Goodyear Eagle F1 - sudden deterioration?

[Mollox]

A few years ago, these were the Tyresmoke tyres of choice and as a result I've run about 4 or 5 sets of them consecutively and found them to be a very good tyre overall.

However, the last 2 sets I've had have both suddenly deteriorated to the point that grip and handling have been, in my opinion, dangerous. Lots of unpredictability and shocking performance in the wet. Thinking about it, I think the last 2 sets were GSD3s and the others the previous generation tyre.

They were very good tyres when new but really don't last and then, whilst seemingly having lots of tread, completely go to pot!

Has anyone else noticed similar effects with these tyres? In both cases, I thought there was something seriously mechanically wrong with my car and both times, a fresh set of rubber seems to have made such a difference. On the last set, 2 x audi dealers were convinced I had a worn wheel bearing and it turned out to be the tyres...

Gave up on the GDS3s and have fitted F1 Assymetrics. Lets see how long/well these last...

[DHA]

My previous tyres were GSD3s, when I had to have two replaced on the left side of the car the right rear was delaminating (which shouldn't really happen in a car tyre I don't think) and the fitters said they had seen it happen a few times with GSD3s. I think they are made in China now, could explain it.

[Tipex]

You have to be careful with tyres, lots of the internet discount retailers sell tyres for warmer climates than we have over here. they get job lots of them in cheap, and while they may look the same they are harder compounds which become more of a problem, and lose grip as the tyre wears.

Always make sure they have the 'E' mark on the side.

Eagles used to be made in 2 factories, chinese factory was for the warmer climate tyres, and german factory made tyres for europe.

This probably isn't the problem your having, but worth watching out for.

[Scotty]

I've had plenty of GSD3's and never had any problems. Worked well in dry and wet.

The only issue I had was that they seemed very sensitive to pressure change. If the pressures dropped just one or two psi the grip went off. Since our weather (and hence the tyre pressures) changes so much it meant I was always checking/adjusting them.

[hashluck]

Tipecx and Scotty have posted the two things I was going to say. There were a lot of non E marked tyres found their way to the UK a couple of years ago.

[Muppetboy]

Where did you have them fitted Molly?

[Paul]

Sounds very familiar Mollox. Exactly my reasoning for hating the things with a passion.
I even sent mine back to Goodyear, (a complete set of 4) but apparrently they were all "within manufacturing tolerances"

I decided that if that was their quality standards and acceptable, that i would never use Goodyear again.

My set displayed the exact same qualities, with even tread/ wear, still road legal, they got increasingly noisy and sounded like a wheel bearing failing.

Ditch them and buy decent tyres like Michelin.

[sidicks]

Sounds very familiar Mollox. Exactly my reasoning for hating the things with a passion.
I even sent mine back to Goodyear, (a complete set of 4) but apparrently they were all "within manufacturing tolerances"

I decided that if that was their quality standards and acceptable, that i would never use Goodyear again.

My set displayed the exact same qualities, with even tread/ wear, still road legal, they got increasingly noisy and sounded like a wheel bearing failing.

Ditch them and buy decent tyres like Michelin.

Agree - they are (very) expensive, but the Michelin Pilot Sports I have are superb in all conditions.

Sidicks

[mikemod]

I agree, I have just put the Goodyear Assymetric on all round, replacing Michelin PS2s and there is not the same level of grip even when the Michelins had less than 2mm left. Have put about 1000 miles on these tyre so far and no difference as some people have noticed

Also noticed some lift off oversteer on roundabouts which was never there before and I am getting about 5-10% less fuel economy so over the life of the tyre the Michelins will probably work out cheaper. Looking forward to them wearing out.

[gizze]

I have stopped using the Goodyear tyres, great when new but soon go off.

I now just buy PS2's, they may be more money but you can buy them with 6 or 7mm for half the new price on ebay, and all tyres have a date code so you know what you are buying.

Been a few reports of the assymetrical F1 on the BMW forums and general feeling is most will go back to the PS2 regardless of price.