New tyres time :-( - Page 4

HPsauce · #31 31st July 2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPsauce

the S8 winter wheels are currently 5 bare alloys and 2 unfitted tyres

So having sorted out the alloys (2 fully refurbed, others cleaned and "touched up") and checked the 2 tyres dates, wear and condition I've decided on Pirelli. The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 will be the spare and the "as new" Pirelli will have 3 more added to make a matching set.

I'll get the tyres ASAP and have them all fitted and balanced ready to swap over when winter arrives.

Going for Pirelli Sottozero Winter 240's which seem to be available now. Does anyone have any experience of or comments on these?

The_Laird · #32 1st August 2013, 05:07 AM

I'm at a loss as to how anyone can recommend Nankangs. They were on my car when I bought it (on 20" wheels) and I thought a bearing had gone, they were so noisy. And in the wet they were hopeless. Absolute c**p IMHO. Couldn't believe the difference when I swapped them for Vredesteins.

awolfinsheepsclothes · #33 1st August 2013, 07:25 AM

Yes I've had people recommend recommend some right rubbish and they just don't know any better! At first I thought they where trying to kill me!
Some people think all tyres are the same! Some of Asia tyres are really bad, the rubber is terrible in the wet. But they may work in a really hot climate!
Tyre fitters will recommend a tyre even though they have never driven a car with them on!!! Many of them are to busy fitting tyres to actually drive a car. All of them are underpaid for what they do, so most of them don't performance cars and then, can they drive!!!
I've got some michelin pilot super sports and they seem really good so far! but I've only done done about 200 miles so can't comment on mileage, wet grip is very good and traction control light doesn't flash as much ( damm thing cutting my power) dry grip seem brilliant but the roads that bad at the moment, I haven't really been pushing it, but every time I come out of a corner, i think I could have gone a lot faster!
But you can't trust anyone!
Cheers Dave

Allblackdup · #34 18th August 2013, 06:34 PM

Sorry to bump the thread guys, when you change tyres do you change all 4? Doing some research on tyres and prices and I've read it's recommended with a Quattro to replace all 4 at the same time.

Norretal · #35 18th August 2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allblackdup

Sorry to bump the thread guys, when you change tyres do you change all 4? Doing some research on tyres and prices and I've read it's recommended with a Quattro to replace all 4 at the same time.

Personal preference I suppose fella but I've had various combinations over the years but there is no better feeling than a brand new set of good tyres on an A8, instills confidence and the removal of doubt makes for a more relaxed drive.

gninnam · #36 18th August 2013, 06:59 PM

Just put four Pirelli P Zeros on mine and I like it.
Need to get tracking done now. Where best for the A8 as I believe it needs a specialist to do it. Is ATS a good bet?

PsYcHe · #37 18th August 2013, 07:05 PM

Pairs, or even a single tyre if need be is fine.

Adrian E · #38 18th August 2013, 07:17 PM

If you rotate the tyres front to back once during their life and do a mix of driving you can get to the point where all 4 wear out at the same time.

I'm looking at options for my 20s as the rears, which were on the front, are worn right down on the inner edges despite having 3mm everywhere else. Down to all the town work I do.

Will probably replace the pair and run them on the back until the fronts need changing, then rotate. Just need to choose Vreds or Michelin now......

MOT in less than 3 weeks so will see if the MOT man takes a dislike to them or not lol

Conquistador · #39 19th August 2013, 09:26 AM

www.hiqonline.co.uk is worth a look. Always found them friendly and provide much better service than other big chains.

Black Circles, Formula 1, Kwikfit, ATS and others are around £300-330 per tyre for Pirelli P Zeros, Hi Q are £260 per tyre fully fitted plus balancing etc. - still cheaper than Kwikfit even with their "25% off all Pirelli tyres" offer this month!

I'll need two rear tyres in the next month or two so will be going there

HPsauce · #40 19th August 2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian E

If you rotate the tyres front to back once during their life and do a mix of driving you can get to the point where all 4 wear out at the same time.

Works for me too.

And if you do get to a point where there's one tyre better than the rest, consider making that the spare. Chances are the spare is getting rather old anyway and even in the boot they slowly degrade.
I remember once (not on the S8) asking a tyre place to rotate the spare into use (it was unworn) and they refused as it was too old.