Tyre downsizing
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum (any forum for that matter) but have always found PH a very useful source of info when looking in from the outside.
I'm currently running a stock Corrado VR6 and am contemplating some new tyres to replace the current aging rubber.
I always try to buy the best performing tyres and often turn to well known motoring publications as a guide to match my priorities. The problem i have is that the stock Corrado tyre size 205/50r15 is now only served by budget brands, eco tyres or at best a limited range of three generations old (at launch) premium tyres.
Given the performance on offer from the VR6 (it still goes like stink) I really want to steer clear of the budget brands.
The question is should I go for something like a Vredstein Sportrac 5 / Conti Premium Contact 2 in the correct tyre size? Or would I feel real performance benefits by downsizing to 195/50r15 where you find better performing (according to recent press reviews) tyres such as the Dunlop BluResponse, Bridgestone Turanza T005 etc...
Admittedly, in terms of 'appearance' the tyres noted above do not have a sporty looking tread pattern but i guess I'm looking for wet weather/dry weather performance as opposed to a good look.
Will a reduction in size be noticeable from an aesthetics point of view?
Anyone got any experience with the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125? seems to be available in the standard tyre size.
I'm new to the forum (any forum for that matter) but have always found PH a very useful source of info when looking in from the outside.
I'm currently running a stock Corrado VR6 and am contemplating some new tyres to replace the current aging rubber.
I always try to buy the best performing tyres and often turn to well known motoring publications as a guide to match my priorities. The problem i have is that the stock Corrado tyre size 205/50r15 is now only served by budget brands, eco tyres or at best a limited range of three generations old (at launch) premium tyres.
Given the performance on offer from the VR6 (it still goes like stink) I really want to steer clear of the budget brands.
The question is should I go for something like a Vredstein Sportrac 5 / Conti Premium Contact 2 in the correct tyre size? Or would I feel real performance benefits by downsizing to 195/50r15 where you find better performing (according to recent press reviews) tyres such as the Dunlop BluResponse, Bridgestone Turanza T005 etc...
Admittedly, in terms of 'appearance' the tyres noted above do not have a sporty looking tread pattern but i guess I'm looking for wet weather/dry weather performance as opposed to a good look.
Will a reduction in size be noticeable from an aesthetics point of view?
Anyone got any experience with the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125? seems to be available in the standard tyre size.
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s93p0/
There's some worthwhile stuff in there - the PZeros are stupidly juicy, sure, but what about the Yokos, Contis or the Vredes?
There's some worthwhile stuff in there - the PZeros are stupidly juicy, sure, but what about the Yokos, Contis or the Vredes?
Thanks all for your advice.
Good to hear that the downsize worked for Ashtray83.
Have considered the Conti 2's and Vredstein Sportrac 5's at the correct size but these tyres seem to be several generations old (though probably better than the old Firestones currently on the front).
My question is prompted on the understanding that tyre tech moves on so quickly and it seems that current top performing tyres are often reported to be significantly better then good tyres launched only a few years ago. Hence, my thoughts towards the smaller profile tyres that seem to have good test results.
I see that the Conti Premium Contact 5 tested well in Auto Express's last summer tyre test. However, in my size (195/50), it seems to have a different tyre label ratings. I wonder whether this is an indication that the Continental are still running old stock/tech on this less popular tyre size.
I use my VR6 as a daily driver so I am looking for a strong performer in most ares. The Yokohama looks fantastic but also a bit track orientated. Is it a semi-slick?
Good to hear that the downsize worked for Ashtray83.
Have considered the Conti 2's and Vredstein Sportrac 5's at the correct size but these tyres seem to be several generations old (though probably better than the old Firestones currently on the front).
My question is prompted on the understanding that tyre tech moves on so quickly and it seems that current top performing tyres are often reported to be significantly better then good tyres launched only a few years ago. Hence, my thoughts towards the smaller profile tyres that seem to have good test results.
I see that the Conti Premium Contact 5 tested well in Auto Express's last summer tyre test. However, in my size (195/50), it seems to have a different tyre label ratings. I wonder whether this is an indication that the Continental are still running old stock/tech on this less popular tyre size.
I use my VR6 as a daily driver so I am looking for a strong performer in most ares. The Yokohama looks fantastic but also a bit track orientated. Is it a semi-slick?
James080 said:
Thanks all for your advice.
Good to hear that the downsize worked for Ashtray83.
Have considered the Conti 2's and Vredstein Sportrac 5's at the correct size but these tyres seem to be several generations old (though probably better than the old Firestones currently on the front).
