View Poll Results: Tyre Recommendations for 400+ Club
Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas
19
24.05%
Continental SportContact 3
1
1.27%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
22
27.85%
Bridgestone Potentza S001
5
6.33%
Nankang NS2R
9
11.39%
Michelin Pilot Sport 2
4
5.06%
Other
19
24.05%
Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll
Tyre Recommendations for 400+ Club
17 December 2014, 09:47 PM
#31
Yes mate. Ignore the name, I too was sceptical but they're superb rain or shine.
One word of warning. They're awful till they've had a good scrubbing in and a heat cycle. Once scrubbed up, theyre genuinely a special bit of kit for the money.
One word of warning. They're awful till they've had a good scrubbing in and a heat cycle. Once scrubbed up, theyre genuinely a special bit of kit for the money.
17 December 2014, 09:51 PM
#32
NS2Rs have some proper voodoo shizz going on. Amazing in the wet, way more amazing than they should be. RSRs are also superb in the wet.
The Subaru currently wears Michelin Pilot SuperSports, great tyres but at £250 a corner, i stilll dont think theyre any better than the NS2R.
Up to you mate, but i'll never use another street tyre, track tyres are so much more stable and predicatble. When the Michelins are dead, ill fit NS2Rs to the Subaru.
The Subaru currently wears Michelin Pilot SuperSports, great tyres but at £250 a corner, i stilll dont think theyre any better than the NS2R.
Up to you mate, but i'll never use another street tyre, track tyres are so much more stable and predicatble. When the Michelins are dead, ill fit NS2Rs to the Subaru.
17 December 2014, 11:00 PM
#34
Scooby Regular
Fed up with my Vredestein Ultrac Vortis.
They display a truly frightening lack of grip in the wet, running wide and sliding badly; in the dry they're not much better, and they're useless when cold (despite what the "ratings" indicate).
2 alignments by different garages (one I have a lot of confidence in) but the car still feels like it's on ice when the tyres are cold and little improves when they warm up (the alignment settings are basically Prodrive settings).
In short, they are the worst set of tyres I've ever run on a Subaru (and I've tried a few in 9 years of ownership
).
Looking for something that will restore my confidence, so interested to hear from owners of higher powered (400+ pls) cars on what you'd recommend.
I've added some makes here, but if you would strongly recommend others please post a reply. Thanks in advance (and before the spelling police point it out yes I mis-spelled Potenza but I can't edit the poll)
They display a truly frightening lack of grip in the wet, running wide and sliding badly; in the dry they're not much better, and they're useless when cold (despite what the "ratings" indicate).
2 alignments by different garages (one I have a lot of confidence in) but the car still feels like it's on ice when the tyres are cold and little improves when they warm up (the alignment settings are basically Prodrive settings).
In short, they are the worst set of tyres I've ever run on a Subaru (and I've tried a few in 9 years of ownership
).Looking for something that will restore my confidence, so interested to hear from owners of higher powered (400+ pls) cars on what you'd recommend.
I've added some makes here, but if you would strongly recommend others please post a reply. Thanks in advance (and before the spelling police point it out yes I mis-spelled Potenza but I can't edit the poll)
20 December 2014, 05:34 PM
#36
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I've had a variety of tyres and I've stuck with Vredestein, the sessanta's are outstanding in the wet - the best I've ever had, but the wear was slightly higher than expected, but no big issue. Living in the Scottish Highlands means you need good wet tyres, I thought I'd give the Vorti's a go, although they're not as good as the Sessanta's they provide everything I need for a wet B road blast. However in the dry is where they do shine - gaining 1.5 seconds a lap over the Goodyears I had before, even 2 tests have shown in the dry they are 1 second faster round the track than the next best tyre.
I've got my Dunlop Wintersport 3D's (one of the highest rated winter tyres) on now and they do provide better aquaplaning resistance, I wouldn't say it's a night and day difference, just better. Not to the point I would say the Vreddy's are 'dangerous'.
