martzweb

I've been humming and haa'ing about new tyres for my Octy II 105PD for quite some time - i've only got a limited budget so it was either a really good set of tyres on the original 15" steel wheels or a tyre / alloy package - i didn't fancy any budget low profile tyres, so i decided to just stay on the steels and get some very decent horseshoes

I dont exactly drive like a nutter, but the octy gets a double dose of Millers on every fill, has a Panel Filter and i like exploring the rev range on country roads so......

I went to a local guy (Glenavy Road Tyres) and he talked me into a set of Dunlop SP Sport 01's - first impressions are they are a bit noisy but quite compliant - the steering feels a whole lot more precise than the OEM continentals offered. and there is definately more grip on smooth A roads when travelling between 60 & 80.

Anybody else using these, and if so what are your impressions ?

On a sidenote, i talked to the fitter who seemed very knowledgeable about Toyo's and he thought they were a great tyre, but better suited to track day use than day to day stuff.

Just my thoughts, feel free to throw vegetables

_ZS_

The work Octavias were fitted with them from factory - they were burnt off the front in less than 9000 miles.

Never really fussed on them myself, I prefer Bridgestones or Vredestein. I use Vredestein Ultrac on the Astra, and found them to be good lasting and good grip.

Might be worth trying Gilnahirk Tyres - they're very well priced, and a good bunch of lads. Also get good prices on Goodyear and Bridgestone from Hurst's Tyres on Sydnem Road.

__________________

martzweb

Ha... a man from dundonald - i was living in coronation park until about 6 months ago

I've never really been fussed on Dunlops either - had a set of OEM ones on my Avensis D4D and they were Sh**e - but these definately seem to have quite a bit of grip and the sidewalls seems to be decently strong ie no squidge when cornering hard - but i guess i'll get a better impression in a few weeks when i've given them a bit of a thrashing

Yeah, i've bought stuff from gilnahirk tyres before - got a set of Bridgestones for my last car - a *COUGH* *COUGH* Picasso and they were pretty cheap - unfortunately i live out in the sticks these days so getting over to them is a bit of a hassle.

_ZS_

One tip - avoid the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric if you value your eardrums, got a pair on the front of the Astra now, wish I'd stuck to the Ultracs.

I've used Bridgestones almost exclusively for years until this car which came with the Ultracs on the front and probably the worst tyres I've ever used in my life on the back (Conti Sport2). Put a pair of Goodyears on the back as they were supposed to be the world's best tyre according to all the reviews - not impressed and won't be getting them again.

Gilnahirk and Hurst's are the only two places I've used that do a decent job of balancing that's good enough for "press-on" motoring.

__________________

martzweb

I fell out with Hursts big style - the original Dunlops on my Avensis bulged, and Hursts tried to tell me that i had a warped alloy - which was total B*ll*cks because my dad is an old school car mechanic and for years he drummed into me about taking care of wheels and tyres - i dont even go over speedbumps faster than 10mph and curbs are a no no.

bosnjo

I have them as OEM on my Octy 140HP TDi. Let me tell you just this: I can't wait to get rid of them. They are very slippery on cornering (dry), long breaking, with 17.000km they show some cracks (known issue) on side walls, very, very noisy.
I'm waiting for the end of the summer to change to Falken. That way, no more tyres changing untill I sell the car (I usualy sell the car with 3.5 years)

__________________
Octavia 2006 2.0 TDI Sport (equal to L&K in UK)
- 17' wheels, Sport suspension, Xenons, Audience with Sound System, Bluetooth, Front & Back Parking Sensors -
- VAG COM -

martzweb

that bad huh ? i threw my octy into a long sweeper at about 70 this evening and was impressed with just how neutral the handling was - i found the conti's to be grabby but imprecise and they started to twitch quite quickly on camber changes which was a dissapointment because the octy handles better than anything i've owned before - even including the avensis.

i guess i'll just have to live with them for a while - they've done less than 10 miles so far so i guess thats no real indication of how they'll actually work out long term.

bosnjo

Toyo Proxes are also election tyres for Octy2. Grippy, quite tyre.
If you search through this forum you'll make your own classification of tyres based on experience of other members. That's why Falken tyres came to 1st place on my list. Your tyres (and mine at the moment) are somwhere on the bottom, on the last places.
Basicaly, VAG OEM tyres are very bad classified. I'm talking about Bridgestone Turanza, Continental, Dunlop...

__________________
Octavia 2006 2.0 TDI Sport (equal to L&K in UK)
- 17' wheels, Sport suspension, Xenons, Audience with Sound System, Bluetooth, Front & Back Parking Sensors -
- VAG COM -

smstext

someone mentioned the sp1 's last night at the meet as having no grip. so i for one wont be touching them.

__________________

Oxon Meet Feeler 2009 please add your input, click here

jawsnpaws

My Scout has these Dunlops as OEM tyres - have always been a Michelin man to date - we have a recent A class which had Bridgestones - they were like racing slicks in the wet and tramped whenever you used full lock . we now have Exaltos on the car and it is truly transformed in its handling abilities .

I know that they are expensive (£125) but people spend £500 on a processor which extracts a few more milliseconds from their 0-60 figures . I think spending money on tyres provides so much more improvement in so many other ways .

As for the Dunlops - interesting - they are a compromise tyre which does nothing badly - rear grip is not brilliant in the wet - but I have a Haldex clutch which in ways makes the car far more fun !

Tyres are " horses for courses " - on a 206 GTi , Continentals lasted 34K . On an Octavia 4*4 the same tyre had to be replaced at 8K , whereas all other tyres on that car lasted 25K .

The main reason as to why I like Michelins is the fact that they have strong sidewalls , which contributes greatly to handling in my personal opinion .

__________________
steve w

Octygone

Couldn't wait to get rid of the Dunlops...they were so noisey and the grip was rubbish.......a bit of a cheat I know ..but I have found a set of Octy Vrs wheels and have 225/45/17 Eagle F1 on it, the difference is unbelieveable ...they are quiet and the grip wet or dry is fantastic ....no sliding no tyre squeal (and yes I have tried).
The one I do like is Michelin pilot sports...but the price is just too much

__________________

nickcoll

In my experience the Eagle F1s are unmatched in wet and dry, BUT they are not very good in damp conditions. This is almost certainly because of the lack of any sipes in the design.

Dr Zoidberg

The Dunlops were standard fit on my PD140 and were ok but nothing special.

__________________
Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away"

www.drzoidberg.co.uk

stu4rtparker

I have just replaced my dunlops with p6000 powerergy & im well impressed.

Octygone

The way the price of fuel is going it may be worth checking out the Michelin Energy tyres

Michelin Energy

__________________

_ZS_

The Dunlops must be ****e if a 12 year old Pirelli design is better. I had P6000 before and they were deathtraps. Truely woeful tyres.

__________________