do i need to replace all 4 tyres?

[MoRS6+]

To answer all questions if you only have 3 mm left on the other axle replace all 4. If only 2 available, if it is a motorway trip and that is the only driving you intend doing put the 3mm ones on the rear until you get the other two new ones just because the new ones are better looking after the weight of the engine.

Regarding 255 vs 275 debate, just by their size there is at least 10mm extra rubber protruding (I say at least because F1's also have rim protection) over the rim that isn't there on the 255's. I had the same problem with kerbing but have't had any issues since I changed and have 'bumped' some kerbs. This pic should hopefully show the difference;



I couldn't comment on F1 255 vs 275 on F1's as I has Conti SC3's beforehand but the Goodyears are a country mile better than the SC3's in wet and drip grip, turn in is far improved, lesser road noise. They are at their prime when warmed up, but for extra grip and rim protection 275 is what I would recommend and I have standard suspension. No rubbing on lock issues and also fill the arches better so no need for spacers IMO.

Alternative is the Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas, the other tyre I would have look at and cheaper than F1's. The ultimate for the RS would appear to be Michelin Pilots, however considering they are £1300 for 4 and F1's are £680-700 for 4 and Vredesteins are £600-620 for 4 you can have two sets for Vredesteins and nearly the same of F1's to Michelins.

Hope this helps.

Now that is what I call rubber protrusion! That is how things looked on my D2 S8 that was impossible to kerb, so I think that was the answer all along! Thanks for that, a hugely helpful post and pretty much a clincher for me as far as opting for the 275's are concerned.

P_G, if you don't mind, could I just pick your brain once more and ask 2 more questions.. How does the comfort of the 275's compare to the 255's going over bumps/imperfections? And lastly, what pressures are you running in comparison to the 255's? I'm currently running 44psi all round because that is what it says on my fuel-flap sticker - presumably, that sticker will no longer be applicable running on 275's? Sorry, that's 3 questions!

Thanks again,

Mo.

[Oli]

Think you should stick with a 255 with, dont see the point in going 275!

Im going for the F1s next time round

Unfortunately they don't do the F1 assymetric in the 255 size.....yet. I've gone for the Vredestein's on my RS4 and am really chuffed with them, espeicially coming from F1's on my 330BHP 8P S3 previously!

[P_G]

To answer all questions if you only have 3 mm left on the other axle replace all 4. If only 2 available, if it is a motorway trip and that is the only driving you intend doing put the 3mm ones on the rear until you get the other two new ones just because the new ones are better looking after the weight of the engine.

Regarding 255 vs 275 debate, just by their size there is at least 10mm extra rubber protruding (I say at least because F1's also have rim protection) over the rim that isn't there on the 255's. I had the same problem with kerbing but have't had any issues since I changed and have 'bumped' some kerbs. This pic should hopefully show the difference;



I couldn't comment on F1 255 vs 275 on F1's as I has Conti SC3's beforehand but the Goodyears are a country mile better than the SC3's in wet and dry grip, turn in is far improved, lesser road noise. They are at their prime when warmed up, but for extra grip and rim protection 275 is what I would recommend and I have standard suspension. No rubbing on lock issues and also fill the arches better so no need for spacers IMO.

Alternative is the Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas, the other tyre I would have look at and cheaper than F1's. The ultimate for the RS would appear to be Michelin Pilots, however considering they are £1300 for 4 and F1's are £680-700 for 4 and Vredesteins are £600-620 for 4 you can have two sets for Vredesteins and nearly the same of F1's to Michelins.

Hope this helps.

Now that is what I call rubber protrusion! That is how things looked on my D2 S8 that was impossible to kerb, so I think that was the answer all along! Thanks for that, a hugely helpful post and pretty much a clincher for me as far as opting for the 275's are concerned.

P_G, if you don't mind, could I just pick your brain once more and ask 2 more questions.. How does the comfort of the 275's compare to the 255's going over bumps/imperfections? And lastly, what pressures are you running in comparison to the 255's? I'm currently running 44psi all round because that is what it says on my fuel-flap sticker - presumably, that sticker will no longer be applicable running on 275's? Sorry, that's 3 questions!

Thanks again,

Mo.

F1's irespective of size feel a little splashy when really cold (temps below 2 degrees C and onlty for first 500 yards), have had this with my S3, S4 and now RS4 (if a put lock on when cold when I forst pull out the drive they sound like the fronts give a pop as if going that are coming off the rims but never do).

