Official OcUK Tyre Review & Guide thread!

[Gibbo]

HI there

I think its quite often we see threads popping up regulary as to whats a good tyre and what is not. I am no expert but I've experienced quite a few different brands now and spent a lot of time researching different tyres and how they all differ.

There I thought it would be a good idea to start of an official thread where people can post there own reviews of tyres and how their new tyres perform compared to what they were previously running.

To start things off I shall share what I've discovered researching about different tyres in regards to sidewall stiffness, which should be very important to anyone who values steering response and good feedback from their car.

So here is a list I've put together from personal experience and a lot of research regarding tyre wall stiffness. Each tyre is rated in regards to 1 = very soft sidewall and 10 = extremely stiff sidewall.

Also remember a tyre with a stiffer sidewall will reduce ride quality and make more noise.


So here is the list:-

• Toyo T1R = 2 (The internet would have you believe this tyre rules, infact its just an OK all rounder, certainly NO MASTER)
• Dunlop Sport Maxx = 2
• Rainsport 2's = 3 (Great wet grip, OK dry performance)
• Goodyear F1 GSD3 = 3 (Good all round tyre, just mushy sidewalls, good dry grip, excellent wet grip.)
• Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 = 3 (Winter tyre - OK dry grip, Superb wet grip, OK snow grip)
• Goodyear Assym = 4 (Excellent all round tyre, good in dry, superb in wet)
• Michelin PS3 = 4 (Good dry gip, excellent wet grip with OK feedback)
• Kumho KU31= 4 (An OK all round tyre, good value)
• Falken 452 = 5 (Stronger sidewalls than most, OK performer, but not amazing as some would make out, just OK in both wet and dry.)
• Michelin PS2 = 5 (Superb dry grip, great feeback and OK wet performance)
• Conti CS3 = 5 (Superb wet grip, great dry grip, average feedback)
• Hankook Ventus V12 EVO = 5 (Good dry grip, excellent wet grip and good feedback)
• Vredstein Ultrac Sessanta = 6 (Excellent wet grip, good dry grip, bit numb on feedback though which is odd for a strong sidewall)
• Pirelli Pzero = 6 (Great all round performance with good feedback)
• Yokohama Advan Sport = 6 (Average dry and wet performance, OK feedback)
• Bridgestone RE050A = 7 (Good sidewalls, good feedback, good dry grip, OK wet grip)
• R888 = 7 (Incredible dry grip levels, good wet grip, no use in severe rain and short live span, good feedback)
• Bridgestone S02/S03 = 7 (Strong sidewalls, good dry grip, poor wet grip, excellent feedback)
• Michelin CUPS = 8 (Epic dry grip, fantastic feedback, below average wet grip)
• Hankook RS2's = 8 (Excellent dry grip, very poor wet grip, good feedback)
• Bridgestone RE070 = 9 (Scoob STI stock tyre, incredible dry grip, poor wet grip, great feedback)
• Advan AD08 = 9 (Incredible dry grip, good wet grip (warm), excellent feedback, good lifespan for this type of tyre)
• Yokohama A13c (EVO X stock tyre) = 10 (Incredible turn in, good dry grip, good wet grip, poor lifespan and expensive)
• Advan A048 = 10 (R compound like R888 but withstands heat far better and has much stronger sidewalls, epic in the dry, average in wet, don't last long)

If you don't agree with the above list, for example you had Toyo T1R's and then changed to say F1 Assymetrics and found the T1R's had firmer sidewalls then let us know as we can all work together to make an accurate and informable list.



Now when submitting reviews lets stick to the same format that is easy and tells all readers what they want to know, reviews should be written in a way that they are comparing the new tyre against the previous tyre on the same car, an example would be:-



Yokohama Advan AD08's

Car - Mitsubishi EVO X
Tyre size - 245/40/18
Previous tyre - Vredstein Ultrac Sessenta
Dry Grip - Vastly superior, the best dry grip tyre Ive ever experienced.
Dry braking - Epic, no moving around, completely stable.
Wet Grip - Not as good as the Vredstein, but more feedback and still good when over 20c in temperature)
Wet braking - Extremely good, better than the Vredstein, or certainly more confident inspiring.
Sidewall - Very stiff, the tyre never feels like its rolling onto itself, instead the car lets go very progressively. The Vredstein was OK, but just felt numb.
Turn in - Vastly superior, very crisp, superior to the Vredstein.
Feedback - Truly excellent, transformed the cars feel, the Vredsteins were quite numb in feel.
Comfort - Its a loud tyre, harsh ride, the Vredstein was better here.

