[total_k-os]

I'm considering a few options at the moment but would like to hear other people's experiences/ opinions/ anything i've missed.

I have a 2.2 Sport, with the standard 17" alloys. As I am not planning on upgrading these wheels in the near future I want to get some new premium rubber that is going to give both good grip, & very good wear (I usually do around 25-30K per year.

Previously I had Continental EcoContact's on my Golf, these I got put on when I purchased the car with 42K on the clock, and the front ones got replaced at 65K, rear stayed on until I sold the car with 91K (still had good 2-3mm left) on the clock really impressed with their wear although I found the grip on these to not be the best, especailly in the wet.

A local tyre place in Bristol I have found to be by far the cheapest in supplying tyres, so currently I have looked at:

Toyo T1R's - £102 fitted each, 225, 45, r17 (I beleive Y or ZR rated). These tyres look fantastic and I am told have excellent grip, however, I understand they are no good for the majority of english weather espcailly at this time of year!

Continental SportContact 3's £104 fitted each, 225, 45, r17 (ZR rated)
Again premium tyres that should grip well and last a long time, altho still not 100%

These are the two they have quoted me prices for so far, but if you think there are much better tyres for similar money, please let me know your thoughts - I have looked at Michellenes but I don't see spending 20-30 more a tyre will necessarily mean they are 30% better.

I dont think I will be keeping these wheels on probaly much more than 12 months, so I need something that is definately going to last me more than 25-30K back and front. Anything is better than the current mismatched cheapo's the garage or previous owner slapped on there.

Cheers in advance all.

 

[Anatonic]

If you're being quoted almost the same for SC3s as T1Rs then I'd go with the SC3s - not that the T1Rs aren't any good, but if you ordered the tyres from Camskill or similar, you'd get the T1Rs for £80 a corner, then just take them to be fitted.

I think the last time I looked at SC3s, they were about £120 a corner from Camskill so that's a very good price in my mind for those tyres + fitting. Though bear in mind my experience is with 18" equivalents. I'm guessing the good price for the SC3s is because of the differing load / speed index - probably 94W or Y rated or thereabouts?

Personally I'm using Eagle F1 Assym 2's (about £98 from Camskill) and they're great. Rolling road resistance is down and the treadwear rating is up to 300 from 240, suggesting 25% more miles than the old F1 Assyms. They're great in all conditions and for me the improvement in my CTR is on ride comfort and noise. Hardcore drivers may feel the sidewalls are softer than the Potenzas, but if I'm honest, for spirited and everyday driving, these are great - and if on track I'd always have a separate set of alloys with track tyres on anyway!

 

[total_k-os]

Cheers for the reply. The garage that quoted me the prices normally buy Conti's and other big name brands in bulk, hence the really good price on the Conts, and more expensive on the Toyo's than elsewhere (as they would order these in on request).

The SC3's I think are looking the way for me to go.. I think would prefer them over the more track/ fast dry road T1'R's as I have been told Toyo have a softer compound anyway.

My dad's had bad experiences with Pirelli's before, but I'm interested into what everyone else has, how long its lasted them. I don't drive like a lunatic, just fast where it is safe to - rather get good economy than arrive 5minutes earlier.

Anyways, prob get the front set either side of christmas and the backs probaly a month or two after.