Best tyre for Audi A4 Cabriolet

[markae]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on buying the right tyre for my Audi A4 Cabriolet (2004 '54' plate).

I've not been impressed with road handling / traction since I bought the car - traction is ok in the dry but very poor in the wet. I also find it 'crashes' over every bump but perhaps this is what I get for buying a sports model with a low profile?

Well, it transpires that the previous owner put budget tyres on the front whereas there are the original Dunlop Sport tyres on the back (all 17" tyres). I am led to believe the budget tyres will be a significant factor to the aquaplaning / traction problems. Is this correct?

I need to replace the tyres soon (probably all of them) and I am seeking some advice on what tyres to buy. I am advised by Kwik Fit that I should stick to what the manufacturer put on (Dunlop Sport). This would be seem logical. However, I've read reviews that put the Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres ahead of the Dunlop in most area (i.e. dry / wet / noise etc.).

Whilst I need better traction I am wondering if I can cut out some of the 'crashing' over bumps (i.e. better comfort) too.

Can anyone help?

Cheers

[NickPicks]

First point, and if you learn nothing else from this forum:

Never, EVER, go to Kwik Fit!

Tyre choice is usually very personal, but you probably will find that the premium makes give better grip than budget ones.

My personal experience of tyres is:
- Pirelli - not much grip in the wet - wheelspin on roundabout exits (it was on an HF Lancia though!)
- Yokohama - much better wet and dry grip, but wore out quite quickly
- Michelin - What I'm currently using (cos they sell them in Costco). Good wet and dry grip, good wear rate.
- Hankook - Good wet and dry grip, good wear. As good as the Michelins, but cheaper. I'd buy these again, but they're often difficult to find.

I'll put it again, Never Ever go to Kwik Fit. Find the tyres you want online (somewhere like blackcircles) and use their local fitters to fit them. Or ask your local independant fitter who will often be able to do them even cheaper.

Regarding the crashing over bumps. Are you sure that's the tyres, and not the suspension?

[markae]

Thanks for your reply NickPicks.

Pretty sure it's not the suspension because Audi said it drives as they would expect it. I suppose I just find the suspension very stiff but then I've driven a new Mercedes C-class which was stiff but rided bumps much better.

Re. the tyres - I take your point about Kwik Fit although their pricing did seem very competitive when I looked around.

In terms of going for the original manufacturer tyres - the Dunlop Sport - have you got any thoughts on this? Or the Contintentals? From your reply the Michelen seems a good bet.

[Marc1]

Markae - you don't say what engine you have or if you're FWD or quattro. Also what type of driving are you doing, lots of short trips, mix og motorway and B roads etc.
The diesel's are heavy on the front tyres, especailly if it FWD too.

I've used Continental Sport Contact 2's - grip in wet and dry is excellent (wear is ok but copuld be better)

I'm on Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics now, initial impressions are good, but I'd like to get them bedded in a little more really before really laying it out. I picked these based on the excellent reviews from A4 and RS 4 drivers, as being great wet and dry grip along with a better wear rate. I'm diesel and FWD, so both handling and wear are very important to me, handling a little more though .

I also here good things about 'Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta' tyres from A4 and mainly RS 4 drivers. A bit cheaper too I believe. Check out some of the online tyre reviews! Good luck.

[markae]

Hi,

It's a 1.8T petrol engine - FWD. Driving is relatively evenly mixed between short and long / motorway drives although it probably tips more to the longer motorway drives.

Will be interesting to hear how you get on with the Goodyears.

[ChrisPovey]

First point, and if you learn nothing else from this forum:

Never, EVER, go to Kwik Fit!

Seconded. They are the biggest bunch of cowboys on the planet!


My A4 Cab Sport FWD came fitted with Continental SportContact 2's. The last tyre I bought from my local fitter (due to a puncher) was a Continental SportContact 3 as he could not get a 2. It is more or less an identical tread pattern. I would stick with these. They perform well in the dry and wet and I get around 10-12K miles out of the front set.

[zollaf]

my mum bought a pair of tyres from kwik fit once. they were their own brand, super supremes or something like that. they were awful tyres, with no grip in the dry, and lethal in the wet. thankfully they only lasted 5000 miles. they wernt cheap either, just nasty.

[markae]

Thanks ChrisPovey,

It's quite obvious to me now that I need to go for premium tyres. The Continental or Dunlop's seem safe (and good) bets.

Cheers