However when there is heat in them the comfort is far better than the SC3's I had, feel a little more pliable too even though it is a smaller side wall. Currently running 40 on the front and 38 rear, was running 38-39 front and 36 rear on 255's which IIRC is a mid point between light load weight and fully laden weight on the door pillar sticker for 255's so in answer slightly more. I've now run F1's against Bridgestone Potenza's, Pirelli PZero's, Dunlop Sport Maxx and Falken FK452's and they are the nest tyre which is now why I am using them on my third S/RS model however Vredesteins are quite tempting and have aphunky pattern too. The only thing I miss about the old F1's vs the new assymetrics is the tread pattern.

Hope this helps.

[mfire]

I put them on mine 2k miles ago and they are bloody good, although they are a bit scary at first due to the release compound taking 500 miles to wear off. Yes they do offer more rim protection and so far seem to be lasting OK, running standard pressures. Cheers
Oh Yes I'd replace all 4 every time!

3 questions:

a) How do you rate the comfort of these, are they a slightly firmer due to the stiffer sidewall or are they virtually the same as oem?

b) I'm very interested in the rim-protection factor as I was asking about this recently - as you have had both (255 and 275), is there an obvious difference in the amount of physical rubber sitting proud of the alloy lip?

c) Any issues with rubbing on full-lock etc.?

Many thanks. (Soz for slight hi-jack! )

a) Don't notice any difference in ride comfort but I think because they are wider the profile is the same (30% of 275 as opposed to 35% of 55?). maths was never my strong point!
2) Rim protection is much better! have a habit of bumping kerbs and no damage to alloys so far but with the 255s' if I even smelt a kerb the wheel would get damaged! As the man says I think there is an extra cm or so of protection
3) No issues at all and they fill the arches better.
Hope it helps.
Cheers
Bry

[MoRS6+]

OK thanks for the feedback gents, will definitely be ordering a set of either the F1's or the Vred Ultracs in 275/30/19. Will let you know how I go.

Mo.

[pippyrips]

I'm just coming to the end of a set of 275/30 F1's and found them to be great. That said i have a set of 275/30 Verdestein Sasanta's ready to go on as at £118 per corner they were too good to miss.

[chemical-ali]

I know I am being stupid asking this but how can you put differing width tyres on the same rim? You guys are mentioning putting a 275 on instead of a 255. And you could, I suppose, mention a 265. Can the extra girth be accomodated on the stock rims?

And why are 255 more expensive than 275s?

[MoRS6+]

I know I am being stupid asking this but how can you put differing width tyres on the same rim? You guys are mentioning putting a 275 on instead of a 255. And you could, I suppose, mention a 265. Can the extra girth be accomodated on the stock rims?

And why are 255 more expensive than 275s?

Everything is explained here:

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html

If you use the tyre size calculator on that page, you can see the RR (rolling-radius) is actually bigger on the 255/35 tyre because of the sidewall being 35 (remember the 275 tyre must be 30 to minimize the possibility of rubbage) - thus there is more rubber on the 255 tyre even though they are narrower and so are more expensive to make.

As for the possibility of using a 265/30 tyre, this would be dangerous as the load index rating is only 93 and would not meet manufacturers spec for weight. You could however use a 265/35 with a load index of 98, but they are expensive and could have rubbing issues.

All these dabates are further muddied by ones own suspension height! So there is no difinitive answer really. All you can do is gather various personal experiences from people who have actually tried the various combinations of tyre/wheel sizes and suspension heights and hope for the best on your own car. I know I will be as I've got coilovers, but since I am at approx. oem height or maybe a bit lower, I should be ok with the 275's. My only real concern is the stiffer sidewalls on the 275/30's being uncomfortable, but people have assured me it's not a problem.

Only downside I can see is the expense of having to buy all 4 tyres so that the rolling radii match so's not to trash the transfer/gearbox, but in all honesty would prefer to have 4 matching tyres anyway.

[PetrolDave]

My only real concern is the stiffer sidewalls on the 275/30's being uncomfortable, but people have assured me it's not a problem.

I've found the ride comfort is better on 275/30 Goodyears than on either Pirelli or Michelin 255/35s.

[MoRS6+]

My only real concern is the stiffer sidewalls on the 275/30's being uncomfortable, but people have assured me it's not a problem.

I've found the ride comfort is better on 275/30 Goodyears than on either Pirelli or Michelin 255/35s.

I must admit that I'm swaying towards the F1's as people say they are very comfortable, yourself included! The Vreds are hard to ignore as they represent such good value for money, but if I took the gamble and got those and was unhappy with the comfort, I'd really regret not going for the F1's, so it is looking like the F1's for me.

Dave, are yours the assyms?

[PetrolDave]

Dave, are yours the assyms?

Yes, I got them at Micheldever.