Summary - Is there a better dry tyre that gives more feedback, doubtful! Not the best in the wet, terrible in the cold wet and useless on snow, but if you enjoy driving, having great feedback this tyre is awsome.









Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3

Car - Mitsubishi EVO X
Tyre size - 235/40/18
Previous tyre - Vredstein Ultrac Sessenta & Advan AD08
Dry Grip - Nearly on par with the Vredstein, better when around freezing but still a bit off the AD08 even when cold.
Dry braking - Tyre squirms more than previous two due to large treadblocks.
Wet Grip - Excellent especially the colder it gets, in warmer temps Vredstein and AD08 as good, but in colder temps it looses none of its wet traction ability, tested at -3c so far.
Wet braking - Excellent in the cold, but warmer temps squirms a bit.
Sidewall - Its mushy and soft, on harder corners you can feel the tyre rolling over onto itself, but for a winter tyre its surprisingly good.
Turn in - Is just average, soft sidewall lets it down, increasing to 34psi in front from 31psi has helped, but going higher reduces lateral grip, but both Vredstein and AD08 offered better turn in.
Feedback - Feeback is actually OK, better than the Vredstein but not as good as the AD08, at the limit the car simply pushes wide, very hard to make it step out due to softer sidewalls.
Comfort - Superb, much quieter, better fuel economy and much softer comfier ride, again due to softer sidewalls.

Summary - Its no performance summer tyre, its dry grip is on par with an average summer tyre, its wet grip is on par with a decent summer tyre but vastly superior once temps get too around freezing. Plus they work on snow. If your running something like F1's, Conti's or V12's I'd not bother with winter tyres in our climate, but if your running an extreme summer or track type tyre than these are a good choice.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Whilst I appreciate the intentions here are good I think that the useful of this thread is limited, as its going to fill with people who are convinced that <Insert whatever they currently run here> is amazing, and then fights between people who think Linglongs are amazing and people who think they are deluded, etc.

Plus some of us are numpties whose opinions you shouldnt trust. I for example would be happy to sit here and argue until I'm blue in the face that I've found the performance of my CS3 in the wet recently at 2c was exactly the same as it normally was and I suffered loss of grip where normally I wouldnt. Am I right? am I wrong? Who really knows. It's what I found but then you've no idea if I'm a clueless person or not.

 

[Gibbo]

Whilst I appreciate the intentions here are good I think that the useful of this thread is limited, as its going to fill with people who are convinced that <Insert whatever they currently run here> is amazing, and then fights between people who think Linglongs are amazing and people who think they are deluded, etc.

Yep agreed, its just basically a case of people been honest and always remembering when comparing old to new its most likely the old ones were worn out and shot.

If people can be honest and hold up their hands if they buy a dudd, it would be a valuable thread.

Because I myself would like to find an epic wet tyre for the evo that has stiff sidewalls and is still very good in the dry, but as it stands I dont think such a tyre exist, without having to go for something thats softer sidewall wise.

Plus some of us are numpties whose opinions you shouldnt trust. I for example would be happy to sit here and argue until I'm blue in the face that I've found the performance of my CS3 in the wet recently at 2c was exactly the same as it normally was and I suffered loss of grip where normally I wouldnt. Am I right? am I wrong? Who really knows. It's what I found but then you've no idea if I'm a clueless person or not.

This is true m8, but do you really test the limits of your car when its wet? I'd have thought you probably don't, as you don't come across as someone who pushes the limits.

Myself on the other hand, I push the EVO extremely hard even in the wet, as such I reach the limits of grip and thats why I can tell the difference, but having 4WD makes it a lot easier to push boundaries than say a RWD car.

So I guess its down to users to interpret results as they wish themselves, but its no point in arguing if people find something different from ourselves, but it would be good to have such data all in one place and there are 100's of enthusiest here and many of which I would trust who are not just sheep following what they have read on the internet elsewhere.

