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Message: <blockquote data-quote="anaksarawak" data-source="post: 675265" data-attributes="member: 4851">Good read...2012 EVO Max Performance Tyre Test<img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/article/2012-evo-max-tyre-test.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />2012 has started with a bang with EVO, the UKs leading high performance car magazine, publishing its 2012 summer tyre test. Unlike some of the European tyre tests which concentrate on the data, EVO rate the driving experience equal to the out right performance, meaning subjective scoring is very detailed. This is key, as when the top 5 tyres are separated by just a few seconds over a lap, how the tyre feels is the primary difference between brands. The TestAlso refreshing was EVOs choice of location - a mix of the UK MIRA testing circuit, and their home track Bedford Autodrome. This effectively removes any "home advantage" tyre manufacturers gain when they host the tyre tests at their development circuits. EVO selected 10 tyres in 235/40 R18 to test on a 261bhp Audi S3. Each of the 6 premium brands were represented, with Hankook, Kumho and Vredestein from the mid range sector and Accelera from the budget end rounding out the group. All the tests, including the road handling test were carried out on the various specialist circuits at MIRA, other than the dry lap time which was done at Bedford Autodrome. Subjective feelWith the top 4 tyres separated by less than a second a lap in the wet, and just 0.4 seconds in the dry, subjectivity has never been more critical amongst the top runners. Of the pack leaders Continental fared best, winning the wet test and scoring a joint first position with Hankook in the dry, who could only manage 4th place in the wet. The Continentals were particularly praised in the wet, where they felt extremely sure footed, barely registering puddles which upset its rivals and offering supreme traction. Goodyear finished a close 2nd overall, scoring two 3rd places only let down by a fraction of under steer on the limit in the wet. It’s dry performance was also excellent on the limit, with "grainy, grippy feedback" and the highest lateral G reading. While Bridgestone could only manage the 7th fastest wet lap, it rated very well subjectively finishing just behind the Continental. As we’ve found with Bridgestone tyres, it’s dry performance was many times better than the wet, scoring the fastest lap and finishing just behind the Goodyear subjectively. Hankook rounded out the top 4 with the 5th fastest wet lap but an excellent subject 4th place, and the 3rd fastest dry lap with the subjective rating equalling that of Continental for the win. Another strong performer for Hankook, who are quickly edging towards premium status. "In many respects, wet handling is the most cricial test of a tyre. Good performance in the dry is much easier to achieve."John Barker - EVOSome what disappointingly, the online favourites Vredestein and Kumho finished 8th and 9th in the wet, with Vredestein edging out Kumho, and could only manage 8th and 10th in the dry, this time with Kumho ahead of Vredestein. Disappointing results for 2 brands often recommended online, however it demonstrates the old adage “you get what you pay for” still largely rings true in the world of tyres. The ResultsAs always our coverage doesn’t do the test justice, so make sure you pick up <a href="http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/276661/latest_issue_of_evo_magazine.html" target="_blank">EVO issue 166</a> for the full write up and the detailed results breakdown. <table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/ContiSportContact3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tContiSportContact3.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>1st: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Continental/Sport-Contact-3.htm" target="_blank">Continental Sport Contact 3</a> Total: 669.9 / Dry: 197.6 / Wet: 200 / Subjective: 200 / Rolling Resistance: 72.3 Overall: The ContiSportContact 3s only weakness was a little subjective feel on the road. It dominated the wet tests and was extremely strong in the dry. EVO commented as "an impressively complete performance". The Sport Contact 3 has now been replaced by the Sport Contact 5, which should be an even more impressive tyre. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/Hankook_VentusS1evo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tHankook_VentusS1evo.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>2nd: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/Ventus-S1-evo.htm" target="_blank">Hankook Ventus S1 evo</a> Total: 666.4 / Dry: 196.4 / Wet: 194.5 / Subjective: 190.4 / Rolling Resistance: 85.1 Overall: Although the Hankook S1 Evo only managed a single top place (its subjective feel on the dry track) the rest of its results were strong enough to give it a close second behind the Conti and a whisker ahead of the Goodyear. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/goodyear-eagle-f1-asymmetric-2-tyre.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tgoodyear-eagle-f1-asymmetric-2-tyre.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>3rd: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goodyear/Eagle-F1-Asymmetric-2.htm" target="_blank">Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2</a> Total: 674.8 / Dry: 199.4 / Wet: 196.2 / Subjective: 187.9 / Rolling Resistance: 91.3 Overall: Outstanding in the dry, pulling the highest lateral G and shortest dry braking. Also very good in the wet just 0.8% slower than the Conti. Highly rated subjectively, a great all round tyre. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/michelin_pilot_sport_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tmichelin_pilot_sport_3.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>4th: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Michelin/Pilot-Sport-3-PS3.htm" target="_blank">Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3</a> Total: 649.1 / Dry: 193 / Wet: 194.4 / Subjective: 179.5 / Rolling Resistance: 82.2 Overall: The new Pilot Sport 3 scored well objectively in all tests. Slightly let down by its subjective feel, EVO still recommend it as a great all round tyre, having the best blend of comfort and precision on the road. