Short Review - Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s

[GTO]

Most of you are already aware that I have upsized my C220's rubber to the 225/50/16 size. The 220 now comes standard with 16 inch alloy wheels, and keeping the high performance levels of this car in mind - Goodyear Eagle F1s appeared the only way to go.





My review? Boy, these tyres wear out F-A-S-T!!

For the first 6000 kms, the grip levels were absolutely phenomenal - I am talking of the car handling like a train on rails. The C220 had numerous opportunites to explore the limits of its fine chassis and the tyres offered exemplary support in each and every situation (hard cornering, braking, lower rubber noise etc.). Every outstation trip or intra-city night out left an eternal smile on my face.

Buttttttttttttttttt the Mercedes has recently crosses the 9,000 km mark and the decline in grip levels is TOO obvious. Hard acceleration sees the traction control light come up in 1st and in the shift from 1st to 2nd. Around a corner, its become the simplest job in the world to make the rear end slide out. There are numerous situations that I can think of, where the appaling loss of grip levels shocked the life out of me. Simply put - I am disappointed. Whats the point of spending close to 40 grand on a set of 5 high performance tyres that give you great grip levels only for the initial 6000 - 7000 kms? I had been warned by some other online communities that the life of Eagle F1 D3s is only about 15000 kms, but never expect such a drastic decline so soon.

Compare this to other tyres that cost about half as much, but provide an 8.5 / 10 level of grip for atleast 15000 - 20000 kms. The Eagle F1s were a 10 / 10 but only for the first 6000 - 7000 kms. Now, they are a 7 / 10 at best.

Some Points to ponder:

1. For 90% of the 9,000 kms, the 220 has been driven with an extremely light foot in the city. So its not like consistent hard driving has caused such a fast rate of wear and tear.

2. Tyre pressures have always been maintained with extreme precision with a weekly check (on sundays).

3. I have several lakh kms of experience with most other brands such as the 1st gen of Eagle F1s, Potenzas, Michelins, Pirellis and the like.

GTO

[v1p3r]

Hey GTO, pretty unbiased...I guess your mind is truly open!

Looking at the tread pattern, there are no central ribs for high-speed stability. How do the tyres fare there? Also, I hear they are noisy and get fazed by dirt on the road. True?

I would suggest Yokohama AVS ES-100s for your next buy. MUCH cheaper, and last pretty long. And a lot of people swear by their grip.

[Rtech]

I'm surprised the tyres lasted this long seeing the way you drive

yea, the more sport orientated tyres are, the less life they would give, but 9k is a bit on the low side. However, you say the grip levels have decreased, not that the actual tread is worn down. Thats strange. I've not come across that comment on these tyres before. Look at the bright side though, gives you a chance to try something new! So whats next?

Looking at the tread pattern, there are no central ribs for high-speed stability. How do the tyres fare there?

Look closely. There is a central rib. The "V's" don't join in the centre of the tyre.

[viper]

Hey GTO,

Am shocked by the poor life.My namesake has taken the words out of my mouth.Switch to Yokohoma's asap. I think you know how they grip after riding my Getz. I would suggest the Yokohoma AVS Sport.

Pic attached below.



Viper

[GTO]

However, you say the grip levels have decreased, not that the actual tread is worn down. Thats strange. I've not come across that comment on these tyres before.

Dude, try my Vtec. The sipes are still there at 30,000 km but the traction isnt. Not that it was there in the first place but there is a significant difference.

Look at the bright side though, gives you a chance to try something new! So whats next?

I thought you are aware that my car funds have taken a serious deficit in the last 30 days?

I'm surprised the tyres lasted this long seeing the way you drive

I think your drive up the lonavla ghat is responsible for 50% of the current wear and tear.

Switch to Yokohoma's asap. I think you know how they grip after riding my Getz.

Viper - I never considered Yokohama until the spirited drive in your Getz. And a lot of subsequent research.

You guys have driven the C before. Try it now - Man, she slides around like crazy!! Its fun "catching" the slide and see the traction control light on, but its not necessarily the faster way around a corner.

GTO

[Rtech]

Dude, try my Vtec. The sipes are still there at 30,000 km but the traction isnt. Not that it was there in the first place but there is a significant difference.

True, but those tyres are pretty old now. About 4 years? They are well past their prime. The D3's are less than a year old, hence my surprise about the lack of grip.

[viper]

You guys have driven the C before. Try it now - Man, she slides around like crazy!! Its fun "catching" the slide and see the traction control light on, but its not necessarily the faster way around a corner.

GTO[/quote]

Hey,

When do I pick up the keys. I think the Daman trip will be perfect slide around. Do you really want to slide around in the C. I thought the Vtech was there for all that.

Viper

[nitrous]

Ur trademarked review,GTO.

Can someone answer why there is drastic reduction in traction even when there's a lot of tread depth?

[adya33]

Originally Posted by GTO

I thought you are aware that my car funds have taken a serious deficit in the last 30 days?

hey GTO you thinking about beating Drifters record?

I have heard about lack of grip on wet road with F1s can you confirm it ?

[v1p3r]

Sorry, I meant central groove, like the Potenzas and the AS 100s have...

[Sahil]

Sports tyres are known to wear out sooner but this is a bit too soon. Driving on cement roads for a long period does result in faster wear too. I suggest u switch over to non sport tyres if u intend to use this car for a long time, selling the tyres NOW would be ideal as later they wouldnt fetch anything. I would suggest Michellin now that I have had an awesome experience with them in my Accord, the car has done 30,000Km in 3 yrs and the tyres belive it or not still look NEW! And it has really been driven harddd around the corners.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by v1p3r

I would suggest Yokohama AVS ES-100s for your next buy. MUCH cheaper, and last pretty long. And a lot of people swear by their grip.

i am gonna be replacing my tires in the next few months... thanks to the previous track meet...

what is the approx price of the Yokohama AVS ES-100? i would replace all 5 tires so please give me an estimate for each tire...

my stock tires are 175/r13 and i am yet to decide to go for 185 r13 or 195r13? pls comment...

i guess the Federal's are good too... seen them on Godfather's car and they performed their job pretty well... wotdya say Godfather?

[v1p3r]

You will not get ES-100s in 13". Either you pick up a second hand 14" set, or you buy the Yokohama A539s. They are pretty good, and I would suggest 185/60 R13. In Bangalore they are about 2.6k a piece.

[Godfather]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

i am gonna be replacing my tires in the next few months... thanks to the previous track meet...

what is the approx price of the Yokohama AVS ES-100? i would replace all 5 tires so please give me an estimate for each tire...

my stock tires are 175/r13 and i am yet to decide to go for 185 r13 or 195r13? pls comment...

i guess the Federal's are good too... seen them on Godfather's car and they performed their job pretty well... wotdya say Godfather?

Yep... the federals i have are 195/50 15.. and i have bought them for 5500/- per tire... they have run around 25000 kms and still perform well at high speed turns and heavy braking like what wolf did in my car..
anyways n_aditya you can go up to 205/60/13 on an esteem without the tires touching during turns and if you are increasing to say 14 or 15 inch i suggest you stick to 195 size... also GTO why not try the TOYO'S they are good and also cost around the same for 16 inch... and the TOYO'S are proven to withstand the racing grounds also...

[v1p3r]

Godfather, aditya is running an almost stock Esteem. Anything more that 185 will slow him down!!!

I personally would prefer Yokos over Federal anyday. Cheaper too, from the rates Godfather has given.