 

[Peerzy]

I've got Kumho KU31's at the moment, grand scheme of things they are probably not that great. I've found them good and would buy again for family members on <insert boring slow car here>. If I was keeping the Bravo long enough to need another change then I'd probably get them again.

For anything with any serious power I'd get something else.

6/10.

PS I know nothing about tyres.

 

[Gibbo]

I've got Kumho KU31's at the moment, grand scheme of things they are probably not that great. I've found them good and would buy again for family members on <insert boring slow car here>. If I was keeping the Bravo long enough to need another change then I'd probably get them again.

For anything with any serious power I'd get something else.

6/10.

PS I know nothing about tyres.

Write review in same format as mine m8, far easier to read and let people know what the car had on previously etc. so a comparison can be made.

 

[Peerzy]

I've just gone to do that, but half the catagories I really can't fill in as I hardly ever drive the car hard and it's not quick enough anyway. I couldn't write a single thing about the sidewall. The tyres have kept me on the road far better than the previous, I feel mildly safe and would be happy with them on something slow/boring again as a cheap option.

Kumho KU31s

Car - Fiat bravo
Tyre size - 255/45/17 (off the top of my head)
Previous tyre - Cheap ditchfinders that the dealer put on, Roadstones I think they were.
Dry Grip - Vastly superior to previous, not let go yet but I don't drive the car hard.
Dry braking - No idea really, I've not had to do an emergency stop yet with them and braking always seems fine and safe.
Wet Grip - Probably not the best, Bravo chasis is a bit iffy with 180bhp through the front wheels anyway. Can wheelspin easly.
Wet braking - Average
Comfort - Much better than before, so-so.

 

[Morba]

I think like fox, it has limited life in it.
Just look at the yearly tests that are done, things change as things get older. I think my vreds are great, but in tests this last year they have not been rated good at all.

also, peoples opinions are subjective and most peoples wont really be worthwhile because of different driving styles or thoughts on what 'sticks' and what lets you flap around like a fish out of water on a wet corner.

 

[Lashout_UK]

Even the magazine tests have to be taken with a pinch of salt as they are, for the most part, done on a solitary car, in one set of conditions (with regards to temperature and surface) and so on - they're hardly set-in-stone conclusions....and the results could swing an entirely different direction if one of those aspects changed.

Morba's right too, because how many of us are truly in a position to judge how well a tyre performs or not - as without driving it back-to-back, through a range of speeds, on a range of cars, in the same conditions and through a series of metered tests, could you actually pick up on the differences - and even then there's the chance there'll be a lot of personal choice involved in the decision...

Good idea nonetheless though....

 

[Shimmy]

Your rating on side wall stiffness seems to be very skewed to me, a third of those tyres look very track orientated and would lose out quite badly in wet weather/aquaplaning.

Yes I've picked up on this as I have the rainsport 2's, and I'll admit that the Michelin Pilot's that I've had in the past are stiffer. But I have found both the T1R's and F1's to have softer side walls in my experience. The reasoning for my tyre choice is that I have a 3.2 omega which I'm mainly going to waft about in and not for a spirited drive, so based my choice on the best aquaplaning and wet weather performance.

 

[Simon]

Whilst I appreciate the intentions here are good I think that the useful of this thread is limited, as its going to fill with people who are convinced that <Insert whatever they currently run here> is amazing, and then fights between people who think Linglongs are amazing and people who think they are deluded, etc.

Plus some of us are numpties whose opinions you shouldnt trust. I for example would be happy to sit here and argue until I'm blue in the face that I've found the performance of my CS3 in the wet recently at 2c was exactly the same as it normally was and I suffered loss of grip where normally I wouldnt. Am I right? am I wrong? Who really knows. It's what I found but then you've no idea if I'm a clueless person or not.

+1

 

[GT3]

One thing I have heard from many people Gibbo is that the Toyo T1-R is great on light cars - 106 gti, mx5 etc. But not so good on heavy cars where they squirm about too much. I had some on an old Saxo VTS and they were a great all round tyre especially at £35 a corner but I have just put them on my MR2 and to be honest I'm regretting buying them

 

[Gibbo]

Your rating on side wall stiffness seems to be very skewed to me, a third of those tyres look very track orientated and would lose out quite badly in wet weather/aquaplaning.