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/PZERO.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tPZERO.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>5th: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Pirelli/P-Zero.htm" target="_blank">Pirelli P Zero</a> Total: 641.8 / Dry: 195.4 / Wet: 197.7 / Subjective: 178.1 / Rolling Resistance: 70.6 Overall: Slightly ahead of the Bridgestone, the Pirelli P Zero offered a good all round performance - not the best in any test but usually in the top half in every test. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/Bridgestone-Potenza-S001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tBridgestone-Potenza-S001.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>6th: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Bridgestone/Potenza-S001.htm" target="_blank">Bridgestone Potenza S001</a> Total: 644.2 / Dry: 197.9 / Wet: 195.4 / Subjective: 180.3 / Rolling Resistance: 70.6 Overall: Unlike when <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Subjective-shootout-255-40-19-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyres.htm" target="_blank">we tested the S001</a> and found it a little numb, this version of the new Bridgestone echoes Bridgestones of old. Good dry grip with excellent feedback, average grip the wet but the excellent subjective scores make the tyre uncomfortable and bumpy on the road. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/dunlopsportmaxxgt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tdunlopsportmaxxgt.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>7th: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Sport-Maxx-GT.htm" target="_blank">Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT</a> Total: 648.4 / Dry: 197.7 / Wet: 196.4 / Subjective: 176.6 / Rolling Resistance: 77.7 Overall: Echoing our own long term test findings, while the Dunlop Sport Maxx GT offers excellent grip in the wet and dry, it's somewhat let down by the average steering feel it provides. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/ultrac_cento.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tultrac_cento.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>8th: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Ultrac-Cento.htm" target="_blank">Vredestein Ultrac Cento</a> Total: 620.2 / Dry: 190.4 / Wet: 189.9 / Subjective: 161.6 / Rolling Resistance: 78.3 Overall: Slowest tyre in the dry with a poor subjective score to boot, and almost as poor in the wet. The Ultrac Cento might just be starting to show its age. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/Kumho_KU39.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tKumho_KU39.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>9th: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Kumho/Ecsta-KU39.htm" target="_blank">Kumho Ecsta KU39</a> Total: 594 / Dry: 192.6 / Wet: 174.4 / Subjective: 140.3 / Rolling Resistance: 86.7 Overall: A very average performance from the Kumho KU39 left Kumhos flagship tyre in 9th. Like the Accelera in 10th, the Kumho was ok in the dry, but struggled in the wet. </td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/Accelera-PHI.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/tyres/tAccelera-PHI.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></td><td>10th: <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Accelera/PHI.htm" target="_blank">Accelera PHI</a> Total: 584.8 / Dry: 194.6 / Wet: 165.7 / Subjective: 124.5 / Rolling Resistance: 100 Overall: Finishing bottom of the table in nearly every test secured the Accelera its last place, however EVO noted it wasn't as bad as some of the other budgets tested in previous years. As is the norm with budget tyres, it was capable in the dry but lacked grip, composure and safety when the surface changed to wet.</td></tr></table>Good tips When You buy a new car and want to tune it to the maximum level of cornering grip and want to keep comfort as well, I think you would do it as follows.1) Buy good Shock absorbers. How harder the tyre got pressed on the road how better the grip. But when you want to have comfort as well buy progressive shock absorbers, the Koni FSD or the cheaper Monroe Reflex. On bad roads they give a smooth ride and on good roads with sharp corners they got ferry stiff and sporty and less body roll. You can buy the best tyre, but when he is not on the road, because he lifts up by every puddle, you don’t get all out of it. 2) Place progressive springs as well because of the same reason.3) Check your wheel mount and replace arms. 4) Check you wheel bearings.5) Check the alignment.After doing this then starting to search the best tyres to feel what your car needs and try different combinations.1) When you feel to much tramlining, buy tyres with softer sidewalls on the front. I replaced the Pirelli Pzero Nero 91Y on the front for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT's. Also 91Y, but with softer sidewalls. Tramlining was gone. No minor corrections anymore, but a very good driving in straight line. And keeping very strong cornering grip as well. The Pirellis are good in cornering but the Dunlops are a big step forward.2) On the back I replaced the Pirelli’s 91Y for Continental Sport Contact 3 87V. On the front you have the engine and you need 91, but on the back with 87 the weight balance got a little better, and the car got less bumpy and more comfortable. The Pirellis where better in the wet but with the Conti’s on the rear axle I felt progression in sharper steering feel and more stability. The car now drives very very sharp in cornering and is very comfortable and quiet as well. Totaly perfect. 3) Search for the exact tyre pressure, by experience, and keep them on it every week. It makes much difference.So I found the right finetuned combination for my car.</blockquote>

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