Given
54%
while driving a
Ford Focus ST
(225/45 R17) on
a combination of roads
for 10,000
average miles
Juts about the worst wet weather tyres I have ever had the misfortune to fit to any car I have owned and I have been driving cars for 35 years.
In the wet (or damp) they are just about ok in a straight line, but take a corner at anything faster than mother drives and you are under-steering to a degree you will not comprehend. Lateral grip is appalling. They let go with no warning (and as I have already at very low speeds) and getting them back on track is case of praying and pulling in various cheeks.
I changed to these from Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta’s and to say there is a huge difference between the two is an understatement – pay the extra and be happy and safe.
I drove into the garage with a car that was tight-handling, predictable and very safe in the wet (even with 2-2.5mm of tread left). They never ever let go the way these things do.
I came out with a wallowing (the side walls are so soft compared to the Ultracs), low-grip (not so bad in the dry), slow turn-in (you wonder at first if you have actually turned the wheel) bag of S...e.
Without a doubt, once these tyres wear out I will NEVER EVER buy another one.
I drive a Focus ST (Eibachs lowered) with about 280-290 bhp , so if you drive the same, or similar, then don’t bother with these tyres unless you want to end up in a ditch. If you are pushing out similar power you will get wheel-spin in 4th in a straight-line which can be a little disconcerting for some when you’re not expecting it – in the wet forget ANY acceleration other than half-throttle in 1st and 2nd.