B6/B7 S4/RS4 Tire Thread

[RBSileighty]

I know there are some out there but this one will be focused on feedback/reviews of tires... they are a big investment and some haven't had as much exposure to a lot of tires as others... so I thought a single thread could help on this topic

Tires I've had on my S4 right now are some well used Conti Sport C2's... these are on the stock 18" wheels in the stock size... tire noise is very bad at low tread levels, but I feel the ride is decent for a 18" tire in this aspect ratio. Handling... I'd rate it at 7 out of 10 (10 being perfect... this is for a street tire... not R-Comps)... I'd rate wear at a 7 as well... noise a 4 and ride a 8

I will have KW V3's on very soon and will be running 19's... I will update this thread with a new post when this setup is installed and I have some seat time with them

Stock Suspension and brakes 05 S4 Avant 6MT
Conti C2
Ride: 8
Handling: 7
Braking: 6 - in all fairness... on a very worn tire
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): N/A / 4
Winter: N/A - Tires are almost dead... not a fair indicator
Rain: N/A - Tires are almost dead... not a fair indicator

I've had a lot of tires for my 240sx, WRX, G35, S2000 etc... but the only one that might be comparable is the G35 Sedan 6MT due to its weight, which had Bridgestone RE050's... had the car out for track days and was able to hold well against OK drivers in C6 Vettes... very nice/progressive release at the limit... good winter traction when new if you were a reasonable driver and left traction control on... good rain performance.... my only problem is that they are a bit to pricey for what they are and I'd probably opt for Mich PS2's if I were in this performance catagory/price range

[koolade9]

nothing beats hankooks for the price.. while the PS2 are ok, they're overpriced and don't offer the performance along with the price. i've had them along with the CS3 (original rs4 tire from factory).. Bridgestone are good, but too heavy and stiff for daily street use which is a downside.
these are just my opinions, but what do i know... i've owned the RS4 for a few years and have had several different tires on it. in the end, i prefer the hankooks, nice beefy tire, sticky, and handle really well.

This pretty accurately describes where I'm at as well...RE-11s are heavy in the wrong places, and have a shorter life (two big downsides for me). The PS2s are light, last a bit longer, but cost 2x the hankooks...

[RBSileighty]

This pretty accurately describes where I'm at as well...RE-11s are heavy in the wrong places, and have a shorter life (two big downsides for me). The PS2s are light, last a bit longer, but cost 2x the hankooks...

What tire size are you looking for...

[koolade9]

What tire size are you looking for...

275/30/19

[ADynamics]

Factory Tire was Conti2's on 18" rim and just now purchased:

Conti Sport Contact 3 on B7 S4 running 245/35R19-
Ride: 8
Handling: 10
Braking: 9 -
Wear: 7- Comparing it to similar tire, wear noticeable on heavy usage and soft tread compound
Noise :10
Winter: Never Tried
Rain: 9

Would buy the tire again for handling characteristics in the summer but I will be replacing the stock conti 2s with All season during winter setup

[AndyGs4]

I just put hancooks on mine and love them. I am also running K&W v3s..

[91gl]

Here are all the tires I have had on b6. Its not that i eat through tires but i change wheels alot

Stock Conti CS2 235/40/18

Ride: 7
Handling: 6
Braking: 6
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 6 / 4
Winter: 1 (learned the hard way)
Rain: 5

Falken FK452 235/40/18

Ride: 8
Handling: 7
Braking: 7
Wear: 8
Noise (new/at tire half life): 8 / 5
Winter: 0 (once again, learned the hard way)
Rain: 7

Conti CS3 235/40/18

Ride: 8
Handling: 8
Braking: 7
Wear: 6
Noise (new/at tire half life): 7 / 5
Winter: N/A
Rain: 6

Toyo Proxes T1R 235/35/19

Ride: 8
Handling: 4
Braking: 6
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 9 / 8
Winter: N/A
Rain: 9

Michelin Alpin PA2 (winter tire so im scoring taking that it is a winter tire in mind so just because it scores an 8 in handling doesnt meen its similar to a summer tire's 8) 225/40/18

Ride: 7
Handling: 8
Braking: 6
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 8 / 7
Winter: 7
Rain: 8

Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (winter tire) 215/45/18

Ride: 8
Handling: 5
Braking: 4
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 9/ 6
Winter: 9
Rain: 8

Toyo Proxes R1R 245/40/18

Ride: 6
Handling: 9
Braking: 10
Wear: 6
Noise (new/at tire half life): 4 / 4
Winter: N/A
Rain: 2

New set of wheels and tires arriving tomorrow. 18x8 Enkei RPF1 with 225/40/18 Kumho Ecsta XS. should be lots of fun

[fsttrp]

So this is what I wrote before. Here is from what I have study being an international trading I am. So this brand tire is currently THE OFFICIAL race tire for Malaysia Sepang (F1 circuit) 1000km endurance race.

