Tire recommendations please!

[OlyTDI]

It’s time for new tires on the 04 Golf and I’d like to tap into the collective brain trust.

I once had Michelin mxv4 tires that I loved but they’re no longer available. Replaced those with Pirelli P7 Cinteratos that I have always detested and that are now being replaced. I should note that the P7s are now 8 years old so hardening might be contributing to my displeasure. They’ve always sucked on wet pavement and I live in western WA so wet performance is important.

I retired so I’m driving WAY less — probably fewer than 3000 mi/yr going forward so tread life is not an issue. The 8 year-old Pirellis have a load of tread left — my tires age out before wearing out.

Tire size is 205/55/16 and the vehicle is lifted about an inch or so from stock.

Priorities are wet handling/grip, ride quality, and low road noise. Light snow/ice performance would be a bonus.

Some potential contenders I’ve come across in research are the Michelin Cross Climate 2 and the General Altimax RT43.

I would love other recommendations or thoughts on those tires from those of you with knowledge.

Thanks up front!

 

[STDOUBT]

PNW here myself. Some wise men say don't run directional tires on these cars, but I freaking love my Michelin CrossClimate+.
Only have 14k miles on them but I can tell the're not going anywhere any time soon.
Discount Tire can order them in. You should still be able to find the CC 2's as well.
They have the Winter-rated marketing icon on them too. Wife made me drive around in that last ice storm we had. Did awesome. Went from SE P-town out to Gresham and back. The things we do for Love.

 

[OlyTDI]

PNW here myself. Some wise men say don't run directional tires on these cars, but I freaking love my Michelin CrossClimate+.
Only have 14k miles on them but I can tell the're not going anywhere any time soon.
Discount Tire can order them in. You should still be able to find the CC 2's as well.
They have the Winter-rated marketing icon on them too. Wife made me drive around in that last ice storm we had. Did awesome. Went from SE P-town out to Gresham and back. The things we do for Love.

Thanks for weighing in on those Michelins.
Why are directional tire on these cars frowned upon?

How do you like the wet handling and dry road noise?

 

[STDOUBT]

I never got a reason, I just know some actual pros here don't like 'em on the A4s.
Honestly I'm not too sensitive to tire road noise, either that or they're quieter than average.
I know they get "Excellent" in all categories on tirerack, FWIW. But noise isn't a category so...
I've seen Michelin Defender recommended a lot too.

 

[Nuje]

The Defender is Michelin's long-life tire (100K miles?), so expect it to be quite a hard tire compound, with the associated additional noise and "not-so-greatness" in wet.

My Mk7 car has CrossClimate2 and.....they're awesome! I'm impressed with how well they do in the slushy snow and snowy slush we get here on Vancouver Island.

My one suggestion to consider would be to look at going to a slightly taller tire - 205-60-16 has a bit more circumference (which actually makes the speedometer read pretty close to correct instead of 2-3mph faster than you're actually going); and it lifts the car just a little bit more, too, and fills out the wheel well a little more as well.

 

[OlyTDI]

Thanks, Nuje. The cross climates get a whole lotta love.

BTW, my 205/55/16s are already upsized from the stock 15s the Golf came with from the factory. The wheels I have on it (that it came with when I bought it used in 2006) came off of a new beetle. And, I’ve already lifted the vehicle!

 

[Nuje]

205-55-16 is actually the same diameter/circumference as the stock 195-65-15, just the 16" have less sidewall height; the same holds true for 225-45-17, 225-40-18, etc. Same rolling circumference, just progressively less rubber sidewall.

Tire Size Comparison

Tire size comparison the easy way. Use our tire size comparison calculator to compare diameter, width, sidewall, circumference and revolutions per mile.

tiresize.com

 

[OlyTDI]

Yes - same circumference.

 

[DS4465]

The new Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is the latest Continental answer to Michelin's Cross Climate 2.

This is an All Seasons tire, approved for any weather condition. It is (to my opinion) better than the Michelin CC2 and (at least in Central Europe) it is cheaper than the Michelin.

I drive the Conti AllSeasonContact2's (195/65R15) on my 2001 Audi A3 8L1, with a 1.9 TDI ALH engine. This is my work horse car and I drive it all year around. They are pretty nice and comfortable regardless of the weather conditions and/or the outside temperature. I can honestly say that they are safe and I like the way they drive.

Here is a (European) 5 months old video comparing 2024 All Season tires.


just my 2c. _

 

[pedroYUL]

Got a set of Nokian WR G4 for my Passat early in the spring, so far I do love these tires. Excellent grip in wet or dry, precise cornering, and not too loud. They are however all weather, which means the thread design is aggressive and hence not super quiet.

They do come in 205/55R16.