My question is prompted on the understanding that tyre tech moves on so quickly and it seems that current top performing tyres are often reported to be significantly better then good tyres launched only a few years ago. Hence, my thoughts towards the smaller profile tyres that seem to have good test results.
I see that the Conti Premium Contact 5 tested well in Auto Express's last summer tyre test. However, in my size (195/50), it seems to have a different tyre label ratings. I wonder whether this is an indication that the Continental are still running old stock/tech on this less popular tyre size.
I use my VR6 as a daily driver so I am looking for a strong performer in most ares. The Yokohama looks fantastic but also a bit track orientated. Is it a semi-slick?
I’m in a similar boat with 225/55r16 and have already been disappointed with current gen premium touring tyres which are all about EU label rating rolling resistance, comfort and noise and as a result have very thin flexible sidewalls and totally kill steering feel. Hence I’m looking at Premium Contact 2s as although they don’t perform as well as current tyres they do perform reasonably well while feeling right. Goodyear Assymetric 2 was available in my size until recently but apparently that wasn’t the sharpest feeling tyre in the world either. Good to hear that the downsize worked for Ashtray83.
Have considered the Conti 2's and Vredstein Sportrac 5's at the correct size but these tyres seem to be several generations old (though probably better than the old Firestones currently on the front).
My question is prompted on the understanding that tyre tech moves on so quickly and it seems that current top performing tyres are often reported to be significantly better then good tyres launched only a few years ago. Hence, my thoughts towards the smaller profile tyres that seem to have good test results.
I see that the Conti Premium Contact 5 tested well in Auto Express's last summer tyre test. However, in my size (195/50), it seems to have a different tyre label ratings. I wonder whether this is an indication that the Continental are still running old stock/tech on this less popular tyre size.
I use my VR6 as a daily driver so I am looking for a strong performer in most ares. The Yokohama looks fantastic but also a bit track orientated. Is it a semi-slick?
James080 said:
Thanks all for your advice.
Good to hear that the downsize worked for Ashtray83.
Have considered the Conti 2's and Vredstein Sportrac 5's at the correct size but these tyres seem to be several generations old (though probably better than the old Firestones currently on the front).
My question is prompted on the understanding that tyre tech moves on so quickly and it seems that current top performing tyres are often reported to be significantly better then good tyres launched only a few years ago. Hence, my thoughts towards the smaller profile tyres that seem to have good test results.
I see that the Conti Premium Contact 5 tested well in Auto Express's last summer tyre test. However, in my size (195/50), it seems to have a different tyre label ratings. I wonder whether this is an indication that the Continental are still running old stock/tech on this less popular tyre size.
I use my VR6 as a daily driver so I am looking for a strong performer in most ares. The Yokohama looks fantastic but also a bit track orientated. Is it a semi-slick?
You could consider 185/55 R15 too. This is actually a better match than 195/50Good to hear that the downsize worked for Ashtray83.
Have considered the Conti 2's and Vredstein Sportrac 5's at the correct size but these tyres seem to be several generations old (though probably better than the old Firestones currently on the front).
My question is prompted on the understanding that tyre tech moves on so quickly and it seems that current top performing tyres are often reported to be significantly better then good tyres launched only a few years ago. Hence, my thoughts towards the smaller profile tyres that seem to have good test results.
I see that the Conti Premium Contact 5 tested well in Auto Express's last summer tyre test. However, in my size (195/50), it seems to have a different tyre label ratings. I wonder whether this is an indication that the Continental are still running old stock/tech on this less popular tyre size.
I use my VR6 as a daily driver so I am looking for a strong performer in most ares. The Yokohama looks fantastic but also a bit track orientated. Is it a semi-slick?
I use AD07s (the predecessor to the AD08) daily and they're fine. The weakness is obviously standing water but I've only found it a problem in really torrential rain on the mitorway. They're not really a cut slick, the A048 fulfils that role, just a performance focussed road tyre.
I don't use them on snow, which might or might not be a consideration for you.
I don't use them on snow, which might or might not be a consideration for you.
Edited by kambites on Monday 28th May 10:44
Changing tyre size should mean asking your insurer, of course.
And if you're putting narrower tyres on the same rims, how well do they fit? Especially if you're going down 20mm - that's a big chunk, and if the standard fit is towards the narrower end of the rim's suitable fitments, could lead to "stretch" silliness.
And if you're putting narrower tyres on the same rims, how well do they fit? Especially if you're going down 20mm - that's a big chunk, and if the standard fit is towards the narrower end of the rim's suitable fitments, could lead to "stretch" silliness.
