Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta, not paired/handed?
Discussion
Polrules said:
Afternoon all,
I put a set of the Sessantas all round on my 350Z a couple of months ago - they really are miles ahead in terms of wet grip than the old Bridgestones ever were, rarely trigger the TC now. Fuel economy has dropped only a fraction - I used to average 19mpg now down to 18 according to the computer but they are noisy.
Dry grip is also good and they do give a nice sharp turn in, but I'm sensing the rear end taking a fraction longer to settle into the corner than it used to, just feels a little soft, I'm going to play about with pressures to see if it can be sorted. Overall very impressed though.
I too was concerned about the seemingly opposing tread pattern but was reassured by a few people in the know that the Sessanta is NOT a directional tyre. If you examine it you'll see that the large grooves don't actually go to the extremities of the tyre so won't be channeling the water anywhere.
They work.
Nothing will give you the feel of the OEM Bridgestone RE040s, the sidewalls are stupidly stiff on the Nissan fit tyres which gives you that lovely planted feeling. For what it's worth I've found other tyres require an extra 2psi over the RE040s.I put a set of the Sessantas all round on my 350Z a couple of months ago - they really are miles ahead in terms of wet grip than the old Bridgestones ever were, rarely trigger the TC now. Fuel economy has dropped only a fraction - I used to average 19mpg now down to 18 according to the computer but they are noisy.
Dry grip is also good and they do give a nice sharp turn in, but I'm sensing the rear end taking a fraction longer to settle into the corner than it used to, just feels a little soft, I'm going to play about with pressures to see if it can be sorted. Overall very impressed though.
I too was concerned about the seemingly opposing tread pattern but was reassured by a few people in the know that the Sessanta is NOT a directional tyre. If you examine it you'll see that the large grooves don't actually go to the extremities of the tyre so won't be channeling the water anywhere.
They work.
I've just bought an 05 e46 SMG Cab with a full set of these brand new on CSL 19" alloys. They look fab but the drivers side is weird. I called the specialist from whom I got the car and they confimed the correct fitting. I scrubbed them at the weekend (good fun!) and the grip is impressive in the dry. It figures as there isn't much in the way of tyre bocks on the outside of the tyre where you lean on it. APparently even better in the wet but haven't tried yet. So far, they feel better than the MIchelins I had on my '02 M3 Cab. I doubt I'd have gone for them if they weren't already on the car but when it comes to change we'll see.
jon- said:
Orangecurry said:
...... I've been exploring the capabillities of the Sessantas for a while now (in 225/40/18 92Y), and so far I'm very pleased, wet or dry; the sidewalls appear very stiff giving precise steering, yet the grip is very good. They are on the front only, so I don't feel able to give a proper review. I anticipate wearing the rear Contis down this summer, so I'll have a full set of Sessantas on for when the weather turns
And Vredestein are moving manufacturing from Holland to Russia... I'm afraid it's the only way to make money. At least Goodyear Dunlop still have the factory in Brum and make most of their track day and motorsport tyres there.I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Sessantas. It's probably the direction I'll move next though after the Maxx GTs dry weather performance (Dunlop call them an in-between a normal UHP tyre and a track day tyre) I fear I'll only be disappointed in outright grip, though as we both know that's not the only quality worth looking for in a tyre.
Still can't get over how odd the Sessantas look from on the car from the rear.
Edited by Orangecurry on Tuesday 16th September 10:25
I'm looking at ordering four of these to fit to my JCW MINI.
The run-flats have lasted only 10k miles up front. The rears still have some life left, but I obviously want to do all four when changing from run-flats to conventional tyres.
So, the question is - what's the wear like on these?
Read loads of rave reviews but I cant find much info in terms of tyre wear.....
Any input would be much appreciated.
The run-flats have lasted only 10k miles up front. The rears still have some life left, but I obviously want to do all four when changing from run-flats to conventional tyres.
So, the question is - what's the wear like on these?
Read loads of rave reviews but I cant find much info in terms of tyre wear.....
Any input would be much appreciated.
I fitted 255/35 x 19 Sessanta's to my new Audi TTS, replacing the P Zeros on there (which had done 100 miles only) due to previous experiences. I selected the Sessantas because they came second in a wet braking contest to the Eagle F1 but were far cheaper. And of course they look terriffic.