I've got my Dunlop Wintersport 3D's (one of the highest rated winter tyres) on now and they do provide better aquaplaning resistance, I wouldn't say it's a night and day difference, just better. Not to the point I would say the Vreddy's are 'dangerous'.
21 December 2014, 12:37 AM
#37
I've had a variety of tyres and I've stuck with Vredestein, the sessanta's are outstanding in the wet - the best I've ever had, but the wear was slightly higher than expected, but no big issue. Living in the Scottish Highlands means you need good wet tyres, I thought I'd give the Vorti's a go, although they're not as good as the Sessanta's they provide everything I need for a wet B road blast. However in the dry is where they do shine - gaining 1.5 seconds a lap over the Goodyears I had before, even 2 tests have shown in the dry they are 1 second faster round the track than the next best tyre.
I've got my Dunlop Wintersport 3D's (one of the highest rated winter tyres) on now and they do provide better aquaplaning resistance, I wouldn't say it's a night and day difference, just better. Not to the point I would say the Vreddy's are 'dangerous'.
I've got my Dunlop Wintersport 3D's (one of the highest rated winter tyres) on now and they do provide better aquaplaning resistance, I wouldn't say it's a night and day difference, just better. Not to the point I would say the Vreddy's are 'dangerous'.
Can't be doing with them at all!
21 December 2014, 09:02 AM
#40
Looked pretty tread wise, dry and wet weather grip wasn't ever really that amazing.
I used to think they were good till I tried RSRs, Michelins, NS2Rs etc.
the sidewalls are soft and they roll on their edges easily giving a gooey steering feel.
Spun mine and nearly totalled it after they let go under power on a dry undulating road.
Same power through the Michelins and she's solid through the same corner.
Personally for me, the people that rate them "possibly" have little experience of better.
So not for me I'm afraid.
I used to think they were good till I tried RSRs, Michelins, NS2Rs etc.
the sidewalls are soft and they roll on their edges easily giving a gooey steering feel.
Spun mine and nearly totalled it after they let go under power on a dry undulating road.
Same power through the Michelins and she's solid through the same corner.
Personally for me, the people that rate them "possibly" have little experience of better.
So not for me I'm afraid.
21 December 2014, 10:59 AM
#42
Had 3x sets of Federal RSRs now and 1 set of NS2Rs in the 180 street compound.
Out of the 2 Id get the NS2Rs. They have a squarer shoulder than the RSR and have a slightly nicer steering feel IMO.
Both great tyres for the money. You won't be disappointed with either.
Be aware though, both are poor from new and need a good scrubbing.
Out of the 2 Id get the NS2Rs. They have a squarer shoulder than the RSR and have a slightly nicer steering feel IMO.
Both great tyres for the money. You won't be disappointed with either.
Be aware though, both are poor from new and need a good scrubbing.
21 December 2014, 01:02 PM
#43
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As you are looking for 17" NS2Rs, what size would you go for on a widetrack - 225 or 235?
Thanks.
235
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s666..._Noise%3A_71dB
225
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s665..._Noise%3A_71dB
Thanks.
235
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s666..._Noise%3A_71dB
225
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s665..._Noise%3A_71dB
22 December 2014, 07:58 AM
#44
As you are looking for 17" NS2Rs, what size would you go for on a widetrack - 225 or 235?
Thanks.
235
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s666..._Noise%3A_71dB
225
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s665..._Noise%3A_71dB
Thanks.
235
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s666..._Noise%3A_71dB
225
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m117b0s665..._Noise%3A_71dB
In regards to tyre size I'm running 18's not 17's, but if you're running 17's I would go for 235/40 and you'll have no problems.
Mate has run Falkens on his with that setup and no rubbing at all.
Frayz I'm surprised on your comment re the Sessantas as I had a few sets of those and quite liked them but I get the feeling that many of these so called performance tyres aren't really tested until you really give them some stick or put more power through them which is why I'm looking around - I've gone for a punt on 2 Nankangs to see what the car feels like and if I like em I'll buy another 2, otherwise just stick a set of Goodyears or Sessantas on.
I did use to inflate the tyre higher with Sessantas due to the sidewalls like you noted.
