TT tyre choice

[Sticks2]

I picked up a puncture in my nsr, two punctures in the same section actually, which the tyre firm said shouldn't be repaired, but they did so as they couldn't access a replacement and, of course, no spare. Is that right, about the two punctures?

Anyway, it's prompted me into thinking urgently about tyre(s) replacement. I've got 245/40/18s Pirelli P Zero Rosso at the mo on a TT 3.2 Quattro Mk2. Admittedly I'm fairly new to the car but I'm surprised how skittish it feels over uneven surfaces, esp being a Quattro, though less so with the mag ride on. I've used Goodyear F1s on a similar profile on another car and felt more sure footed.

The handbook recommends replacing a pair at a time at least, as did the tyre fitters as they tyres are half worn at 8k miles, and says all tyres should be the same tread pattern. Cost aside I'd just go for the F1s, though that'd mean a complete set, presumably, not all tyres work as well in all applications so...

So I wondered if others had more knowledge of tyres than me re the repairs, best tyres and mixes on a TT.

Grateful for your thoughts,

Cheers

Sticks (NickB12)

[Gren]

Have always changed all 4 at a time on mine as they wear pretty evenly - 225bhp 1.8T coupe. Have put F1s on mine at every chance (am on my 5th set) - the new assymetricals a few weeks ago. Always thought they offered great grip.

The P Zero Rossos that came on the car were nowhere near as good and the way they wore was awful - all the wear was down the middle of the tyre despite pressures being spot on and no tyre doing it since.

One word of warning though, the F1 GSD3s (old - 'aggressive' tread pattern) were really noisy after they wore a bit. Think the sidewalls deformed bady - happened on 3 sets in a row. Not sure about the new ones as they only have 1k on them so far

[Tame Technician]

Mich. pilot sports.

Costly but grip like no other tyre.

[Sticks2]

Thanks chaps. Re the repair, how effective are they i.e. is it something I should deal with urgently?

[Tame Technician]

Depends where the puncture was, if it was right near the edge, then you should deal with it pretty quickly, if it was say more than an inch from the edge, but still in the out of repair area, i wouldn't be too bothered.

Tyre will deflate rather than blow out, if the repair fails, so you will be stranded with no spare rather than filling in an insurance claims forms from your hospital bed.

[Sticks2]

Thanks, that's useful info. One was a screw which had hardly got though and the other a nail as thin as a panel pin and both pretty central so sounds ok.

Insurance claim from a hospital bed?? Been there, done that......

Thanks very much all, appreciate it

[Dr G]

I can't say I've driven a TT on GSD3s but have an A3 quattro sport - which really, really impressed me.

Noticeably better front end grip and a more progressive feel than the P-Zero Rossos normally found on the same car.

[nail_it]

Tame Technician said:

Mich. pilot sports.

Costly but grip like no other tyre.

^^^^ what he said.
You pays your money and takes your choice on quality and performance.

[cuprabob]

Michelins can be had from your local COSTCO a fait bit cheaper than yhe usual tyre places.

My preference is F1 Asymmetrics

[brisel]

I alternate between F1s and PS2s according to what deals the major suppliers have on at the time.

The Michelins are good durable general purpose but are quite solid and very very expensive.

The Goodyear F1s are more grippy but softer sidewalled.

Heard good things about Falkens and Toyo Proxies too but I do believe in putting decent rubber onto what could easily be a steel coffin with substandard shoes.

[nail_it]

brisel said:

but I do believe in putting decent rubber onto what could easily be a steel coffin with substandard shoes.

and that's the point, high performance vehicle needs not deserves high performance hd tyres

[Sticks2]

Thanks, it's food for thought. I think I'll have to change them at some point fairly soon. The P Zeros feel like theu're tramlining front and back, which is a new one to me. I don't do that many miles so I'll probably go for the F1 Asymmetrics.

Thanks all, much appreciated

[cuprabob]

If you decide to go for F1 Asymmetrics be careful when they are just put on. For some reason they take a few hundred miles to bed in.

[Gren]

Didn't notice that much with mine, just the usual 'flexing' feeling which I've always party put down to wanting to feel something. At £90 a tyre fitted for the F1s they are not too bad value