The Ian/Bushido/Baryonyx 1999 A8 D2 4.2 possibly for sale

[Norretal]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

There's a fairly recent thread on tyres here: http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=980&page=6

Yeah, I've read it thanks. So many opinions and experiences but I suppose it comes down to a matter of personal taste and budget, horses for courses and all that. There isn't much variation in price on the "premium" brands to be honest, well not enough to sway me towards one or the other, I was more interested in what others had tried and tested. I suppose it'll be a matter of seeing what deals are available at the time of purchase and opting for what seems most suitable for my own useage.

I've a mate who swears by Michelins and fits them on all his cars but told me someone (a tyre trader he buys from) had recommended Nexen's as good value for money and a great performance tyre.........I told him I'd try them if he tested them on his R32 first......he declined for some reason

I've got a couple of months to decide so I'll continue to research before deciding

[Singh]

Originally Posted by Norretal

Amar, as someone who has comsiderable experience with "all things 8" do you mind me asking why these brands are your choices, or are they your choices for any car you own? The reason I ask is I'm soon to be purchasing 20" tyres and have been advised to buy Dunlop SP Sport 01 as the best option for my car, in terms of grip, wear and value for money. What are the best tyres you've experienced on any 8 and would highly recommend? I don't do loads of miles and also don't want to pay through the nose for high performance tyres when I'm not really one for tearing about and pushing the car to it's limits.

Any advice would be appreciated, from you or anyone for that matter

The Michelin Pilot Sport 2's are immense, closely followed by Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics. They transform the car from Pirelli P Zero's, Dunlops, Contis and are in another league to the other brands IMO. For a cheaper but still great alternative I'd go for Verdistan Ultrac Seastnas. Avoid Bridgestone Potenzas like the plague, worse than budgets IMO.

Grip, wet and dry, are what's important to me and what I base my tyre choice on. I can't wait for the crappy Dunlops my C6 came with to die so I can swap for Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

[Adrian E]

I like Michelin as a good all round option. I've just replaced a set on our a6 with Continental Sport Contact 5s and been impressed with the lack of road noise and dry grip. Not quite as good in icy conditions but plenty good enough for when its needed

I've not had a positive experience with Goodyear Eagle f1 on the a6 as they wore out on the front very quickly - 10k miles - but on lighter cars I'd say a good choice

[The_Laird]

Originally Posted by Singh

For a cheaper but still great alternative I'd go for Verdistan Ultrac Seastnas.

That's what I put on a few months ago (but with a different spelling! ). Very pleased with them

[IT]

controversially no doubt, I'll suggest part worns of a premum brand.
There are oodles to choose from on Ebay. Avoid anything that has had puncture repairs or has imperfections sure, but anything else should be very useable at a good discount.
I've run part worns ever since starting wtih a8parts > 5 years ago and have never had any issues, but saved loads of wonga.
The likes of Amar with their uber super starship cruisers with a zillion bhp probably can justify the cost of a grand + on a set of rubber, but for cars falling into the cheaper, lower performance bracket the part worns are a no brainer to me...

[Architex_mA8tey]

Originally Posted by IT

controversially no doubt, I'll suggest part worns of a premum brand.
There are oodles to choose from on Ebay. Avoid anything that has had puncture repairs or has imperfections sure, but anything else should be very useable at a good discount.
I've run part worns ever since starting wtih a8parts > 5 years ago and have never had any issues, but saved loads of wonga.
The likes of Amar with their uber super starship cruisers with a zillion bhp probably can justify the cost of a grand + on a set of rubber, but for cars falling into the cheaper, lower performance bracket the part worns are a no brainer to me...

Can I buy you a font Ian?

[IT]

Originally Posted by Architex_mA8tey

Can I buy you a font Ian?

No thanks, I like mixing it up....

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

Why spend goodmoney on good tyres if you're going to sell it? I'm sure you won't see any benefit in the selling price

AH, it's just one of those things. I still have to drive it until it sells, so Nankangs and Linglongs are out! I like having a well tyred car. Because who knows it how long it will take to sell once on Ebay and Pistonheads? I've seen a couple of A8's hang around for some time there (albeit usually stiffly priced dealer examples).

That said, I sold my Impreza and my MR2 Turbo within a short gasp of getting new tyres on them. The MR2 had Nexen's on the back and Uniroyal Rain Experts (or were they Rainsports?) on the front, due to different wheel sizes. Again, the MR2 was well shoed, the Impreza slightly less so. The fitter recommended 'Rotalla' tyres, only slightly cheaper a corner than my usual Falkens, but the Falkens weren't in stock. The Rotallas were a disaster, but that is another story.


I'll probably go with Falkens on the A8, as I've been consistently impressed with their tyres and they are a decent compromise between good performance and not breaking the bank for tyres that will have a couple of thousand miles on them when I sell!

My plan at the moment is just to lazily save the cash and buy a 106 Rallye at leisure, but making sure to take the time and find the absolute best I can, much the same as I did when I bought this A8. Rallye numbers are starting to hit rock bottom now, and I really want to get one and enjoy it and ultimately preserve it. It's a car I would like to have in 20 years time, so I can show my kids how great cars used to be, in the same way as I will bend their ears and tell them I was driving a V8 before I was 25, and I expect the same effort from them!

[PsYcHe]

Just stuck some Falken FK452s on the front of mine, and they seem good so far, not sure about dry grip as it's it's been raining here all week

[Norretal]

Originally Posted by Baryonyx

AH, it's just one of those things. I still have to drive it until it sells, so Nankangs and Linglongs are out! I like having a well tyred car. Because who knows it how long it will take to sell once on Ebay and Pistonheads? I've seen a couple of A8's hang around for some time there (albeit usually stiffly priced dealer examples).

That said, I sold my Impreza and my MR2 Turbo within a short gasp of getting new tyres on them. The MR2 had Nexen's on the back and Uniroyal Rain Experts (or were they Rainsports?) on the front, due to different wheel sizes. Again, the MR2 was well shoed, the Impreza slightly less so. The fitter recommended 'Rotalla' tyres, only slightly cheaper a corner than my usual Falkens, but the Falkens weren't in stock. The Rotallas were a disaster, but that is another story.


I'll probably go with Falkens on the A8, as I've been consistently impressed with their tyres and they are a decent compromise between good performance and not breaking the bank for tyres that will have a couple of thousand miles on them when I sell!

My plan at the moment is just to lazily save the cash and buy a 106 Rallye at leisure, but making sure to take the time and find the absolute best I can, much the same as I did when I bought this A8. Rallye numbers are starting to hit rock bottom now, and I really want to get one and enjoy it and ultimately preserve it. It's a car I would like to have in 20 years time, so I can show my kids how great cars used to be, in the same way as I will bend their ears and tell them I was driving a V8 before I was 25, and I expect the same effort from them!

If I can offer any advice at all don't put Falkens on your 8. I made that mistake a few years ago and regretted my choice on the first roundabout I drove round, it felt like they were peeling off the rims as there was that much roll. That's not to say all their options are like that but I found them too soft for such a heavy car. The difference when I changed to Dunlop Sport Max was amazing, they changed the whole feel of the car, grip, noise and general stability.

But then again, it's a matter of personal taste and experience, I just know in my case I won't be trying them again.