New tyres?

Trifid · 23 Aug 2011 at 15:41

Hello.

My tyres have just below 3mm left all round and I would like to fit some new ones before the winter starts. I currently have Kumho KU31's which I find OK, but have reached their grip levels a couple of times in both wet and dry weather and in the cold and wet I was longing for something a bit better. My trail of thought has got to this stage regarding the popular choices.

R1R's - soft sidewalls and the compound may be a bit too soft for the daily commute to work?
AD08's - I have doubts over what they will be like in the winter, but they do have a strong side wall which the VX likes?
KU31 - no longer available.
T1R - soft sidewall? Although I see the backs are available in XL load. Does this mean they are reinforced?
Kumho KU39 - ??? Fairly new and is the replacement for the KU31.

If they made the standard Bridgestone's in the right size for my front tyres I'd have them in a shot.

The car is a VX220 and requires the below tyre sizes.
Front 195/50/16 or 205/45/16 is also suitable.
Back 225/45/17

If I could guarantee that it would never snow or get icy I'd have the AD08's. But with these conditions possible I'm not sure it is a wise choice.

Thanks.

Skywalker · 23 Aug 2011 at 16:17

I have the AD08's on my car and find them fairly good in the wet to be honest .

Trifid · 24 Aug 2011 at 09:00

At the moment the AD08 is the only tyre that they do a suitable size for the front and back wheels that is suitable 99% of the time. I think at the moment the KU39 will be my second choice.

sovietspybob · 24 Aug 2011 at 10:38

I've had the XL version of the T1-R on my scooby, think they were 94 XL load rating.

Still squishy at the limit, my track bridgestone RE070's or road RE050A's tyres are both far sharper at turn in.

spaz · 24 Aug 2011 at 10:53

AD08s are a great tyre, one of the best you can get before going semi-slick, very very stiff sidewall (megane actually rode better with the R888s than the AD08s!), very good grip especially once warmed up.

I had mine on during the winter months and tbh they were fine, didn't exactly fancy going balls out driving when it was very sketchy out but it wasn't as if you couldn't drive normally and they'd spit you off into the hedges, even did a trackday at Silverstone with them when it was very cold and greasy out in January and was very impressed with how they held up.