Auto Express tyre test issue! Goodyear wins :D
Discussion
As always, Auto Express have released their summer tyre test issue just in time for winter 
, but as always it's a fairly good test.
They don't seem to have it online yet, so go and buy the magazine, but the summary is:
1) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
2) Michelin Pilot Sport 3
3) Pirelli P Zero
4) Vredestein Ultrac Cento
5) Nokian Z G2
6) Continental Sport Contact 3
7) Dunlop Sport Maxx TT
8) Bridgestone Potenza S001
9) Apollo Aspire 4
10) Hankook Ventus S1 EVO
Here's my short write up of the Tyre Test, it just covers the above and goes into a little more detail. You really need to buy the mag or wait for AE to publish their version as there was loads of data!
The results seemed very bias towards aquaplaning performance, which seems to have jumbled up the results a little, but it's still good to see the PH favourite in the top spot
, but as always it's a fairly good test.They don't seem to have it online yet, so go and buy the magazine, but the summary is:
1) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
2) Michelin Pilot Sport 3
3) Pirelli P Zero
4) Vredestein Ultrac Cento
5) Nokian Z G2
6) Continental Sport Contact 3
7) Dunlop Sport Maxx TT
8) Bridgestone Potenza S001
9) Apollo Aspire 4
10) Hankook Ventus S1 EVO
Here's my short write up of the Tyre Test, it just covers the above and goes into a little more detail. You really need to buy the mag or wait for AE to publish their version as there was loads of data!
The results seemed very bias towards aquaplaning performance, which seems to have jumbled up the results a little, but it's still good to see the PH favourite in the top spot
Dino D said:
Falken not even in top ten?
Falken generally don't put their tyres forward for the group tests, and why would they, they have an amazing imagine online which might not quite be represented in a proper back to back test. Toyo did the same with the T1R, now the replacement T1 Sport is appearing in the tests, and not doing so well, some of the shine has been taken off the brand.Fox- said:
Interesting to see the Hankook - a tyre raved about by internet forums who subconciously seem to place 80% of the weighting on price and then deny they do - as awesome, has come last.
Indeed, and somewhat more worryingly in my experience the S1 Evo is a better tyre than a couple of the other internet heros.I dont agree with the placing of the Pirelli P-Zero, I had them on my previous 207 GTi, and now on the missus' SportKa, they only last around 8k miles, have poor wet grip and are noisy. the compound feels like a hard compound when driving, yet wears far too quickly.
Replaced both with Kumho's (KH31's?), which for half the price are better in every way.
Replaced both with Kumho's (KH31's?), which for half the price are better in every way.
Edited by Nige_GTI on Wednesday 7th September 12:28
jon- said:
Indeed, and somewhat more worryingly in my experience the S1 Evo is a better tyre than a couple of the other internet heros.
I really would like to see the Falken FK452 and the Kumho's etc put up properly head to head in a reputable test against Eagle F1 Assymetric 2, Contisport Contact 5 etc etc. But as you say above they are always missing...I'd also like to see a CS5/Eagle F1 AS2/Conti Winter Contact/Michelin Alpin head to head test on a wet track with an ambient temperature of 1c as well...
Nige_GTI said:
I dont agree with the placing of the Pirelli P-Zero, I had them on my previous 207 GTi, and now on the missus' SportKa, they only last around 8k miles, have poor wet grip and are noisy. the compound feels like hard when driving, yet wears far too quickly.
Replaced both with Kumho's (KH31's?), which for half the price are better in every way.
I would suggest in those sizes, they might not be the P Zero, probably the P Zero Nero which is (confusingly) a very different tyre!Replaced both with Kumho's (KH31's?), which for half the price are better in every way.
Fox- said:
Interesting to see the Hankook - a tyre raved about by internet forums who subconciously seem to place 80% of the weighting on price and then deny they do - as awesome, has come last.
Interesting that the Pilot Sport 3 which has been widely berated as not a worthy replacement for the PS2 has come second.Also note the performance difference between the best and worst tyres was just 3.5%, and the same rag rated the Hankook 5th in their last test. With such little difference in performance the results are relevant only for the car and conditions they were tested on. Change the car and tyre size and doubtless the results would change as well.
Mr2Mike said:
Fox- said:
Interesting to see the Hankook - a tyre raved about by internet forums who subconciously seem to place 80% of the weighting on price and then deny they do - as awesome, has come last.
Interesting that the Pilot Sport 3 which has been widely berated as not a worthy replacement for the PS2 has come second.Also note the performance difference between the best and worst tyres was just 3.5%, and the same rag rated the Hankook 5th in their last test. With such little difference in performance the results are relevant only for the car and conditions they were tested on. Change the car and tyre size and doubtless the results would change as well.
This test is obviously strongly weighted towards aquaplaning results, which the PS3 does very well. It's been berated because it's not as performance focused as the PS2 was, which makes sense as it actually replaces the Pilot Exalto PE2.
Had this test focused on dry performance and steering feel, I expect the results would have been very difference.
Also, I've back-to-backed the Bridgestone with other tyres a number of times now, and it has never once felt like the best tyre in the dry.
Still, good tyres will rise to the top and bad ones won't, as proven by the Goodyear.
Can't say I was hugely impressed with the Eagle F1's I tried, plenty of grip, but noisy and weren't especially durable, so have gone back to fitting Michelins (Pilot Premacy HP's currently). Not a massive difference in ultimate grip, more progressive breakaway, less noise and last nearly twice as long. The Michs are actually useable in snow as well, which is always a bonus.
Mr2Mike said:
Interesting that the Pilot Sport 3 which has been widely berated as not a worthy replacement for the PS2 has come second.
PS3 is the replacement for the Pilot Exalto PE2.The SuperSport is the replacement for the PS2, and from an initial 2000 miles of driving, it's better than the PS2...everywhere.
I've got Eagle F1 A1's on the front of my STD at the moment, coming from Michelin PS2's I've noticed a massive increase in road noise, reduced economy, poor turn in and I feel they lack in communication department, however I did benefit from better wet performance and a smoother ride. I'm literally about to go out to fit some Eagle F1 A2's to the car now so I'm keen to see if they've improved on the feedback and turn in as they are the two most important aspects for me.
or maybe I should get some T1-R's
or maybe I should get some T1-R's
Targarama said:
Whose proving ground was host for this tyre test?
Bridgestone i think...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff