**EVO Performance Tyre Test 2012**

It most probably did help though, just by how much on a Camaro ....anyone's guess :p
 
This test must have been done last summer, and is potentially the same test Kim did with AE, just written by John.

TBH I only found out about this test 15 seconds ago so I will go and do some proper research and report back :)

Edited to add, having spoken with guys at AE I was well off the mark. Apparently Conti supplied the wheels and the fitters though...
 
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[TW]Fox;20954273 said:
Have now managed to read the test in question.

It's actually very good - and independantly done as well, away from any tyre manufacturer facility (Not that I think this makes an awful lot of difference but some do). The MIRA facility is excellent and allows the closest thing you'll get to real world tests under controlled conditions.

The results between the top 3 were all so close to call that arguably its unlikely many of us will notice any difference in terms of outright performance. Much of the Conti's success appears to stem from the subject tests - so if outright feel is important, its probably the place to go. Myself I think following the test I'm minded to go for the Eagle F1 Assymetric 2. It performs absolutely excellently in the tests that matter to me.

Most interesting is the Kumho. For a long time now I've felt this is a tyre that is almost certainly unjustifiability praised by people who really hope they've found a decent tyre that doesnt cost as much as the premium stuff but in reality simply isn't as good. The test results here seem to back this up - they describe it as being decidely average. It seems the only thing the Kumho has going for it is 'cheap', and I cannot rationalise with the concept of buying a performance car and then picking tyres purely based on cost, therefore the test has only reinforced my opinion that the Kumho's are probably pap and the user opinion is subconciously skewed by price.

I remain dissapointed that the opportunity to test the CS5 was not taken.

FWIW, I've driven both the F1 A2 and CSC5P on the same car, same bit of track and the 5Ps were a fair bit softer in the sidewall than the F1 A2.

I've driven on the CSC5 many times on all sorts of vehicles and it's never once felt like it had soft sidewalls.

There's a new Dunlop tyre launch in Feb, the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT (don't tell anyone yet :P) - looks like Goodyears attempt at taking on the Michelin Pilot Super Sport so it's a tyre I'm quite excited about.
 
So I have CS3s on my car at the moment and the fronts are down to 2mm (hence the F1AS2 waiting to be put on).

This morning after finishing my night shift, it was about -1 C outside and I set off from work. Now I know the type of tyres we are talking about are not renowned for offering any sort of meaningful grip in the cold, but I must say the CSC3s were gripping seriously well even in the cold conditions. Usually with Eagle F1 Assym (1s) I am wheel spinning at the very thought of the turbo spooling but no such drama with the CSC3s.

On this car (MK5 GTi remapped to 240 bhp) I would put grip levels in the cold in this order (more at the top):

1. CSC3s
2. CSC2s
3. Eagle F1 Assym 1s
4. Eagle F1
5. Michelin PS2s (worst tyre I have had on the car for grip by some margin - would never entertain having it on a car I was driving remotely quickly - lasted a long time too!)

Im hoping the F1 Assym 2s have at least better grip than the Assym 1s in the cold!

EDIT - Also the Goodyears have always let me know when there is less than 3mm left at the front - more wheel spinning and aqua planing but again the CSC3s are maintaining their performance despite significant wear!
 
What tyres are fitted (as standard) onto Porsches?

The most common are N-Spec approved Pirelli Pzero, Conti CS2 & CS3, Michelin PS2, Bridgestone RE050A, Pirelli Corsa and Michelin CUP.

Ask anyone who has owned their 911 long enough to try most of the above and the general consenus is:-

Pirelli Pzero Rosso - average all rounder and don't repeat buy.
Pirelli Pzero - far better than the Rosso with near PS2 dry/feedback performance but better in the wet, many re-buy.
Bridgestone RE050A - generally the cheapest with more feedback and good all round grip, some repeat buy.
Conti CS3 - best ride quality and good all round performance but poor wear and some repeat buy.
Michelin PS2 - The favourite fast road tyre amongst 911 owners, un-rivalled dry grip and feedback with ok wet grip and very confident inspiring, it's the most popular tyre amongst 911 owners who enjoy pushing their cars.
Michelin CUP - mainly GTx cars only, un-rivalled dry grip and track performance, only 5mm from new, hugely expensive and don't last long but those who track their cars a lot won't accept anything else.
Pirelli Corsa - nearly as good as the CUP for dry grip, vastly better in the wet and last long plus better on road. It's the overall best and Porsche owners are in uproar as you can no longer get them.

