which tyres are the best
#62
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I was using some winter alloys running Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas and i was so disappointed with them,
Im currently running Pzero Nero and have had them for 3 years this Jan, Im due for a new set and think im going for the Conti Sport Contact 3's
Im currently running Pzero Nero and have had them for 3 years this Jan, Im due for a new set and think im going for the Conti Sport Contact 3's
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#64
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However, having also run both on a Newage I'd disagree on the statement in regards to GSD2's and 3's.
I felt the 2's had more grip than the 3's in all weather, BUT I'd say the sessantas offer at least 40-50% more grip in wet weather than either of the GSD derivatives.
On the Goodyears the car would fishtail badly in wet weather under higher speed cornering and understeer / slide at the front.
Sessantas just grip and don't slide anywhere near that degree either. Which is what i expect for the money you pay.
On a Newage that's why I'd immediately discount Toyos or Goodyear - sidewalls too soft and not enough grip as a result.
#65
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Not a great comparison mate as GSD2's have been out of production for over 5 years AFAIK!
However, having also run both on a Newage I'd disagree on the statement in regards to GSD2's and 3's.
I felt the 2's had more grip than the 3's in all weather, BUT I'd say the sessantas offer at least 40-50% more grip in wet weather than either of the GSD derivatives.
On the Goodyears the car would fishtail badly in wet weather under higher speed cornering and understeer / slide at the front.
Sessantas just grip and don't slide anywhere near that degree either. Which is what i expect for the money you pay.
On a Newage that's why I'd immediately discount Toyos or Goodyear - sidewalls too soft and not enough grip as a result.
However, having also run both on a Newage I'd disagree on the statement in regards to GSD2's and 3's.
I felt the 2's had more grip than the 3's in all weather, BUT I'd say the sessantas offer at least 40-50% more grip in wet weather than either of the GSD derivatives.
On the Goodyears the car would fishtail badly in wet weather under higher speed cornering and understeer / slide at the front.
Sessantas just grip and don't slide anywhere near that degree either. Which is what i expect for the money you pay.
On a Newage that's why I'd immediately discount Toyos or Goodyear - sidewalls too soft and not enough grip as a result.
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It would be helpful if the op would reveal the tyre size he is after as Vredestein do not appear to manufacture the Sessanta in rim sizes smaller than 17 inch. If they do, I can't find them (in the usual classic sizes of 205/55-15 or 205/50-16). And believe me I have searched LOL
Anyone tried Nokian?
Anyone tried Nokian?
Last edited by his-n-her-scoobs; 31 October 2011 at 11:15 AM.
#68
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It would be helpful if the op would reveal the tyre size he is after as Vredestein do not appear to manufacture the Sessanta in rim sizes smaller than 17 inch. If they do, I can't find them (in the usual classic sizes of 205/55-15 or 205/50-16). And believe me I have searched LOL
Anyone tried Nokian?
Anyone tried Nokian?
Always forget the original sizes on the classics were smaller.
Nokian are supposedly the name to have for winter tyres but never really heard anyone mention them for all weather / summer tyres.
Their winter variants certainly aren't cheap (or didn't used to be?).
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Good example of one size don't fit all
Was asking about the Nokian cos I found this
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Si...0-16-Tyres.htm
Rated highly, but only by 6 reviews as opposed to 109 reviews for the Rainsport 2
Some of the Rainsport reviewers have concerns about sidewall flex so probably won't suit the newage cars. May be ok on the lighter classics tho. I certainly havn't had any trouble with sidewall flex on my GSD3's, not that I notice anyway.
Is it possible that softer sidewalls help wet weather grip in the same way as softer suspension? Certainly in my experience the wet weather handling suffers when a car has had stiffer suspension fitted.
Was asking about the Nokian cos I found this
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Si...0-16-Tyres.htm
Rated highly, but only by 6 reviews as opposed to 109 reviews for the Rainsport 2
Some of the Rainsport reviewers have concerns about sidewall flex so probably won't suit the newage cars. May be ok on the lighter classics tho. I certainly havn't had any trouble with sidewall flex on my GSD3's, not that I notice anyway.
