Tyres, what brands are people running?

[Richard Buckley]

I'll be due some new tyres before the winter, what experience have people had with various brands?

I've had good results with Kumho KU39's in the past but also fancy Hankook K120 Ventus V12 Evo 2's based on reviews.

I know neither is what many would call a 'premium' brand (especially the Kumho's) and I'm concerned the Quattro system needs Audi recommended tyres?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers, Richard

 

[gmeroni]

Michelin sport cup will be my next choice

 

[maccduff]

Michelin PSS on mine, sticks like poo to a blanket, the grip level they have over the OEM bridgestones is staggering. Never been a fan of Hancocks found them to be ditch finders when they were on my TVR , good for drifting the rear, though they may have improved over the years inbetween. It doesn't look like the Sport cup (2) comes in our 18" or 17" oem sizes , though suspect we could squeeze a 215/45x17 under the arch not sure a 225/40x18 would clear.

 

[gmeroni]

235/35 18 for the cup if I remember correctly

Otherwise super sport comes in 225/35

 

[maccduff]

I suspect the cup will be unobtainium given its been replaced by cup2 which doesn't list the 235/35x18 size. Even the pss is reportedly hard to get in 225/35 size and some say it's going to be replaced by the ps4 though Michelin still list both thankfully as the ps4 isn't in the oem 18" size. I did search long and wide for a 235/35x18 tyre option and only ever came up with some old style Pirellis which were silly prices.

 

[steflert]

Just a comment about tires: did you notice that Audi proposes 215/40/17 tires as a correspondance to the 225/35/18 ?
In spite the outer diameter of this 17" tires is 11mm less than the 18". I would think it is out of tolerance.. strange
So why not taking the 215/45/17, the difference is the same (+11mm) and the range of tires is much more interesting.

 

[Gazwould]

Throw away your calculator and don't use the online tyre calculators.

Tyre companies do not keep to the sizes, so NA .

 

[Ruhel]

Came with the car: PZERO NERO 225/40 ZR18 92Y
Have no idea what all the numbers and letters mean on the tyre and looking them up doesn't enlighten me any further.
Are they good/bad?

 

[S1Pete]

I'll be due some new tyres before the winter, what experience have people had with various brands?

I've had good results with Kumho KU39's in the past but also fancy Hankook K120 Ventus V12 Evo 2's based on reviews.

I know neither is what many would call a 'premium' brand (especially the Kumho's) and I'm concerned the Quattro system needs Audi recommended tyres?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers, Richard

Running Falkens at the moment,
good tyre in my opinion.

 

[steflert]

Throw away your calculator and don't use the online tyre calculators.

Tyre companies do not keep to the sizes, so NA .

No need online calculators... was wondering if someone already noticed that. Goodyear size should be 225 40 17

 

[maccduff]

No need online calculators... was wondering if someone already noticed that. Goodyear size should be 225 40 17

Probably not given no one including Goodyear seems to make tyres in 225 40 17 sizes

 

[steflert]

Sort I wrote good tire not goodyear (my phone changed it). You may be right, this size isn t easy to find. That s why I think 215 45 17 should be the best option in 17" to get a full choice even semi slick.

 

[Ian Whiffen]

I have Contact Conti sport on mine. 225 35 18's. Fronts are due for replacement soon, just coming up to 16k. Was thinking Michein Pilots.

 

[Bensb93]

Toyo T1r's. Never again!
Enough said....

 

[J-Dan]

I will be going for the Kumho KU39's or the Uniroyals next. Around £100 a tyre.
I had the kumho on my polo gti and I was pretty impressed.
Michelin Pilots are probably the best but about £45 extra a tyre. I couldn't justify paying that when I know I will never drive the car that hard to get the benefit.

 

[Gazwould]

Definitely avoid the Kumho's .

 

[lfcrule1972]

I have the OEM Bridgestone Potenzas on at the mo (only 6k miles), I was thinking Michelin Pilot next, had those on my previous car and they were fab in wet and dry

 

[AGee]

2016 Performance Tyre Test

http://www.caradvice.com.au/451194/2016-performance-tyre-test/

For the Audi S1 they tested 225/35/18 all around including:

Pirelli P Zero Nero GT
Toyo T1 Sport
Bridgestone Potenza S001
Goodyear Eagle F1
Continental ContiSport 5

Unfortunately Michelin Pilot Super Sports were not tested as they no longer sell 225/35/18 in Australia.

Continental ContiSport 5 Contacts and the Bridgestone Potenza S001 performed the best.

 

[Gazwould]

Which model of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric ?

 

[Ian Whiffen]

Just had 4 Michelin pilots fitted on mine. Straight away so much less road noise then the Continental Conti's I had plus seems more grippier

 

[Gazwould]

Super , 3 or 4 ?

 

[Ian Whiffen]

Super , 3 or 4 ?

Pilot super sports

 

[Gazwould]

But 4 has superceded them .

