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.
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?
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.
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