Is it possible that softer sidewalls help wet weather grip in the same way as softer suspension? Certainly in my experience the wet weather handling suffers when a car has had stiffer suspension fitted.
Last edited by his-n-her-scoobs; 31 October 2011 at 12:03 PM.
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Looks like you're right - if you're below 17" the choices are more restricted - Sessantas appear to start at 17 like you say.
Always forget the original sizes on the classics were smaller.
Nokian are supposedly the name to have for winter tyres but never really heard anyone mention them for all weather / summer tyres.
Their winter variants certainly aren't cheap (or didn't used to be?).
Always forget the original sizes on the classics were smaller.
Nokian are supposedly the name to have for winter tyres but never really heard anyone mention them for all weather / summer tyres.
Their winter variants certainly aren't cheap (or didn't used to be?).
I'm thinking of trying their summer tyres but I still have plenty of tread left on the sessanats so it will be a while.
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Good example of one size don't fit all
Was asking about the Nokian cos I found this
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Si...0-16-Tyres.htm
Rated highly, but only by 6 reviews as opposed to 109 reviews for the Rainsport 2
Was asking about the Nokian cos I found this
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Si...0-16-Tyres.htm
Rated highly, but only by 6 reviews as opposed to 109 reviews for the Rainsport 2
well after reading those reviews I'm definitely going to try these next. If they're anything like their winter tyres they will be top-notch, and it sounds like they are.
#73
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I've run standard shocks and springs, std shocks & Prodrive springs, and back in Febraury went to BC coilovers with a 5/4 spring rate.
Whilst the suspension is stiffer, it has in no way contributed to any sliding; the damping is far better, but IMHO geo, tyres and ARB setup will all alter the behaviour of your car far more.
All of that said though - regardless of all the above, with the same setup, I feel that my car simply performs better on a stronger, more resiliant tyre like the Sessanta than it ever has done on the Goodyear.
In all weathers. Evidently, you're a Goodyear fan, and I was too, but once I tried the Sessantas I realised what I'd been missing - they really do take it up a level in my honest opinion.
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#75
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You're not looking hard enough Jay
http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/126...ssanta-xl.aspx
http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/126...ssanta-xl.aspx
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Nokian Z G2 seem to be not bad price in the classic size
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/...-16-0-W-1.html
Yes, I am fan of the GSD3 as fitted to my non tracked, barely modified, daily driver classi. But I do understand they are not as good on the heavier newages especially with bigger rims and lower profiles. That said I will be replacing them soon and am open to recommendation, providing they fit and don't cost more than the replacement value of the car LOL. Unfortunately the Sessanta is not an option for me, hence my looking at the alternatives.
My experience of stiffening up suspension dates back to rear drive Escorts and front drive Orion ghias. Stiffer suspension sharpened them up no end but, combined with the invariably wider than standard tyres fitted at the same time, the cars did slide more in the wet. Just in a nice controllable manner, not bouncing along hoping LOL
My only experience of suspension mods in the Impreza is the difference noted on fitting new KYB shocks all round and applying maximum allowed negative camber at the front to help reduce understeer. Worked very well too
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/...-16-0-W-1.html
Yes, I am fan of the GSD3 as fitted to my non tracked, barely modified, daily driver classi. But I do understand they are not as good on the heavier newages especially with bigger rims and lower profiles. That said I will be replacing them soon and am open to recommendation, providing they fit and don't cost more than the replacement value of the car LOL. Unfortunately the Sessanta is not an option for me, hence my looking at the alternatives.
