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rayray086
22-10-2007, 02:00 AM
Guys, just thought I'd start this up. Can be a good thread for all of us to discuss tyres, tyre sizes, stretching etc etc.

Being a P-plate driver, I haven't had a lot of time behind the wheel testing out what tyres are good and what are not. For about half a year I was able to drive around on some awesome Goodyear F1 Eagles GSD3 and I was blown away but how good these tyres were compared to the Bridgestone G-Grids on my stock 14's. I now believe that spending some extra dollars for good tyres can be in some cases a life-saving decision.

So, I'm in the market for tyres and am currently researching on the internet. I figured once I gathered up and armed myself with enough information I'll be able to start going to tyre shops and asking quotes.

Here is what I've found from looking up as many tyre brands as I know and searching their products for a specific size.

Toyo Proxes T1R (~$165/each)
- 195/45R16 80V
Yokohama S-Drive AS01 (~$225/each)
- 195/45R16 84W
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (~$300/each)
- 195/45R16 94V
Goodyear Eagle LS2000
- 195/45ZR16 80ZR
Dunlop SP Sport 9000 (~$350/each)
- 195/45R16 80V
Falken ZE329 (~$179/each)
- 195/45R16 84W XL
- 195/45R16 80W
Continental SportContact
- 195/45R16 84V XL
Event WL905 (from Continental website)
- 195/45R16 84W XL
Hankook Ventus K102
- 195/45R16 84V XL
Michelin Pilot Primacy
- 195/45R16 80V
Nankang NS-2 (~$139/each)
- 195/45R16 84V XL
Pirelli PZero Nero
- 195/45R16 84V
- 195/45ZR16 84W

They're in no particular order. My first initial choice were the Toyos as I've heard some good things about them and there are an abundant number of sizes that the T1R comes in (they even have a 185 width low profile tyre in 16"). I'm not too worried about the load/speed figures as even the lowest (80V) satisfies my requirements (450kg/corner at max of 240km/h).

I'm wondering, has anyone have any experiences with any of these tyres? I'd like to know your general opinion and if you remember/know, how much did they cost and in what size?

rayray086
22-10-2007, 02:03 AM
BTW, check out CarBible's Wheel and Tyre Guide (http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html) too. Learnt a whole lot of **** there.

antinora
22-10-2007, 11:09 AM
i just got some og steelies for my mk2... just wondering about tyre sizes for my og weels... i dont want a thick side wall so what tyres are out there for me ?

rayray086
22-10-2007, 11:23 AM
Mk2 steelies are 14x6 is that right? If you're looking for tiny tyres you'd have to understand that it'll change the overall rolling diameter and will cause incorrect speedo readings! So with a smaller rolling diameter, you could be travelling 50km/h when your speedo reads 60km/h (extreme case).

That said, if you want a thinner side wall, Toyo makes the T1R in a 195/45 size. If you want stretch like what WABIT did on his Cabrio, Toyo also makes 165/55 and 155/55 sizes on their TEO Plus (http://www.toyo.com.au/TEO%20plus%20page.htm) tyre. If you want to retain the 185 tyre, Kumho makes one with a 55 profile on their Ecsta SPT (KU31) tyre.

All those tyres are not very common at all, and you'd need to ask some tyre dealers whether they bring them in, let alone stock them. Some could probably order them in for you though if you really want those tyre sizes.

Note: I found those tyres and their sizes through 1010tires (http://www.1010tires.com) - they're American-based hence my questioning on their availability in Australia.

FarQ
22-10-2007, 02:24 PM
you might want to add the following:

Pirelli PZero Dragon 195/45ZR16 80W
Hankook Ventus K105 195/45R16 84V ~$140

Falken ZE329 195/46R16 80W ~$150

My SEAT came originally with 185/60R14 82H. so i am stuck with 82H or better load/speed rating for my 195/45R16 tyres as i have the 16" cupra rims...... :rolleyes:

rayray086
22-10-2007, 03:35 PM
Cheers for that! Hankooks seem to be a good choice too with their Ventus tyres. Had a test drive in a VR6 with Ventus tyres and they were great, though the suspension set up helped quite a bit there.

KI11Z
23-10-2007, 03:01 AM
I didnt think toyo produce their T1R's anymore?! Not in Aus anyway :???: The T1R's had the sizing i was after for the stretch but since i couldnt get'em i opted for the goodyear eagle F1's, wicked tyre and not noisy imo . . . .

rayray086
23-10-2007, 07:37 AM
Toyos still make the T1R. It's the Proxes 4 I think that has ceased production.