 

[Ian Whiffen]

Yeah but the only Michelin ones on Black Circles were the pilot super sport in 225 35 18

 

[Gazwould]

Wow , you certainly pay the price for 18's .

 

[andy l]

I don't think I'm wrong but the pilot sport 4 is not a replacement for the super sport.
Firstly the pilot sport for has no tyre size for the s1 I've just checked the Michelin website and the pilot 4 is aimed for a slightly different market.
Good choice on the super sport that's what I will be getting when my new Tts needs new rubber.

 

[andy l]

I will be going for the Kumho KU39's or the Uniroyals next. Around £100 a tyre.
I had the kumho on my polo gti and I was pretty impressed.
Michelin Pilots are probably the best but about £45 extra a tyre. I couldn't justify paying that when I know I will never drive the car that hard to get the benefit.

Seriously!!!! Your driving a £28k hot hatchback and would stick Kumho tyres on it major tyre makers spend millions on research and development and this is proven when I've read car tyre tests with cheap branding tyres usually coming last.
I'd be going for the best tyre in dry, wet grip, aqua planing performance regardless of £45 a tyre.
Honestly I can't get my head round this sort of philosophy tyres are the only thing between you and the road and people are prepared to penny pinch it's even worse on a performance car.

 

[Ian Whiffen]

I don't think I'm wrong but the pilot sport 4 is not a replacement for the super sport.
Firstly the pilot sport for has no tyre size for the s1 I've just checked the Michelin website and the pilot 4 is aimed for a slightly different market.
Good choice on the super sport that's what I will be getting when my new Tts needs new rubber.

Cheers Andy that's what I thought. It looked like they started at 40 profile not 35. How's the tts going by the way ?

 

[Gazwould]

What I ment was the 4 superceeds super in terms of performance , should of said 4 outperforms super .

As for the cheapo Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39 .

My dad's

and other people's...

 

[Ian Whiffen]

What I ment was the 4 superceeds super in terms of performance , should of said 4 outperforms super .

As for the cheapo Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39 .

My dad's

and other people's...

Wow did he run it flat or did it just give up the ghost?

 

[Gazwould]

No , pure tyre construction failure .

A chap on here happy with his Kumho KU39's previously said , he's been in pot holes , hitting kerbs...

Then months later he's on the Kumho never again bandwagon as his develop a bulge for no reason .

They are poo poo .

 

[SPIKE_]

What I ment was the 4 superceeds super in terms of performance , should of said 4 outperforms super .

In terms of performance and handling, then the Super Sport is still the tyre to go with. BMW M cars, Porsche etc still use them as default for their performance cars. I have PS4 on my A3 and they are a great all round tyre.

 

[Gazwould]

"Pilot Sport 4 outperforms the Pilot Super Sport in 99% of everyday situations, with the added benefit of 10-15% improved wear."

 

[Ian Whiffen]

"Pilot Sport 4 outperforms the Pilot Super Sport in 99% of everyday situations, with the added benefit of 10-15% improved wear."

If you can get them in your size lol

 

[Gazwould]

Ok for me , only a matter of time .

Is 225 35 18 a weird size as VAG was using 225 40 18 for years .

 

[Ian Whiffen]

Ok for me , only a matter of time .

Is 225 35 18 a weird size as VAG was using 225 40 18 for years .

Not really sure. I bought my wheels from Richter Sport in Milton Keynes and that was the size tyre ABT fit on their wheels. Not sure what size Audi fit on the S1 18"

 

[andy l]

Cheers Andy that's what I thought. It looked like they started at 40 profile not 35. How's the tts going by the way ?

Hi Ian the Tts is going fine is it as much fun as the S1 that's a definite no!
The S1 is easier to drive and miles more responsive in low engine revs that's probably down to the smaller turbo and if they ever did a RS1 I'd be first to sign up.
The TTS is a very fine piece of engineering it's faster than the S1 by some margin when it's gets going and has miles more grip/traction and for some reason a lot more economical but fun it surely isn't and that's the most disappointing thing.
Would I go back to an S1....YES

 

[Ian Whiffen]

Hi Ian the Tts is going fine is it as much fun as the S1 that's a definite no!
The S1 is easier to drive and miles more responsive in low engine revs that's probably down to the smaller turbo and if they ever did a RS1 I'd be first to sign up.
The TTS is a very fine piece of engineering it's faster than the S1 by some margin when it's gets going and has miles more grip/traction and for some reason a lot more economical but fun it surely isn't and that's the most disappointing thing.
Would I go back to an S1....YES

I'm looking forward to the RS3 saloon when it arrives. If it has the rumoured 400 bhp it should be brilliant.

 

[SPIKE_]

Not really sure. I bought my wheels from Richter Sport in Milton Keynes and that was the size tyre ABT fit on their wheels. Not sure what size Audi fit on the S1 18"

The 18" wheels do come with 225/35 r18 from the factory.

 

[Gazwould]

It's daft all the different sizing , from BC the Pilot Sport 4 is less than £109 fitted in the 225 40 18 , a size Audi had stuck with for many years .