The transformation of handling was profound. There is none of the tramlining that I found on the P-Zeros and they are very quiet indeed. The level of grip in the dry is incredible and with the driver aids switched on, the TTS can seemingly corner at any velocity! On the TTS you get three traction control modes, On, Off (no yaw detection but TC still on) and Off-Off (Stig mode!). To make it let go at all I had to have it turned completely off. The biggest surprise, however, was their behaviour in the wet. At first, being reasonably cautious as it was a new car, I could tell no difference between wet and dry grip. It didn't seem to matter whether or not it was raining or sunny, they just went where you pointed them. Of course much of this is due to the superb anti-skid systems fitted to the TTS, but in gaining more confidence with the car I was to discover that there is an incredibly smooth break-away in the wet. No nasty surprises and you still maintain control (well you do in a 4x4 TTS!), prompting the most glorious power slides! Most notably though was a complete absence of aquaplaning. I drove on a handful of occasions through some pretty deep stretches of water and barely noticed any change of feel through the steering wheel. I've no clue how these tyres work, but they work damn well.
After more than a year and 6000 miles, and miraculously a still clean licence, I can honestly say that up until that point, I have never experienced a tyre like this. Wear appears good despite my hard acceleration, braking and cornering. I would recommend them to anyone, although I note that the price has now increased considerably from the £106 per corner I paid for them when they were newly released.
The TTS has gone now, but the Sessantas sit patiently at the back of my garage awaiting their next ride!
DC
The transformation of handling was profound. There is none of the tramlining that I found on the P-Zeros and they are very quiet indeed. The level of grip in the dry is incredible and with the driver aids switched on, the TTS can seemingly corner at any velocity! On the TTS you get three traction control modes, On, Off (no yaw detection but TC still on) and Off-Off (Stig mode!). To make it let go at all I had to have it turned completely off. The biggest surprise, however, was their behaviour in the wet. At first, being reasonably cautious as it was a new car, I could tell no difference between wet and dry grip. It didn't seem to matter whether or not it was raining or sunny, they just went where you pointed them. Of course much of this is due to the superb anti-skid systems fitted to the TTS, but in gaining more confidence with the car I was to discover that there is an incredibly smooth break-away in the wet. No nasty surprises and you still maintain control (well you do in a 4x4 TTS!), prompting the most glorious power slides! Most notably though was a complete absence of aquaplaning. I drove on a handful of occasions through some pretty deep stretches of water and barely noticed any change of feel through the steering wheel. I've no clue how these tyres work, but they work damn well.
After more than a year and 6000 miles, and miraculously a still clean licence, I can honestly say that up until that point, I have never experienced a tyre like this. Wear appears good despite my hard acceleration, braking and cornering. I would recommend them to anyone, although I note that the price has now increased considerably from the £106 per corner I paid for them when they were newly released.
The TTS has gone now, but the Sessantas sit patiently at the back of my garage awaiting their next ride!
DC
ADAC 2010 Summer tyre test (PDF)
Troken = dry
Nass = wet
Gerausch = noise
Kraft... = fuel consumption
Verschlieb = wear rate
Only the Cento's make the comparison
Troken = dry
Nass = wet
Gerausch = noise
Kraft... = fuel consumption
Verschlieb = wear rate
Only the Cento's make the comparison
the-photographer said:
ADAC 2010 Summer tyre test (PDF)
Troken = dry
Nass = wet
Gerausch = noise
Kraft... = fuel consumption
Verschlieb = wear rate
Only the Cento's make the comparison
Here's an english version: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-European...Troken = dry
Nass = wet
Gerausch = noise
Kraft... = fuel consumption
Verschlieb = wear rate
Only the Cento's make the comparison
I'm a big fan too. My car came with Bridgestone RE050s on it which according to that ADAC test are 3 stars. On that basis I would give the Vreds 6 as they are wholly better in every department, with the possible exception of being a bit noisier. As an aside they were really good in the snow too - the wide grooves don't seem to clog like previous performance tyres (GSD3s!) I've used.
I've recently replaced my rear Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 255/45 20's with a pair of Ultrac Sessanta 275/40 20's been very pleased with them so far, even more so now I've raised the pressures to 35 psi.
The F1 Supercars were shocking!
I still have those in 245/45's on the front and plan to replace them with the Ultrac Sessanta's very soon.
I was a bit sceptical about them in the wet as they are classed summer tyres, but they've been very good so far.
Roll on summer...................
Stef
The F1 Supercars were shocking!
I still have those in 245/45's on the front and plan to replace them with the Ultrac Sessanta's very soon.
I was a bit sceptical about them in the wet as they are classed summer tyres, but they've been very good so far.
Roll on summer...................
Stef
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