My experience of stiffening up suspension dates back to rear drive Escorts and front drive Orion ghias. Stiffer suspension sharpened them up no end but, combined with the invariably wider than standard tyres fitted at the same time, the cars did slide more in the wet. Just in a nice controllable manner, not bouncing along hoping LOL
My only experience of suspension mods in the Impreza is the difference noted on fitting new KYB shocks all round and applying maximum allowed negative camber at the front to help reduce understeer. Worked very well too
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Nokian Z G2 seem to be not bad price in the classic size
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/...-16-0-W-1.html
Yes, I am fan of the GSD3 as fitted to my non tracked, barely modified, daily driver classi. But I do understand they are not as good on the heavier newages especially with bigger rims and lower profiles. That said I will be replacing them soon and am open to recommendation, providing they fit and don't cost more than the replacement value of the car LOL. Unfortunately the Sessanta is not an option for me, hence my looking at the alternatives.
My experience of stiffening up suspension dates back to rear drive Escorts and front drive Orion ghias. Stiffer suspension sharpened them up no end but, combined with the invariably wider than standard tyres fitted at the same time, the cars did slide more in the wet. Just in a nice controllable manner, not bouncing along hoping LOL
My only experience of suspension mods in the Impreza is the difference noted on fitting new KYB shocks all round and applying maximum allowed negative camber at the front to help reduce understeer. Worked very well too
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/...-16-0-W-1.html
Yes, I am fan of the GSD3 as fitted to my non tracked, barely modified, daily driver classi. But I do understand they are not as good on the heavier newages especially with bigger rims and lower profiles. That said I will be replacing them soon and am open to recommendation, providing they fit and don't cost more than the replacement value of the car LOL. Unfortunately the Sessanta is not an option for me, hence my looking at the alternatives.
My experience of stiffening up suspension dates back to rear drive Escorts and front drive Orion ghias. Stiffer suspension sharpened them up no end but, combined with the invariably wider than standard tyres fitted at the same time, the cars did slide more in the wet. Just in a nice controllable manner, not bouncing along hoping LOL
My only experience of suspension mods in the Impreza is the difference noted on fitting new KYB shocks all round and applying maximum allowed negative camber at the front to help reduce understeer. Worked very well too
Originally Posted by Autoexpress 2011 tyre test
5th: Nokian Z G2
Overall: Nokian placed a solid 5th with the Nokian Z G2. While the Nokian only excelled in the noise test, it performed strongly in the wet handling and cornering which insured it a good over result. Slightly let down by the dry handling, the Nokian might not be the best tyre for the ultimate performance driver, but it is a solid all rounder.
Overall: Nokian placed a solid 5th with the Nokian Z G2. While the Nokian only excelled in the noise test, it performed strongly in the wet handling and cornering which insured it a good over result. Slightly let down by the dry handling, the Nokian might not be the best tyre for the ultimate performance driver, but it is a solid all rounder.
In tyre tests it has been a solid performer (look at the tests not the customer ratings even though the ratings are very good)
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So for a set of four 205/50-16 delivered that's
£395 for the Nokian
£385 for the GSD3
£330 for the Rainsport2
£304 for Toyo T1R
Looks like the GSD3's have priced themselves out of the market, sure I only paid £65 each last time. And Camskill want £110 each....jeeze
Rainsport 2 work out a £155 a set delivered in 195/50-15. Think I may try a set on the wife's Fiesta Zetec S first then. Based on the RainExpert's worked on the spare 1200 Fiesta in 185 guise, have high hopes.
£395 for the Nokian
£385 for the GSD3
£330 for the Rainsport2
£304 for Toyo T1R
Looks like the GSD3's have priced themselves out of the market, sure I only paid £65 each last time. And Camskill want £110 each....jeeze
Rainsport 2 work out a £155 a set delivered in 195/50-15. Think I may try a set on the wife's Fiesta Zetec S first then. Based on the RainExpert's worked on the spare 1200 Fiesta in 185 guise, have high hopes.
Last edited by his-n-her-scoobs; 31 October 2011 at 01:01 PM.
#79
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I found the opposite actually. There`s a left turn (on a roundabout) on my way to work and normally can take it at 40mph with my old tyres, no problem (wet or dry) With the Sessantas it slides...big time
#83
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I usually inflate my fronts to 36 PSI, and the rears 33 or 34.
Never had any problem with understeer or skidding and I do drive the car hard on occassion. For a little more you could get them filled with nitrogen (? think that's the one!).
