What tyres do you "tuned" GTI owners use?

[BLN355]

Hey all, since getting my GTI tuned I can't get any more than 3500rpm full throttle in first gear without complete loss of traction which then leads me to try short shift to 2nd resulting in even more tyre smoke which is annoying the crap out of me since I tuned it to go faster not to sit in a cloud of my own tyre smoke haha

Anyway on to the question im asking.
What tyres are you tuned guys running on the street?

Im thinking of getting a set of semi slicks so the little bugger grabs and goes every time I feel like putting my foot in to it.
Any recommendations on brands? Im thinking something in a 215

Cheers Nick

[readerr0r]

The biggest problem you'll have is finding tyres in the 215/40 R17 size. From some of the magazine mega tests Hankook and the Finnish Nokian are the highest rated in the Polo's size.

2012 Auto Bild Max Performance Tyre Test | the online tyre guide
2012 EVO Max Performance Tyre Test | the online tyre guide

[Polo_GTI]

I think he's running 215/35/18

[iigx]

The Hankook Ventus S1 evo2's look like a nice option. Now to try and find somewhere in oz that actually stocks them in 215/40 R17.

[gavs]

What tyres do you "tuned" GTI owners use?

Federal 595 Evo 215/40 r17, awaiting Dunlop destructions.

[little mozart]

the best street tyre you can get for a Polo is the Yokohoma Advan Neova

i had a AMG C63 slow down around twisties heading towards Gerringong because i was doing stupid speeds and comfortably sticking to the road. they are also amazing in the wet. i swear by them and highly recommend them to anyone...however $1200 for a set of 4 is pricy and not everyone can afford that. BOB Jane in Artarmon had a 3 month checkup every 3 months included and this included free wheel alignment and balancing / checks every 3 months to ensure correct wear.

[seangti]

Considering you have coilovers, you'd have some adjustability in that. Potentially stiffen or raise the rear marginally. Depending on adjustability of the wheel alignment, run less camber. And what tyre pressure you run? Perhaps try less pressure in the front. All this will obviously off set cornering performance.

And/Or, don't plant first gear through the floor boards

[gavs]

Considering you have coilovers, you'd have some adjustability in that. Potentially stiffen or raise the rear marginally. Depending on adjustability of the wheel alignment, run less camber. And what tyre pressure you run? Perhaps try less pressure in the front. All this will obviously off set cornering performance.

And/Or, don't plant first gear through the floor boards

Can't alter the camber and your last comment, now that is just ridiculous!

[nomadx38]

I have Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's on my Polo 77TSI. Yes yes I know I don't have a GTI with GTI starting tourqe, but I have never managed to spin the wheels on a flat surface.

I have to say having softer suspension than the GTI's my Michelins were gripping VERY well on the cruise doing 100kmh around the hills and keeping up with the pack without any squealing or scrubbing.

...and if I was using 2 hands I could have pushed them a bit more

Just my 2 cents xD

[kaanage]

Im thinking of getting a set of semi slicks so the little bugger grabs and goes every time I feel like putting my foot in to it.
Any recommendations on brands?

Don't. Semi-slicks are horrible for daily use IME. Their stiff sidewalls give for a very harsh ride, the large blocks make the car sound like a 4WD and the sticky compound wears fast and increases drag, lowering mileage. And they cost HEAPS in low profile sizes .

Any brand of semi-slick has far more grip than any normal tyre (even 195's will seem welded to the road vs your current 215's) so if you're determined to go this route, just get a set of Toyo R888's or Nitto NT-01's as they seem to be the cheapest available.

Or else grab a set that someone has discarded from track use to try as they usually go hard and slidy (for track use - they'll still be softer than normal tyres) before they wear out.

I have to say having softer suspension than the GTI's my Michelins were gripping VERY well on the cruise doing 100kmh around the hills and keeping up with the pack without any squealing or scrubbing.

...and if I was using 2 hands I could have pushed them a bit more

Was yours the silver one with the 17" rims? What's the comment about not using 2 hands?

[nomadx38]

@kaanage

Yeah mine was the Silver 77TSI with the 17" rims, black tail lights and Xenon headlights

About the hands - well lets just say my left hand is pretty much useless and in pretty much every situation I only drive with my right hand. When ever I drive with both hands I feel nervous, I know that sounds hard to believe but that's just how it is and a calm and confident driver is best...

I will only ever use my left hand if I feel things are just getting too far out of control, and I'm talking real far, because I'm better off without using it

[bbui]

Try tirerack.com?

Tire Search Results

I ran Yokohama AD08's on my BMW for a while and that ran extremely well on a daily driver(even more so when I was hitting the mountains circuits). I'll be going for these again on my GTI when the Dunlops have given up.
$187 per corner = $748. Currency is good at the moment as well so you'd be paying approx $725-ish + $220-ish shipping. You'd avoid customs tax as well since it's under $1k. Win win.

[JexL]

Tirerack don't send Yokohama to aus I already tried. But you can look at the Dunlop direzza

[kaanage]

@kaanage

Yeah mine was the Silver 77TSI with the 17" rims, black tail lights and Xenon headlights

About the hands - well lets just say my left hand is pretty much useless and in pretty much every situation I only drive with my right hand. When ever I drive with both hands I feel nervous, I know that sounds hard to believe but that's just how it is and a calm and confident driver is best...

I will only ever use my left hand if I feel things are just getting too far out of control, and I'm talking real far, because I'm better off without using it

You didn't seem to be holding up the GTI's that day (they seemed happy enough for you to lead them up the Reefton) so you must do fine single-handed and your suspension and tyres are certainly up to the job.

To the tuned GTI owners wit normal tyres, how often does the ESP cut in and is it abrupt or smooth?

[gavs]

What tyres do you "tuned" GTI owners use?

All te damn time out of corners but that being said, you hardly notice it because it's quite smooth. We can aid the situation of using VCDS to alter the XDS diff setting to make it like a LSD though