Which Tyres? Toyo Proxes TR1, Kumho Ecsta PS71, Avon ZV7?
Discussion
my Polo GTi needs its front tyres replacing. I'm not looking to go an dump a lot of money on premium tyres and I'm generally not thrashing the thing bar the odd mad moment on lanes. Absolutely no tracks, mostly town driving with the odd motorway and local lanes. Barely any snow or ice around here but plenty of rain.
I have been looking on Blackcircles and Asda tyres as it makes the process simple.
I'm wondering if anybody can vouch for the tyres listed in the title, or are they crap? They are all priced around £100 which seems reasonable - much more and I'm struggling to justify it.
215/40/17
I have been looking on Blackcircles and Asda tyres as it makes the process simple.
I'm wondering if anybody can vouch for the tyres listed in the title, or are they crap? They are all priced around £100 which seems reasonable - much more and I'm struggling to justify it.
215/40/17
I had a set of Avons and they all cracked around the circumference of the wheel in under three years and were advised on the MOT. They had loads of tread left and the car was parked in an underground car park so it wasn't UV damage
Personally I would not touch Avons with a bargepole.
Exactly like this

If it was me I would get the Kumhos
Personally I would not touch Avons with a bargepole.
Exactly like this
If it was me I would get the Kumhos
Joey Deacon said:
I had a set of Avons and they all cracked around the circumference of the wheel in under three years and were advised on the MOT. They had loads of tread left and the car was parked in an underground car park so it wasn't UV damage
Personally I would not touch Avons with a bargepole.
Exactly like this

If it was me I would get the Kumhos
I have read elsewhere about the Avons cracking. Sounds like these ones be ruled out.Personally I would not touch Avons with a bargepole.
Exactly like this
If it was me I would get the Kumhos
Vredestein Quatrac Pro All seasons.
I feel like a shill but I do very much like them - They're very quiet and comfortable inside, and load up progressively and have a nice gentle breakaway.
They don't fare as well on snow testing as the Goodyear / Michelin all seasons in snow - But I don't really care about that in the UK; What they do excel at is wet grip and handling - Particularly cold wet grip, which sums up the UK.
They feel much nicer than a summer (And grip better) When it's black, the lane is covered in mud, t's tipping down and 4c when you're just trying to get somewhere at 8am.
The tyres are all made in the EU, I think most of my sets are made in Hungary?
Anyway, I've used them on my FK8 (As winters) and Jag XF year round, and they're perfect for normal and even spirited driving.
Of course, in dry summer you won't get the same raw grip as a PS5 / PS4S - But they'll still handle nicely.
They're £100 / Corner in your size on Camskill, and the Tyrereviews is here: https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Vredestein/Quatra...
(As you can see, consistently high performance in the wet, but usually gets dragged down the ranks due to snow & rolling resistance)
Oh, To add - They also last very well - I've had them on my Civic for 2 winters and .5 of a summer whilst I was sorting out a swap, and they are still 5 - 6mm all round - Not bad going considering when I take it out I'll still enjoy the performance as much as conditions will allow, and there is no sign of cracking or aging.
I feel like a shill but I do very much like them - They're very quiet and comfortable inside, and load up progressively and have a nice gentle breakaway.
They don't fare as well on snow testing as the Goodyear / Michelin all seasons in snow - But I don't really care about that in the UK; What they do excel at is wet grip and handling - Particularly cold wet grip, which sums up the UK.
They feel much nicer than a summer (And grip better) When it's black, the lane is covered in mud, t's tipping down and 4c when you're just trying to get somewhere at 8am.
The tyres are all made in the EU, I think most of my sets are made in Hungary?
Anyway, I've used them on my FK8 (As winters) and Jag XF year round, and they're perfect for normal and even spirited driving.
Of course, in dry summer you won't get the same raw grip as a PS5 / PS4S - But they'll still handle nicely.
They're £100 / Corner in your size on Camskill, and the Tyrereviews is here: https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Vredestein/Quatra...
(As you can see, consistently high performance in the wet, but usually gets dragged down the ranks due to snow & rolling resistance)
Oh, To add - They also last very well - I've had them on my Civic for 2 winters and .5 of a summer whilst I was sorting out a swap, and they are still 5 - 6mm all round - Not bad going considering when I take it out I'll still enjoy the performance as much as conditions will allow, and there is no sign of cracking or aging.
Edited by Haltamer on Friday 20th October 16:03
Haltamer said:
Vredestein Quatrac Pro All seasons.
Yeah, I was looking at those exact Vredestein last night. They are on Blackcircles at £120 per tyre fitted. I believe that they should last longer than the Kumho and Toyo tyres and will provide better performance all-round.
For an extra £20 per tyre, it seems like it could be worth the extra 40 quid if they last longer and perform better from Autumn through to Spring and a more sensible option altogether. Reviews and tests seem to confirm this.
I think I'm going to get the Vredesteins.
Just put Ps71 on my 124 spider, they are rather noisy but always do well particularly in the wet on tyrereviews.com for me it was these or the hankook evo3s
I have no regrets, given the current weather it’s the ideal time to get new rubber to the ground
To add I paid £88 each fitted by a local mobile guy 205/45/17
I have no regrets, given the current weather it’s the ideal time to get new rubber to the ground
To add I paid £88 each fitted by a local mobile guy 205/45/17
Edited by andburg on Friday 20th October 20:36
andburg said:
Just put Ps71 on my 124 spider, they are rather noisy but always do well particularly in the wet on tyrereviews.com for me it was these or the hankook evo3s
I have no regrets, given the current weather it’s the ideal time to get new rubber to the ground
To add I paid £88 each fitted by a local mobile guy 205/45/17
Yeah, it needs doing now weathers' on the turn. Whatever I put on it has to be better than this triangle sI have no regrets, given the current weather it’s the ideal time to get new rubber to the ground
To add I paid £88 each fitted by a local mobile guy 205/45/17
Edited by andburg on Friday 20th October 20:36

