Tyres

[Eugene]

For a few years I have been using Bridgestone SO2 (either PP or FZ mould) and found it to be an excellent tyre, which I preferred to Bridgestone S03, RE40 and also Avons ZZ3. I've had difficulties sourcing SO2s recently and decided to go with Goodyear F1GSD3, which were recommended to me by a number of people. Against all expectations, I have to say that so far I am very disappointed. I had a pair of front GSD3's fitted on Friday before 300+ mile trip this weekend. I expected lack of grip for the first 100 or so miles (especially in the wet), but the steering feel only seems to be getting lighter and "woolier" with mileage! The pressures have been double checked and steering geometry is spot on. I would be interested to know if anyone else had similar issues with GSD3s.

Thanks

[dazzer]

Can't say i've experienced it with mine. I have found them to be an excellent tyre; quiet, grippy and great in the wet. The wear rate has been pretty good also - now covered 12K on a set.

[GrahamS4]

Got through numerous sets of F1's on my Merc (it's bitch when the centre of your 245 is bald and the edges look new) and have just had them fitted all round to the S4.

Never dissapointed me, but noticably less usefull in low single figure temps.

I normally find they transform a car for the better.

[maxxximus]

Eugene will probably find himself in the minority as F1s get pretty good feedback. Generally a good balance between grip and wear in all conditions.

However if your not happy with them then perhaps source some S02s.

[Ads4]

No probs with mine. Great grip, especially in the wet, and the last set lasted over 20k.

[DavidT]

Eugene will probably find himself in the minority as F1s get pretty good feedback. Generally a good balance between grip and wear in all conditions.

However if your not happy with them then perhaps source some S02s.

Interesting one, I have no direct experience of F1's but have S02's on the car now. They are my 4th set, 3 were part worn and came off ebay!

If anyone knows where to get more, I'm all ears. They are the only tyre that can manage a few dry track laps without overheating IME.

[jfeb]

Eugene - what pressures have you been using?

[MCB]

Surprised as loads of people on here rate them highly, my current favs are Conti SportContact 2 and not to expensive if you shop around.

[S4TAN]

my current favs are Conti SportContact 2

Likewise - extra load version: damn good tyres ...

[Eugene]

Eugene - what pressures have you been using?

Front - 35psi; rear - 34 psi (all measured cold). Suspension is standard. From reading the replies I can only assume that I've bought the tyres from a dodgy batch. It also occurred to me that the problem may be due to the fact that the load index may be too high (I went for 94 instead 91), but I doubt it would have made much difference.

[DavidT]

I usually go for 36f 38r. I reckon you need a few more miles on them as well.

[smurfbus]

but the steering feel only seems to be getting lighter and "woolier" with mileage!

I think the F1 is a lighter tyre so that could make it feel that way. Bridgestone S0X series are heavier tyres than most of other brands but they have other good qualities and a lot of people like them at the track.

Graham: You have obviously had too much pressure in your car if they were worn only at centre of the tyre. Too low pressure makes the sides wear and wrong camber makes one side wear (usually inside with too much negative camber for good grip at the corners)

To get most out of the tyres one should rotate them time to time, but most of the tyres are asymmetric so you can only swap front to same side rear and vice versa.

[dace]

Can't say i've experienced it with mine. I have found them to be an excellent tyre; quiet, grippy and great in the wet. The wear rate has been pretty good also - now covered 12K on a set.

I have done over 13,000 miles on mine and there is still plenty of life in them. Never let me down especiallty in the wet.
36psi front and rear.

[GrahamS4]

Graham: You have obviously had too much pressure in your car if they were worn only at centre of the tyre. Too low pressure makes the sides wear and wrong camber makes one side wear (usually inside with too much negative camber for good grip at the corners)

I was waiting for that one. In theory yes, in practice on the rear of my car no. I could even under inflate them, same thing. Just a wide tyre on a RWD car and a boy operating the throttle meant realtively the middle always wore heavily comapred to the sides.

Eugene - what pressures have you been using?

Front - 35psi; rear - 34 psi (all measured cold). Suspension is standard. From reading the replies I can only assume that I've bought the tyres from a dodgy batch. It also occurred to me that the problem may be due to the fact that the load index may be too high (I went for 94 instead 91), but I doubt it would have made much difference.

I use the standard 91 load rating. However you complain about wooliness but are running the tyres under the Audi recommended pressure? I would at least inflate them to what they should be, maybe a tad more.

[smurfbus]

Another thing would be too narrow wheel for the size of tyre?