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Tire Rack Tire Suggestions/ Recommendations/ Opinions

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I'm posting this due to a outdated post regarding suggested tires for MKV's. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, just offer some advice on current tire models available.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:
  • 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.)
Premium 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:
Premium 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:
Premium 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:
Premium 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.
 
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Tr!tan!um

Schnellen geher!
Location
AlAbAmA
Car(s)
2008 GTI, white
Bump for good guy Gavin. He was super helpful and knowledgeable on the phone.
 

k3v0

Ready to race!
Location
south philly
Car(s)
2009 GTI
this is handy, i've been reading some other tire guides on here but they are a little on the older side. it's nice to see some newer options/info
 

madrestaur

Having Fun driving my VW.
Location
Springfield, MA, USA
Car(s)
MKV '06
Pouring rain at Wakins Glenn and the RE-11 were awesome!
 

Starscream

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Neenah, WI
Car(s)
2008 GTI (4 door)
After reading and seeing pictures of the Conti. DW's after some track/autoX abuse, I'm leaning more towards the Pilot SS's.

The price difference is still hard to swallow though. But it really seems to fit all my needs.
-Good treadlife (20k+)
-Quiet/Comfortable for daily
-Sticky/Predictable for track/autoX

I'm no longer into trackdays and autoX to be the fastest. Been there, done that, was class champ in multiple classes across several years. Just looking for a tire that can play ball in both courts well. Doesnt have to be great, but good for daily driving, long trips, and good for spirited drives, autoX, trackdays.

Would you still suggest the Pilot Super Sports? The DW's seem to do all this, but don't hold up to the abuse of racing in the long run.

Thanks,

Jay
 
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Gavin@TireRack.com

GolfMkV Sponsor
Location
South Bend, IN
Car(s)
2010 VW GTI
The Conti's are still a good tire. I wouldn't completely write them off.

I would still recommend the Michelin Pilot Super Sports over the Conti's for a couple of reasons: The sidewalls are a little stiffer and you don't get the sides rolling over as much. The wet grip is also better. They are the tire I have on my car, and will buy another set once these are toast.

The Conti's are good, probably a close second...
 

Starscream

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Neenah, WI
Car(s)
2008 GTI (4 door)
The Conti's are still a good tire. I wouldn't completely write them off.

I would still recommend the Michelin Pilot Super Sports over the Conti's for a couple of reasons: The sidewalls are a little stiffer and you don't get the sides rolling over as much. The wet grip is also better. They are the tire I have on my car, and will buy another set once these are toast.

The Conti's are good, probably a close second...

I was dead set on the DW's for the longest time. They're still a great tire and at a very affordable price. But for someone who is an above average driver and will be seeing the autoX or road course track about once a month or more, it just seems the PSS are more tuned for those conditions. The 30k warrenty, 30-day trial, etc, all play into the added cost of the tires, which makes the price difference not as bad IMO. Not to mention Michelin has been known as the benchmark tire with the Pilots in the MAX perf summer tire. Much like a 911 or M3, there's good reason other companies base their products off of theirs, cuz they're worth the extra coin for the benchmark tool for the job.

Thanks!
 

Mr645

Ready to race!
Location
Boca Raton, Florida
Car(s)
'08 R32
Going to order a set of 4 DWS for my wifes Volvo C70. I have the DW on my R32 and very happy. Low price, high grip and seem to be lasting very well.

Anyway. Stock is 235/45/17 and thinking about going with 245/40/17. Any reason not to?

Thanks,
Jon
 

CW08DSG

I don't care.
Location
Howell, MI
Car(s)
08 GTI 2dr DSG
Hey Gavin,

I can't find much feedback on the ContiSportContact 5. I believe it has replaced the 5P?

Do you have any opinion on this tire yet, specifically comparing it to the Pilot Super Sport?

Thanks in advance!
 

Gavin@TireRack.com

GolfMkV Sponsor
Location
South Bend, IN
Car(s)
2010 VW GTI
Going to order a set of 4 DWS for my wifes Volvo C70. I have the DW on my R32 and very happy. Low price, high grip and seem to be lasting very well.

Anyway. Stock is 235/45/17 and thinking about going with 245/40/17. Any reason not to?

Thanks,
Jon

I believe the stock 17" wheels are only 7" wide. A 245/40R17 really should be put on only an 8" to 9.5" wide wheel.
 

Gavin@TireRack.com

GolfMkV Sponsor
Location
South Bend, IN
Car(s)
2010 VW GTI
Hey Gavin,

I can't find much feedback on the ContiSportContact 5. I believe it has replaced the 5P?

Do you have any opinion on this tire yet, specifically comparing it to the Pilot Super Sport?

Thanks in advance!

Not a lot of feedback yet on the Sport Contact 5's or 5P's from customers and we haven't done a test yet either due to size/ application limitations. The tire was designed primarily as an original equipment tire for a few Mercedes and Audi applications, much like the Michelin Pilot PS3.
 

CW08DSG

I don't care.
Location
Howell, MI
Car(s)
08 GTI 2dr DSG
Not a lot of feedback yet on the Sport Contact 5's or 5P's from customers and we haven't done a test yet either due to size/ application limitations. The tire was designed primarily as an original equipment tire for a few Mercedes and Audi applications, much like the Michelin Pilot PS3.

Thanks for the info, Gavin. I'm working on a deal with a guy I'm selling my Huffs to. He works for Conti, and I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a set of the Contact 5's and be a guinea pig of sorts.
 

Gavin@TireRack.com

GolfMkV Sponsor
Location
South Bend, IN
Car(s)
2010 VW GTI
Thanks for the info, Gavin. I'm working on a deal with a guy I'm selling my Huffs to. He works for Conti, and I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a set of the Contact 5's and be a guinea pig of sorts.

Let me know how they work out, or write a review at Tire Rack.com to let all interested parties know how they performed for you.
 
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