Which tyres R129
Discussion
I love Michelins, the PS2 have been the best, quite like the PS3. I find them quiet and communicative and good in the wet. I did not like the Primacy HP, despite it sounding right up my street. Haven't tried the latest Continental Sport Contact offerings although I have Premium Contact 2s on my T (it's getting nee PC5s tomorrow) and had them on my SEC with good results. My bottom line would be that the car really benefits from a top end tyre.
r129sl said:
My bottom line would be that the car really benefits from a top end tyre.
In my personal view, any reasonable brand is good enough for the R129. The differences in wet/dry/lateral grip/progression etc etc are just too marginal for the vast majority of users to benefit. I use Avon ZZ5 and they fit the bill perfectly in most weathers.Today I had Conti Premium Contact 5s fitted all round to my estate car. They are significantly quieter and smoother than the Premium Contact 2s they replace with less vibration at speed. I was frankly amazed at the difference. It was the same when I replaced the ContiSportContact 2s on my 129 with Michelin PS2s. I'm afraid my experience is that the difference between decent and top tyres is significant. The 129's sensitivity to tyres and wheels is well documented.
r129sl said:
Today I had Conti Premium Contact 5s fitted all round to my estate car. They are significantly quieter and smoother than the Premium Contact 2s they replace with less vibration at speed. I was frankly amazed at the difference. It was the same when I replaced the ContiSportContact 2s on my 129 with Michelin PS2s. I'm afraid my experience is that the difference between decent and top tyres is significant. The 129's sensitivity to tyres and wheels is well documented.
I wouldn't dare dispute your experience and your knowledge of the car - and I benefited hugely from it when I bought my own R129 
- but I would ask by whom is this sensitivity well documented?I used to test tyres regularly for a race team and am convinced that the vast majority of motoring journos lack the sensitivity to appraise differences between tyres, particularly when it comes to performance and handling characteristics.
My own R129 is a car generally driven at sensible road speeds. I simply would not be able to discern minute differences in tyre characteristics under those conditions.
(As an aside, on the subject of replacing old with new tyres, you could replace old Contis with new Linglongs and would probably experience a reduction in vibration for a number of reasons).
The usual internet experts, I am afraid. You know how the internet has replaced your local saloon bar as the source of total expertise without any recognised qualifications or quality control.
I'm a pretty crappy driver and I feel like I can tell a difference between road car tyres. I could easily be persuaded it is all subjective: you know, after spending nearly a grand on a set of tyres, I desperately want to believe they are worth it. All I can say is that I drive a lot (about 50k miles a year) often in different cars and I know my 129 well (I have driven 200k miles in it). It felt best on PS2s. It just did. I didn't like Primacy HPs, even though they should be ideal. My T was better yesterday for its new rubber, I am sure of it. My brother was in a fix once and I bought a set of wheels and tyres for his Audi off Ebay. The tyres were the cheapest type and a mix of patterns. It was downright dangerous to drive, especially in the wet. It was miles better on a matching set of Good Year winter rubber. I remember my first ever new set of tyres, 20 years ago now, I replaced the Kwik Fit own brand on the front of my '84 BMW 316 with something better and the car handled better on my favourite roundabout. I have always found Michelins need fewer balancing weights than the others on the same wheels.
But, as I say, I am no expert and I am very likely wrong.
I'm a pretty crappy driver and I feel like I can tell a difference between road car tyres. I could easily be persuaded it is all subjective: you know, after spending nearly a grand on a set of tyres, I desperately want to believe they are worth it. All I can say is that I drive a lot (about 50k miles a year) often in different cars and I know my 129 well (I have driven 200k miles in it). It felt best on PS2s. It just did. I didn't like Primacy HPs, even though they should be ideal. My T was better yesterday for its new rubber, I am sure of it. My brother was in a fix once and I bought a set of wheels and tyres for his Audi off Ebay. The tyres were the cheapest type and a mix of patterns. It was downright dangerous to drive, especially in the wet. It was miles better on a matching set of Good Year winter rubber. I remember my first ever new set of tyres, 20 years ago now, I replaced the Kwik Fit own brand on the front of my '84 BMW 316 with something better and the car handled better on my favourite roundabout. I have always found Michelins need fewer balancing weights than the others on the same wheels.
But, as I say, I am no expert and I am very likely wrong.
Your experience is valuable, and I have no doubt you have chosen the right tyres. Comfort and noise can be easier to differentiate than other characteristics. But I guess much of the improvement can come simply from replacing new for old. I used to own an X5 which was similarly sensitive to old tyres. The very best premium brand tyres would feel terrible (particularly vibration) once the tread depth reached around 3-4mm.
For most cars (other than ultra high performance, like a Porsche GT3 and the like), I have become a believer in trying out the top tyre from a tier 2 manufacturer. To date, I have been quite impressed by the Avons but I guess I need to try the premium brands to be sure.
For most cars (other than ultra high performance, like a Porsche GT3 and the like), I have become a believer in trying out the top tyre from a tier 2 manufacturer. To date, I have been quite impressed by the Avons but I guess I need to try the premium brands to be sure.
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