Avon ZZ3 Reviews - Page 9

Given 70% while driving a Audi A3 Sport (235/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 14,000 average miles
These are good tyres. Eagle F1's are still the best tyre I've used although on my previous car (a Vectra). The only other tyres I've used on my A3 were Dunlop SP 9000's on 17" manufacturer alloys. These 19" ZZ3's were on replicate RS4 wheels.

These have lasted fairly well, the rears still have plenty of life in them - the fronts are finished now I've done 14k miles on them.

I can't rate the progressiveness and feedback - the steering on my A3 is somewhat over assisted and the progressiveness on 19's is always going to lack slightly. I don't think I've pushed them enough in the corners to offer an opinion.

Due to a puncture in back near side and buckling the front near side on bl**dy pot holes I've unconsciously run these tyres at low PSI (9 on the rear, possibly lower on the front) without a problem - not for extended periods but for sufficient time to get me to a garage. Re-inflate them and they ran fine again - hope this dispells comments about this tyre having thin side walls.

Road noise could be better but again, I've only run these on my 19's so can't compare with other manufacturers. I don't think it's fair to rate the comfort on such low profile (235/35/19's) - it's pretty hard. One of the reasons I'm dropping back to 17" alloys is comfort.

Dry grip was good when they had more tread, it's still not bad, only suffering from wheel spin in 2nd and, if I was in the right rev range, 3rd (TDI 2.0 remapped to 170bhp, 380Nm torque).

Wet performance wasn't too much different, easier to spin the wheels up, never really had any scary moments on them in the wet otherwise.

If you've found a good price on these I'd recommend them.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on February 16, 2009
Given 81% while driving a Nissan 200sx (205/50 R16 V) on a combination of roads for 12,000 spirited miles
Had a set of these through work, wasn't expecting too much, but have found them to be much better in the dry AND wet than the previous F1's.
Was warned they may be rather soft and wear quickly but haven't seen much of that yet, still look almost as good as new.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on November 19, 2008
Given 73% while driving a BMW E39 5 series (225/60 R15 W) on a combination of roads for 16,000 spirited miles
Bought for price and because in this rare dimension it was the only sports oriented tire. Replaced aged Michelins HX MXM.
Pleasant surprise, good grip in both dry and wet while progressive and friendly on the limit. Very good steering feedback since sides are really hard but this causes noise. In Greece though, noise is not a serious issue, all tires are relatively quiet due to very worn and slippery roads. Wear is high for Greece where tires usually age and dont wear but generally tires dont last long with me (spirited drive....). They are first in my shortlist (very short list since dimension is uncommon).
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on September 12, 2008
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Given 28% while driving a Subaru Impreza (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 25,000 spirited miles
I know a number of people who use this tyre and find it 'ok' but admittedly they are driving non-performance cards.

I originally had Bridgestone Potenza RE070 on my car, and couldn't source them quick enough so went for the ZZ3's. This was a mistake.

Dry grip is.. ok'ish.
Wet grip is.. non existant.

I would go so far as to say these tyres are dangerous, and certainly unpredictable.

I'm going for Pirelli P Zero next.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on September 7, 2008
Given 81% while driving a Ford fiesta st (205/40 R17 V) on a combination of roads for 15,000 spirited miles
I had these fitted to my Skoda VRS and they were a revalation !
The previous tyres were Bridgestone Potenzas (poor wet performance) but the Avons are fantastic.
There's nothing like having some confidence in your tyres when it's tipping down, these are the ones for me in future. They are great in the dry as well. I've had Goodyear F1, Toyos etc, ignore the hype, fit these.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on July 16, 2008
Given 23% while driving a Ford Focus MK1 (215/45 R17 W) on mostly town for 8,000 average miles
After driving several focus st's before buying mine 2nd hand these where on the front. Nothing special in the dry but in the wet they because dangerous. The front end of the car skated around and they give no confidence at all. Since then I have had goodyear f1's and kumhos and even champiro's but nothing was everas bad as these. There are alot more tyres for less money whihc give you more.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on June 26, 2008
Ford Focus MK3 (/ R) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles
I have been in the motor trade for approx 12 years and have seen 10,000 if not more tyres to be fitted to various cars of all shapes and sizes. The feed back i have had from customers about the ZZ3 is generally quite positive. Having said that i'm not convinced that some, if not a lot of motorists understand what is really going on beneath themselves and the road. In a nut shell, the ZZ3 is a good tyre, but providing you don't drive anything bigger or maybe heavier than a Vectra. Place them on a Rover 75 (i've seen this time & time again) & your asking for major trouble. But overall, they aren't too bad. Just don't fit them to the bigger than the average saloon. You've been warned!!!
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on April 25, 2008
Given 87% while driving a BMW E39 5 series (235/35 R17 W) on mostly motorways for 116,000 spirited miles
I have always stuck to Pirelli tyres (P zero) in the past. I needed some tyres quickly and could only get Avon. Well frankly I think that I would now ask for Avon. Good in both the wet and the dry with good grip on cornering. Country roads are coped with easily and so are motorways. Great performance all round
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on January 29, 2008
Given 63% while driving a Volvo S60 TS (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 26,000 average miles
Nice brand tyre for the price but wears badly for heavier cars. Also the outerwall seems to wear first, even on the back. Didn't last to well, front 10,000 and back 15,000.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on January 5, 2008
Given 43% while driving a Audi S6 (255/40 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 8,000 spirited miles
I'm sorry to say, but i think these tyres are dangerous! My car is maintained to the highest standards and so i know it is the tyres giving me problems. I have no idea what the car is going to do in the wet despite being quattro. The tyres have loads of tread left on them but i am changing all 4 as i cant live with them anymore. I usually drive on manufacturer recommended tyres, and thats what i'm going back to. They are also the noisiest tyres i have ever known. I'm fed up of telling passengers that its the tyres making the noise and not my wheel bearings!
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on November 21, 2007
Given 63% while driving a Toyota MK2 MR2 Turbo (235/40 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 5,000 miles
A good all round middle range tyre, impressive for the money, a nice progressive, safe road tyre, will never break any lap records with this tyre but recommended for road use, certainly on par with Toyo Proxies in most situations.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on June 5, 2007
Given 63% while driving a Honda Civic Type R (215/40 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 30,000 spirited miles
A good tyre design with very progressive grip generation in both wet and dry conditions. My complaints would be a lack of feedback caused in my opinion by a thin tyre side wall and a tendancy to pick up punctures at an alarming rate. In total I've purchased 11 Avon ZZ3's and have lost 5 to un-repairable punctures or high speed deflations.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on June 1, 2007