Hello,
I need to buy some 195/50 R15 tyres for a Golf III GTi. Knowing diddley-squat about tyres myself, I'm wondering if anyone here can recommend tyres to suit this car. I would rate grip and handling over comfort and longevity. Many thanks for any suggestions.
Phil
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I have never had any myself but friends of mine who driver the golf VR6 rave about Toyo Proxes T1-S. There are not overly expensive but u get a great tyre for the price apparently. Ho[pe this helps
TimK
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Thanks for the tip, Tim, I'll give these a look
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You may also want to consider the new Bridgestone RE720. There's a review of them at www.tyres-online.co.uk/tyretest/bridgestone.asp
Andy
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That's a useful site, thanks
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If you really don't care about comfort or longevity, try Michelin Energy XH1 or XV1. They certainly don't last very long, compared to Michelins of yesteryear, they're certainly very noisy and give a harsh ride. They're probably good for roadholding but I never get near their limit.
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According to a BBS wheels advert in one of the March VW enthusiast magazines, 'BBS recommend TOYO' by the way it also says -
Special Offer - 4 wheels and T1-S tyres 195/50 / 15 - £495 (bbsdirect.co.uk).
The factory fitted BBS wheels on my 1990 Golf have seen better days and are not much fun to keep clean either. I think I would be very tempted by this kind of deal, if I didn't have more pressing financial priorities i.e. baby number 3
is due in 20 weeks and we will need a new bigger car in the summer.
Also TSR Performance - VW Audi Seat specialists sell Toyo tyres
(TSRperformance.com).
A quick look through the magazine also shows featured Golfs 2,3 and 4 with
Z rated Bridgestone Potenza S-02 and Yokohama A529 for example.
These tyres seem quite common in these magazines but for me Z rated tyres as big as 225/40 ZR 18 would be a bit over the top, however they may be available in 195/50 / VR15.
My main car is a 1990 VW Golf GTI 16v, which I have had since 1993.
In 1995 I was recommended to try Michelin Pilot SX (XGTV) by BR Motorsport,
another VW Golf specialist. These were fine and since then I have had 2 more sets of the later version - Pilot SX GT.
Last year I bought my 4th set, though the Pilot SX GT has now evolved into the Michelin Pilot Exalto which is a directional tyre and again I am happy with
these.
However around here (South London) with all the speed cameras, pot holes, sleeping policemen plus the price of petrol and not to mention my wife and two kids on board, these tyres never have to work very hard when I am driving.
Though I don't know how many local lap records or pole positions my wife has!
The first 3 sets easily lasted 20,000 miles (2-3 millimetres left) swapping front to back half way.
FYI, I bought the Exaltos from Costco, who fitted them in a professional manner at a sensible price.
If you want Michelin for your Golf, I think it is a choice between the sporty directional Pilot Exalto or the asymetrical Pilot Primacy which is a bit quieter and more comfortable, aimed at high mileage drivers I think.
If you want more info or recommendations try the Michelin web site or
in need their technical dept in Stoke on Trent is also helpful.
Don't forget the condition of dampers / shock absorbers will also affect
grip, handling, comfort and longevity. In the late 80's my 1982 Golf GTI was passing MOTs no problem but transformed by a Bilstein sport suspension kit.
Last year I had Koni dampers fitted on the 16v at 100,000 miles, which was also passing MOTs without any problems, my wife noticed the difference immediately.
Lastly, I had no problems with Pirelli P600s on the '82 Golf. I think Pirelli have now replaced these with the P6000.
This is my first post! Sorry if its a bit too long but I hope it helps you.
Graham
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Fantastic first post Graham - and a fellow Golf enthusiast!
To help PDP - I've owned Golfs for many years and agree with everything Graham says.
In general - the Jap makes such as Yokohama, Ventus, Nankang, Toyo, etc are the softer, shorter life tyres with good grip. By short life I would estimate 10k max.
The european makes - Pirelli, Michelin, Goodyear, Avon, Dunlop and Continental are ll, generally, harder wearing but less sticky. Expect these to last up to 20k.
I am currently running Michelin Pilots on the front and Pirelli Drago's on the back in 195/45/16. Both sets are wearing extremely well.
On the old 15" BBS fitted to my previous Golf I used the following;
Avon - best rubber I've ever fitted but pricey and rare - over 20k
Goodyear Eagle NCT - bl**dy horrible - 15k
Pirelli P6000 (I think) - hard as nails and as grippy as driving on ice but last for ever - got bored with them so not sure how long they last!
Dunlop - quite soft but, again, not easy to get hold of and pricey.
Pirelli PZero - wonderful looking tyre and as fitted to Ferraris!! Never warrant fitting them to a Golf but they weren't that pricey - 10k.
Continental - standard fit on the MkII GTI - lovely tyre - 15k.
Going by what you say, I would recommend going for either the Toyo or Yoko or possibly Falken tyres as they are as cheap as chips (£40/tyre) and will give the grip you require but don't expect them to see the year out! I clock up over 20k per year mostly on cr*ppy Somerset A-roads so tend to go for the Euro makes which last about 15-20k but cost about £20/corner extra.
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Thanks very much guys, this thread has been an eye-opener for me as previously I've just bought whatever was suggested by the fitters. Lots of useful info. cheers
Phil
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Further to my last wittering, the Bridgestone RE88s on my Accord have just passed the 20k mark and still have over 4mm tread on all of them. Much better grip than the P600s I had on my Cavalier.
Andy
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Best tyres in this size i have driven on are Bridgestone Potenza So-2's but they are not made any more and are rare and sort after. The new SO-3's are not meant to be as good and usually cost £60 a corner. I have just replaced my front tyres (SO-2's), after i wrecked them driving to Newcastle from down south with the geometry hopelessly out , with a pair of Goodyear Eagle F1's. Great tyres. I'd say they were slightly better than the SO-2's in the wet, but they were not quite as good in the dry IMHO. Not as prgressive and didnt quite have the grip. But I reccomend them. £38+VAT each i think from Michledever tyres, i got them mail order and they arrived am the next day.
The Toyo's people have mentioned are ok- but they dont last long. They grip becasue they are soft. I was going to get some as i was offered them at 26+VAT (which is what they should cost), but they are not as good as the F1's.
Ben
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