Fitting performance tyres to non-performance cars
Discussion
I’m a big fan of fitting decent tyres to even the most basic cars for the best drive and general safety.
However, is there much benefit to be had by fitting particularly sporty tyres to cars that aren’t set up to feel sporty? Or does that just reduce comfort and refinement with no tangible benefit in cars that aren’t particularly analogue or responsive behind the wheel?
I’m wondering about ditching the Avon ZV7s on my 2006 A6 Avant 4.2 - even though they have lots of tread left - as they are poorly reviewed and I imagine contribute to the car’s slightly vague steering at low speeds (though this could just be an A6 trait, as it’s much better above 30/40mph…).
As the tyres are 225/50/17s, the ones that stand out are:
Comfort-oriented: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
Sportier: Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 5/6
Sportier still: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
The F1 Asymmetric 5s seem to be the sensible choice and they work well on my other car, but intrigued by how much the Potenza Sports would add. My gut feel is that they wouldn’t suit the car very well…
Any thoughts?
However, is there much benefit to be had by fitting particularly sporty tyres to cars that aren’t set up to feel sporty? Or does that just reduce comfort and refinement with no tangible benefit in cars that aren’t particularly analogue or responsive behind the wheel?
I’m wondering about ditching the Avon ZV7s on my 2006 A6 Avant 4.2 - even though they have lots of tread left - as they are poorly reviewed and I imagine contribute to the car’s slightly vague steering at low speeds (though this could just be an A6 trait, as it’s much better above 30/40mph…).
As the tyres are 225/50/17s, the ones that stand out are:
Comfort-oriented: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
Sportier: Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 5/6
Sportier still: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
The F1 Asymmetric 5s seem to be the sensible choice and they work well on my other car, but intrigued by how much the Potenza Sports would add. My gut feel is that they wouldn’t suit the car very well…
Any thoughts?
I changed from 19” Pirelli zero, to 18” Goodyear EfficientGrips on my BMW F30 335d x-drive. I went for these for their recommended comfort and quietness. Pretty good comfort for run-flats. I have not been disappointed, and will probably replace with the same, unless I can get a decent all-season run-flat (I haven’t seen any for my car yet), and it mostly wet in the winter here.
Panamax said:
If you have "variable power steering" on the car it's probably just greater assistance from the power steering system than at higher speeds.
I’m sure that’s the reason. Just imagine that decent tyres will counteract this somewhat by being more responsive than the Avons are.As you say the Avons are fairly mediocre at best.
Personally, I would steer clear of the Bridgestones, either of the others are good.
It is likely worth a full alignment as that could highlight any issues with the chassis that can be cleared but as many have said before Audis aren't generally accepted as being the go to cars for steering, although I am sure there would be room for improvement.
Personally, I would steer clear of the Bridgestones, either of the others are good.
It is likely worth a full alignment as that could highlight any issues with the chassis that can be cleared but as many have said before Audis aren't generally accepted as being the go to cars for steering, although I am sure there would be room for improvement.
Scrump said:
Fitted GY Eagle F1 Assy5 to my E class estate.
Not only is the grip improved (esp. in the wet) but it also rides more smoothly than on any of the previous non sporty tyres it had.
Good to hear. I’ve found Asymmetric 5s impressive on a smaller BMW and S60 T5. Waiting for the first reviews of the recently launched Asymmetric 6s now…Not only is the grip improved (esp. in the wet) but it also rides more smoothly than on any of the previous non sporty tyres it had.
Which tyres did you have previously?
E-bmw said:
As you say the Avons are fairly mediocre at best.
Personally, I would steer clear of the Bridgestones, either of the others are good.
It is likely worth a full alignment as that could highlight any issues with the chassis that can be cleared but as many have said before Audis aren't generally accepted as being the go to cars for steering, although I am sure there would be room for improvement.
What’s the issue with the Bridgestones? I’ve normally thought of Bridgestone as a company that charges premium prices but doesn’t provide premium quality, but the Potenza Sports have been quite well reviewed…Personally, I would steer clear of the Bridgestones, either of the others are good.
It is likely worth a full alignment as that could highlight any issues with the chassis that can be cleared but as many have said before Audis aren't generally accepted as being the go to cars for steering, although I am sure there would be room for improvement.
Some issues with heavy wear have been mentioned, though, which puts me off fitting them to a 1805kg four-wheel-drive, V8 estate…
Planning gearbox and Quattro services imminently, plus new rear brakes and potentially tyres. Will get a proper alignment done if I change the tyres. There’s nothing wrong with the steering, though tyres that provide a little extra precision would make a positive difference, I’m sure.
RoVoFob said:
I’m a big fan of fitting decent tyres to even the most basic cars for the best drive and general safety.
However, is there much benefit to be had by fitting particularly sporty tyres to cars that aren’t set up to feel sporty? Or does that just reduce comfort and refinement with no tangible benefit in cars that aren’t particularly analogue or responsive behind the wheel?
I’m wondering about ditching the Avon ZV7s on my 2006 A6 Avant 4.2 - even though they have lots of tread left - as they are poorly reviewed and I imagine contribute to the car’s slightly vague steering at low speeds (though this could just be an A6 trait, as it’s much better above 30/40mph…).
As the tyres are 225/50/17s, the ones that stand out are:
Comfort-oriented: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
Sportier: Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 5/6
Sportier still: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
The F1 Asymmetric 5s seem to be the sensible choice and they work well on my other car, but intrigued by how much the Potenza Sports would add. My gut feel is that they wouldn’t suit the car very well…
Any thoughts?
None of those tyres are what I would deem as "performance tyres"However, is there much benefit to be had by fitting particularly sporty tyres to cars that aren’t set up to feel sporty? Or does that just reduce comfort and refinement with no tangible benefit in cars that aren’t particularly analogue or responsive behind the wheel?