Nokian Tyres WR G4 - All-Weather performance / Nokian Tires

The versatile Nokian Tyres WR G4 optimally combines high-performance, all-season handling and reliable winter grip to make it a true all-weather tire.

na.nokiantyres.com

 

[PakProtector]

Currently running CrossClimate2's on everything. I have CC+ on the 15" wheeled Jetta and those are not quite as good in snow and wet. I run 205/60-16 in the CC2 flavor. There is a new Conti; the AllSeasonContact2 but I have found no US dealers on that one yet. Likeliest is that I will have to suffer another pair of CC2's shortly. They are pretty darned fine IME, Michigan snow and such, and tolerant of water overdose too.

I have one that came to me on brand new General RK45's. Have not put many miles on them and they are not mountain/snowflake labeled.

Douglas

 

[OlyTDI]

I appreciate the responses. Yeah, I cannot find US availability of the Conti all season contact 2. That makes the choice for the Michelin easier.

 

[ccorn90]

To diversify opinions, Yokohama Avid Ascend GT’s have been good for me in western WA. Wet grip and handling has been great. But you have lots of good options listed above as well.

 

[shoebear]

I like my Michelin Defenders for low road noise (compared to other tires I've tried) and great dry handling. I live in semi-arid Colorado, though; they probably aren't the best for wet locations. Wet performance seems pretty good when they are new, but it gets progressively worse as they wear. Under 4/32 is positively sketchy. I run them only in summer; I run Blizzaks in winter.

Road noise really bothers me, and the MK4s are not well insulated against it. Not to hijack the original thread, but if someone knows a good summer tire that's quieter than the Defender, I'd like to know about it.

 

[03TDICommuter]

Happy with Pirelli P4's on my NB. 60K miles so far and still at least half the tread left. Great in wet.

 

[Herm TDI]

What ever brand you decide on I have to recommend this web site "Tires Easy" awesome prices , free delivery
https://www.tires-easy.com/?msclkid...nd&utm_term=tires easy&utm_content=Tires Easy

I've been a Cooper fan my whole life.

 

[OlyTDI]

Thanks, Herm!

 

[OlyTDI]

As of today, I had pretty much decided on the Vredestein Quatrac tires. They seem to check all of my boxes and get really good reviews -- better than the CrossClimate 2 in the wet. But...turns out the tire with the load range for the Golf (load range 91) is backordered everywhere, with no one knowing when/if they will be available. The same size tire is available in a load range of 94, however. That's the model that they're trying to sell me. They are both V rated for speed.

Vredestein Quatrac 205/55/16XL 94V

VS

Vredestein Quatrac 205/55/16SL 91V

Load range 91 is 1356 lbs/tire capacity. Load range 94 is 1477 lbs/tire capacity -- delta of 121 lbs/tire and 484 lbs/4 tires in additional load capacity in the 94 rated tires over the 91 rated tires.

It would seem to me that in order for them to offer the same size tire in two different load ranges, that the differences are significant enough to warrant the factory tooling up for that. I would imagine that the 94 tire is probably beefier and heavier translating into slower and less efficient tire when mounted on a vehicle for which the lower rating is spec'd.

What does the brain trust think? Am I over thinking this and the 94 load rating tires are fine or should I be sticking to 91 load rated tires? I should add that I am the sole occupant of the vehicle nearly 100% of the time. It's never loaded down.

I have posted this question to Vredestein though I'm not holding my breath on them answering.

 

[DS4465]

A higher load-rating tire is a slightly beefier (sidewall threading) and slightly heavier tire, but this does not necessarily mean that it is slower and less efficient.
For practical purposes, there is no big difference between the performance of Standard Load and Extra Load tires - except for load carrying capacity (which occurs in XL tires due to a higher inflation pressure). I would even say that there are quite larger differences between make/model of tires that make for a greater difference in tire behaviour, than the differences between slightly higher load-rated tires of the same make/model.

Load-Rating (or Load-Index) of a tire is defined as the maximum certified load-carrying capacity of a tire at normal (not under-deflated) air pressure. It bassicaly indicates how much weight each tire can safely support.

Don`t mean to sound assertive, but I believe a 94 indexed tire will be fine for a 91 index-certified installation. And to my humble opinion, if you practice often a bit of off-roading or towing with your car, the 94 indexed tire will even be better.

 

[DS4465]

. . .forgot to mention: The Vredestein Quatrac is a popular premium touring "All Season" tire for us Europeans.

Vredestein Quatrac

Best regards,

 

[OlyTDI]

A higher load-rating tire is a slightly beefier (sidewall threading) and slightly heavier tire, but this does not necessarily mean that it is slower and less efficient.
For practical purposes, there is no big difference between the performance of Standard Load and Extra Load tires - except for load carrying capacity (which occurs in XL tires due to a higher inflation pressure). I would even say that there are quite larger differences between make/model of tires that make for a greater difference in tire behaviour, than the differences between slightly higher load-rated tires of the same make/model.

Load-Rating (or Load-Index) of a tire is defined as the maximum certified load-carrying capacity of a tire at normal (not under-deflated) air pressure. It bassicaly indicates how much weight each tire can safely support.

