Best tyres for my Impreza?
Discussion
Evening all,recently bought an STI with the most horrible cheap nasty tyres I've ever had the joy of owning.They were fitted by the dealer before I bought it,he seemed pretty pleased with the fact it had 4 brand new tyres,me not so much 
Anyway,the car's great apart from this one little issue and I'm looking to get rid rather sharpish so what seems to be the best?
I've got Continentals on the Mondeo and they seem to perform well so I'm leaning towards them but do you have any other favourites?
Anyway,the car's great apart from this one little issue and I'm looking to get rid rather sharpish so what seems to be the best?
I've got Continentals on the Mondeo and they seem to perform well so I'm leaning towards them but do you have any other favourites?
I bought my blobeye WRX with Event tyres on and they were absolutely lethal - unforeseen tail waggling at low speed wasn't as much fun as you'd think....
I went for a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics after a few recommendations (and I had older versions on cars a few years ago) and they have been excellent so far, it is taking me a little while to get used to the grip levels as I had almost lost confidence in the car due to the Events, but it has transformed the car.
I went for a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics after a few recommendations (and I had older versions on cars a few years ago) and they have been excellent so far, it is taking me a little while to get used to the grip levels as I had almost lost confidence in the car due to the Events, but it has transformed the car.
What size do you need and what kind of driving do you do?
At the moment I have two sets:
Yokohama advan neova AD08 as a summer tyre (they're track tyres really and cope ok with standing water but are simply awesome when they warm up.) They really improve steering feel and turn-in. Absolutely no use when it's getting cool, never mind cold. I change over to winters when temps are likely to be much below 10 degrees.
Vredestein wintrac extreme which are the best winter tyres i've used (on a variety of cars).
At the moment I have two sets:
Yokohama advan neova AD08 as a summer tyre (they're track tyres really and cope ok with standing water but are simply awesome when they warm up.) They really improve steering feel and turn-in. Absolutely no use when it's getting cool, never mind cold. I change over to winters when temps are likely to be much below 10 degrees.
Vredestein wintrac extreme which are the best winter tyres i've used (on a variety of cars).
ScoobySpud said:
I had Vredestein Sessanta's on my 2004 WRX Blob eye and I personally thought they were great.
Came in at around £100/corner including fitting (19inch).
This is what I have currently. Seem to wear faster than the previous F1's and lateral grip is reduced dramatically once down to 3mm Came in at around £100/corner including fitting (19inch).
Currently have Pzero Winters on ... awseome tyre in the cold/wet
Will probably go back to ContiSports when the Vreds wear out ... or SP9000's if I can find a set (I used to like these tyres on Cupra R)
I have Falken 453s on at the minute. I was in mind for something a bit more "premium", but was offered these for really, really silly money so thought I'd try them.
Very happy so far, have hit standing water at speeds that most tyres would have me aquaplaning across and had no issues. Wearing a lot better than the 452s I've tried before on another cars.
Very happy so far, have hit standing water at speeds that most tyres would have me aquaplaning across and had no issues. Wearing a lot better than the 452s I've tried before on another cars.
I've also got two sets: Potenza RE050s for the summer which I think are excellent for £90/corner (205/50/R16). My winter wheels are shod with Kumho KW17s (similar price) which I can't fault either. After 2.5-3k miles of use last winter they're still on 8mm tread all round. Can't offer any comparisons with other brands but if you want decent tyres for not massive outlay I'd recommend both.
Lefty said:
What size do you need and what kind of driving do you do?
At the moment I have two sets:
Yokohama advan neova AD08 as a summer tyre (they're track tyres really and cope ok with standing water but are simply awesome when they warm up.) They really improve steering feel and turn-in. Absolutely no use when it's getting cool, never mind cold. I change over to winters when temps are likely to be much below 10 degrees.
Vredestein wintrac extreme which are the best winter tyres i've used (on a variety of cars).
