Caporegime
What are they replacing?
**Unofficial Tyre Thread**
- Thread starter rossk26
- Start date
Contis which were on the car when I bought it and are now, well, shiny.
They are not an approved Audi fit, but I rate the tyre massively from my 530D experience with them and though in the end I changed them due to road noise, I am less worried about that on my current car as the V10 tends to cut out all other noises.
Soldato
Tempted to replace the runflats on my Z4 as they're not particularly confidence inspiring in the cold and wet up here (no surprise there).
Looking at the Conti SC6 as they seem to be better in the wet than MPSS (also slightly cheaper). Living in Aberdeen I'd rather sacrifice a bit if warm whether performance for ability in the wet/cold but maybe I'm asking too much.
Should probably wait for the PS4S to come out in Jan before jumping to a decision (can't get PS4 in my size).
Looking at the Conti SC6 as they seem to be better in the wet than MPSS (also slightly cheaper). Living in Aberdeen I'd rather sacrifice a bit if warm whether performance for ability in the wet/cold but maybe I'm asking too much.
Should probably wait for the PS4S to come out in Jan before jumping to a decision (can't get PS4 in my size).
Caporegime
Never had a problem with road noise, though you probably had a wider cross-section than my 235's, wonder if its a 5 series thing, i think Fox had tyre noise issues on a different set of rubber?
Will be interesting to read about the difference particularly with regards to steering feel, my experience is they grip for days and have never put a foot wrong, impressive all-round tyre.
Associate
They seem to do Ok here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO0zyQh2l3M
I had them on my Mondeo, and although never got to test them in the snow, I had no issues in the rain or dry.
Associate
Got an offer from a guy selling 4 subaru alloys in decent nick (in 195/60/15) with newish winter tires on them for £100. The catch - the tyres sound like some sort of Chinese thing - "Infinity Winter Hero". I thought I'd go take a look as my summer tyres definitely aren't behaving as well as they did a few months ago. Before I do, can anyone comment?
I should mention these are just going on a 1.6 corolla, I don't need to go anywhere fast but I do do a fair few miles and not ending up in a ditch now the weather is closing in is rather important
I should mention these are just going on a 1.6 corolla, I don't need to go anywhere fast but I do do a fair few miles and not ending up in a ditch now the weather is closing in is rather important
Last edited:
Soldato
We need pics
Got an offer from a guy selling 4 subaru alloys in decent nick (in 195/60/15) with newish winter tires on them for £100. The catch - the tyres sound like some sort of Chinese thing - "Infinity Winter Hero". I thought I'd go take a look as my summer tyres definitely aren't behaving as well as they did a few months ago. Before I do, can anyone comment?
I should mention these are just going on a 1.6 corolla, I don't need to go anywhere fast but I do do a fair few miles and not ending up in a ditch now the weather is closing in is rather important
Get them.
You'll be a Winter Hero!!
Soldato
I have Conti SC6 on my Z4 and in performance terms they are very impressive, although not so much in the cold. They are now getting a bit low on the back (4mm ish) and obviously the weather has turned and the wet weather performance in particular has gone from absolutely staggering to fairly average. When new I took the car for an Evo Triangle lap or two in torrential rain (but 10c+) and had no traction issues. In the cold and wet this week, I couldn't even have the car in Sport+/M because pulling for an on-throttle upshift would light up the rears.
Wear is about average - certainly not up to the claims of the MPSS longevity but far exceeds what people say about them only lasting a few thou - mine have done at least 10k now of quite spirited driving and still have a while to go on the back!
I literally have no idea what tyres to put on the 535d. None at all
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Soldato
[TW]Fox;30243946 said:Welcome to my world
Surely you want a comfortable, quiet, excellent all round tyre, with good wear and not ridiculously expensive - Goodyear Eagle F1A3?
Caporegime
Does the 5 series have a Tyre noise problem or is this down to lack of choice?
Soldato
Pilot Sport 4's are best in class right now, not sure on price.
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Sep 2005
- Posts
- 4,345
Any recommendations for a 5 door family focus zetec tyre? They're 215/50/17s.
I would use blackcircles but it seems to be either unknown brands or £100+ for known brands. I'm a pretty boring driver these days so don't need anything that great, just want to avoid the garbage at the same time though.
I would use blackcircles but it seems to be either unknown brands or £100+ for known brands. I'm a pretty boring driver these days so don't need anything that great, just want to avoid the garbage at the same time though.
Don
Doesn't sound like blackcircles are overcharging, probably a relatively uncommon size, hence the higher than expected price (My Mk3 Focus is similar in that the 16" tyres it takes are still around £100 and no UHP options available).
Best performing option in that size looks to be Conti Sport Contact 5 @ £118.25 each
http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/continental/sport-contact-5/215/50/R17/W/95/
but if you can't stretch that far then something like the Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39, would probably be a decent option @ £84.95 each fitted. (+ 3x Tesco points)
http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/kumho/ku39/215/50/R17/Y/95/
(Also don't forget you can use Quidco to get some cashback as well if using blackcircles)
Double check whether you need XL tyres or not as well (I assume you do as they seem more common in that size, but double check the load rating on the existing tyres)
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Sep 2005
- Posts
- 4,345
Cool ta was looking at the Kumho ones. Few negatives about wear but nothing too bad.
Tyres have come in now, moved the handling on from the Continental 5 series I had on, but I think I have lost a smidge of steering feel, but not 100%. Understeer is less which is good and grip is fantastic, dry and wet. As good as I remember them.