I was frankly amazed at the comment above from the person on Vortis as like JazzyJemBreaze says they make the car feel slippery and unstable; to say they're not as good as the Sessantas I would say is a huge understatement - they're terrible, and I'd question how hard you push your car if you believe they're even close in terms of handling!
Last edited by MrNoisy; 22 December 2014 at 08:03 AM.
22 December 2014, 08:49 AM
#45
I'd buy them from Tyreleader they're considerably cheaper.
In regards to tyre size I'm running 18's not 17's, but if you're running 17's I would go for 235/40 and you'll have no problems.
Mate has run Falkens on his with that setup and no rubbing at all.
Frayz I'm surprised on your comment re the Sessantas as I had a few sets of those and quite liked them but I get the feeling that many of these so called performance tyres aren't really tested until you really give them some stick or put more power through them which is why I'm looking around - I've gone for a punt on 2 Nankangs to see what the car feels like and if I like em I'll buy another 2, otherwise just stick a set of Goodyears or Sessantas on.
I did use to inflate the tyre higher with Sessantas due to the sidewalls like you noted.
I was frankly amazed at the comment above from the person on Vortis as like JazzyJemBreaze says they make the car feel slippery and unstable; to say they're not as good as the Sessantas I would say is a huge understatement - they're terrible, and I'd question how hard you push your car if you believe they're even close in terms of handling!
In regards to tyre size I'm running 18's not 17's, but if you're running 17's I would go for 235/40 and you'll have no problems.
Mate has run Falkens on his with that setup and no rubbing at all.
Frayz I'm surprised on your comment re the Sessantas as I had a few sets of those and quite liked them but I get the feeling that many of these so called performance tyres aren't really tested until you really give them some stick or put more power through them which is why I'm looking around - I've gone for a punt on 2 Nankangs to see what the car feels like and if I like em I'll buy another 2, otherwise just stick a set of Goodyears or Sessantas on.
I did use to inflate the tyre higher with Sessantas due to the sidewalls like you noted.
I was frankly amazed at the comment above from the person on Vortis as like JazzyJemBreaze says they make the car feel slippery and unstable; to say they're not as good as the Sessantas I would say is a huge understatement - they're terrible, and I'd question how hard you push your car if you believe they're even close in terms of handling!
Id be careful about just getting a pair, you really need a set. The NS2Rs are vastly different in terms of grip compared to a Sessanta if thats what youre running on the rear. If you do go that route, be careful.
22 December 2014, 04:25 PM
#46
.If I like them I'll buy another 2, if I don't I'll just buy 4 Sessantas or Goodyears and sell the Nankangs on to one of you lot
I'm running 4 Ultrac Vortis at the moment.
The compound is just too hard, it takes forever to get heat into them and even when you do, they're poor in comparison to the Ultrac Sessanta they're supposed to replace. The amusing thing is that even the one person above who says he felt they were "OK" acknowledged they weren't as good in the wet as a Sessanta, yet the Sessanta has a wet grip rating of C, when the Vorti is rated as B.....riiiiiiiiiight!
23 December 2014, 10:57 AM
#49
Well, they arrived yesterday, I went for the medium compound.
Certainly look the business. May try and get them on tomorrow but otherwise it'll be new year before I get them scrubbed in.
Certainly look the business. May try and get them on tomorrow but otherwise it'll be new year before I get them scrubbed in.
Last edited by MrNoisy; 23 December 2014 at 11:01 AM.
24 December 2014, 12:27 PM
#51
My local tyre shop squeezed me in just before they closed, so I now have the Nankangs on the front.
Straight away driving out the car felt more solid and the steering a little heavier as if the tyres are providing more resistance.
Obviously I need to wear the coating off the tyres and get them scrubbed in properly, but even in just the 2 mile journey home it was obvious how much more grip these have than the Vortis - on the roundabouts you can feel them digging in and gripping way earlier so I'm hopeful these will continue to impress me when I take them on a longer drive over Christmas. Cheers all for the advice, if they look good the extra 2 will be ordered over the break
Straight away driving out the car felt more solid and the steering a little heavier as if the tyres are providing more resistance.
