What tyres to buy for the MKV?

[Sportie]

Well it won't be long & I'll need to replace the tyres on the Sportie.
It came with Conti Sportcontact2's which I've been very happy with. But should I stay with Conti's or get something else? One thing I've learnt over the years is that cars often have a preferred brand of tyre
I've searched the forum and seen a lot of comments suggesting other brands but has anyone had Conti's & another brand on the same car so they can give me first hand comments?

Sportie

[aj2501]

Hi there.

I had the Contisport on my A3 and replaced them with Good Year GSD3's. They have lasted considerably better and grip levels are improved. Now that they are down to 3 - 4mm, the tyre roar has become more noticeable. I have heard the Toyo's are worth a look.

Let me know what you go for/how they perform.

Cheers

[RJM]

Budget tends to play a large part in tyre selection for most.

It may help you to narrow the selection if you decide what your budget is first.

[paddywagen]

Bridgestone Adrenalin Potenza RE001 was recommended by my Tyre Guy-worth a look. About $450

[mikinoz]

Yokohama A-Drive R1 - Reasonable price, good grip wet and dry, be careful with your pressures as over inflation tends to make them wander.

[vwgtimkv]

Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3 or Michelin Pilot Sport 2.

My GTI will get the Michelins when the Bridgestone Potenza RE050's have worn out - I have to say though, the Bridgestones have been excellent.

Cheers

[briseos]

Just replaced mine too - got 47,000kms out of them and had a couple of millimetres left

I replaced the Conti Sportcontact 2s with a set of the new Goodyear Excellence 225/50 R16s for $199 each at Beaurepaires..... I chose them based on price, technology and also numerous claims and feedback that they are a really nice quiet tyre. They are supposed to be a blend of good ride, low noise and good grip in dry wet as well as long wearing - I must say that I can vouch for the ride, noise and grip claims and will need to wait for the wear claims. Especially, I am very impressed with the low noise levels and grip, and the ride feels quite a lot smoother. Not a racing tyre, but then, not a racing car.

Very happy with my choice and hope this helps

Anthony

[Sportie]

Thanks everyone. I've looked again and decided I'll probably get a few more weeks out of these. At least now I have some ideas. Not sure how I decide if a $450 tyre is worth the extra over a $199 one. Will shop around when ready & let you know feedback on whatever I get.

Thanks
Sportie

[RJM]

A point that is often overlooked when comparing tyres.

The performance and ride quality of a tyre dramatically decreases when worn down close to the wear indicators.

I often read the comment "my new tyres are brand X and are so much better than the old brand Y ones..."

As true as this statement is at the time, it is often a comparison being made between brand X at it's worst and brand Y at it's best.

Unless your going from the most expensive tyres available to the cheapest tyres available, you can pretty much guarantee that your new tyres will perform better (especially in the wet).

I found this article that may be of interest:

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-tests-news/goodyear-independent-tests.htm

[Subie25L]

Have a look at this thread. It's a bit of a read but basically 2 different cars with same wheel size and two different types of tyres. Re001's and Falken RT615's. Tyres swapped over onto both cars and tested on the same stretch of road.

Basically there was no clear winner as the preference of the tyre was dependant on the type of suspension that was in the car.

http://www.carandimage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5113&highlight=rt615

Defiantly thinking of Falken Rt615's when the conti's are ready to be replaced.

[trippyfoo]

I haven't had any direct contisport experience, though i know someone that has moved from the conti tyres to the eagle gsd3 and they were very happy with them.

I got rid of the Kumho Escta 712 tyres on my previous car after several months use, and went straight to the goodyear eagle gsd3 . .and hands down it was worth it imo. (ie, if it saves you once a year, its a good year, definitely rings true)
Keeping in mind this is all subjective and based on personal feel.

Based on numerous tests over the last 3 years by Wheels.. When the time comes to change the tyres, assuming they're still making em, those eagles are guna be on the jetta..

[Sportie]

[/Have a look at this thread. It's a bit of a read but basically 2 different cars with same wheel size and two different types of tyres. Re001's and Falken RT615's. Tyres swapped over onto both cars and tested on the same stretch of road.

Basically there was no clear winner as the preference of the tyre was dependant on the type of suspension that was in the car.

http://www.carandimage.com/forums/sh...ighlight=rt615]

Thanks Subie25L. This seems to confirm what I said at the start, different tyres seem to suit different cars (which is why I asked the question here). That's why I think that tyre tests can be misleading. The tyres are usually a different size and on a completely different car to whatever you own. They are however much better than the tyre salesman that always has a brand he prefers (or makes more profit on).

Sportie

[Transporter]

Thanks Subie25L. This seems to confirm what I said at the start, different tyres seem to suit different cars (which is why I asked the question here). That's why I think that tyre tests can be misleading. The tyres are usually a different size and on a completely different car to whatever you own. They are however much better than the tyre salesman that always has a brand he prefers (or makes more profit on).

Sportie

Any test is better than no test at all.
If you're happy with current tyre you have than changing to different one could be risky - noise level and handling could be affected.

[moguzhan]

Contisport 2 are actually now obsolete. The Contisport 3 is the standard and its expensive.

My own experience is that out of all the tyres mentioned, I recommend Yokohama Advans and Bridgestone Adrenalins are a premium good tyre that cost $300 and less.

You can also go lower in class and pick up Yokohama A drive.

Ive also owned FULDA which is DUNLOP from BobJane which lasted over 50,000km, excellent tyre also and cheap.

If you guys want a tyre test, go to http://www.tirerack.com

they have done many tests and you can buy the tyres from them as well depending on what you want to buy and whether its "worthwhile".

[gareth_oau]

dont just look at the tyre test at tyrerack - actually buy the tyres there too!!.

One of the guys from OzAudi recently wanted 4 Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics - he got them from tyrerack, airfrieghted over, paid customs clearance, import duties GST and had them fitted and balanced - and all up saved over $1000 on the local price

http://www.ozaudi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15259&highlight=asymmetric