Tyres - the Final Analysis

[mf11]

Right then, need to get my 4 new tyres organised tomorrow......

I'm thinking 275/30/19 for better alloy protection, and it's a toss up between the Goodyear Eagle F1s and the Vredestien Sessantas.

Given what people have said about sometimes getting "bad" F1s, I'm being swayed by the Vredestiens...... Having scanned a few threads the general feedback seems to be that they are the equal, or almost the equal, of the F1s in the wet and dry, and a bit better in the snow.

Is this a fair summary? Any final advice....??

Michael.

[mf11]

...oh, and does 275 compared to 255 automatically mean more grip / better handling on the basis that there is (slightly) more rubber in contact with the road...?

[ArthurPE]

actually the rubber on the road is ~ the same for a given pressure and car weight
but the shape of the contact patch changes, it will be a bit wider (but shorter) with the 275's

handling may have +/-, more grip, less straightline stability (tramlining)
less grip in the wet (but more in the dry)
noise? mpg?

I've heard nothing but good about the Vredestien

[P_G]

Ultimate dry grip is not as good as F1's on same size by about 5 mph from rough tests I have done and slightly more road noise but last heaps longer (nearly 40% longer) and just as good int he wet and miles (literarly) better in the snow. 275 have better turn in and cornering grip over 255.

Secret Santa's also 5-10% cheaper per corner.

[adsgreen]

Tyre deformation is lower as the contact patch is wider and shorter.
As such you'll have a slightly more springy tyre and I've found that this helps smooth out the micro bumps on the road.

The other side effect is that less deformation means less heat in the tyre. Some manufacturers take this into account and use slightly softer rubber compunds.
However you can also reduce the tyre pressure to return the contact patch length back to what it was whilst keeping the extra width - in this case you end up with more rubber on the road with the same wear and temperatures

[mf11]

Feels like the Vreds in 275/30/19 is the way to go then, but to go for slightly lower pressures - any view on what to run these at?

[guffy]

I just had my Goodyear F1's (275's) replaced yesterday with a set of vreds, also 275. There's definitely a bit more road noise and they seem stiffer/bumpier too. Maybe i need to alter the pressure's, the tyre fitter put 38psi all round.

[mf11]

Aaaarrrggghhhh!!!

Still can't make a decision on this. Defintely going for the Vreds but can't decide between:

255/35
275/30
275/35

Maybe I should just stick with the current 255/35 although I am tempted by the better alloy protection of the 275s. Any pics of a car running 275/30 or 275/35, does it look any / very different? A fatter / squatter look would appeal as long as there is no grip degredation as a result.

Thanks, need to nail this one today!!

Michael.

[sonny]

If you cant make a decision then stick wit 255/35, the car will prob handle better all round, The car was designed to run on these with 19s.

[P_G]

I just had my Goodyear F1's (275's) replaced yesterday with a set of vreds, also 275. There's definitely a bit more road noise and they seem stiffer/bumpier too. Maybe i need to alter the pressure's, the tyre fitter put 38psi all round.

I run my fronts at 40PSI and the rears at 36PSI.

[sonny]

So that's 1psi higher than when driving in normal load, sounds reasonable. How did they handle when you went to the Ring, what pressures did you use?

[P_G]

Aaaarrrggghhhh!!!

Still can't make a decision on this. Defintely going for the Vreds but can't decide between:

255/35
275/30
275/35

Maybe I should just stick with the current 255/35 although I am tempted by the better alloy protection of the 275s. Any pics of a car running 275/30 or 275/35, does it look any / very different? A fatter / squatter look would appeal as long as there is no grip degredation as a result.

Thanks, need to nail this one today!!

Michael.

255's without spacers




275's with 10mm spacers on rears.







Running 275/35's is a no go, they would rub on the fronts and rears for sure.

[mf11]

How much are a set of spacers, and what ones would I need? Could these be fitted by local tyre-fitter type easily when they change the tyres?

[colmac]

How much are a set of spacers, and what ones would I need? Could these be fitted by local tyre-fitter type easily when they change the tyres?

Any opinion on Bridgestones. I tried to get vederstiens Sessanta but cannot get any up north, tried Tyreman (hull) but they cannot supply either need to get tyres next week. Offered the Bridgestones @ £240 each?

[sonny]

How much are a set of spacers, and what ones would I need? Could these be fitted by local tyre-fitter type easily when they change the tyres?

Hubcentrics only 150mm face. H&R come recommended.