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What kind of mileage should I expect from the standard continentals?

I drive it hard sometimes but quite rarely

12-14,000?

I got around around 12,000 and it was driven, not hard but quite demanding especially with the roads around here.

I bet someone will have had over 16000 though.

If you're getting under 10,000 then it's either you're driving style or you need it checked out.

James.

My '52 reg FSi Sport came with Firestone Firehawk 700's fitted all round... anyone else have these, or is Conti the norm?

Anywho, I'm on ~17k miles and the front tyres are down to ~3.5mm so it's about time for some new ones methinks... Never had to get tyres before though, so I'm not sure what to go for -- what do you folks think would be the best option?

Neimad wrote:My '52 reg FSi Sport came with Firestone Firehawk 700's fitted all round... anyone else have these, or is Conti the norm?

Anywho, I'm on ~17k miles and the front tyres are down to ~3.5mm so it's about time for some new ones methinks... Never had to get tyres before though, so I'm not sure what to go for -- what do you folks think would be the best option?

Yea i got the Firehawks on my '04 reg FSi Sport as well.
Currently on 10100miles, but havent noticed extensive wear.

Though mine are no where near as low, I was under the impression that 3.5mm is still fine to run on ?

I asked around, and plenty of ppl have recommended TOYO proxes. Apparently theyre relatively cheap, but high performance.

i got around 18k out of my continentals, that was swapping the fronts and rears over after about 10k (i think )

i remember as id just bought some new tyres then my mate offered me the alloys i have now and i bought them. so my 14" steelies all have brand new tyres on them!

jj86 wrote:
I asked around, and plenty of ppl have recommended TOYO proxes. Apparently theyre relatively cheap, but high performance.

They are an excellent performance tire. I had 205/45/16 T1S on my 9n but they only lasted around 9000 miles and that was with swapping them over!

The T1R has a stronger sidewall and apparently lasts quite a bit longer. in 16's you are probably looking at around £55-65 per tyre. 15's maybe £45-55 better performance than the dunlops I had on the car originally.

When the rears wear down though you will know it when the back end starts sliding out. Watch out for that.

Personally I love the Toyo's and would pefer them over most other tyres. At the moment I'm running Falkens which have a similar tread pattern but in budget tyre price range. If you want to spen the cash Goodyear F1's are probably the best tyre in that V tread pattern you can get, they wont nessicarily out perform the Toyo but are slightly stiffer and do last longer (compared to the T1S)

On my olf Golf mk2's you couldn't beat a good yoko. they just stuck to the road like glue, but I'm not sure what they are like on the 9n.

For anyone that cares / have read this far I have Bridgestone RE040's on the CTR, the Golf GTi comes with a very similar tyre RE050 but slightly wider. They are both very stiff and have no flex in them whatsoever so when the tyre eventually lose grip it would do it in spectacular style, I would stay away from these on the 9n as you could find yourself sliding around a lot. I guess this would only apply to 17 and 18 inchers though (40 & 35 profile). Plus you're probably looking over £100 per tyre. The 18" golf ones are £165 a corner from the dealers!

James.

James.

jj86 wrote:Though mine are no where near as low, I was under the impression that 3.5mm is still fine to run on ?

Legal limit is 1.6mm, but most manufacturers and road safety people recommend you start looking to change them at ~3mm, and before they get to 2mm.

I've noticed a distinct loss of grip on even slightly greasy, wet or icy roads (most of which is to be expected), but not when you're getting wheelspin every time you pull away (and I drive like a granny).

Petrified wrote:They are an excellent performance tire. I had 205/45/16 T1S on my 9n but they only lasted around 9000 miles and that was with swapping them over!

Jeebus, that's short lived! The amount of miles I do a year, I think I'll be giving those a miss.

Petrified wrote:The T1R has a stronger sidewall and apparently lasts quite a bit longer. in 16's you are probably looking at around £55-65 per tyre. 15's maybe £45-55 better performance than the dunlops I had on the car originally.

Hmmm, sounds reasonably cheap -- is this from ATS Euromaster/Kwik-Fit/etc. or off the Internet?

Petrified wrote:When the rears wear down though you will know it when the back end starts sliding out. Watch out for that.

Got ~6mm on the rears so I'm good for a while methinks.

Petrified wrote:Personally I love the Toyo's and would pefer them over most other tyres. At the moment I'm running Falkens which have a similar tread pattern but in budget tyre price range. If you want to spen the cash Goodyear F1's are probably the best tyre in that V tread pattern you can get, they wont nessicarily out perform the Toyo but are slightly stiffer and do last longer (compared to the T1S)

I was looking at some Goodyear Eagle NCT5's on blackcircles.com, but I'm looking more for life and straight grip than anything else -- any recommendations along those lines?

My TDi Sport came with Bridgestones, and after 27k miles the fronts are now down to about 2mm.

I've been amazed at how long they've lasted, although my 50 mile work roundtrip is along pretty straight open roads.

My Bridgestones only lasted 14k on the front (205/14/16 Turanza)

27k is a hell of a distance! Mind you mine was all dual carriageway with island after island.

jrw wrote:My Bridgestones only lasted 14k on the front (205/14/16 Turanza)

27k is a hell of a distance! Mind you mine was all dual carriageway with island after island.

I know, i've been amazed actually. I thought the diesel, feeling heavier at the front, would probably wear them out quicker than my previous cars, but it has done remarkably better. I'm now at just under 28k but the fronts are now well worn on the outer edges and the middle is little better (but legal) and will have to be replaced very soon. I do run my tyres at quite high pressure, to get the least rolling resistance and try to improve mpg, so that may have helped. You have to be careful mind, or you can wear out the middle of the tyre before the edges.