Best tyres for Passat estate

hc25036

Hi - always had company cars so getting tyres was just going to the shop and saying "replace these please". Those days are gone and I'm bewildered by the choice at somewhere like Black Circles! It's a Passat 2.0 diesel estate and I'm tempted just to say replace the fronts with what is already on there (Pirelli Rosso's W).

But -I'm sure you guys would have some better suggestions. I'm no racer and my annual mileage has plummeted to around 8K, probably about 50:50 motorway and town driving. Help!
Rick

ventureuk

Go to the National Tyres Ebay shop and look for Barum Bravuris 2.

They are a well reviewed tyre made by Continental and if bought through Ebay work out cheaper than most of the online tyre suppliers and cheaper than if supplied by a National Tyres garage.

Fitted some 205s to a 2nd car a few weeks ago and they have performed very well for not a lot of money.

flyingscotno1

hc25036 wrote: »

Hi - always had company cars so getting tyres was just going to the shop and saying "replace these please". Those days are gone and I'm bewildered by the choice at somewhere like Black Circles! It's a Passat 2.0 diesel estate and I'm tempted just to say replace the fronts with what is already on there (Pirelli Rosso's W).

But -I'm sure you guys would have some better suggestions. I'm no racer and my annual mileage has plummeted to around 8K, probably about 50:50 motorway and town driving. Help!
Rick

To be honest I think your best choosing what is the best deal at the time rather than going for something expensive. Depends on your tyre size what is about but plenty of decent tyres and for an estate your just looking for a good, safe (in terms of wet driving etc), long lasting tyre rather than anything specific for hammering on a track.

I tend to steer away from really budget tyres- some are poor and choose a low mid range although you can get some cracking budget ones. Barum has been mentioned but I've heard mixed reviews on them.

Last time I looked at Black Circles too they couldn't really match the local chain tyre shops.

tomstickland

I'd say just go for a big name and middle of the road price.
I like grippy tyres and don't care how quickly they wear. I've found Kumho Ecsta to be ok for budget brand, whilst my real preference is Goodyear Eagle F1 GSDs.

hc25036

Thanks guys! Time to hit the sites for best prices!

petrolhead69

i`ve tried budget tyres a couple of times and always found them to be noisier and gave a harsher ride. I dont know about your size but for my 225/45/18s yokohamas were a very good comprimise between ride, grip and price

Eric_Pisch

Evo and some other car mags have tested tyres over the years

budget tyres can double the stopping distance over a good brand

the top tyres only had gains of approx 10% so for most people going for the main brands budget version gives the best price / performance

I think in 2012 all tyres will be marked with there stopping rating etc

hc25036

petrolhead69 wrote: »

i`ve tried budget tyres a couple of times and always found them to be noisier and gave a harsher ride. I dont know about your size but for my 225/45/18s yokohamas were a very good comprimise between ride, grip and price

Thanks Petrolhead. I'm on 234/45/17 and it looks like a choice between the Yokohamas, Goodyears and Continentals all at around the same price £120'ish) and all the same price as the exiting Pirellis. The VW Forum members seem to prefer the Goodyears for longevity. How have you found the Yokohamas for mileage?

AdrianHi

For long life and decent dry and warm weather grip Micheln Pilot Primacy HP. Useless in the wet snow and slush though.

They don't last as long but are very good in all weathers, especially very wet conditions and do surprisingly well in wet snow and slush for a non-winter tyre: Continental Prmeium Contact 2.
Tendancy to wear the front wheels outer edges even when alignment and tracking is perfect - on some cars.

From experience I can say the Michelins do last about 25% longer than the Continentals.

petrolhead69

only done 8000 on the yokos before sellng the car but they were less than half worn, on a 240bhp rwd car driven enthusiastically. Grip and ride was far better than the nankangs that came on the alloys. The nankangs would spin up far too easy wearing them out fast and were very twitchy in the wet.