EVO Performance Tyres Test 2012

[Audidude]

The latest EVO has the test results for performance tyres.

1st place went to Continental SportContact 3 just a whisker (95.3 vs 95.1) ahead of the Hankook Ventus S1 evo.
You may recall from an earlier thread that I have recently fitted a set of the Hankooks to the A4 DTM after good experiences with those tyres at the Nurburgring in the last 2 years.

The result for the Hankooks does not surprise me at all. They are the best road tyres I’ve ever had, bar none. Best way to sum up would be to say confidence inspiring. They are also very quiet, are not harsh on the road, and track very very accurately. From what I hear they have a good wear rate too.

In this country we are charged ridiculous money for Michelin, Continental and Pirelli tyres which owners of European cars seem to believe are essential as replacements for their OEM tyres when they wear out. I suspect it is this market that allows the distributors to continue to charge a massive premium over cheaper brands such as Hankook  (only 10-15% dearer elsewhere – more like 50-100% here!). I’m sure people driving their M3s and AMG Mercs wouldn’t stoop to such a tyre. More fool them

Results (Price in brackets in UKP):
Continental SportContact 3 (165) : 95.3
Hankook Ventus S1 evo (152): 95.1
Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymettric 2 (158) : 94.9
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (182): 93.1
Pirelli P Zero (168) : 92.2
Bridgestone Potenza S001 (172) : 92.1
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT (158): 90.2
Vredestein Ultrac Cento (137): 86.6
Kumho Ecsta KU39 Le Sport (123): 83
Accelera Phi (72) : 79.9

Cheers
PS: Only intermittent internet next week so replying may be slow...

[RobClubley]

I have Hankooks on the back and they seem good. Profile looks better than the Dunlops I had before. Will get them for the front I think when the P Zeros wear out.

[RS4]

interesting test,
always depends on what size/car they are testing, but those results do not surprise me at all.
One of the reasons we import all our michelins, pirelli, conti etc is exactly that, the local market is way to expensive.
Irony is that locally vs the rest of the world, our dunlops, goodyears and bridgestones are underpriced.

[RS ZWEI]

interesting test,
always depends on what size/car they are testing, but those results do not surprise me at all.
One of the reasons we import all our michelins, pirelli, conti etc is exactly that, the local market is way to expensive.
Irony is that locally vs the rest of the world, our dunlops, goodyears and bridgestones are underpriced.

The car tested was mainly an S3, and a Mk5 Golf.

[Gordo]

Since that test, Bridgestone have brought out a successor to the 'oo1, a oo2 - supposed to be noticeably improved in most areas.

[Audidude]

One thing that stands out is that budget priced tyres (usually) give budget priced performance.

Any savings are wiped out when you can't brake a few metres shorter or slide into the undergrowth (or worse!) in an emergency, to say nothing of the human cost!

People will spend gazillions on prettying up their ride then scrimp on the most important bit 

[RS ZWEI]

Since that test, Bridgestone have brought out a successor to the 'oo1, a oo2 - supposed to be noticeably improved in most areas.

Gordo, I think you have your tyres mixed, the Bridgestones on the test are at S001, in NZ we have RE001 which have been replaced by RE002.

[RS4]

The S001 primarily is used as an OE tyre.
The RE001 is not, and despite what a few of you may say , they are pretty rubbish. Hope the RE002 is better!

[slowmo]

anyone know the price for the hankook's?

i've got re050a's on mine and all 4 are due for replacement soon-ish.

[RS4]

225/40R18?
225/45R17?
Which one.....

They dont appear to have either of the S1 (K107) in stock.

[Pinkmaggit]

I was trying to find a price for 225/45r17s before too but had no luck on the internet.

[slowmo]

yup 225/45/17 for me too.

[Audidude]

225/40R18?
225/45R17?
Which one.....

They dont appear to have either of the S1 (K107) in stock.

When I got mine (18s) they were allegedly the only set available in the country, but I'm sure it's still a current model. They would be my first choice for a replacement tyre now, if they were procurable. Don't know who the importer is. I got mine through Toptown in Hamilton(Toptown.co.nz - ask for Mark or Brendon) but they do not usually stock them.

[Gordo]

Gordo, I think you have your tyres mixed, the Bridgestones on the test are at S001, in NZ we have RE001 which have been replaced by RE002.

You're right - I thought the prefix was a bit odd but CBF checking - now it's bitten me on the bottom   

[nordschleife]

When I got mine (18s) they were allegedly the only set available in the country, but I'm sure it's still a current model. They would be my first choice for a replacement tyre now, if they were procurable. Don't know who the importer is. I got mine through Toptown in Hamilton(Toptown.co.nz - ask for Mark or Brendon) but they do not usually stock them.

I've made a couple of calls today and the K107s are no longer imported to NZ.