What's best tyres in summer brand new or part-worn?

[997addict]

Morning ladies

This maybe the stupid question of the day, especially as it looks like it is going pi55 down any minute with the end of the heatwave. But here goes, I'm off to Spain/Portugal this summer, plan to do lots of driving on their great roads paid for by us, sorry i mean EU, and just wondering if worth getting new tyres before I go to be extra safe. I've got about 4mm left all round at the mo.

Now I know that brand new tyres with loads of tread are much safer in the wet and I may get caught in a sudden storm, but pretty unlikely in August down there. So question is will my worn tyres be best as they will act more like slicks as they have got less tread and give me more grip in the dry? Or have am I missing something here?

[anniesdad]

Worn tyres aren't to be confused with slicks/cup tyres.

You'll generate more grip with newer treaded rubber than with worn, and the recommended change point for sports tyres would be about 3mm, so if I were you I'd get my use out of them and change them before the trip.

[997addict]

ok, i was just thinking that as the rubber wears down there would be more in contact with the road, I know that slicks are made up of a different compound and are much more sticky.

But think may not for little trip to Driving Limits in North Weald before hand as that will take off a mm or two and then change em. Seems like the wise choice

[christer]

change them

[Dr S]

Change to Pirelli Corsas and you'll enjoy your vacations even more

[mrdemon]

the new N3 PS2's are amazing in the dry and you can get good heat into them easy.

[997addict]

Looks like it is unanimous then. was going to get the Michelin Pilot Sport Twos but from the last post there are new versions out. Is this correct and are they easy to get hold off? Will have to start calling round the usual suspects to see who has got a deal on.

[phelix]

anniesdad said:

You'll generate more grip with newer treaded rubber than with worn, and the recommended change point for sports tyres would be about 3mm, so if I were you I'd get my use out of them and change them before the trip.

I would have guessed part worn tyres would have better grip/feel because of less tread squirm?

[clubracing]

phelix said:

anniesdad said:

You'll generate more grip with newer treaded rubber than with worn, and the recommended change point for sports tyres would be about 3mm, so if I were you I'd get my use out of them and change them before the trip.

I would have guessed part worn tyres would have better grip/feel because of less tread squirm?

A brand new set of tyres, buffed down to 2mm of tread is worth a couple of tenths a lap on a circuit over an un-buffed set . I'd be surprised if anyone could notice the difference driving on the road.

[997addict]

Ok thanks for the advice, I will keep my old tyres for bumpy runway "learning sessions" and stick some brand new rubber on for safety and peace of mind for my hols