Tyres - differing opinions - need a result!

[FRESHMODE]

Hi all,

I am in need of all 4 tyres replacing, time has come and i'd rather start fresh all round.

Now after reading various posts over the last year or so i am swayed towards the following:

- GSD3's
- Goodyear eagle f1 (expensive)
- Falken 452's (cheap)

Now, here's the dilemma - I went to a major well known tyre/exhaust fitter yesterday (I used to go there for tyres/exhausts ion my old car but now they have new manager). I asked him to do me a quote for all four tyres, fitted (using the above tyres). Apart from being fairly abrupt and a bit rude he reluctantly checked through the system (not before looking very serious and telling me that Falken 452's) are cheap rubbish ditch finders and he woudn't advise putting them on a shopping trolley). Bare in mind this guy has no humour bone in his body, deadly serious). He's advised me to get Avon ZZ3's all round and i'm looking at £468 fitted.

In all my searching through various posts on this site, i've never heard of Avon zz3. This chap (again looking very serious and almost angry) claimed these are the best tyres out of what i suggested and are resonably priced at £117 each - " They fit them to all the Subarus/Evos/Mercs and used to be standard fitting to Aston Martins " he claimed. Then followed it up by giving me the "i've been in the tyre trade for 30 years, man and boy" etc etc and that i should trust his judgement over any forum. (the scour on my face said it all, no one attacks SC.net lol)

Now has anybody got any opinions on this because i am now a bit confused but need to get some new tread as mine are about to become slicks

all advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

p.s.

another thing this chap was banging on about (whilst frowning and clenching his fist (no that bits made up!)) was about the fact that i would be going up to a W index from a V index, as if it should be an issue to me! I just said i didnt care about that and just want 4 tyres, do me the quote! (in the end i'd just about lost it too) incidently, i am now curious as to why the wight index should effect me chosing tyres?
cheers

 

[Dyscontinued]

mytyres.co.uk

I didn't like the Falkens, do like the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asym though.

 

[J0N]

FRESHMODE, I'm having exactly the same dilemma as you! After trawling these pages I've found that Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymmettric's are the best but are expensive. I'm lead to believe that GSD3's are now old stock and have been replaced by the Assymmetric's. As for the Falkens I've also heard good and bad but they're reasonably priced. Yoko Parada's were another choice but I've heard they are almost dangerous in the wet! Any help would be appreciated and if anyone knows if there are any money off if you buy 2 or 4 promotions out there give me a shout!

 

[Esc]

I had changed from Continentials to Good year eagle F1's and never looked back! they are not the best for dry weather (compared with some others) but they sure make up for it when its damp/wet conditions! after alot of hunting around i found them for about £115 each, you just gotta look for places that deal alot with sports cars as more 'commercial' tyre places say they charge more cos they dont get them in stock much.

the speed rating i think is a bit irrelevant, unless you spend all your time maxing out your car cos the V is good for about 150mph and the W is 170mph!

Havent heard of the Avon ZZ3 before either,

 

[madmonk]

Tyres I have experience of:

Goodyear F1/GSD3 (same tyre) = The best wet tyre available, no argument.
Yokohama Parada = Fantatic in the dry, suicidal in the rain + noisey.
Toyo T1R = Good allround tyre.
Falken 452 = I had an issue with these and would not use again, personal opinion.
Kumho KU31 = Very good tyre for price but wares out quite quick.
Michelin Pilot Sport = Good tyre but too overpriced.

At the moment I use Yokohama Parada on my LCR (only comes out in the dry) and Kumho KU31 on my everyday FR+ diesel (free cos I work for them).

Hope this helps.

 

[stevei'D]

Avon have been in the tyre busines for years, and yes they were OE on Aston Martin, not sure if they still are? I've used them before and had no complaints albeit on an average run of the mill family wagen. A mate has the ZZ3's on his focus and has had no complaints, they grip well enough for him.

It a diffciult choice but as for local tyre factors, search the net, mytyres.co.uk, camskill.co.uk, type in cheap tyres into google and you'll get all the usualy suspects come up. and the tyres will be a whole lot cheaper, and most have links with local tyre fitters so you can pop down to your local man and have them fitted.

Lots of info on here, tyre websites, autocar magazine etc etc. Have a browse and make you mind up. Like with anything there can be some odd comments (i read someone stated their Khumo tyres were better at everything compared to their factory Michlen Pilot sports, the only person who has ever said that mind) so if something has a really good rating with one bad comment, likewiase if its really bad and has one great comment take them with a pinch of salt.

