vredestein ultrac sessanta vs Falken 452

[Zachlain]

Hi Guys,

I have a E46 BMW 320d M sport and its time to change the rear tyres.
I currently have Falken 452's and they are a good tyre. However, I am thinking of changing to vredestein ultrac sessanta's as I have seen good reviews for them (some claiming them to be better than the Falkens).

However, I was wondering if anyone has run these tyres and how long they lasted?
I drive to work on back on 80 miles of motorways everyday. Thus, for me the tyre wear is as important as the overall grip the tyres give.

Any opinions greatly appreciated.

PS: I am thinking of using event tyres http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/
- are they good?

[RicksAlfas]

I really rated the Vreds when I had them on my last car. They can be noisy on certain surfaces though. But I couldn't fault their grip, especially through a wet winter. They were even "OK" in the snow! Wear rate was fine - better than the OEM Bridgestones the car came with.

[Zachlain]

RicksAlfas said:

I really rated the Vreds when I had them on my last car. They can be noisy on certain surfaces though. But I couldn't fault their grip, especially through a wet winter. They were even "OK" in the snow! Wear rate was fine - better than the OEM Bridgestones the car came with.

Thanks for the reply mate. Do you remember roughly how many miles you got out of them? Also, what car were the tyres on?

[RicksAlfas]

I had them on a Brera - so very heavy front wheel drive. Not really comparable to yours I'm afraid, but if I got 10,000 out of the OEM Bridgestones I was getting say 13,000 out of these.

[jon-]

The Vreds to better subjectively on TyreReviews, but I still think there's better tyres for the money. Are you running a 255/35 18 rear?

[tr7v8]

Never run the Vreds but the 452 on the Jag was poor when very cold & crap in snow! If people are saying the Vreds are better then I'd go with them.

[Zachlain]

jon- said:

The Vreds to better subjectively on TyreReviews, but I still think there's better tyres for the money. Are you running a 255/35 18 rear?

Yep 255/35 ZR18 at the rear. Can you recommend me some good tyres? This is my first tyre change on the car (I have owned it since February 2012).

[Harry Flashman]

Had the Ultrac Sessantas on my Series 1 Morgan Aero 8, and rate them utterly - excellent tyre. But that is a much lighter car than an M3 - perhaps the Falkens would better suit yours?

For info, my old Porsche 968 wore 452s - and I liked them, but thought the Vreds gave better feedback, and were better in the wet. The Falkens felt a little more progressive on track though - although that is likely the 968's balance as opposed to the Mog's propensity for oversteer and dramatic powerslides...

[rottie102]

Guys at event-tyres are very good. Expect an "F1 pit-stop experience"

[jon-]

Zachlain said:

jon- said:

The Vreds to better subjectively on TyreReviews, but I still think there's better tyres for the money. Are you running a 255/35 18 rear?

Yep 255/35 ZR18 at the rear. Can you recommend me some good tyres? This is my first tyre change on the car (I have owned it since February 2012).

I'm quite a fan of the Fulda SportControl, it's basically the old F1 Asymmetric for less money. Alternatively, the fabled Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2s are only £19 more in your size, and they're rated as pretty much the best tyre on the market!

[Caulkhead]

These are a good all rounder and particularly strong in the winter:

http://camskill.co.uk/m61b0s22p60800/Uniroyal_Tyre...

[arfur]

I've got 235/40/18 Sessanta Ultras on my Subaru

They have been on for about 500 miles so far and feel much better in dry/wet than the previous Conti Sport 3's.

They dont look to have worn much at this point either

Think I paid about 500 quid fitted for all 4

Would use them again (so far)

[pjdow]

+1 for Ultrac Sessanta.

My only complaint is a cosmetic one!

[TOV!E]

A lex said:

Id rate the Vreds a level above the Falkens.

Ditto, a much better tyre

[sjj84]

I have the Vredesteins on my Z4 coupe, having previously had them on an E46 M3. Good tyres for the money, hence why I've fitted them to two successive cars.

[MGSteve]

tr7v8 said:

Never run the Vreds but the 452 on the Jag was poor when very cold & crap in snow! If people are saying the Vreds are better then I'd go with them.

Had a very similar experience with 452's fitted on my ZT260, grip really falls away below around 12deg. Even above that temperature they are not as good for either grip or feel compared to the Avon ZZ3's I had prior to them.
There poor cool weather grip hastened my decision to invest in a set of winters (Vred Wintrac Extremes) and I am very glad I did, as traction was much improved in cooler weather.
Had been considering the Vreds Ultracs as a replacement for the 452’s but, Michelin Pilot Super sports are looking increasingly tempting.

[KeithE]

I've got the Sessantas on my E92 320d Msport and I reckon to get arounfd 20k out of them. Wear seems to be fairly even all round. Can't comment on the Falkens as I when t straight to the Sessantas when I got rid of the noisy, hard, expensive!! Bridgestones.

Handling wise they're pretty good, they certainly held on well when I tracked it at Brands Hatch. I wasn't overly impressed in the snow but, to be honest, any wide low profile summer tyre on a rear wheel drive car isn't exactly going ot excel there is it.

What I would say is that they are certainly a lot quieter than the Bridgestones and have improved the ride no end but whether you can say the same for the Falkens IO don't know.

Keith

[SWoll]

Caulkhead said:

These are a good all rounder and particularly strong in the winter:

http://camskill.co.uk/m61b0s22p60800/Uniroyal_Tyre...

Perfect tyre for UK weather IMHO and what I'm putting on the rear of the E61 in the next couple of weeks. Camskill are easily the best price also.

Excellent wet braking, handling and aquaplaning resistance which would appear perfect for a 80 mile motorway commute at this time of year (or a British summer...).

[minghis]

SWoll said:

Caulkhead said:

These are a good all rounder and particularly strong in the winter:

http://camskill.co.uk/m61b0s22p60800/Uniroyal_Tyre...

Perfect tyre for UK weather IMHO and what I'm putting on the rear of the E61 in the next couple of weeks. Camskill are easily the best price also.

Excellent wet braking, handling and aquaplaning resistance which would appear perfect for a 80 mile motorway commute at this time of year (or a British summer...).

Agreed. I now have them all round (245/45/18) on my company hack and echo the comments about them being perfect for this country in autumn/winter. Really good value too.
They seem to have quite a following if you have a search around the web.

[CO2000]

I have the Vredesteins on a Cooper S, love them, along with good wear rates I read they had a stiffer side wall than the Falkens/Toyos which made me go for them.