20" tyre options? Who is running what?

Adrian E · #1 29th August 2013, 02:59 PM

Hi all

There's a few tyre threads running, but would be interested in recent experience of tyre choices for 20s.

I've got Michelin Pilot Sports but they're no longer made.

I'm considering Super Sports but have read they're not as good in mixed conditions and are more aimed at dry/track use. Not sure how true that is so any direct experience going from one to the other would be great to hear

Not interested in Chinese stuff - have considered Vredestein but put off by the marketing which suggests the cosmetic appearance is more important to potential buyers than anything else. Plus the price difference isn't that great to the Michelins.

Can't find Continental Sport Contact 5 in the right spec, although they're supposed to be available - just seem to not be stocked!

Zip · #2 29th August 2013, 03:12 PM

...run 3 sets of PS2s on the S8, and not worth the premium over the Vredesteins (Ultrac Sessantas). Ran them on a 300bhp 9000 Aero Saab, and they were excellent - better wearing than the Goodyear F1 GSD3s, and as good in the wet. Also quieter...and a lot quieter than P-zeros. Don't like them at all (on an S8 in particular). Too noisy, and very stiff sidewall. Ran Toyo Proxes T1-S on an Impreza, which were great in that lighter car, but still wear very quickly. Great in the wet.

Really fancy trying the SportContacts, but not had a chance.

Just my 2 penneth....

Zip

PsYcHe · #3 29th August 2013, 05:34 PM

I've got a set of Falken 452s on the front at the minute.. they handle OK, but they're one of the tyre types that looks too narrow for the rim and offers no protection, so I'd avoid them.

Architex_mA8tey · #4 29th August 2013, 07:45 PM

I'm running Pirelli P-Zeros on the 20" final edition wheels I have which are great all rounders, but personally I prefer the Continental Sport Contact 3's I currently have on the Kahn wheels and you may still be able to get some if you shop around for old stock as they were made cheaper/discounted when the 5's came out. I kind of had a strategy to stay just behind the new version all the time so when the next sport contacts come out buy up a load of cheaper 5's and use those etc.

tintin · #5 29th August 2013, 08:19 PM

Some of this is a repeat from earlier posts, but here goes with my experience:

My is S8 currently shod with a mix of 2 Michelin Supersports (front) and 2 Michelin PS2s (rear). Supersports are definitely grippier in the dry, and I can't say I've found them any worse in the wet. My "spare" 20 inch wheels have Dunlop SP Sport Maxxs all round ( I think...), but as I've not had these fitted on the car yet, I can't comment - though i would, of course, be interested in the experience of others of Dunlops

.

The only other tyres I've used which have been mentioned here by Zip/Neil are Toyo Proxes and Pirelli P Zeros, on my Fiat Coupe. I agree with the comment about the P Zeros being a good all rounder, but I've found the Proxes grippier, though they tend not to go out in the wet very often these days..

, and I'm not sure if the experience with a different car/tyre size is all that relevant.

tonupkid · #6 29th August 2013, 08:52 PM

I've just gone from Yokahoma Advans to Michelin super sports and I reckon the Michelin's give a tighter turn in and are quieter. I've not noticed any drop in wet grip.
The Michelin's have rim protection and it was this that tore a chunk out of one of my brand new tyres on a Devonshire wall. At 300 quid a tyre it's cheaper to refurbish the already scruffy rim.
It was the wall and tyre wat done it. Nothing to do with my driving

Goran · #7 29th August 2013, 09:48 PM

I'm running 18s so I cant help with choices for 20s.
I can give you a personal opinion type comparison of Super Sports though.
I really like them, I cant get the car to skid at all, they are very grippy even in the wet. I'll be replacing them with more Super Sports.
I'm comparing them to Falkens, which were terrible in any weather, even managed to do a mini slide on a dry round about. Before that I had Dunlop 9000's they were ok, a bit noisy.

The_Laird · #8 30th August 2013, 05:34 AM

I've been running on Vredesteins as well for about 6 months and around 370 miles a week. Lovely tyre. Quiet and brilliant in the wet.

SilverS8 · #9 30th August 2013, 07:58 AM

Vredestein Sessanta is a good tire for the money and as The Laird says they are quiet and also very goods on rain from my own experience.

Regarding dimensions i would not go wider then 245 on a 9" rim. I prefer the stretch look it gives and good drivers dont need rim protection

Currently running 255/35/19 on 8,5 front and 9,5 rears on The S8 and there is just to much tire all over the place

So my choice would be 245/35/20

Adrian E · #10 30th August 2013, 09:08 AM

Cheers all

Good to hear positive comments about the Vreds but will probably go for super sport as the price difference is only £40 a tyre. Waiting a response from Continental on sc5 availability first though. MOT on Thursday will decide how quickly I need to make a choice!

Will stick to the standard size as I'm only going to be changing 1 pair at a time and I've never considered the car to be under tyred lol

At least with changing a pair at a time I can run them on the rear till the other PS wear out and then rotate which should give longer tyre life