Blackcircles - What's the difference

[Chris Hinds]

I need two new front tyres for the car and have been searching on Blackcircles. They have Bridgestone RE050A tyres available but at many different prices e.g.

£201.51ea Ferrari
£218.90ea No manufacturer listed
£224.28ea Mercedes
£229.56ea Audi
£233.18ea Reinforced
£239.24ea Lexus Reinforced

All other specifications are the same, am I right in thinking that it's purely a marketing thing, I can't think why it would be in any way relevant what car the rubber is fitted to.

Also choices of tyres are:
Bridgestone RE050A
Continental Sport Contact 3
Pirelli P Zero Rosso
Continental Sport Contact 5
Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico
Pirelli P Zero Direzionale
Michelin Pilot Sport 2
Michelin Pilot Sport 3

What would be a good option? My driving style is mild but assertive and I value quietness in the cabin.

Car is an Audi A6 Avant 3.0TDI Quattro currently wearing Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres. Rears have approx 5.5-6mm tread left, front are at change time, about 2.5mm left.

Cheers

Chris

[kambites]

I don't know about those tyres in particular, but I know that Lotus commissioned Yokohama to produce a special version of the AD07 for the Elise (called the AD07 LTS), which has a slightly different compound.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

My 911 had it's own 'N1' rated tyres, made by Michelin and Pirelli. I rang Michelin to ask how the N1's were different to the normal Pilot Sports.

The answer was that they were modified and developed specifically for the 911 with a different construction to suit the characteristics of the car, taking into account the weight of the engine in the back giving more rearward weight etc.

They said that non specific tyres would be fine, but to get the most from the car the N1's are obviously better.

I don't think it's just a marketing exercise. It costs tyre manufacturers millions to develop such things, so why otherwise would they bother unless there was a reason?

[Puddenchucker]

I'm not sure about the RE050, but the (OEM spec) RE040 for the 350Z had versions with slightly different tread patterns:

RE040 KZ


RE040 XZ

[Chris Hinds]

Thanks for the information... so which tyre would be preferable... Continentals, Bridgestones, Michelin or Goodyears?

Cheers

Chris

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Chris Hinds said:

Thanks for the information... so which tyre would be preferable... Continentals, Bridgestones, Michelin or Goodyears?

Cheers

Chris

Well, I tried quite a few different tyres on my 911 and my random selection of hot hatches over the years.

I have found that time and again, for great grip, predictability, longevity and even good MPG, that Michelin are all round winners, every time. Yes, the cost is higher, but you can't beat quality.

For me, the tyres are the only interface between you and the road, and that buying something extremely well developed from a major brand like Mich who spend millions on R&D, is worth every penny.