Jeetesh
Member
Swapped over the old Continentals to the Goodyear Efficientgrips and done a few direct comparisons with narrative and pictures below so apologies for the long post.
For consistency I’ve used the same roads/routes, drive the same and record sound and speed using Soundmeter and GPS race timer apps and on my phone so whilst not the perfect tech for comparison. I can say the tech was the same for both, phone mounted on a cradle attached to the air vent with Climate Control off (adds 3db).
First 4 pictures are the Contis, second four are the Goodyear’s.
@Vorsprung durch Technik
Continental | Goodyear | |
Db @ 30mph | 49db | 45db |
Db @ 50mph | 54db | 51db |
Db @ 70mph | 58db | 55db |
0-60 | 9.7 sec | 9.5 sec |
30mph Speedo | 30 (30) | 29 (30) |
50mph Speedo | 49 (49) | 48 (49) |
70mph Speedo | 69 (68) | 68 (68) |
For consistency I’ve used the same roads/routes, drive the same and record sound and speed using Soundmeter and GPS race timer apps and on my phone so whilst not the perfect tech for comparison. I can say the tech was the same for both, phone mounted on a cradle attached to the air vent with Climate Control off (adds 3db).
- Decibels - 3-4 db quieter at each speed and surprisingly consistent. It’s really noticeable how much quieter and one of the main reasons for going with Goodyear. My FSI is very smooth and quiet that the loudest noise was wind noise. These were averages taken over approx 30 seconds, driven at constant speed so minimal engine load. Under hard acceleration engine noise would add 3db at each increment. Also notable was Diesel engine noise from other vehicles which saw spikesthe same with catseyes and rougher roads. Road quality varied these values by up to 6db each way! I did also see 70db when I redlined it so I might do a stationary db test with the engine revving at different revs which will show when engine noise overtakes road noise.
- 0-60 time was marginally better as expected with slightly better contact patch. Conti’s would scrabble at launch anything above 2.5k rpm but the Goodyears could be launched at 3k rpm with no scrabble. I’ll try launch at higher revs in coming weeks and expect a marginal 0-60 improvement as the road was slightly damp and cold. I would expect 17” sport wheels running 205’s to be better still but would hurt economy a bit.
- Speedo - at each increment the first number is what the GPS speedo recorded and the second (in brackets) is what Colour DIS quoted. This was as expected with a marginally worse reading due to reduced profile (and circumference) expected the gap to be bigger to be honest but since it’s down there’s reduced risk of being over the speed limit at the indicated speed. For comparison at 70 mph my Mercedes running 20” is doing 67 according to the GPS and whilst Audi’s in my experience have been more accurate, you can see the impact of tyre/wheel size.
- Breaking - never troubled the ABS with either tyre, don’t have the equipment test this one. Expect the Goodyears to stop in a shorter distance.
- Fuel economy can’t tell if it’s any better or worse at this stage, seems about the same but once I’ve got a few months data, I’ll be able to compare.
- Handling - they hold on far better than the Conti’s and easily noticeable on fast motorway roundabouts. Some of this may be due to being brand new and the Contis had 2.5-3mm left on them however I expect 80% of the difference to be tyre compound. Marginally heavier steering feel (say 10%) however the FSI engine isn’t that heavy and the car is light overall so none issue. You could say ‘sportier’ feeling but this is probably stretching the definition if heavy = sporty. Still sharp and direct but not noticeably different.
- Ride - I purposely drive around potholes so haven’t noticed much difference. The Goodyear’s are softer compound than the Contis so a marginal loss in profile hasn’t made much difference. If I accidentally plant it in a pothole I suspect I’ll feel it more, the roads are pretty good where I am so this will be something to report later when I’ve used them more.
- Wet grip - much better and no contest, the Goodyear’s are just better.
- Profile - you can see a marginal reduction when placed side by side but now all 4 are on you can’t really tell. I expected them to stick out more from the rim but don’t seem to.
First 4 pictures are the Contis, second four are the Goodyear’s.
@Vorsprung durch Technik
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