Dave Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 When a car is in development how does a manufacturer chose the tyre? Do they go to some-one like Good Year and say , right we want 255/35, or is it more a case of taking several manufactures and trying out different sets until they are happy with the ride and performance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 It's normally commercial deals linked with motorsports, such as Ferrrai and Bridgestone. I've just switched from Pirelli's on the Alfa to Goodyear Eagles and the change is tremendous, far better ride and grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] It's normally commercial deals linked with motorsports, such as Ferrrai and Bridgestone. I've just switched from Pirelli's on the Alfa to Goodyear Eagles and the change is tremendous, far better ride and grip. [/ QUOTE ] Mums F430 came with Pirelli's. They are far better but I never understood why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 I've always believed that it's a simple equation of marketing and cost to car manufacture. Marketing is simply that certain tyre makers wish to be associated with certain car makers. Cost is straight forward economics. VW to Michlein, how much for 5 x 225/18's x 10,000 cars- That's about £10 per corner to VW Sir. Owners then replace like for like 15k miles later and pay £600. Buying replacements seems to offset the subsidy that the tyre maker gives the car manufacture. So zero profit when fitted as OEM to new cars, 300% when sold to us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 VAG seem to make it up as they go along - Michelin Pilot Exaltos are (imo) excellent as standard-fit, but on some R32's of the same age they fitted Continental IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 Very true, when my RS6 arrived it had Conti Sports. My mates arrived 3 months later with Pirelli's on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 Dave - what's the standard tyre size on the RS6 and roughly how much per corner for the Conti Sports? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 Don't have the car any more obviously.. but they were around £200 a corner.. They were 255/35 if i remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 surprised by that - would have expected more than 255 width 200 a corner is hardly horrific for that size/class of car either - not bad. I reckon VAG will try to get away with whatever is the cheapest seasonal deal for their cars - I much prefer the Exaltos to other tyres I've tried in the past so will be sticking with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Se5aScott Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Mums F430 came with Pirelli's. They are far better but I never understood why? [/ QUOTE ] There was something in the motoring press a couple of years ago about that, Ferrari stopped using Bridgestone on the road cars because they were getting complaints from customers, journo's even their own test drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Mums F430 came with Pirelli's. They are far better but I never understood why? [/ QUOTE ] There was something in the motoring press a couple of years ago about that, Ferrari stopped using Bridgestone on the road cars because they were getting complaints from customers, journo's even their own test drivers. [/ QUOTE ] Top Gear mentioned it at well... I think it was after putting the F430 around the track. They said both The Stig and Ferrari's own driver were complaining about the Bridgestones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Se5aScott Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Top Gear mentioned it at well... I think it was after putting the F430 around the track. They said both The Stig and Ferrari's own driver were complaining about the Bridgestones. [/ QUOTE ] I never saw that.. AAGH I have missed an episode of topgear! uktv here I come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] When a car is in development how does a manufacturer chose the tyre? Do they go to some-one like Good Year and say , right we want 255/35, or is it more a case of taking several manufactures and trying out different sets until they are happy with the ride and performance? [/ QUOTE ] Cost first, then probably a mix/compromise of ride quality, grip and longivity. Only to be replaced by some cheapskate with remoulds or 'similar pattern' replacements and completey muller the characteristics that the engineers tried so hard to instill in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy_uk Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 There is a whole world of tyre pain known as the Porsche N rating where specific tyres are approved during the car's development phase. My car came with Mich PS2's marked N3 and when they get replaced, I should order the N rated tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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