Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics are excellent on an S-Type R

[prolix]

I posted a query about these tyres back in January, and having fitted a set on my 2005MY S-Type R I can now report on my experience with them. In a word, excellent. Better than the (now obsolete) OE Contis I had initially, vastly better than the Falken 452s I had last, which were horrible (on this car). On the Goodyears the car feels very sure-footed with sharper turn-in and better grip wet and dry at all speeds, the TC doesn't cut in so soon, the frequent front chatter (e.g. on flinging it into a low-speed tight turn) has gone, and ride and noise are as good as the other fitments. Highly recommended on this vehicle. I will report on wear in due course.

[vladman]

Hi, glad you like your new tyres, intrigued by your negative comment on the Falken FK452s... I've just put two of these on the back of my S-Type R, based mostly on the numerous recommendations and positive reviews of these tyres, both on this site, and elsewhere.

They've only been on for the last 3-4 days, so too early to comment, but so far, haven't noticed anything bad about them.

[prolix]

FK452s had less grip wet or dry, TC cut in far less with the Contis and it does so even less with the Goodyears. There was front chatter (shuddering grip-slip-grip-slip) when I flung it into low-speed corners, so much so that I thought something was knackered in the front suspension (nothing was). Yet I wouldn't say FK452s are rubbish full stop, I've used earlier Falkens on other high-performance cars very successfully, and FK452s seem to be well-regarded on some other high performance cars. As I've remarked on another thread, tyres are a major part of the whole suspension set up (spring rates, dampers, bushes, etc). Different tyres have different properties (sidewall stiffness, among other things, not just grip) so a given tyre can be great on car A and less good on car B - even after trying to optimise pressures. This doesn't just affect modern or high-performance cars. Years ago I had a series 2 XJ12 that was totally different on Dunlops, Michelins and Pirellis. OH's hatchback has had Pirellis, Contis, Michelin E3As and now Michelin Energys. Felt like a different car every time (E3As were best by far). Daughter bought a Ka with a different cheapy at each corner, I fitted four new P3000s without telling her, she drove one mile and said "Dad, what have you done to the steering, it feels so much better".