I’m wondering about ditching the Avon ZV7s on my 2006 A6 Avant 4.2 - even though they have lots of tread left - as they are poorly reviewed and I imagine contribute to the car’s slightly vague steering at low speeds (though this could just be an A6 trait, as it’s much better above 30/40mph…).
As the tyres are 225/50/17s, the ones that stand out are:
Comfort-oriented: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
Sportier: Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 5/6
Sportier still: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
The F1 Asymmetric 5s seem to be the sensible choice and they work well on my other car, but intrigued by how much the Potenza Sports would add. My gut feel is that they wouldn’t suit the car very well…
Any thoughts?
They are simply good summer tyres
I would imagine tyres like the Goodyear Eagle F1 and Michelin equivalent are the best in wet compared to anything.
CarCrazyDad said:
None of those tyres are what I would deem as "performance tyres"
They are simply good summer tyres
I would imagine tyres like the Goodyear Eagle F1 and Michelin equivalent are the best in wet compared to anything.
Well, the latter two are some of the most performance-oriented tyres you can get in that size.They are simply good summer tyres
I would imagine tyres like the Goodyear Eagle F1 and Michelin equivalent are the best in wet compared to anything.
My point was mainly whether a tyre can be too sporty for a specific car. Short of going for a race compound on a Fiesta or semi slicks on a Range Rover, I’m not sure decent tyres can be too sporty for a car…
RoVoFob said:
I’m not sure decent tyres can be too sporty for a car…
If you're changing the tyre width or diameter that can have a very big effect on the handling characteristics and steering feedback and depending on the driver it may not be for the better.Changing the sidewall height can have a big impact on comfort and handling.
Changing the tyre compound to increase grip will typically be at the cost of worse tyre wear.
These things are all compromises, and if you change the compromise to make it more 'sporty' (whatever that means to you) it will be worse off in some other respect.
Changing the tyres to try to improve the handling or performance sub 30 mph is nuts IMO. You should never expect to be in a situation where handling or performance at those speeds on public roads is an issue.
RoVoFob said:
Scrump said:
Fitted GY Eagle F1 Assy5 to my E class estate.
Not only is the grip improved (esp. in the wet) but it also rides more smoothly than on any of the previous non sporty tyres it had.
Good to hear. I’ve found Asymmetric 5s impressive on a smaller BMW and S60 T5. Waiting for the first reviews of the recently launched Asymmetric 6s now…Not only is the grip improved (esp. in the wet) but it also rides more smoothly than on any of the previous non sporty tyres it had.
Which tyres did you have previously?
GreenV8S said:
If you're changing the tyre width or diameter that can have a very big effect on the handling characteristics and steering feedback and depending on the driver it may not be for the better.
Changing the sidewall height can have a big impact on comfort and handling.
Changing the tyre compound to increase grip will typically be at the cost of worse tyre wear.
These things are all compromises, and if you change the compromise to make it more 'sporty' (whatever that means to you) it will be worse off in some other respect.
Changing the tyres to try to improve the handling or performance sub 30 mph is nuts IMO. You should never expect to be in a situation where handling or performance at those speeds on public roads is an issue.
Hadn’t thought about changing the width of the tyres, though 225mm tyres are unusually narrow for an 1805kg car. Sadly, I don’t think Audi used any wider 17s than that on the A6 and don’t want to modify the car or fit larger alloys.Changing the sidewall height can have a big impact on comfort and handling.
Changing the tyre compound to increase grip will typically be at the cost of worse tyre wear.
These things are all compromises, and if you change the compromise to make it more 'sporty' (whatever that means to you) it will be worse off in some other respect.
Changing the tyres to try to improve the handling or performance sub 30 mph is nuts IMO. You should never expect to be in a situation where handling or performance at those speeds on public roads is an issue.
As you say, it’s all a compromise. I think I’ll probably end up with Goodyear Asymmetric 6s or Michelin Pilot Sport 5s when they’re out, as the previous versions of those felt decently responsive while still being pretty comfy.
No one’s talking about testing the limits of tyres on the road at 30/40mph. I simply have crappy tyres fitted (that perform poorly for wet and dry handling and wet and dry braking) and want a set of more responsive tyres that give a greater feeling of precision - above and below that speed. What’s unreasonable about that?
RoVoFob said:
E-bmw said:
As you say the Avons are fairly mediocre at best.
Personally, I would steer clear of the Bridgestones, either of the others are good.
It is likely worth a full alignment as that could highlight any issues with the chassis that can be cleared but as many have said before Audis aren't generally accepted as being the go to cars for steering, although I am sure there would be room for improvement.
What’s the issue with the Bridgestones? I’ve normally thought of Bridgestone as a company that charges premium prices but doesn’t provide premium quality, but the Potenza Sports have been quite well reviewed…Personally, I would steer clear of the Bridgestones, either of the others are good.
It is likely worth a full alignment as that could highlight any issues with the chassis that can be cleared but as many have said before Audis aren't generally accepted as being the go to cars for steering, although I am sure there would be room for improvement.
RoVoFob said:
No one’s talking about testing the limits of tyres on the road at 30/40mph. I simply have crappy tyres fitted (that perform poorly for wet and dry handling and wet and dry braking) and want a set of more responsive tyres that give a greater feeling of precision - above and below that speed. What’s unreasonable about that?
You wrote: "slightly vague steering at low speeds (though this could just be an A6 trait, as it’s much better above 30/40mph…)". That suggests to me you're trying to improve the lateral stiffness and/or steering feedback (depending on what 'feeling of precision' means to you) around the 30 - 40 mph speed range. Replacing tyres to try to achieve that seems nuts to me.Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff