Another Tyre Thread

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I'm imminently needing to replace all four tyres on the Megane (Tyre size 225/40/18 or 235/40/18) and I'm wondering if anyone has any experiences of a few of the following tyres or any other recommendations?

The sort of tyre I'm after must have a stiff sidewall/good feel and excellent dry traction, wet performance isn't high up on my agenda (Toy rather than a workhorse, plus I have recently acquired a second set of alloys that I shall fit some winter tyres to in the next few months).

I'd love to get some R888s but the lack of tread and wear rate (not to mention the expense) has put me off them.

After seeing some 'reviews' (i.e. internet hearsay and also the recent evo tyre test) I'm leaning towards getting some Yokohama Advan Neova AD08s, they seem to be the sort of tyre I want and very reasonably priced too (£130 a corner in 225).

Other tyres I'm considering are:

Bridgestone S001 - Fairly new..not a lot of info about whether they're good or not, reasonably priced.

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 - similar to the PS2s I did have, which I didn't mind...mucho expensive for what they are though.

Toyo R1-R - Will probably offer the best performance but cost the most and concerns about wear rate (6.5mm tread + soft compound), however I know that Neil had them on his Exige, what do/did you think of them?

Continental Contisport 3s - Similar qualms to the PS3, too much for what they are IMO, although probably the best all-rounder.

I don't want Eagle F1 Asymmetrics, have them on at the moment and I hate them, too flobbery.

So if anyone has any thoughts on the above or any other recommendations it would be greatly appreciated!
 
Quite impressed with the Conti SC3s on my Mondeo (same size, 225/40/18) even though the fronts are worn out. They seem pretty stiff
 
Toyo R1-R - Will probably offer the best performance but cost the most and concerns about wear rate (6.5mm tread + soft compound), however I know that Neil had them on his Exige, what do/did you think of them?

Last I read on these is they melt in the summer heat and have since gone off the idea of fitting them to my VX next time round.
 
I'm a tight arse so went with Conti CS3, they were cheaper than Bridgestone RE050A and Michelin PE2.

Would probably have gone with Kumho KU31 if they were in stock:p
 
...
Bridgestone S001 - Fairly new..not a lot of info about whether they're good or not, reasonably priced.

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 - similar to the PS2s I did have, which I didn't mind...mucho expensive for what they are though.
...

PS3's tend to feel pretty good.

The S001's felt really good (we had the opportunity to test the S001's, Adrenalin and RE-11's), but if you can find them the Adrenalin's [I don't know if you can even get them for the megane! Oh and they take a little warming up] just S.T.U.C.K, I didn't have the balls to keep my foot in long enough to make the rear step out! The s001's were good, but not when your comparing them to the other pair!)

As for the ContiSports, they lasted ages and felt good to drive. I couldn't help but find they felt a little rubbery (through the wheel), perhaps spongy is the word.
 
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if you can afford them give the bridgestone RE010s a try thats a great tyre but import only hence the price :(

however im guessing you want something with still sidewalls to go with your r26

how about some hankook v12 evos or michelin pilot exalto2s :)
 
if you can afford them give the bridgestone RE010s a try thats a great tyre but import only hence the price :(

however im guessing you want something with still sidewalls to go with your r26

how about some hankook v12 evos or michelin pilot exalto2s :)

RE010 is a pretty outdated tyre now, not really spectacular, you must mean RE-11? That's the new posh one, comparable to the Neova AD08.
 
I don't want Eagle F1 Asymmetrics, have them on at the moment and I hate them, too flobbery.

Yup, agree with that, they are not good when pushed hard, won't be using them again and many friends said Goodyears fall to bits (in terms of composure) when pushed hard, not least on something like an RS4 that weighs as much as Tipton.
 
Last I read on these is they melt in the summer heat and have since gone off the idea of fitting them to my VX next time round.

That is interesting to know, I know they're a soft compound, but didn't think they were THAT soft lol.

I'm a tight arse so went with Conti CS3, they were cheaper than Bridgestone RE050A and Michelin PE2.

Would probably have gone with Kumho KU31 if they were in stock:p

Your tyres cost about 12p each though (jealous :()

PS3's tend to feel pretty good.

The S001's felt really good (we had the opportunity to test the S001's, Adrenalin and RE-11's), but if you can find them the Adrenalin's [I don't know if you can even get them for the megane! Oh and they take a little warming up] just S.T.U.C.K, I didn't have the balls to keep my foot in long enough to make the rear step out! The s001's were good, but not when your comparing them to the other pair!)

As for the ContiSports, they lasted ages and felt good to drive. I couldn't help but find they felt a little rubbery (through the wheel), perhaps spongy is the word.

Cheers for that, I had a look for the Adrenalines but they don't really seem to be available over here :(, whilst we seem to have a decent selection of performance tyres here, no where near the variety of other regions of the world which is a shame.

Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas?

Great tyre imo.

I have heard these are good, but I think they're going to be a step or two below what I'm looking for.

RE010 is a pretty outdated tyre now, not really spectacular, you must mean RE-11? That's the new posh one, comparable to the Neova AD08.

Frustratingly another tyre that is pretty much not available over here...not unless you want to pay silly sums anyway....easier to find scale model versions than real ones lol.

Yup, agree with that, they are not good when pushed hard, won't be using them again and many friends said Goodyears fall to bits (in terms of composure) when pushed hard, not least on something like an RS4 that weighs as much as Tipton.

Even on the Megane they just don't inspire confidence when pushing on, sure they grip, but you'll turn in and you can feel the sidewall of jelly and just generally don't feel nice.
 
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Toyo R1-R - Will probably offer the best performance but cost the most and concerns about wear rate (6.5mm tread + soft compound), however I know that Neil had them on his Exige, what do/did you think of them?
Not bad, think of them as a 888 with lots more tread for better deep puddle usage compared to 888s. They still wear quickly as they're marginally harder than 888s but do seem to fall off quite quickly on hot track days (more tread block movement + more sensitive to too much pressure!).

I'm hoping to buy AD08 next as a road tyre and 888 for my track wheels, unless RE11 or Dunlop Direzza's come out soon here :)

Neil.
 
£520 later and I've had 4 of these fitted (ignore the filth, I'm very lazy):

yokotyre1.jpg


yokotyre2.jpg


First impressions are positive, can certainly feel a change in turn-in sharpness and firmer ride, however it's been rather moist out this afternoon so will have to wait til it's dry to give them a good go!
 
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