Vredestein, punching above their weight?

[Leicesterdave]

Had this conversation with a couple of tyre fitters. They seem to be a kind of "internet fashion" ie it all started by someone saying they're great value and for the past few years everybody seems to think so.
They are NOT premium stuff- yet on frequent occasions charge as much as the big boys. Don't get me wrong they're evidently good stuff, they've have good reviews on major tests but I'd choose a good premium over Vredestein any day.
Agreed?

[The_Burg]

Fitter reccomended them to me, new the name from cycle tyres. Had a google and it seems they do get good reviews.
No complaints at all from me 2 years on and still fine.
(Can't remember the exact model).

[Bungleaio]

I've just put some ultrac sessantas on my impreza, I'm very impresed with the grip and at £ 87 a corner I'm very happy

[bradders]

[quote=bradders]The Wintrac xtreme ones are great. Have some I used last winter in storage waiting for the cold weather to hit. The improvement in traction over the standard tyres on the RRS was amazing.

Out of interest, OP, what do you mean that they are NOT premium? Do you mean they are a recently recognised brand, or are of a lower quality?

[Spitfire2]

euroboy said:

They have been around for a while now - a good 4 or 5 yrs at least.

Sure I had vredesteins thick end of 20 years ago.

[anonymous-user]

I had them on my XJ6 and they were excellent, clearly superior to the Falken tyres I replaced them with in every way except noise. They seemed particularly good in the wet.

Dave

[Leicesterdave]

euroboy said:

Id take them over Pirelli/Michelin etc any day

Why on earth?

[John D.]

Leicesterdave said:

euroboy said:

Id take them over Pirelli/Michelin etc any day

Why on earth?

Why not?

I've never used them but have read good reviews and group tests where they came out very well.

You seem to be a sucker for what is 'premium' and what is not.

[Leicesterdave]

John D. said:

Leicesterdave said:

euroboy said:

Id take them over Pirelli/Michelin etc any day

Why on earth?

Why not?

I've never used them but have read good reviews and group tests where they came out very well.

You seem to be a sucker for what is 'premium' and what is not.

I'm no expert on tyres I admit. I just trust a brand that's been around for 50+ years with continual development and trusted by manufacturers when cars are new. Plus as mentioned at first the difference in price between "premium" and Vreds is negligible which is my main gripe.

[58warren]

I remember Vredstein were the factory fitted tyres on my father's Vauxhall Carlton back in 1985. That was the first time I'd heard of them.

[blueg33]

Leicesterdave said:

euroboy said:

Id take them over Pirelli/Michelin etc any day

Why on earth?

Me too, because they are much better. I had Pirelli Pzero Rosso's on the A6 and they were terrible especially in the wet, plus the wear rate was very high. Dunlops were better than the pirellis but the Vredstein Ultrac Sessantas top them all. I have just taken the Pzero's off the Tuscan and swapped for Vredstein Ultrac Sessantas, grip is about the same in the dry, but wet grip is massively improved and breakaway is more predictable.

I think BMW and some Audi's now use them as OEM tyres on some cars.

Don't accept the premium brands bullsh*t, especially Pirelli who have made some monumentally awful tyres! I think it was the P6000's that were worse than Nangkang ditch finders on the Cupra. (For the record, Mrs Blue was suckered into the Nangkangs)

Edited by blueg33 on Saturday 16th October 09:47

[Leicesterdave]

No mention of them in 17's and they're not up there with the best in 15's:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-European...

[russy01]

Best tyres I have had, and I get through a lot of fronts.

£100 pounds a corner (ultrac sassanta 225/40/18), quite noisy but hang on more than anything else I've used. In the wet they are in a different class.

However one thing to watch out is when they are brand new, the first 50miles or so they are terrible!

Wish they were easier to get hold of, I'd take a set over the bridge/Goodyear etc anyway. I'm not a badge snob.

Someone also mentioned nangkangs, I've had experience with these also, don't get me wrong they weren't as good as the vreds, but for £45 they were brilliant!

[Engineer1]

Maybe it is given the number of players in the tyre market the UK tyre fitting industry hadn't bothered importing Vredestein especially if noone has heard of them to ask for.

[HellDiver]

I've had 3 different sets of Vredesteins.

First set I had were newly fitted by the dealer on my Mk5 Astra. Vredestein Ultrac in 225-45-17. Lasted 20k on the front of a 200hp/310lbft car, gave brilliant grip. No complaints.

Second set were Wintrac Xtreme in 225-45-18 on my Lancer. Brilliant. Better than the Toyo T1R on my summer wheels, which were pure junk on a heavy car like the Lancer.

Third set were HiTrac that were on my Mondeo when I got it. Two were nearly bald, so replaced. Two went on the front and were easily as good as the OE spec Hankooks I put on the back. Considering they're not a performance tyre, they gripped well, lasted very well, and are pretty cheap. Would use them again.

I'd also rate them above Michelin and Goodyear, but below Bridgestone.

[TuxRacer]

Leicesterdave said:

Had this conversation with a couple of tyre fitters. They seem to be a kind of "internet fashion" ie it all started by someone saying they're great value and for the past few years everybody seems to think so.
They are NOT premium stuff- yet on frequent occasions charge as much as the big boys. Don't get me wrong they're evidently good stuff, they've have good reviews on major tests but I'd choose a good premium over Vredestein any day.
Agreed?

I think someone's margins are being reduced by tyres being bought on the internet.

They make great tyres and if Falken 452s and Kumho KU31s weren't available I'd get Sessantas fitted again. They wear a little quickly for my liking though.

[Dan Friel]

This morning I had a set of Sportrac 3s fitted (bought off ebay). Auto Express seem to love them. The tyre fitter said that he has trouble finding Vredesteins and thought I must have bought them from abroad. He also considers the brand equal to Michelin.

[Jez64]

I've been using Vredestein snow tyres for over 20 years, rate them very highly.

[Herbs]

Another very happy Ultrac Sessanta user here on my Z4M - much better than the Conti's previously on it

[spaximus]

They have been around for much longer than 20 years. As someone said they are top notch tyres at a faire price. You pay for the name a bit with Michelin and Goodyear but they aren't that much better.

Lots on here will rave about Yoko's but when they first came out they were sold as a budget brand first and moved up gradually. Verdestien have always done good priced, good quality tyres.