225 45 17s I'm looking for.Tax is due this week though and being in the high bracket it's going to sting this weeks pay so it'll be a couple of weeks probably before I buy.Plenty time to researchAt the moment I have two sets:
Yokohama advan neova AD08 as a summer tyre (they're track tyres really and cope ok with standing water but are simply awesome when they warm up.) They really improve steering feel and turn-in. Absolutely no use when it's getting cool, never mind cold. I change over to winters when temps are likely to be much below 10 degrees.
Vredestein wintrac extreme which are the best winter tyres i've used (on a variety of cars).
As for driving,it's mostly A roads and town now and then.
Living where I do though there's plenty good roads to choose once I get some new boots
Tyres can be quite preferential.
One man's stiff sidewall can be another man's lack of progression
I like a direct steering feel so have AD08's on the Type R & Bridgestone S001's on the Forester (STi).
Soft sidewall tyres are F1's, Conti's and most Michelin's (Pilot Sport, Supe Sports etc) and many more. So called comfort tyres.
The Pilot Sport 2's I ran on a new age STi wagon produced very high grip levels both wet & dry, but the soft sidewall was just a real bug bare. It was a case of turning in and then waiting for the sidewall to collapse and fall over, and then the feel would come in. Made for a vague feel and delay on turn-in. Other thing was the shoulders went in ~1000 miles.
Just yesterday I had a new replacement set of AD08's fitted on the Type R. Those tyres have been exceptional. Even in the recent wet grip levels were decent. AD08's now come in R spec which uses more orange oil in its compound (whatever that is) and gives improved wet performance (rated A), as well as improved lower temperature performance. These are of course an extreme performance tyre
The S001's on the FSTi are excellent. Again stiff sidewalls, great turn-in feel and feedback, high grip levels. Last summer was alot of fun with them. They are fairly worn now but grip levels are still very high even on the recent cold & wet. Highly recommended
Here's the front AD08 which has just come off. Notice how the shoulders are still totally intact, as well as nice even wear all the way across
They're up for grabs btw (free) for anyone who wants them. The rears have more meat and would certainly do a TD or 2)
One man's stiff sidewall can be another man's lack of progression
I like a direct steering feel so have AD08's on the Type R & Bridgestone S001's on the Forester (STi).
Soft sidewall tyres are F1's, Conti's and most Michelin's (Pilot Sport, Supe Sports etc) and many more. So called comfort tyres.
The Pilot Sport 2's I ran on a new age STi wagon produced very high grip levels both wet & dry, but the soft sidewall was just a real bug bare. It was a case of turning in and then waiting for the sidewall to collapse and fall over, and then the feel would come in. Made for a vague feel and delay on turn-in. Other thing was the shoulders went in ~1000 miles.
Just yesterday I had a new replacement set of AD08's fitted on the Type R. Those tyres have been exceptional. Even in the recent wet grip levels were decent. AD08's now come in R spec which uses more orange oil in its compound (whatever that is) and gives improved wet performance (rated A), as well as improved lower temperature performance. These are of course an extreme performance tyre
The S001's on the FSTi are excellent. Again stiff sidewalls, great turn-in feel and feedback, high grip levels. Last summer was alot of fun with them. They are fairly worn now but grip levels are still very high even on the recent cold & wet. Highly recommended
Here's the front AD08 which has just come off. Notice how the shoulders are still totally intact, as well as nice even wear all the way across
They're up for grabs btw (free) for anyone who wants them. The rears have more meat and would certainly do a TD or 2)
Edited by bonesX on Wednesday 29th January 14:41
I have had the hawkeye for 8 years and other than the original bridgestones, which i didnt like, it has always had the Falken FK452's. They have proven to be great all round tyres in both wet and dry but do seem to be a soft compound so 10k is about all i can expect from them on the front at least. That said, at £80 per corner fitted they are the bargain of the century!
so the shopping can begin next week hopefully.
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