| 28.08.2011 from Giles Guthrie | Note 3.8 |
| (5,000 km driven) | |
- Grip in dry conditions
- Braking in dry conditions
- Grip in wet conditions
- Braking in wet conditions
- Grip in snow
- Driving comfort
- Internal noise level
- Tyre wear
- Fuel consumption
N/A
Tyre size and vehicle make
245 / 45 R17 ZR
Renault Grand Espace
Result: Would you buy again? Probably not
Comment:
These tyres come into their own when the ambient temperature is 15deg C or greater. Any less than that and they seem to go hard, and ability to accelerate or brake while turning (such as pulling away at junctions) is severely diminished. If you're going to run these tyres, you really must partner them with a decent set of winter tyres as the GS-D3 feels almost rock solid in cold temperatures, and is useless in snow. Subjectively, the Goodyears seem noisier in the vehicle at motorway speeds than the OEM Michelins. Fuel economy is slightly improved with the Goodyears - around 4% in urban driving and 6% on motorways. The Renault Grand Espace shipped with Michelin Primacy HP tyres, which were slightly less grippy in warm conditions but offered far superior winter performance. I'll probably go back to the Michelins.