Yeah the GSD3 is awesome. However I'd like to try out a different tyre this time!

Anyone with experiences using any of the other tyres? Not necessarily the same size!

The_Hawk
23-10-2007, 07:51 AM
I haven't had to buy tyres in a while...3 cars ago in fact... it's been a long year where I have bought and sold a few vehicles to end up here :P

Anyway, I have been using Silverstone tyres as recommended by the local tyre place. The ones I got were a very nice directional tyre with loads of grip and much less road noise than the Goodyears I was running before that.

Chances are they will be the tyres I get when I replace whats currently on the car.

rayray086
23-10-2007, 04:06 PM
Did some tyre shopping today. I forgot to raise an issue - stretching! Few shops were willing to stretch 195's on an 8" for me. I came across one that did and were fine with fitting them on with my adapters and doing alignment for me, and they were offering 195/45R16 Nankang NS-2 tyres for $139/each, by far the cheapest quote I've got. Has anyone have experience with the NS-2? I've heard a lot of **** about Nankangs but I'm after feedback on the NS-2! They look to be a good tyre!

peedman
23-10-2007, 04:51 PM
Where abouts was this place? I will need to visit em later on too:D

Read this: http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/archive/index.php/t-34528.html

But personally i would fork out the extra money for good tyres. Ive seen how u drive ur car u need em!!! :)

MattyT
23-10-2007, 05:08 PM
Had Nankang Tyres.. Ended up in hospital for 3 weeks.. Ofcourse not 100% the tyres fault but they didnt help.

Says a bit doesnt it!

rayray086
23-10-2007, 06:47 PM
Hmm... the Nankangs seem to be the ideal (i.e. cheap) tyre for just "getting the job done". Just rang up the guys from Blair's Tyres and they have Toyo T1R tyres for $165 in my size. I'll probably go with those...

ausgolfer
25-10-2007, 12:06 PM
Quote:
Had Nankang Tyres.. Ended up in hospital for 3 weeks.. Ofcourse not 100% the tyres fault but they didnt help.


Says a bit doesnt it!

I also had some Nankang tyres on some 17's I used to have(sig pic), they had really poor grip, especially in the wet.



I'm needing some new tyres for my original rims which I'm using at the moment(14x6 bottlecap rims), thinking of going for some lower profile slightly stretched toyos simliar to wabbits.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/09/mk2side-1.jpg

rayray086
25-10-2007, 12:42 PM
I went for the Nankangs. Not in the best financial situation and I guess it'll be the only time I'll skimp on tyres. I keep hearing they're the "best cheap" tyre and they grip lots in the dry, just not so great in the wet. Also heard they can get pretty noisy as well...

I'll be giving everyone my opinion of the Nankangs in the near future.

BL33SU
25-10-2007, 01:15 PM
il be goin nangkangs next.. easier to drift j:

DUBING
25-10-2007, 04:50 PM
i hear nexen silica are a little cheaper and better...

rayray086
25-10-2007, 07:32 PM
Is this the N6000? I totally forgot about Nexen in my searches. Heard good things about the N6000 too.

DUBING
02-11-2007, 07:23 AM
Is this the N6000? I totally forgot about Nexen in my searches. Heard good things about the N6000 too.
not sure mate, all i know is the guy told me they are a new silica compound.. and they are much better then Nankang's.

Haha Ray.. you got a Bug in your sig.. Kill it!

rayray086
02-11-2007, 09:49 AM
Here are the Nankang NS2. 195/45R16 on 7" on the left, 205/40R16 on 8" on the right.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7837-1.jpg

195/45R16 on 7".
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7836-1.jpg

205/40R16 on 8".
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7835-1.jpg

And the difference in rolling diameter, 205/40R16 being the smaller one.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7838-1.jpg

Hopefully the 195/45 on the 7" is enough "stretch" to not rub... and yes I'm hoping to have those lips refurbished!

DubSteve
02-11-2007, 09:59 AM
I like that sutle stretch on the 8's I think they look nice, anymore than that and I would think that they would look rediculous!

DUBING
02-11-2007, 03:35 PM
Here are the Nankang NS2. 195/45R16 on 7" on the left, 205/40R16 on 8" on the right.


195/45R16 on 7".


205/40R16 on 8".


And the difference in rolling diameter, 205/40R16 being the smaller one.


Hopefully the 195/45 on the 7" is enough "stretch" to not rub... and yes I'm hoping to have those lips refurbished!