Obviously I need to wear the coating off the tyres and get them scrubbed in properly, but even in just the 2 mile journey home it was obvious how much more grip these have than the Vortis - on the roundabouts you can feel them digging in and gripping way earlier so I'm hopeful these will continue to impress me when I take them on a longer drive over Christmas. Cheers all for the advice, if they look good the extra 2 will be ordered over the break
12 January 2015, 03:54 PM
#53
I will be believe me. Thought I'd offer some more feedback now I've had these on for a few weeks.
Really really happy with these and would like to thank you for the recommendation.
Did a 3 counties drive over the weekend
My friend was with me in the car over the weekend and said it was noticeable that I was pushing harder and seemed to be enjoying the car more - like you said I need 4 as you can feel the back squirming on occasion now so a matching pair for the rear will be on the cards very soon.
The front grips hard, digs in earlier and holds the road - as I haven't got matching rears I'm not pushing too hard but I haven't managed to unstick the front yet despite the rear snaking a bit on occasion.
Thanks for everyone's input and for making a good car better
Really really happy with these and would like to thank you for the recommendation.
Did a 3 counties drive over the weekend
My friend was with me in the car over the weekend and said it was noticeable that I was pushing harder and seemed to be enjoying the car more - like you said I need 4 as you can feel the back squirming on occasion now so a matching pair for the rear will be on the cards very soon.
The front grips hard, digs in earlier and holds the road - as I haven't got matching rears I'm not pushing too hard but I haven't managed to unstick the front yet despite the rear snaking a bit on occasion.
Thanks for everyone's input and for making a good car better
Last edited by MrNoisy; 12 January 2015 at 04:40 PM.
12 January 2015, 04:24 PM
#54
I will be believe me. Thought I'd offer some more feedback now I've had these on for a few weeks.
Really really happy with these and would like to thank you for the recommendation.
Did a 3 counties drive over the weekend
My friend was with me in the car over the weekend and said it was noticeable that I was pushing harder and seemed to be enjoying the car more - like you said I need 4 as you can feel the back squirming on occasion now so a matching pair for the rear will be on the cards very soon.
The front grips hard, digs in earlier and holds the road - as I haven't got matching rears I'm pushing hard but I haven't managed to unstick the front yet despite the rear snaking a bit on occasion.
Thanks for everyone's input and for making a good car better
Really really happy with these and would like to thank you for the recommendation.
Did a 3 counties drive over the weekend
My friend was with me in the car over the weekend and said it was noticeable that I was pushing harder and seemed to be enjoying the car more - like you said I need 4 as you can feel the back squirming on occasion now so a matching pair for the rear will be on the cards very soon.
The front grips hard, digs in earlier and holds the road - as I haven't got matching rears I'm pushing hard but I haven't managed to unstick the front yet despite the rear snaking a bit on occasion.
Thanks for everyone's input and for making a good car better
Good to hear.
12 January 2015, 05:15 PM
#56
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I'm not sure tbh.. When I was looking for tyres for my new wheels I read a lot of threads and info on many different brands.. Eventually I opted for the Vredestein Sessantas, but several tyre fitters in my town either didn't do them or was very overpriced and of course they would fit tyres that I supplied.. So I was left with the Michelin pilot sport 3 from a different tyre fitter.. I'm not one of these who fits tyres ***** nilly due to the cost.. Iwas happy with them when running 350bhp.. Now I'm running 450 bhp and for me they are pretty good.. Although as I said I've not tried any others.
12 January 2015, 06:15 PM
#59
I fooking love RE070`s, Use them all year round...Lets be honest we dont need to drive like a loon in the rain anyway....i save that for the dry days but can be interesting depending on how heavy your foot is and where your wheels are pointing, Did a couple of wet laps at the ring on them too, Great stiff sidewall but as frayz said can be a bit noisy, lol.
Last edited by The Pink Ninja; 12 January 2015 at 06:17 PM.