225/40 R18 to 235/40 R18 on Golf R - bad idea?

[DibblyDobbler]

Andy OH said:

Like a few have already said you will need to drop a rim size to have any noticeable difference. Why buy a Glof R if you want comfort.

Why reply to a thread when you have nothing useful to contribute?

[Andy OH]

DibblyDobbler said:

Andy OH said:

Like a few have already said you will need to drop a rim size to have any noticeable difference. Why buy a Glof R if you want comfort.

Why reply to a thread when you have nothing useful to contribute?

You obviously don't like the truth do you

[DibblyDobbler]

Guy at the local tyre place tried to recommend me the Conti SC5 over the Goodyear AS3 (for ride comfort) - this is contrary to the reviews I've read... any thoughts Gents?

[Andy OH]

DibblyDobbler said:

Guy at the local tyre place tried to recommend me the Conti SC5 over the Goodyear AS3 (for ride comfort) - this is contrary to the reviews I've read... any thoughts Gents?

If you want a constructive answer from me and also from someone who has had both the tyres you've mentioned above, albeit in 19" guise and on an Audi S3 so a similar platformed car, I'd also agree that the Conti's have the better ride comfort. I currently have 19" Goodyear AS2's on my MK6 Golf GTi and the ride is quite harsh. The harshness is due however to the 19" wheels.

Hope that helps somewhat with your decision for what tyre to use next.

[DibblyDobbler]

Andy OH said:

If you want a constructive answer from me and also from someone who has had both the tyres you've mentioned above, albeit in 19" guise and on an Audi S3 so a similar platformed car, I'd also agree that the Conti's have the better ride comfort. I currently have 19" Goodyear AS2's on my MK6 Golf GTi and the ride is quite harsh. The harshness is due however to the 19" wheels.

Hope that helps somewhat with your decision for what tyre to use next.

Thanks Andy. The reason I hesitate is that according to tyre reviews the Goodyear AS3 is ahead of the Conti SC5 by a fair chunk for comfort. Not many reviews on the AS3 but even the AS2 rates higher - which is the opposite of what the tyre guy said (which is now backed up by you).

[Andy OH]

To be honest the difference was minimal. I drove the S3 constantly with the suspension set to Dynamic mode, so the stiffest setting as the car had magnetic ride, and to me the ride comfort was fine, however, I do like a very stiff set up on a car. I guess try to find out as much as you can about the Continentals and Goodyear AS3's and then make your decision. The Continentals were on the S3 when new and as I was running Goodyear AS2's on the Golf I thought I'd try them on the S3. I'd still use either tyre again as I'd say the characteristics of both are very similar, but the Continentals just had that bit more ride comfort.

it's a tough one as four tyres aren't cheap but if you go for either the Goodyear or the Continentals they'll be a better tyre than the Bridgestones.

[DibblyDobbler]

Hmm - well I twitted to Dan Prosser and he recommended the Conti SC5 also but on the Tyre Review site most folk are seeming to prefer the Goodyear AS3 (which seems to be more comfortable then the AS2). Many have found the Contis to have a high wear rate.

Ok I think paralysis by analysis has well and truly set in now so I will sleep on it and buy something tomorrow as I am boring even myself now

Thanks All.

[HJMS123]

I had GY ASY2's on my old Megane and loved them, grat all weather grip and the sideall wasn't too firm even in XL spec.

Never tried conti's but from what i've read they wear extremely quick to based on those two points I'd go for the Asym 3's in OEM spec.

[DibblyDobbler]

HJMS123 said:

I had GY ASY2's on my old Megane and loved them, grat all weather grip and the sideall wasn't too firm even in XL spec.

Never tried conti's but from what i've read they wear extremely quick to based on those two points I'd go for the Asym 3's in OEM spec.

Cheers - I am literally just off the phone to my local tyre guys and have done just that

Will report back once they are on ... hopefully it will make a noticeable difference!

[Captain Caveman]

Best option is to simply lower your tyre pressures a little, which will give extra compliance. The recommended tyre pressures tend to vary quite a lot between years, but are generally on the hard side. You'll notice an improvement if you lose a few PSIs.

[DibblyDobbler]

Captain Caveman said:

Best option is to simply lower your tyre pressures a little, which will give extra compliance. The recommended tyre pressures tend to vary quite a lot between years, but are generally on the hard side. You'll notice an improvement if you lose a few PSIs.

Thanks Captain. Yes agreed. I have already reduced from 36 - 34psi and it made a modest improvement (34 is the minimum recommended). I'll see how I go with the new tyres at 34 - would prefer not to go below the recommended minimum if possible.

[AGK]

Couldn't stand the Bridgestones on my Golf R so changes them to Pilot Super Sport a few weeks after getting the car and the difference was night and day.

Anything you get is going to be an improvement over the Bridgestones.

[DibblyDobbler]

AGK said:

Couldn't stand the Bridgestones on my Golf R so changes them to Pilot Super Sport a few weeks after getting the car and the difference was night and day.

Anything you get is going to be an improvement over the Bridgestones.

That's what I need to hear!

Getting the Goodyear AS3 on either tonight or tomorrow so we shall see...

Incidentally a work colleague picked up his R a couple of weeks ago - he is finding the ride (on 19s) fine but then I found out his came with Pirellis - bah Seems just to be luck what you end up with.

[DibblyDobbler]

Hi All.

Will wrap this up with a few observations now I have the new tyres on - all IMHO of course but may be of use to others...

To begin at the beginning...

- Started out with 19s and Bridgestones (no DCC). Found the ride very harsh - doubly annoying as I now find that some Golfs are coming with OEM Pirellis

- switched to 18s (still with Bridgestones). Modest improvement but not a transformation

- adjusted tyre pressure down to minimum recommended (from about 37 - 34 iirc). Small improvement - worth the effort

- switched from Bridgestones to Goodyear AS3. Decent improvement - probably a bit more than going 19s to 18s. Need a few more miles to be sure but I think I have done enough so that it's not going to bug me.

Thanks to all that commented - appreciate the input

ps - Just need to get the rattles sorted now and it could be a decent car....