet after they are worn in.


I have been asking a similar question about my Polo and the consensus is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 are awesome but unfortunately do not come in the right fitment for me (ie not 215/40/17) as far as I can see.

[bkpr]

Heh, the woman at the Bridgestone shop said out of my the three tyres I was getting prices for, Bridgestone were her last choice Claimed they were generally noisy.

- Pirelli PZero ($280)
- Michelin PS 3 ($250) or 4 ($270)
- Bridgestone RES007A ($250) or RE003 ($220).

These prices are fitted and balanced. Will see if there are any sales on elsewhere for comparison, but the shop seems pretty good! Maybe it's just the Victorian country vibe (mabo) I'm smitten with since living in the US for the last decade.

PS: is it weird to order a spare tyre? In my experience in the US it was very often a tyre shop wouldn't have the exact tyre but something "similar". So I'd have to wait or go with the similar tyre. Was thinking if I got a flat that needed to be replaced, at least I wouldn't have to wait for the replacement if I had a fifth in the bag. #showerthoughts

[Talbs]

Hey all.

The search function on this forum is ok (I've seen worse) but I was not able to get the info I'm after: what are the best performance All Season tyres for a golf R (mk7.5) available in Australia?

I have the usual suspects:

• Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
• Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS
• Michelin Pilot A/S 3+

But as it turns out the first two might only be US release tyres? I'm having trouble with any of the larger stores sourcing the Pirelli and Bridgestone mentioned above so I'm assuming these are US names for these tyres? If this is the case, anyone know of what the Aus equivalents are?

For example, at a Bridgestone shop today they could not find Potenza RE980AS in their system. They gave me a bunch of other numbers RE-(S001, S007A, 003, 71R, and MY02) but looking on the Bridgestone.com.au I can't see the same tread pattern as the US RE980AS tyres.

So, if the tyres here are so different from the US, what performance All-Seasons would y'all recommend for my Golf R?
Sizing: 235/40/R18

Thanks in advance!

I'm now running Continental SportContact6 after the SportContact 5P: very happy.
Our VW R Club recommends the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and heard good things.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[bkpr]

Our VW R Club recommends the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and heard good things.

Thanks for the reply. Yea, PS4s seem to be getting good reports all over. Got a few weeks to finally decide but they're definitely on the top of the list.

[Diesel_vert]

TL;DR - You don't need all-season tyres in Australia.

Thanks for all the info! Definitely helps me do a bit more research. If I’m honest, my daily driving is pretty tame so my main considerations are not to die in the rain/cold in country Vic, then probably road noise. Of course when I give it the beans occasionally I want to feel good. Also, I want to make sure something goes on the R that’s spiritually fitting.

The Michelin Pilot Sport are a summer tyre, no? Or maybe that was the point of the post up above; that in Oz/Vic All Seasons aren’t as necessary as they are in the US.

Thanks again for the info!
Will dive into research today. [emoji108]

On balance, you are not likely to experience wintry conditions (I am referring here to the northern states of your home country) that will justify the fitment of all-season tyres in the vast majority of areas in Australia.

No such thing as all seasons here. They are pretty much all "summer" tyres.

Yes, the range of all-season tyres in Australia is very limited.

Typically you're just looking for tyres that operate well in the wet and there's plenty of "summer" tyres that have good road holding in the wet.

Agreed.

Ambient temps here don't get so low that you start to need different compounds.

Agreed.

I actually think it's partly "marketing" in the US to make everyone buy 2 sets of tyres - one summer and one winter. Though in locations where there's snow I understand that it's necessary.

Not intended as a reply, just putting this out there for the benefit of all:

As the ambient temperature approaches freezing, the tread compound on a summer tyre starts to harden and become brittle, which reduces grip. The tread pattern also tends to be shallower with bigger tread blocks and a higher proportion of the tread being in contact with the road, further reducing traction on icy or snowy road surfaces.

In contrast, the tread compound on winter tyres remains soft and flexible, allowing it to provide grip at freezing temperatures. The tread pattern tends to be deeper with smaller and more flexible tread blocks and features more aggressive sipes, allowing it to bite into the snow and generate traction.

Youtube video demonstrating the contrast in performance between summer and winter tyres.

On the flipside, the soft, deep and flexible tread compound and tread pattern characteristics may cause winter tyres to be overworked when driven in warm and dry weather, resulting in reduced performance.

An all-season tyre has a wider operating temperature, allowing it to be driven in high or low ambient temperatures, but the conflicting performance criteria for summer and winter tyres means that the tread compound and tread pattern on an all-season tyre is more of a compromise, and consequently does not provide as much grip or traction in warm or freezing conditions as a summer tyre or a winter tyre would respectively (jack-of-all trades, master of none).

Unlike summer tyres however, it does mean that a vehicle fitted with all-season tyres will be able to accelerate, corner and stop somewhat adequately in icy or snowy conditions without needing to buy and fit a separate set of winter tyres.

In these conditions, all-season tyres are more likely to get you to where you need, as opposed to summer tyres leaving you stranded on the side of the road, or more likely, in a ditch.

This is relevant for motorists in a country like the US or Canada, where there are no uniform regulations mandating the fitment of winter tyres, but frequently experience snowfall and temperatures below freezing during winter.

In contrast, for many parts of Continental Europe, it is a mandatory requirement for motorists to fit winter tyres during designated periods (typically between November and March, but varies according to country), so these motorists will have two sets of tyres - one for winter, and one for the rest of the year. This partly explains the small market for all-season tyres there.

Hence why the North American market is dominated by all-season tyres, and why Australia isn't.

[bkpr]

Mate, that's one of the best answers I've probably ever read on a forum!
Video is good too

Edit: Here's a little more info, not that we need it after Diesel's post, but the gist is: "Pirelli says the Australian market for winter tyres is microscopic, but could expand to as much as ‘tiny’ with increased product awareness. It currently imports winter tyres in response to specific customer requests, usually for ski-field duty. Across the Tasman, NZ police are evaluating the use of winter tyres in colder regions"

[jdw]

Does anyone have thoughts on Pirelli Dragonsport ?

[shauno]

What did you end up getting? PS4’s?

[bkpr]

What did you end up getting? PS4’s?

If that was aimed at me, then the answer is technically nothing, yet. But I’m set to get Michelin Pilot Sport 4s when my BBS wheels arrive in the new year. Did a bunch of research and they seem to get the most positive reviews of any tire. Researched. Selected. Now just waiting.