To this day, Conti Premium Contact 2 are the best tyres I've ever used, for feel, feedback and communication. I had them on an E36 328i and loved em some years back, but also, more recently, on my old Clio 182 which I sold last summer. When I first got that Clio, it had budget rubbish on it, so I put on Michelin Pilot Sport 3. Instantly hated them. Tramlined all over the place (205/45 16).
So, soon as they wore out, which didn't take me long
, I replaced them with theoretically inferior Prem Cont 2s which I'd so enjoyed on the beemer. Instant bliss. Tramlining was now a distant memory and the warning on and towards the limit was in another league. However, in fairness, the Pilot Sport 3s has more ultimate grip, but it simply wasn't safely exploitable at road speeds, so was therefore immaterial.
I've now got Conti Prem Contact 6 on my 2005 130i SE (205/50 17), and, honestly, they're not as good as the 2s were. They're comfortable and there's no tramlining, but the feel, feedback and communication has been mucked about with, and they're not as much fun as the 2s. Next time I plan to get Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which I understand is a complete reinvention, and not an evolution of the PS3. But that obviously won't help you with your size.
My advice to you is, stick with your OEM size and get Conti Prem Contact 2. Unless you're chasing laptimes, there's never been a better tyre. The feel, feedback and communication at road speeds is sublime.
I've asked myself why the Prem Contact 6 feels like a backwards step, and I think I might know the answer. Over the years, wheels have got bigger, and the average size today for powerful cars is 18-19". The much shorter, and therefore stiffer sidewalls that these have, mean tyre manufacturers are making the sidewalls accordingly softer to try to avoid tramlining. I experienced this firsthand when I put the 6s on my 130i. Immediately felt the sidewalls bending excessively and had to pump the fronts up 3psi above spec to stop this from happening. This then means the tyre is not operating how it was designed to, hence me finding the feel, feedback and communication are all off. Never, ever felt this bendy sidewall syndrome on the 2s on my E36 328i, even on its 205/60 15 donuts.
Sorry for a bit of a long one. But I just wanted to get across that for guys like you and me with older 20/50 sizes, it can actually work out better to choose an older premium tyre that was designed when such sizes were current.
So, soon as they wore out, which didn't take me long
, I replaced them with theoretically inferior Prem Cont 2s which I'd so enjoyed on the beemer. Instant bliss. Tramlining was now a distant memory and the warning on and towards the limit was in another league. However, in fairness, the Pilot Sport 3s has more ultimate grip, but it simply wasn't safely exploitable at road speeds, so was therefore immaterial.I've now got Conti Prem Contact 6 on my 2005 130i SE (205/50 17), and, honestly, they're not as good as the 2s were. They're comfortable and there's no tramlining, but the feel, feedback and communication has been mucked about with, and they're not as much fun as the 2s. Next time I plan to get Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which I understand is a complete reinvention, and not an evolution of the PS3. But that obviously won't help you with your size.
My advice to you is, stick with your OEM size and get Conti Prem Contact 2. Unless you're chasing laptimes, there's never been a better tyre. The feel, feedback and communication at road speeds is sublime.
I've asked myself why the Prem Contact 6 feels like a backwards step, and I think I might know the answer. Over the years, wheels have got bigger, and the average size today for powerful cars is 18-19". The much shorter, and therefore stiffer sidewalls that these have, mean tyre manufacturers are making the sidewalls accordingly softer to try to avoid tramlining. I experienced this firsthand when I put the 6s on my 130i. Immediately felt the sidewalls bending excessively and had to pump the fronts up 3psi above spec to stop this from happening. This then means the tyre is not operating how it was designed to, hence me finding the feel, feedback and communication are all off. Never, ever felt this bendy sidewall syndrome on the 2s on my E36 328i, even on its 205/60 15 donuts.
Sorry for a bit of a long one. But I just wanted to get across that for guys like you and me with older 20/50 sizes, it can actually work out better to choose an older premium tyre that was designed when such sizes were current.
Johnny5hoods said:
To this day, Conti Premium Contact 2 are the best tyres I've ever used, for feel, feedback and communication. I had them on an E36 328i and loved em some years back, but also, more recently, on my old Clio 182 which I sold last summer. When I first got that Clio, it had budget rubbish on it, so I put on Michelin Pilot Sport 3. Instantly hated them. Tramlined all over the place (205/45 16).
So, soon as they wore out, which didn't take me long, I replaced them with theoretically inferior Prem Cont 2s which I'd so enjoyed on the beemer. Instant bliss. Tramlining was now a distant memory and the warning on and towards the limit was in another league. However, in fairness, the Pilot Sport 3s has more ultimate grip, but it simply wasn't safely exploitable at road speeds, so was therefore immaterial.
