As mentioned above, I need to source a new set of wheels and tires for the Golf since one of the wheels is toast.
I found a set of OEM wheels on FB marketplace. They have 3 Pilot AS3+'s and one that has a bubble and needs replacing. So, at a minimum I'd be looking at buying 2 of them.
For less than than the cost of two Pilot A/S's, I can get a set of four new Vredestein Hypertrac's. Any comments on this brand or these tire? The reviews seem decent, and from what I can tell it's a good brand.
AS3+ are nice tires, but they're discontinued, replaced by the AS4. Personally, having mismatched tires would bother me big time, so if a full set of AS4's isn't reasonable then I'd try the Vredestein's. The brand has been around forever and were popular on Euro Sportscars in the 60's & 70's...Kinda made a resurgence recently and I've heard good things, but have never tried them personally.
You can still find the odd model of AS3+. But, mismatched from by one model (i.e. AS3 vs AS4) wouldn't bother me much.
And it's less that it's not reasonable, and more that I don't really need a high performance AS tire on a diesel Golf!
If it was me, I would get the new Vredesteins. I wanted to try their winter tires but couldn't find ones that fit the rims I bought for my ITS.
Quote from: Tortoise on May 23, 2025, 08:30 AMAs mentioned above, I need to source a new set of wheels and tires for the Golf since one of the wheels is toast.
I found a set of OEM wheels on FB marketplace. They have 3 Pilot AS3+'s and one that has a bubble and needs replacing. So, at a minimum I'd be looking at buying 2 of them.
For less than than the cost of two Pilot A/S's, I can get a set of four new Vredestein Hypertrac's. Any comments on this brand or these tire? The reviews seem decent, and from what I can tell it's a good brand.
I LOVE Vredestein and they are among the best tires I've used..and continue to use.
The Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas were the best high performance tires I've ever owned. Period. Had them on the Supra. They would flat out HOOK! This tire was the reason I could trust forum members to test the Supra. Because the traction and handling was very high. For the Corvette Z06 crowd, the Ultracs were life changing...they could now drive their cars in colder or rainy weather. A superb tire.
Next, the Vredestein Ultrac Pro. We are on our second set. It is the best high perf all weather tire (Mountain Snowflake) we've ever used. First had them on IQs TT and he she insisted on them for her A5 as well. And I agree...fantastic tire. Both cars unstoppable in the snow. Yet tire ride is great (and quiet!), handling great. Great tire. Has come out on top in several grand touring all weather tire shootouts in USA (Tirerack) and Europe.
And finally, the Quatrac is the next tire going on the Prius. Have tried to get them TWICE but both times sold out. Tirerack comparo winner.
So I'd not hesitate to recommend Vredestein. We've had nothing but great experience with these and I've bought more tires from this single brand in recent years than any other.
Quote from: Johnnymac on May 23, 2025, 05:56 PMIf it was me, I would get the new Vredesteins. I wanted to try their winter tires but couldn't find ones that fit the rims I bought for my ITS.
I think this is the way I'm going to go.
The 4 wheels and 3 tires are $450. If I can sell the AS3's for $50 each them I'm way ahead.
And thanks Ron, that's a solid endorsement.
After the mail-in rebate, they come to $800 all in. That's pretty solid in today's market.
Glad to have it sorted. And super happy with how the new wheels look, it's a big improvement over the previous ones.
The tires seem excellent. Not as smooth as the P7's (though I haven't checked the tire pressures), maybe a little noisier, but much better handling. Much more responsive.
Wheels look great, 4 matching tires was the right call.