If you're skidding big time it sounds like you're either running them at too low a pressure, or possibly you've got a set of bald tyres?
You learn the limits of the car and the tyres - my observation was that the Goodyears were about as good as the Vreddies in the dry, but significantly worse in the wet.
Once worn the Goodyears were more worn (say after 5000 miles), I found they got close to scary - had a few dicey moments with the car fishtailing for grip at what I'd say were relatively low speeds - I don't have the same problem with the Vredesteins in either scenario, and hence that's why I'll never go back to Goodyear on a newage.
As per other poster's comments though they may be better on a classic due to the lighter weight.
Never had any problem with understeer or skidding and I do drive the car hard on occassion. For a little more you could get them filled with nitrogen (? think that's the one!).
If you're skidding big time it sounds like you're either running them at too low a pressure, or possibly you've got a set of bald tyres?
You learn the limits of the car and the tyres - my observation was that the Goodyears were about as good as the Vreddies in the dry, but significantly worse in the wet.
Once worn the Goodyears were more worn (say after 5000 miles), I found they got close to scary - had a few dicey moments with the car fishtailing for grip at what I'd say were relatively low speeds - I don't have the same problem with the Vredesteins in either scenario, and hence that's why I'll never go back to Goodyear on a newage.
As per other poster's comments though they may be better on a classic due to the lighter weight.
Last edited by MrNoisy; 04 November 2011 at 03:34 PM.
#85
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There is one VERY significant fact that is not being strongly reinforced here, and that is the type of car and more importantly the sizes of the tyres.
To the op.
It's all well and good people telling you their experience with a particular tyre, but it really does mean bugger all if it's not the same size and car.
Perfect example is toyo t1r on 17's on a newage, perfectly fine for the money 6yrs ago.
Same tyre on a classic but 18's horrendous.
I now run falken 452's on 16's on a classic, and they are as said before better than toyo t1r, but they are a different size so again not a fair comparison.
Point being you need to compare like for like.
To the op.
It's all well and good people telling you their experience with a particular tyre, but it really does mean bugger all if it's not the same size and car.
Perfect example is toyo t1r on 17's on a newage, perfectly fine for the money 6yrs ago.
Same tyre on a classic but 18's horrendous.
I now run falken 452's on 16's on a classic, and they are as said before better than toyo t1r, but they are a different size so again not a fair comparison.
Point being you need to compare like for like.
Last edited by ditchmyster; 06 November 2011 at 01:58 PM.
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You can achieve the same with dehumidifed compressed air, which pretty much all tyre centres use.
Compresed air is 80% Nitrogen anyway, and the difference in expansion (temperature related) between oxygen and air is so tiny as to make no difference in road use.
Check your pressures once a week minimum and inflate to the correct level (likely to be more than your manufacturer specifies) and this will be of far more benefit than using pure nitrogen, which for the most part is used in motorsport for safety reasons in the pit lane.
And finally, to quote tyre bible, who are pretty much the myth busters of the tyre world...
So does it make a difference to drivers in the real world? Well consider this; The air you breathe is already made up of 78% nitrogen. The composition is completed by 21% oxygen and tiny percentages of argon, carbon dioxide, neon, methane, helium, krypton, hydrogen and xenon. The kit that is used to generate nitrogen for road tyres typically only gets to about 95% purity. To get close to that in your tyres, you'd need to inflate and deflate them several times to purge any remaining oxygen and even then you're only likely to get about 90% pure nitrogen. So under ideal conditions, you're increasing the nitrogen content of the gas in the tyre from 78% to 90%. Given that nitrogen inflation from the average tyre workshop is a one-shot deal (no purging involved) you're more likely to be driving around with 80% pure nitrogen than 90%. That's a 2% difference from bog standard air.
#90
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We used bottles of Nitrogen in BSB and then switched to dehumidified compressed air as it was easier to manage a compressor than a bottle
We had to cycle the air in tyres 3-5 times to ensure minimal water vapour, as it is this that has the most affect on pressure change with temperature.