I have 225/35/19 falkens on a 9.5' rim.. ill post some pics up later..:)

rayray086
02-11-2007, 07:04 PM
I still prefer Alex's 195/45 F1 Eagles on his 8" widened steelies! They looked great.

Water Boy
02-11-2007, 07:38 PM
Here are the Nankang NS2. 195/45R16 on 7" on the left, 205/40R16 on 8" on the right.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7837-1.jpg

195/45R16 on 7".
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7836-1.jpg

205/40R16 on 8".
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7835-1.jpg

And the difference in rolling diameter, 205/40R16 being the smaller one.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/11/CIMG7838-1.jpg

And we havent seen a pic of these on the car why???
Hopefully the 195/45 on the 7" is enough "stretch" to not rub... and yes I'm hoping to have those lips refurbished!

And we havent seen a pic of these on the car why???

rayray086
02-11-2007, 08:33 PM
The wheels are 5x114.3 and the car currently is 4x100 ;)

Water Boy
02-11-2007, 08:34 PM
The wheels are 5x114.3 and the car currently is 4x100 ;)

Adaptors or redrill...

rayray086
02-11-2007, 09:51 PM
VR6 brake upgrade + adapters.

NGOLF.U
04-11-2007, 10:35 PM
best tires i have ever had.

hankook rsz 212 225/40/18

these are classed as a Race spec tyre.

mega grip however needs to be heated properly.

rayray086
04-11-2007, 10:40 PM
best tires i have ever had.

hankook rsz 212 225/40/18

these are classed as a Race spec tyre.

mega grip however needs to be heated properly.

How was the tread wear on that?? Being race-spec, I'd imagine them to be pretty soft!

moto
07-11-2007, 05:25 PM
Just like they can make cardboard taste like icecream now, tyre makers can make spaghetti look like formula one rubber. Dont get sucked in by a copycat tread pattern.

My boss bought some Nexens for my Mk2 a few weeks ago. They looked like eagles but they're not. They're spaghetti looking like eagles and they're plain dangerous. Really dangerous. If I talk about a Mk2 breaking suddenly into a wheel spinning 45 degree drift passing a truck in 5th gear on a slightly wet but straight road, you get an idea. But thats only the half of it. Once they'd lose grip, getting it back was like trying to get mullet to line up for counting. And dry road performance was even scarier. On a slow S bend, following a mum in her regulation Landcruiser full of kids, they turned me around to point back at the old folks behind me, in front of me, or wherever they seemed to go. Felt like a turkey. Within a few days I was driving everywhere by aiming for the soft bushes.

Anyway they're gone now. For another $60 a corner Michelin Precedas are the way to go. Everytime I cross a roundabout I think of the money I'm saving.

FknDubbin
07-11-2007, 06:07 PM
How was the tread wear on that?? Being race-spec, I'd imagine them to be pretty soft!

They are defs not race spec.

MattyT
08-11-2007, 12:01 AM
Ive got Nexen N3000s, i dont think there THAT bad, but there sure is better around.

NGOLF.U
08-11-2007, 02:53 PM
yeh they are, they are classified as " r rubber " its what you can get before buying semi slicks

TazzyVR6
08-11-2007, 04:46 PM
Had Nankang Tyres.. Ended up in hospital for 3 weeks.. Ofcourse not 100% the tyres fault but they didnt help.

Mmmm... I have Nankang NK-2s (that's what the caryard put on the car for me, generous fellowsj:), thought they weren't to bad until i clipped a bank... of course again not 100% tyres fualt, but yeah, didn't help. Not to bad dry, but driving home from work in light drissle, on a series of 8 left right left etc cornering i could feel the car sliding around, not really the most confidence inspiring... Haven't driven on anything else to compare with but that's my story with them so far:)

They are 215/50R15 btw

TLSubmit
08-05-2011, 12:47 PM
Hey im new here.

Nice to meet everyone!
Hope you all have a good day

TLSubmit
11-05-2011, 01:35 AM
Hey im new here.

Im sam, how is everyone?

I look forwards to being a active memeber

li21
29-06-2011, 07:26 PM
hey all,

I was gonna go for a set of Kuhmo KU31s as I've used them previously on a different car and they were brilliant.

just wondering if its worth getting Ecowing "green" tyres instead for my Jetta TDI?

Do they make that much difference in fuel economy? And are they likely to grip anwhere near as well as the KU31s?

thanks

Banzai
06-07-2011, 11:20 PM
Put a set of new Bridgestone RE002s on my GTI yesterday. The car finally has an acceptable level of grip. Also a lot quieter then the RE050s