185 tyres

[Purple]

Time to change out of my 195s soon (Goodyear F1). With all the raucous between 185s and 195s, I have decided to give the 185s a try. Other than Michellins (as KS has mentioned them often enough), what other 185/55 would you recommend?

Requirements: Rain grip, neutral/oversteer handling, dry grip. Not too concerned about comfort and noise level (nice too have but not too important).

TIA.

[northy]

Michelin Exalto 2's.

You would be mad to fit anything else.

[NickFr]

I maybe wrong here but bear with me. The first tyre I tried to buy was the Mich Pilot Sport, a tyre that I have had in other sizes, however it is not available in 15 inch. When logging into the Mich site and on entering details of car it recommends Mich Exalto 2's, but it also quite clearly shows that its grip levels are nowhere near as good as the Pilot Sports. In summary I would conclude that due to this rather sad omission in their size range, you are forced to use an inferior tyre, albeit a tyre with longer life. I have always valued ultimate grip in both dry but especially the wet as paramount. The fact that Reno spec the Mich Exalto on both the Willy and I believe the 172/182 Clio is I believe a smokescreen. I have owned several BMW's ( no sarky comments ) from new. The last being 330ci, it came with continental's, surprise surprise ( German tyres ), is anyone going to tell me they are any good!! ( they did last along time though ).The tie up with tyre manufacturers and car companys is political and economic. As stated earlier posts the traffic police use Goodyear F1's, and Bridgestone have come 1st or 2nd to the F1's in many recent tests, wheres the Mich....the debate continues

[Purple]

Sadly, the Exaltos are not brought over here yet (I am told by the distributor), so I have to scratch that out.

The main problem I have here with getting high perf tyres for the Clio is that 15 inch sizes are slowly being relegated into the ranks of run-of-the mill tyre models. Need to get those 17, 18 inch bling wheels to fit on ultra high perf tyres nowadays.

AFAIK, be it 185s or 195s, there are only a few remaining high perf tyres in 15 inch sizes: Goodrich Gsport, GoodyearF1, YokoES100 and I think 1 or 2 of the Bridgestones. Was hoping a few more suggestion from you guys.

Hope I don't have to rim up to 16s in a few year time so as to fit decent perf tyres.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Can you get F1 GSD2s. They're probably what I'd go for in that size if I didn't try the Michelins.

[GazTwo]

WO WO WO Nick, no good posting that 12 hours after I've just shelled out £230 quid on 4 PE2's....lol....

[Purple]

Can you get F1 GSD2s. They're probably what I'd go for in that size if I didn't try the Michelins.

Yeah, I have had 5 sets of those and love them to death, but kinda want to check out what else is out there first before going back to F1s.

Hmm.. I am starting to think we only use Exaltos or Gdyr F1s on this forum. Are we that predictable? Someone must have something else.

[Swervin_Mervin]

They're the best 2 though mate!

F1s have drawn in tyre test before with Pirelli P Zero Rossos, but you'd need a 2nd mortgage for them!

[northy]

Purple - if you want me to ship some exaltos over to you i can through work....no idea how much it will be though.

Ive been out in a 182 with exalto 2's on and it was better handling than the williams...

The exalto 2's are a upgrade aspart of the 'options pack'

The 172's, 172 cups & 182's are fitted with continental tyres.

[Purple]

Purple - if you want me to ship some exaltos over to you i can through work....no idea how much it will be though.

Thanks for offering, Northy. Not an option I would consider now. But I may just do that, couple of years from now - if I am desperate enough to avoid the dreaded rim up (heh, chrome with spinners, of course).