Bazza 907 644 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 I'm about to bring my S3 N/A out of hibernation and wondered what the latest thinking is on tyres. Does anybody have tyres that they are particularly happy with? There seems to be quite a lot of fronts available (195 60 15) but as ever the rears seem to be the issue (235 60 15). I'm not keen on advertising a chocolate bar but keen to hear any thoughts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skiing 57 1 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 The challenge will be to find matching tyres for front and rear (I prefer this but you may not) - I had continental premium contact 2 as my first set of four (rear 225) and now the vredestein sport trac (sp.?) are fitted (done two years ago - also rear 225). v happy with both - There is talk that the vred's tend to be almost as wide as the 235's at the back on this forum somewhere... and the tread is not too modern. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steven162 69 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 And the vreds say Guigario (sp) on the sidewall 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buddsy 1,316 1 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 39 minutes ago, skiing said: There is talk that the vred's tend to be almost as wide as the 235's at the back on this forum somewhere... and the tread is not too modern. I think that was me. Although the Pirellis were the correct size and the Vreds were 225 they were actually physically wider that the Pirellis that came off. The Vreds Ive really liked. Cheap as chips for a full set too. My car like late trubos does sit a bit high but these are them...although they say Goodyear lol buddsy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
910Esprit 294 1 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 The other 'popular' choice is Pirelli P600s on the rear and P6000s on the front. Pirelli still seems to release new batches of the P600s on a periodic basis. Think they are also used on some XJS models Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bazza 907 644 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 I've seen the Pirelli P600's and don't think they look particularly good. They look narrower than some other 225 tyres but I know Lotus suggested that they were the best replacement tyres a few years ago. I think the XJS originally used Goodyear 235 60 ZR 15 tyres as opposed to the VR tyres originally used by Lotus. @Buddsy - Exactly which vredstein tyres do you have on? they do look good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
910Esprit 294 1 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 According to LEW all the original G Turbos had HR spec - That's a little suprising if correct! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skiing 57 1 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 It think the Vreds I have are sportrac 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bazza 907 644 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 4 minutes ago, 910Esprit said: According to LEW all the original G Turbos had HR spec - That's a little suprising if correct! That's wrong. They came with Goodyear NCT 235 60 VR 15 tyres Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJ 914 2 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 Vredsteins for me - 225/60/15. I see that they are now available - having been out of stock for a while last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MPx 168 1 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 Good prompt Barrie. I've just ordered a set of 4 Vreds (Sportrac 5) from Camskill. Decision finally made after about 15 years of procrastination! When I've looked before the speed rating has always been wrong, but it says these will be V rated, so happy with that. Now all I need is a miracle or two from Sparky and I'l be well set for Combe... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buddsy 1,316 1 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 2 hours ago, Bazza 907 said: @Buddsy - Exactly which vredstein tyres do you have on? they do look good. I think they are sportrac 5. I think i paid about £300 for all 4. buddsy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Wheeler 128 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 I put 4 x Vredstein Sportrac 5s on mine in 2015. I paid £220 off the internet and £57 to have them fitted. I have driven 14,000 miles on them since and had no problems at all. I have not gone backwards unintentionally since I got them. They were replacements for 14 year old tyres. Old and new compared here. The rears are 225s and have caused no issues being a bit smaller. And, yes, they do have Giugiaro written on the side! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robington 88 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 Yes, I went with the Vreds as well and stuck on the Goodyear letters supplied by Tred wear in the U.S. They look great and drive fine too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJ 914 2 Vehicles Report post Posted March 6, 2018 - rated for 106 miles per hour Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Wheeler 128 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 The Vredsteins are rated V - 149 mph. Not that I have got anywhere near that yet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bazza 907 644 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 Right, I've ordered some Vredsteins. Total cost £255 including delivery. Looking forward to see how well they suit the car. Many thanks for all the replies. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esprit22 58 Report post Posted March 7, 2018 20 hours ago, ChrisJ said: - rated for 106 miles per hour Not to sure which planet your on but these are rated at 149mph thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Wheeler 128 Report post Posted March 7, 2018 ChrisJ was referring to the picture posted by esprit22 which shows 235 60R 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esprit22 58 Report post Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Kevin Wheeler said: ChrisJ was referring to the picture posted by esprit22 which shows 235 60R 15 I know, thats me!! The tyres are V rated. Edited March 7, 2018 by esprit22 info Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Wheeler 128 Report post Posted March 7, 2018 But an R rating is 106 mph. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esprit22 58 Report post Posted March 7, 2018 No, the letter R stands for RADIAL CONSTRUCTION. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Wheeler 128 Report post Posted March 7, 2018 Aah! Sorry! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esprit22 58 Report post Posted March 7, 2018 I may be a tad mad, but even I would not run an Esprit on R rated tyres! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