I've now got Conti Prem Contact 6 on my 2005 130i SE (205/50 17), and, honestly, they're not as good as the 2s were. They're comfortable and there's no tramlining, but the feel, feedback and communication has been mucked about with, and they're not as much fun as the 2s. Next time I plan to get Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which I understand is a complete reinvention, and not an evolution of the PS3. But that obviously won't help you with your size.
My advice to you is, stick with your OEM size and get Conti Prem Contact 2. Unless you're chasing laptimes, there's never been a better tyre. The feel, feedback and communication at road speeds is sublime.
I've asked myself why the Prem Contact 6 feels like a backwards step, and I think I might know the answer. Over the years, wheels have got bigger, and the average size today for powerful cars is 18-19". The much shorter, and therefore stiffer sidewalls that these have, mean tyre manufacturers are making the sidewalls accordingly softer to try to avoid tramlining. I experienced this firsthand when I put the 6s on my 130i. Immediately felt the sidewalls bending excessively and had to pump the fronts up 3psi above spec to stop this from happening. This then means the tyre is not operating how it was designed to, hence me finding the feel, feedback and communication are all off. Never, ever felt this bendy sidewall syndrome on the 2s on my E36 328i, even on its 205/60 15 donuts.
Sorry for a bit of a long one. But I just wanted to get across that for guys like you and me with older 20/50 sizes, it can actually work out better to choose an older premium tyre that was designed when such sizes were current.
Brilliant to hear your experience of the Conti 2's vs the latest version. Will look into giving them a go.So, soon as they wore out, which didn't take me long
, I replaced them with theoretically inferior Prem Cont 2s which I'd so enjoyed on the beemer. Instant bliss. Tramlining was now a distant memory and the warning on and towards the limit was in another league. However, in fairness, the Pilot Sport 3s has more ultimate grip, but it simply wasn't safely exploitable at road speeds, so was therefore immaterial.I've now got Conti Prem Contact 6 on my 2005 130i SE (205/50 17), and, honestly, they're not as good as the 2s were. They're comfortable and there's no tramlining, but the feel, feedback and communication has been mucked about with, and they're not as much fun as the 2s. Next time I plan to get Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which I understand is a complete reinvention, and not an evolution of the PS3. But that obviously won't help you with your size.
My advice to you is, stick with your OEM size and get Conti Prem Contact 2. Unless you're chasing laptimes, there's never been a better tyre. The feel, feedback and communication at road speeds is sublime.
I've asked myself why the Prem Contact 6 feels like a backwards step, and I think I might know the answer. Over the years, wheels have got bigger, and the average size today for powerful cars is 18-19". The much shorter, and therefore stiffer sidewalls that these have, mean tyre manufacturers are making the sidewalls accordingly softer to try to avoid tramlining. I experienced this firsthand when I put the 6s on my 130i. Immediately felt the sidewalls bending excessively and had to pump the fronts up 3psi above spec to stop this from happening. This then means the tyre is not operating how it was designed to, hence me finding the feel, feedback and communication are all off. Never, ever felt this bendy sidewall syndrome on the 2s on my E36 328i, even on its 205/60 15 donuts.
Sorry for a bit of a long one. But I just wanted to get across that for guys like you and me with older 20/50 sizes, it can actually work out better to choose an older premium tyre that was designed when such sizes were current.
Johnny5hoods said:
I've asked myself why the Prem Contact 6 feels like a backwards step, and I think I might know the answer. Over the years, wheels have got bigger, and the average size today for powerful cars is 18-19". The much shorter, and therefore stiffer sidewalls that these have, mean tyre manufacturers are making the sidewalls accordingly softer to try to avoid tramlining. I experienced this firsthand when I put the 6s on my 130i. Immediately felt the sidewalls bending excessively and had to pump the fronts up 3psi above spec to stop this from happening. This then means the tyre is not operating how it was designed to, hence me finding the feel, feedback and communication are all off. Never, ever felt this bendy sidewall syndrome on the 2s on my E36 328i, even on its 205/60 15 donuts.
You can blame comfort and noise targets from OE manufacturers and the rolling resistance label score. Both mean extra weight gets removed from the tyre, including the sidewall, which reduces the strength and feedback.
kambites said:
If you don't mind a relatively fast wear rate, I'd try the Yokohama AD08R. Its a fabulous dry weather tyre and not as bad in the wet as you'd think.
+1 I have the AD08R on my RX-7, it has pretty good traction in the wet. I'm slightly cautious when it comes to standing water at speed, although I've not had problems yet. I guess if I was commuting on fast A-roads, dual carriageways or motorways daily, I might pick something else out of consideration for those wet days, but otherwise the Yokos are pretty nice.
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