The Vredesteins mentioned above are a strong contender. If it isn't them, it's the Kumhos - I just wonder about cold weather performance. Alright this area is built up and the roads well gritted but a 4-season could be a shout.
Edited by DJames93 on Friday 20th October 21:16
Joey Deacon said:
I had a set of Avons and they all cracked around the circumference of the wheel in under three years and were advised on the MOT. They had loads of tread left and the car was parked in an underground car park so it wasn't UV damage
Personally I would not touch Avons with a bargepole.
Exactly like this

If it was me I would get the Kumhos
Wow what's was the date on them Personally I would not touch Avons with a bargepole.
Exactly like this
If it was me I would get the Kumhos
DJames93 said:
Haltamer said:
Vredestein Quatrac Pro All seasons.
Yeah, I was looking at those exact Vredestein last night. They are on Blackcircles at £120 per tyre fitted. I believe that they should last longer than the Kumho and Toyo tyres and will provide better performance all-round.
For an extra £20 per tyre, it seems like it could be worth the extra 40 quid if they last longer and perform better from Autumn through to Spring and a more sensible option altogether. Reviews and tests seem to confirm this.
I think I'm going to get the Vredesteins.
I've never known tyres wear as well as those did for sure, and I always sing their praises now.
cerb4.5lee said:
DJames93 said:
Haltamer said:
Vredestein Quatrac Pro All seasons.
Yeah, I was looking at those exact Vredestein last night. They are on Blackcircles at £120 per tyre fitted. I believe that they should last longer than the Kumho and Toyo tyres and will provide better performance all-round.
For an extra £20 per tyre, it seems like it could be worth the extra 40 quid if they last longer and perform better from Autumn through to Spring and a more sensible option altogether. Reviews and tests seem to confirm this.
I think I'm going to get the Vredesteins.
I've never known tyres wear as well as those did for sure, and I always sing their praises now.
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