tyre test results

[*sic 1]

(originally posted by Tarkiwi from NZhondas)

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The April issue of Wheels magazine tested 8 195/60R15 tyres premium "family" spec tyres on an auto Holden Astra, and 9 205/50R16 "performance" tyres on a Ford Focus Zetec. The tests were cornering, slalom, dry traction, wet traction, wet braking and dry braking. For each test, one point was given to the worst performer, 2 to the 2nd worst etc, then the points for each test were added up. If you want to know the results for any particular test, let me know. The final results and points, along with the test drivers comments (he didn't know which tyres he was testing) are:

205/50R16

1. Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 45 points

Pro: Direct turn-in and very predictable mid-corner

Con: Didn't seem to get off the line brilliantly

2. Michelin Pilot Preceda 41 points

Pro: Exceptional turn-in; fantastic at changing directions

Con: It's pretty much good at everything. Sorry

3. Yokohama V102 40 points

Pro: Great mid-corner performer

Con: Didn't seem as happy about changing direction

4. Pirelli P Zero Nero 32 points

Pro: Very direct and immediate steering response

Con: Not bad at anything; probably not right up there with the best so far

5=. Dunlop Direzza DZ101 30 points

Pro: Good on the limit feedback; high mid-corner grip

Con: Vague and hesitant on turn-in

5=. Firestone FH700 30 points

Pro: Good-but not great-drive and traction mid-corner

Con: Pretty soft and loose by the end of the slalom

7. BF Goodrich G-Force Sport 29 points

Pro: A competent all-round performance, but didn't particularly shine anywhere

Con: Just not as good as three or four of the others at turn-in or outright grip

8. Bridgestone GIII 21 points

Pro: Felt good in the slalom

Con: Didn't really excel at anything

9. Kumho Kh11 6 points

Pro: Good feedback mid-corner

Con: Soft in the sidewalls, loose on turn-in. Heat affected by end of slalom

195/60R15

1. BF Goodrich G-Force Sport 43 points

Pro: Fantastic turn-in and extremely good feedback at the limit

Con: What can I say? It's the best one so far

2. Yokohama A539 36 points

Pro: Sensational at changing direction; great turn-in

Con: A bit noisy on the limit

3=. Michelin Energy MXV8 27 points

Pro: Smooth, quiet, and you certainly don't have to fight it through the slalom

Con: Felt a bit soft

3=. Kumho KH11 27 points

Pro: Felt as though they got off the line quickly enough

Con: Noisy and hard to drive at the limit

5=. Bridgestone GIII 26 points

Pro: Very consistent and communicative at the limit

Con: Rolled and swayed badly in the slalom

5=. Goodyear NCT5 26 points

Pro: Good steady-state grip - predictable

Con: A bit vague on the initial turn-in

7. Firestone TZ100 20 points

Pro: It was quiet I suppose

Con: Felt like I was cornering on marshmallows

8. Dunlop LM702 16 points

Pro: High ultimate grip levels when established mid-corner

Con: Pushed away early and ran wide too soon

[*sic 1]

i just wana know where the Toyo T1S is, as it kicks ass in most respects

[Dnz 0]

Oh thats cool thanks - Next time i buy tyres, ill only get em from the 'top'.. If you aint got good tyres, it doesnt matter what youre driving..

[*sic 1]

tyres are the key.

man i gotta get me some new ones soon..

damn cheese for tyres

[Viking 0]

Michi's Edited May 5, 2004 by Viking

[Dnz 0]

It didnt say anything about treadwear tho, which is also pretty important..

[*sic 1]

treadwear is something these tyre arent too concerned with, i mean high performing tyres never last long on nz roads, just like cheese on a grater, seriously

[Guest Zwilling]

Anyone know which tyres are the best for NOT suffering from radial pull???

[Grant 4]

2. Yokohama A539 36 points

Pro: Sensational at changing direction; great turn-in

Con: A bit noisy on the limit

I am on my second set of these (on standard bottlecaps), and would happily buy them again, glad to see my choice is justified.

Cheers

[Gus 5]

looking at tyres today.....what does anyone know about the Dunlop FM901's? and is 180 sound good for them? damn 17's.

[Viking 0]

I'm on a set of Michi Pilot SX or MX or something, seem to be a bloody good tyre, good wear rate so far, great grip, I'd probably look at more in the Pilot series for replacing.

[Gus 5]

and just outta interest...prices on some tyres in the above list.....

Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's $249

Dunlop Direzza DZ101 $225

in 215/40R17

and the Dunlop FM901 $179 which i still want some opinions on!

[Guest Zwilling]

Stay away from Baruum, I've got some Baruum 205/55 tyres that seem to suffer from radial pull and imbalancing. That's my 2c. The previous Falkons were quite good.

[Gus 5]

agree with barums...got them on the back...absolute rubbish...why do you think they on the back?......was at tyre place with jack today who has same size barums on his basketweaves......he mocked them and said they were made of tissue paper....they so crap...oversteer central

[Grant 4]

agree with barums...got them on the back...absolute rubbish...why do you think they on the back?......was at tyre place with jack today who has same size barums on his basketweaves......he mocked them and said they were made of tissue paper....they so crap...oversteer central

Oversteer is your friend...just think of all the curbs you can attempt to destroy

[Guest Zwilling]

Yeah, but at $135 a piece brand new they were a steal. It's the whole cost:performance ratio.

[Gus 5]

yeah but not much cheaper than $160 yokos is it? and they SOOO sh*t......actually are scary on a 325 in the wet...barely any traction in a straight line!

[Guest Zwilling]

Well, I did say there weren't too hot, can't believe how a tyre can be soo bad

[blobby 0]

well I'll add... loved the 539's T1s's ra1's and I hear good things about the 901's.

GT radials are s*&T

Kumo are evil - have a set of 711's on my z and till they get hot they are rubbish, and once they've been hot they stop gripping when cold... nice for a drive home from the track, in the rain....

hancook are evils ugly step sister. Avoid!

T1's are rumored to have tread crawl issues in some sizes ( from an rz 7 driver ) but most of the quick elise drivers swear by them - ditto the Z drivers.

Fedralllllls belong on taxis - so put them on a holden

The new dunlop and yoko road/race stuff is very good - ask the targa guys, but most people I know still go ra1's for serious grip/price.

At the cheaper end - I also hear good stuff about toyo roadpro 610s.

Oh yeah never michelan mx's again! had them on a merc and they were crap!

[Napier_E36 0]

Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's $249

ive got these on the back of my baby at the mo (they are only on the back because they are 235s and i got 225s on the front - but they are the best tyres ive had on the front.... hehe that way i was guranteed no understeer - only acres of oversteer (when i had my kuhmos on the back!) they are worth paying for - they cost me $310 each.... expensive, but AWSOME!

[Gus 5]

im using roadstone nexen at the moment...a cheap ass korean brand....they seem pretty good so far...car really comment on wear just yet....have a silica compount and v similar tread pattern to the eagle f1's....im liking em so far

[Napier_E36 0]

hehe i got kelly 70s on the back of my DX, they rule for wear - as in ive done heaps of skids and aint f**ked em yet! and they let it hang out HARD esp in the wet! but as for traction and sh*t, i wouldnt recommend them if you wanna stay in a straight line - but i dont want straight line, i just wanna let the ass hang out as far as possible! so they suit me right down to the ground!

[downlow 0]

I have dunlop fm901s on my e30 and it handels primo,

fm901s r tha sh*t seriously!

were u getting them from man they dont make them anymore,

they r the only tyre i bye they r awesome in wet and dry conditions!

if u can get hold of them bye them or if not sell them to me!!