Now the SuperSport has arrived, not yet N spec but lots of 911 owners are running them and swearing by them. Finally a tyre that offers PS2 beating dry grip and feedback performance. As quiet as the Conti's and wet performance not matched by any other, then add to that they last longer all of a sudden the premium is worth it. Even more so they are not N-rated so could improve even further if Porsche do make any changes though that is doubted as most believe n-rating is simply another form of Porsche tax.
 
So I have CS3s on my car at the moment and the fronts are down to 2mm (hence the F1AS2 waiting to be put on).

This morning after finishing my night shift, it was about -1 C outside and I set off from work. Now I know the type of tyres we are talking about are not renowned for offering any sort of meaningful grip in the cold, but I must say the CSC3s were gripping seriously well even in the cold conditions.

Drove to Cardiff and back today from Worcestershire and for much of both the outward and return journey the temperatures were at or below freezing. Never once did the car feel anything but confidence inspiring and the drive home particularly was very enjoyable. As with you this is on CS3's - and the rears are down to around 3mm now. No fuss or drama just plenty off grip allowing me to get on with the job of enjoying the car despite the weather.
 
Ok, I have a confession to make, several weeks ago I purchased winter tyres and a second set of wheels. My car left the factory on the 18" wheel upgrade with 225/45/18 tyres, I ran Goodyear F1A since buying the car.

I am fully responsible for the so far mild winter.

Also my thoughts so far, particularly with the last couple of days much colder, winter tyres suck!

My winter tyres are Vredestein SnowTrac, 205/50/16 (also a factory tyre size). I know they are a couple of cm narrower but I expected them to be better in cold conditions, this is not the case. I find it very easy to leave junctions sideways now without really trying, a couple of times I was scared as the rear tyres broke free.

I just hope we get some snow soon and they perform significantly better on it.

Confession over.
 
How long have you had them on? Most people are finding winters need a long bedding in period of around 500 miles.
 
How long have you had them on? Most people are finding winters need a long bedding in period of around 500 miles...

...in order to properly forget how good their summer tyres were performing and delude themselves into believing the winters are genuinely better?

:p
 
Ok, I have a confession to make, several weeks ago I purchased winter tyres and a second set of wheels. My car left the factory on the 18" wheel upgrade with 225/45/18 tyres, I ran Goodyear F1A since buying the car.

I am fully responsible for the so far mild winter.

Also my thoughts so far, particularly with the last couple of days much colder, winter tyres suck!

My winter tyres are Vredestein SnowTrac, 205/50/16 (also a factory tyre size). I know they are a couple of cm narrower but I expected them to be better in cold conditions, this is not the case. I find it very easy to leave junctions sideways now without really trying, a couple of times I was scared as the rear tyres broke free.

I just hope we get some snow soon and they perform significantly better on it.

Confession over.

Wait how have you managed to put a 16" tyre on a 18" alloy ;)

Seriously it must be a bedding in issue, I doubt that winter tyres, designed for cold weather will offer less grip then Temp AAA tyres!
 
...in order to properly forget how good their summer tyres were performing and delude themselves into believing the winters are genuinely better?

:p

:D :D :D

I thought something along these lines, but then stuck a set on the girlfriends car and found pretty much the same.
 
Goodyear F1A's are a good tyre and then you've put on mid-range winter tyres with a smaller contact patch, of course they'll be naff. Put the Eagles back on and leave the others in the shed, put them on when you hear of snow on the weather forecast.
 
Wait how have you managed to put a 16" tyre on a 18" alloy ;)

Seriously it must be a bedding in issue, I doubt that winter tyres, designed for cold weather will offer less grip then Temp AAA tyres!

I wouldn't be surprised if that's just how they are. Taking a set of uhp tyres off is not really going to improve things..
 
I bought a second set of 16" wheels for £120.

I have done at least 600 miles on them.

Over all they haven't been bad, mostly been confident on them.
 
Wait how have you managed to put a 16" tyre on a 18" alloy ;)

Seriously it must be a bedding in issue, I doubt that winter tyres, designed for cold weather will offer less grip then Temp AAA tyres!

It's not, the F1A is a class leading wet performance tyre.

A middle of the road winter tyre will have less wet grip in low temps than the F1A did.

Problem is average winter tyres are good in snow but have awful wet performance.

Jaaaag is a perfect example, on the front it has Dunlop Sport 3D winters and on the back it's got Uniroyal M&S 55 Winters. In wet weather the Dunlops are OK but the uniroyals are poor, but it makes for great overseers moments.

Tyres like F1A, CS3 and Michelin SS are so good in the wet that they still perform better in the wet at freezing temperatures than most winter tyres.
 
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