Yes I've picked up on this as I have the rainsport 2's, and I'll admit that the Michelin Pilot's that I've had in the past are stiffer. But I have found both the T1R's and F1's to have softer side walls in my experience. The reasoning for my tyre choice is that I have a 3.2 omega which I'm mainly going to waft about in and not for a spirited drive, so based my choice on the best aquaplaning and wet weather performance.

Thanks m8.

I just new the Rainsports were soft, now we have first hand experience from someone who has had rainsports and T1R's I can adjust the sidewall list.

 

[Gibbo]

One thing I have heard from many people Gibbo is that the Toyo T1-R is great on light cars - 106 gti, mx5 etc. But not so good on heavy cars where they squirm about too much. I had some on an old Saxo VTS and they were a great all round tyre especially at £35 a corner but I have just put them on my MR2 and to be honest I'm regretting buying them

Yep this is true, the lighter the car the less its likely to experience tyre wall flex. The T1R as I put is an OK all rounder, but its no master of any trades and once you move over 1200kg in weight they are very bad.

 

[GT3]

The T1R as I put is an OK all rounder, but its no master of any trades and once you move over 1200kg in weight they are very bad.

This I have found out Very strange everyone raves about them on the imoc site for a mk2 mr2 which I believe are about 1300kg. I had the original fitment Yokohoma A022 on before and they were a great tyre for the car despite being a nigh on 20 year old design. You could really feel what the car was doing, now with T1-R it almost feels like its going sideways all the time. Very disappointed after everyone on the mr2 site raving about them - at £300 a set for 15" they weren't that cheap either

 

[MrMoonX]

Falken 452
Car - Focus ST
Tyre size - 225/40/18
Previous tyre - Goodyear F1 Asymmetric
Dry Grip - very good, cant tell any difference than the f1
Dry braking - good no wobbling
Wet Grip - fine while driving normally starts to give when you push it in cornors
Wet braking - very good for the price, but think the F1s are better in this area
Sidewall - Very solid much stiffer than the F1s, had no pinches with these on potholes, had to replace F1s on two occasions due to pinches
Turn in - ok nothing to write home about
Feedback - great loads of feedback can really feel the road
Comfort - much louder than the f1s at motorway speeds can really hear the changing road surfaces

Summary - For the money its hands down they are best tyre out there for budget. I rate them better than the F1s as they last longer and are less likely to be pinched on potholes. I would definitely buy again

 

[[TW]Fox]

And this sums up what I meant. You think the FK452 doesnt 'pinch on potholes', what is that supposed to mean? You also then think the sidewall is 'very solid' but this only gives you 'average turn-in' despite you thinking there is 'great loads of feedback'

Surely the stiffer tyre should give more turn in by nature of its stiffer sidewall?

 

[NathanE]

I'm trying to think what I can possibly write about my tyres that isn't just going to be bullcarp hyperbole.

 

[ganesh]

This I have found out Very strange everyone raves about them on the imoc site for a mk2 mr2 which I believe are about 1300kg. I had the original fitment Yokohoma A022 on before and they were a great tyre for the car despite being a nigh on 20 year old design. You could really feel what the car was doing, now with T1-R it almost feels like its going sideways all the time. Very disappointed after everyone on the mr2 site raving about them - at £300 a set for 15" they weren't that cheap either

Annoying that the rear tyre choice is so limited isn't it? The fronts have some option for half decent rubber, but on the rears there are about 3 "performance" tyres, t1r, 912 and a022, none of which are especially cheap. Makes me think the best thing to do is to buy a set of 16s, far better choice and cheaper tyres. This is what I'm hoping to do when my current tyres have worn out.

 

[Housey]

I've only had 3 tyre types in 10 years or so on my cars, Pilot Sports, PZero's and Goodyear thingy's.

1) Pilot Sports
2) PZero
3) Goodyear

1 being my preference. Not sure this helps, but there you have it.

 

[GT3]

Annoying that the rear tyre choice is so limited isn't it? The fronts have some option for half decent rubber, but on the rears there are about 3 "performance" tyres, t1r, 912 and a022, none of which are especially cheap. Makes me think the best thing to do is to buy a set of 16s, far better choice and cheaper tyres. This is what I'm hoping to do when my current tyres have worn out.

Indeed but getting reasonably priced, decent quality, good looking, staggered fitment, correct offset wheels is hard. Should have gone for the falkens I think