Need advice about new tyres

[Giannis]

Dear folks I need your advice about what tyres to buy for my Volvo.

Right now the car is on its second set of Pirelli P6000, which is a completely crap tyre. I am not satisfied from it. It wore out very quickly and doesn't handle as good as the Exalto from Michelin. I am looking for something comfortable enough, that is also safe when pushing the car a little on the corners. I also like it to be affordable, which means no more than 500€.

The dimensions are 205/55 R16 91W.

I probably going to get a set of Michelin Exaltos, but I'm looking at what Pirelli has to offer. The Pirelli PZero Rosso is a fantastic tyre, but I don't know how much it costs yet. I'll ask tomorrow for a price.

Any suggestions?

 

[danclk]

Have you thought about Continental? I had some trouble with my last set but there normally quite good. I usually get the Sport contact 2's there more durable and a little cheaper than the Rosso's, they also give a smoother quieter ride, but they do lose out a little in the handling department when compared to the Rosso's imo. I believe Vredestein are s,pose to be quite good as well but i havent experienced those yet.

 

[Yperion]

Michelin Primacy HP...

Michelin Primacy HP

Had those in my A4...excellent tyres...

 

[Giannis]

Yannis, I believe the Exalto is positioned above the Primacy, but it's not much more expensive. I found a set of 4 Exaltos for 405€ and I believe it's a damn good price. The cheapest price for the Pirelli PZero Rosso Directionalle is 520€ and IMO they are not worth 115€ more.

I tested the Exalto in an A4 like yours and I found them to be much better than my P6000. So I guess I will go with Exalto.

@danclk: I have not heard many good things about Continentals from both the internet and friends' experience. But I have untill Monday to make my mind. I will search it a bit more. What do you propose from the Continental range?

 

[danclk]

@danclk: I have not heard many good things about Continentals from both the internet and friends' experience. But I have untill Monday to make my mind. I will search it a bit more. What do you propose from the Continental range?

Ive ran Continental Sport contacts 2's on a 2004 Laguna, a 2001 A4 TDI 130, 2004 c203 220CDI, and my current CLK and have found them to be a durable and comfortable tire with reasonable sporting capabilities. The c203 had also been run with Michelin Pilots and i found it ran better on the Continentals.

On the other hand im hoping to look into some Vredesteins next as my last set of Continentals were faulty. Ive heard glowing reports about Vredestein from someone who has used them on a Saab and also a Vectra, plus EVO magazine gave them the thumbs up so they must be quite good.

 

[danclk]

I found the results of the group test i mentioned before, its a little older than i thought but as far as im aware the tires tested are still in current. i think ive got a copy of the magazine it was taken from somewhere, if its any help.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2007-evo-tyre-test.htm

 

[Leech]

well I run vredstein snowtrack on 2008 skoda octavia and they are fantastic winter tyres, but I cant say anything about summer tyres :/

 

[Giannis]

Thank you very much danclk! I will look for the Continental Sport Contact 2!

 

[Zafiro]

I have Goodyear Asymmetric F1 on my car. Those tyres has won several tests.

 

[Giannis]

They are supposed to compete with the Michelin Pilot Exalto or Pilot Sport? This is something I cannot figure out.

 

[Yperion]

Yannis, I believe the Exalto is positioned above the Primacy, but it's not much more expensive. I found a set of 4 Exaltos for 405€ and I believe it's a damn good price. The cheapest price for the Pirelli PZero Rosso Directionalle is 520€ and IMO they are not worth 115€ more.

No it's not , they are not in the same category , Exalto is a sport tyre suitable for sports cars like Peugeot 207 GT , Golf GTi ect.

Primacy HP is for High Performance cars , like E class , A6 ect. offering good grip but less noise and better comfort....

 

[Giannis]

No it's not , they are not in the same category , Exalto is a sport tyre suitable for sports cars like Peugeot 207 GT , Golf GTi ect.

Primacy HP is for High Performance cars , like E class , A6 ect. offering good grip but less noise and better comfort....

I really didn't know that! Anyway, I ordered the Exalto in the end. Should be here tomorrow. But, I'd like to see some kind of a sporty tire this time, even with my swedish whale for a change...

 

[Sunny]

Just brought 4x Yokohoma AD08. I had AD07 before and loved it, almost as grippy as R tires and yet usable in the wet (just be careful with standing water) and lasts way longer too. And AD08 is supposed to be better in every respect. I am not too fond of the new curvy tread pattern, preferred the tread pattern of the old AD07 better, but I am not going to be seeing them while driving so who cares.

Also considered Bridgestone RE11s. Love the tread pattern on those, but Yokos are supposed to offer better steering response, so went with those.

 

[Mr. M]

Hey Giannis,

I was at your spot not too long ago, choosing tyres to replace my Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s.

I believe you want a good mix of everything, from performance to quietness to a reasonable wear rate and wet weather capabilities. I suggest you don't go for UHP (ultra-high performance) stuff like the AD08 and RE-11 as they are pretty hardcore stuff, quite unnecessary unless you do track work.

Read my PS2 review: Review: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Tyres | Autosavant

I would highly recommend it.

I am using its successor now, the Pilot Sport 3s.

But these tyres are rather pricey. Alternatively, you can look at the impressive Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics or even the Goodyear Eagle GSD3 (even though it is an old tyre, it is still highly-rated).

Otherwise, you might even want to venture to Hankook V12 Evo or S1 Evo. Highly recommended stuff.

Good luck in your search! For a Volvo, I would go for a Michelin Pilot Preceda, which is a step below the PS2 but I would say probably 80% of the performance.

 

[Giannis]

Oh yes, I forgot to update this thread. The next day after my last post the tyres arrived. I am very very very satisfied by them. They are quieter than the P6000 and they have more grip. Yet, near their limit they tend to be very soft, yet have still more grip than the P6000. Great tyre and suits the car perfectly!

As for some of the tyres you mention, they are not availiable for 16inches rims, at least here. But I don't remember which they were...