Gavin@TireRack.com
GolfMkV Sponsor
- Location
- South Bend, IN
- Car(s)
- 2010 VW GTI
Updates in Red.
If you need a couple of suggestions/ideas regarding tires that work well on a MKV, here are a few to consider depending on your needs. Since I am from the Tire Rack, I only have the tires we carry at my disposal to test/ get customer feedback and offer opinions on.
I'm posting this due to a outdated post regarding suggested tires for MKV's. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, just offer some advice on current tire models available.
This is just a brief overview for the 2013 year. I have broken the tires into four basic categories in this post: extreme performance summer, max/ ultra high performance summer, performance all-season and touring all season. I have left winter tires off of this post because winter tires are a little more complex, and need to be on their own. DOT/ R compound tires are also complex.
Each category will have an inexpensive and premium subheading below. My experience is, generally speaking, the premium tires are better. Just remember, you can't eat caviar on a bologna budget, but some bologna tastes pretty good (if you like bologna).
The biggest hurdle in selecting a tire is selecting one that fits your needs correctly, ie. not putting a summer tire on your car if you want a tire with a 30k mile warranty, or purchasing a touring tire if you intend on taking your car to the track for a weekend.
Without further introduction, Gavin's recommendations:
Extreme performance summer tires will suit your needs if you're looking for all-out handling, taking your daily driver autocrossing on the weekend without an extra set of wheels, or just hooning on the street. Do not consider this category if you're looking to use the tires in near freezing temperatures, need a tire that is comfort-oriented, want a tire with a 15k mile lifespan, or for driving at high speeds in deep standing water.
Inexpensive extreme performance summer:
Max and ultra high performance summer tires will suit your needs if you're wanting a little better ride quality, little better lifespan, and better wet grip than an extreme performance summer tire. They too are not intended to be driven in near freezing temps, and offer a shorter life than an all-season tire.
Inexpensive max and ultra high performance summer:
My experience is the tires in the performance all-season categories are going to be the most versatile on a GTI. They are good to decent at everything, but do not specialize at one specific performance aspect.
Inexpensive performance all-season:
Touring all-season tires will offer decent year-round grip. They are comfort oriented and offer better lifespan. They too are a compromise in performance. I tend to recommend more touring tires to Golfs than GTI's
Inexpensive touring all-season:
As always, if you have any comments or questions please let me know. If any of this information helps and new need to place an order, support GolfmkV by clicking the banner above to place your order with Tire Rack or by giving me a call.
If you need a couple of suggestions/ideas regarding tires that work well on a MKV, here are a few to consider depending on your needs. Since I am from the Tire Rack, I only have the tires we carry at my disposal to test/ get customer feedback and offer opinions on.
I'm posting this due to a outdated post regarding suggested tires for MKV's. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, just offer some advice on current tire models available.
This is just a brief overview for the 2013 year. I have broken the tires into four basic categories in this post: extreme performance summer, max/ ultra high performance summer, performance all-season and touring all season. I have left winter tires off of this post because winter tires are a little more complex, and need to be on their own. DOT/ R compound tires are also complex.
Each category will have an inexpensive and premium subheading below. My experience is, generally speaking, the premium tires are better. Just remember, you can't eat caviar on a bologna budget, but some bologna tastes pretty good (if you like bologna).
The biggest hurdle in selecting a tire is selecting one that fits your needs correctly, ie. not putting a summer tire on your car if you want a tire with a 30k mile warranty, or purchasing a touring tire if you intend on taking your car to the track for a weekend.
Without further introduction, Gavin's recommendations:
Extreme performance summer tires will suit your needs if you're looking for all-out handling, taking your daily driver autocrossing on the weekend without an extra set of wheels, or just hooning on the street. Do not consider this category if you're looking to use the tires in near freezing temperatures, need a tire that is comfort-oriented, want a tire with a 15k mile lifespan, or for driving at high speeds in deep standing water.
Inexpensive extreme performance summer:
- Hankook Ventus R-S3 (best bang for the buck)
- Dunlop Direzza Sport ZII (Awesome tire in both wet and dry. Super responsive, hooks up like there's no tomorrow. It's predecessor the Z1 Star Spec was great.)
BFGoodrich g-Force Rival(We have a contender! Not quite as strong as the Dunlops in wet, but holy guacamole, so responsive and grip to spare. It's also very quiet.)
- Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD-08 (very versatile)
- Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 (best riding tire in its class)
Max and ultra high performance summer tires will suit your needs if you're wanting a little better ride quality, little better lifespan, and better wet grip than an extreme performance summer tire. They too are not intended to be driven in near freezing temps, and offer a shorter life than an all-season tire.
Inexpensive max and ultra high performance summer:
- Continental Extreme Contact DW (best bang for the buck)
- Sumitomo HTR Z III
- Hankook Ventus V12 Evo
- Yokohama S.Drive
- BF Goodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 (New for 2013. Great tire!)
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport (What I presently have on my car, and all-around, the best summer tire I've owned.)
- Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
- Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
My experience is the tires in the performance all-season categories are going to be the most versatile on a GTI. They are good to decent at everything, but do not specialize at one specific performance aspect.
Inexpensive performance all-season:
- General G-Max AS-03 (New-ish tire this year. So far so good)
- Kumho Ecsta 4X (New-ish tire this year. So-far so good)
- Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (Decent tire, a little sketchy with cold)
- Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position (Fantastic tire!)
- Continental Extreme Contact DWS (A little soft in the sides, but good cold grip.)
- Michelin Pilot Sport AS+ (Very refined ride quality.)
Touring all-season tires will offer decent year-round grip. They are comfort oriented and offer better lifespan. They too are a compromise in performance. I tend to recommend more touring tires to Golfs than GTI's
Inexpensive touring all-season:
- General Altimax HP (Best bang for the buck.)
- Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum
- Michelin Primacy MXM4 (Good ride quality without sacrificing handling too much.)
- Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus (The best riding tire, better handling than it's predecessor the Turanza Serenity.)
As always, if you have any comments or questions please let me know. If any of this information helps and new need to place an order, support GolfmkV by clicking the banner above to place your order with Tire Rack or by giving me a call.
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