Who's running What??

[evilC]

Originally Posted by petevw

I'm running Continental SportContacts on my TDI. Real nice. They grip very well, but they wear quickly. They are pricey, but lots of fun.
............
Pete

I tried a pair of Conti SportContact 2 as the F1s were not immediately available. I concur with you regarding the wear rate that is not surprising since they don't supply the tyre with enough rubber! They are all groove - you could cycle round the tyre in the size of grooves they supply - that must be reason they are good in the wet. Without being too dogmatic the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 is very predictable and I reckon I have sacrificed ultimate grip for it but perversely it makes me faster because I'm more confident.

I had a set of Pirelli PZero's that gripped extremely well but the car always seemed to sit down in the corner as if taking up the squidgy side wall before it became stable - it didn't provide much confidence.

I want to try some Kuhmo Ecsta V70 motorsport (road legal) radials on the bug.

Clive

[Wally]

Originally Posted by evilC

I want to try some Kuhmo Ecsta V70 motorsport (road legal) radials on the bug.

Clive

Me too!

(Humble)
Kumho Ecsta MX/XS
more grip than the S.drive and they get stickier when they heat up. pretty long life on the bug so far 10k+ and maybe 50% to go. Good in the wet too but in the cold >40F they just slide. good track/street tire

Totally agree. I run this tire on the front now. Its a '(ultra) high performance' rated tire, better than most, but its no semi-slick.

What you guys in the us call an 'R-compund' or semi-slick is what works best, period. There are tade-offs in noise and lifespan, but as Humble also says (and I agree again): the bug is usually more gentle on them than most other heavier cars.

So for real grip, you want an R-rates tire or semi-slick as I call them.
You can also look at the ' threadwear' rating on the side of the tire. Its a UTCG rating with 3 different ratings. The other two are for temperature and ...?
Try to shoot for 60-120 for the threadwaer rating. Normal tires have 250-280 or so and even the before mentioned ' ultra high performance' tires have usually no less than 200. Its says how ' soft' the compound is but its relative to that manufactorer. Still, it gives a good reference I think.

I have just bought a slightly used set of Toyo R888's (threadwear 100) for on the rear when the current Bridgestone (or was it Dunlop?) 'SP super sport race' are worn.
Hopefully I can find the Kumho V70's or another set of 888's cheap as well for the front for next season.