"So.. that there is a tire thread. I will toss in something interesting. Have you guys heard of the brand Achilles? This is a company from Indonesia that was first opened to manufacture top brands such as BFGoodrich, Pirellie, etc. The investment made by Indonesia billionaire and all machinery and management are direct import from Germany to satisfy the top brand standards. 1st year, they produce 2500 tires/day for top brands company. After three years, they have enough knowledge to make their own brand called Achilles. They "officially" export to many asia countries such as Japan, Thailand, etc (greater percentage of production goes to export). They are famous in these countries and sponsored many reputable racing events. They are now producing 17500 tires/day while only 3 years old. 24% of tire production cost lies on natural rubber. Indonesia is the main exporter of natural rubber. So... that being said the prices are significantly lower while the technologies is equal if not higher than some top brand tires. Problem for the States: These tires are not "officially" exported to the States. So only wholesaler sells them at ridiculously low price with no after sales support. If you could get a hand on it, I suggested you do so if budget is a concern."

I have not try it first hand but read a few good reviews. Anyone interested in trying them out? cheap enough to bash the hell out of it. Another side note is, they still make and export tires for Pirelli.

[RBSileighty]

Here are all the tires I have had on b6. Its not that i eat through tires but i change wheels alot

Stock Conti CS2

Ride: 7
Handling: 6
Braking: 6
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 6 / 4
Winter: 1 (learned the hard way)
Rain: 5

Falken FK452

Ride: 8
Handling: 7
Braking: 7
Wear: 8
Noise (new/at tire half life): 8 / 5
Winter: 0 (once again, learned the hard way)
Rain: 7

Conti CS3

Ride: 8
Handling: 8
Braking: 7
Wear: 6
Noise (new/at tire half life): 7 / 5
Winter: N/A
Rain: 6

Toyo Proxes T1R

Ride: 8
Handling: 4
Braking: 6
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 9 / 8
Winter: N/A
Rain: 9

Michelin Alpin PA2 (winter tire so im scoring taking that it is a winter tire in mind so just because it scores an 8 in handling doesnt meen its similar to a summer tire's 8)

Ride: 7
Handling: 8
Braking: 6
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 8 / 7
Winter: 7
Rain: 8

Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (winter tire)

Ride: 8
Handling: 5
Braking: 4
Wear: 7
Noise (new/at tire half life): 9/ 6
Winter: 9
Rain: 8

Toyo Proxes R1R

Ride: 6
Handling: 9
Braking: 10
Wear: 6
Noise (new/at tire half life): 4 / 4
Winter: N/A
Rain: 2

New set of wheels and tires arriving tomorrow. 18x8 Enkei RPF1 with 225/40/18 Kumho Ecsta XS. should be lots of fun

Nice! What offsets will you be running with the RPF1's? If you don't mind... what tire sizes were you running in the ones you reviewed? I think info like this can really help everyone make a choice on a tire that fits their goals...

275/30/19

Have you looked at NT05's yet? http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tir...48867&pc=40535
They have my interest... but I think they'll probably have a to many NVH tradeoffs for what I'm looking for... just throwing some options out there. I love my old Hankook R-S2's... to bad R-S3's only go up to 18's... prob to loud for me... but might be what you're looking for...

Keep the good info coming everyone, thanks in advance!

[Cargo8]

@91gl careful with the RPF-1s, they are absurdly soft for road driving.

Michelin PS2 245/35/19

Ride: 8
Handling: 9
Braking: 8
Wear: 6.5
Noise (new/at tire half life): 9 / 8
Winter: N/A
Rain: 7.5

[91gl]

Nice! What offsets will you be running with the RPF1's? If you don't mind... what tire sizes were you running in the ones you reviewed? I think info like this can really help everyone make a choice on a tire that fits their goals...

offset of the rpf1's is 35. also i updated the list with tire sizes.

[91gl]

@91gl careful with the RPF-1s, they are absurdly soft for road driving.

lol ive had quite a few people tell me that. i definitely will be careful.