Don`t mean to sound assertive, but I believe a 94 indexed tire will be fine for a 91 index-certified installation. And to my humble opinion, if you practice often a bit of off-roading or towing with your car, the 94 indexed tire will even be better.

Thanks, DS -- that's a helpful perspective.

Others?

 

[Nuje]

I have no science to back it up, but I'm of the same thought: Extra load-rating will have negligible impact on fuel economy or ride quality, and provide a little additional "room" for extra carrying capacity (kids become teenagers, hauling bikes or other gear, etc.).

(Apples vs. peanuts comparison, I know, but I've been really impressed with Vredestein cycling tires. ).

 

[DuraBioPwr]

I can tell what NOT to buy. Cheapo tires from Amazon. Just put a set on my Jetta. Garbage. Horrible road noise.

Should have known...now im stuck with them. Just turn up the radio.

 

[BobnOH]

2 things I love to buy, televisions and tires. There are lots of choices and you get what you pay for. Sounds like you want an all season radial, touring class is the best of those.
TireRack.com is a good place to research

 

[OlyTDI]

Thanks, yeah, I think I've settled on the Vredestein -- the problem is availability! Waiting to hear from them on the load rating question above.

 

[OlyTDI]

I called the tech support people at Tirerack and asked the question about putting LR 94 tires on a vehicle spec'd for LR 91. He said it makes absolutely no difference. Of course he followed up with that by confirming that the 91 is back ordered indefinitely but the 94 is in stock -- and that they'd be fine.

Would really like to hear an expert opinion without a sale on the line. If there's no difference between the two, why are both manufactured? Why not just manufacture the higher load rated tire?

Call me skeptical but only sales folks have weighed-in on this.

 

[DS4465]

Higher LR tires are more expensive. I am sure the LR91 set would be a bit cheaper than the LR94 set at TireRack . . .

Different load-rating tires exist simply for different applications. You do not need to fit SUV tires to a normal car and it would be really dangerous to fit normal car tires to a heavy SUV.

And of course some marketing trickery thats always a valid factor in any sales.

Edit: When you buy tires, check the date of manufacture of the tires you buy. It is a 4-digit number stamped on the rubber (on EVERY tire). The first 2 numbers is the week and the last 2 is the year. For example, if it would read 1224, it was made the 12th week of 2024. As tires age (3 years or more), the rubber loses elasticity and becomes harder, not good for the tires.

just my 2c. _

 

[OlyTDI]

Higher LR tires are more expensive. I am sure the LR91 set would be a bit cheaper than the LR94 set at TireRack . . .

Different load-rating tires exist simply for different applications. You do not need to fit SUV tires to a normal car and it would be really dangerous to fit normal car tires to a heavy SUV.

And of course some marketing trickery thats always a valid factor in any sales.

Edit: When you buy tires, check the date of manufacture of the tires you buy. It is a 4-digit number stamped on the rubber (on EVERY tire). The first 2 numbers is the week and the last 2 is the year. For example, if it would read 1224, it was made the 12th week of 2024. As tires age (3 years or more), the rubber loses elasticity and becomes harder, not good for the tires.

just my 2c. _

Thanks for that. What is a reasonable lag from born on date to sales date?

 

[shoebear]

Thanks for that. What is a reasonable lag from born on date to sales date?

Most tires I buy new are 3-6 months old. I drive my car a lot, so I wear out tires long before they approach the legal limit of 10 years; therefore, I buy a lot of my tires used on Craigslist, etc. For those tires, I'm looking for 85%+ of new tread and <= 18 months old. Pre-covid, these were not hard to find, as people had money to afford to upgrade the wheels on cars they just bought. Now they are rare, and so I mostly buy tires new.

 

[lemoncurd]

It’s time for new tires on the 04 Golf and I’d like to tap into the collective brain trust.

I once had Michelin mxv4 tires that I loved but they’re no longer available. Replaced those with Pirelli P7 Cinteratos that I have always detested and that are now being replaced. I should note that the P7s are now 8 years old so hardening might be contributing to my displeasure. They’ve always sucked on wet pavement and I live in western WA so wet performance is important.

I retired so I’m driving WAY less — probably fewer than 3000 mi/yr going forward so tread life is not an issue. The 8 year-old Pirellis have a load of tread left — my tires age out before wearing out.

Tire size is 205/55/16 and the vehicle is lifted about an inch or so from stock.

Priorities are wet handling/grip, ride quality, and low road noise. Light snow/ice performance would be a bonus.

Some potential contenders I’ve come across in research are the Michelin Cross Climate 2 and the General Altimax RT43.

I would love other recommendations or thoughts on those tires from those of you with knowledge.

Thanks up front!

cross climate 2's would be your best bet imo

look into the michelin defender 2's if you want a more conventional tread pattern.

the general altimax rt43's are good aswell, and a cheaper option i believe