 

[Murdered LCR]

yokaham pradas 2 there really good by far the best tyres i have ever had and they look great .look on camskill.com

 

[james walker]

falken 452s all the way.... 52 a corner from camskill!!! beat that for a 225/40/18

good allround tyre and next bet for the gsd3s which are double the price

 

[lordgibbness]

The GSD3s have being discontinued and replaced by the Asymmetrics - if there are still any around they will be old stock now.

Here are two very well informed tyre tests from evo and autocar:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2007-evo-tyre-test.htm

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2007-autocar-tyre-test.htm

 

[DannyC87]

Avon have been in the tyre busines for years, and yes they were OE on Aston Martin, not sure if they still are? I've used them before and had no complaints albeit on an average run of the mill family wagen. A mate has the ZZ3's on his focus and has had no complaints, they grip well enough for him.

It a diffciult choice but as for local tyre factors, search the net, mytyres.co.uk, camskill.co.uk, type in cheap tyres into google and you'll get all the usualy suspects come up. and the tyres will be a whole lot cheaper, and most have links with local tyre fitters so you can pop down to your local man and have them fitted.

Lots of info on here, tyre websites, autocar magazine etc etc. Have a browse and make you mind up. Like with anything there can be some odd comments (i read someone stated their Khumo tyres were better at everything compared to their factory Michlen Pilot sports, the only person who has ever said that mind) so if something has a really good rating with one bad comment, likewiase if its really bad and has one great comment take them with a pinch of salt.

Bridgestone Potenza re050 is standard on the db9

I've got falkens on the back and dunlop sport maxx on the front.. dunlops wear out damn quick, but other than that are brill.

 

[Willie]

If you done research then you'll know that I can't see past the F1 asymmetrics, these are not the same as the F1 GSD3's these are its daddy.
I got mine for £115 inc VAT and Fitting. All the magazines rave about them.
There is also Dunlop Max TT that are rated very well in magazines.
Did the guy who seems to think he knows everything about tyres also tell you you must fit XL rated tyres due to the Leon being a heavy car?

 

[speedinsaxo]

F1 asymmetrics, you won't regret it.

 

[wurzel]

I have a pay of Goodyear GSD3s on the back of my Cupra, they have worn badly (50p wear syndrome ) and make it sound like the rear bearings are knackered - I will not be having another pair

Everyone has their preferences, I have continental sport contacts on the front and they seem fine, I've had Dunlop SP9000s on a previous car and they also seemed fine.

The prices for the Avons seem very expensive - you could get Kwikfit to provide Continentals for that price.

Tyre www.blackcircles.co.uk

Tyre ratings - Leon Cupra should have a Y rated tyre, a beady eyed insurance assessor could claim you have the wrong tyres if you only have V or W rated.

 

[ryan106]

I too got the same response from a tyre boy about the Falkens after reading various posts here thought they sounded the business but he refuses to put them on if I am looking a good tyre I had the Dunlops mentioned above recommended by him to me he also recommended the Goodyears and for a cheaper option he said a certain type of Kuhmo tyre can't remember the exact model. I too don't know what to do been reading up as still have another month to decide at least. Want a good set of rubber come the slightly drier weather.

 

[lordgibbness]

I have a pay of Goodyear GSD3s on the back of my Cupra, they have worn badly (50p wear syndrome ) and make it sound like the rear bearings are knackered - I will not be having another pair

I'd say you either got a suspect set of tyres in which case you have a right to be cheesed off, or you have a geometry issue which is probably more likely.

Yep as JS says make sure the Asymmetrics are the XL ones.

 

[LEE69]

GSD3 all around here, simply so much confidence in any weather is a must.

 

[wurzel]

I'd say you either got a suspect set of tyres in which case you have a right to be cheesed off, or you have a geometry issue which is probably more likely.

Yep as JS says make sure the Asymmetrics are the XL ones.

Its a very common failing on Chinese made GDS3s

 

[greesha]

How to recognize a chinese GSD3 ?

 

[Willie]

Google

There are coloured stripes on these tyres that represent something and theres a specific pattern to the colours for the Chinese ones

 

[stevei'D]

If you done research then you'll know that I can't see past the F1 asymmetrics, these are not the same as the F1 GSD3's these are its daddy.
I got mine for £115 inc VAT and Fitting. All the magazines rave about them.
There is also Dunlop Max TT that are rated very well in magazines.
Did the guy who seems to think he knows everything about tyres also tell you you must fit XL rated tyres due to the Leon being a heavy car?

DOH!, 6500miles and only 3.8m left on my F1A's, gona have to chek ive got the XL's fitted (my bad if I haven't) thought they seamed to be wearing a little quick, or prehaps i should slow down a tad!