Vredestein Ultracs

[clive williams]

Hi All,

Thought you might like some feedback on some Vredestein Ultracs 225x55x16 96W (on 8Jx16 rims) fitted to the barge - E320CDIT(or S)210 - I fitted them just about a month ago and I've been trying them out since. My comments are:

Handling - V good, sharp with good feedback
Roadholding - V good, have'nt found the limit yet!
Wet braking and grip - excellent. The only time they've noticed it was raining was on a polished manhole cover, but these are not supposed to be a rain tyre.
Wear rate - unknown but I'll tell you in 2 years time. These tyres are so good that I probably won't worry.
Noise - sorry, I normally don't notice unless it's a set of mud terrains. The roads around here are so noisy anyway you have to keep the radio on full volume.
Price - £470.00 all in for 4, which is good for the size and speed rating. I found Jeff Fowkes in Ibstock cheaper than the local approved dealer.
Generally - These tyres are not quite in the same sport league as the Goodyear F1s I also use but they are perfect for the barge and the way I drive it (generally I don't hang around). They give a surprising amount of grip and sharpen up the handling to just the right degree for such a ponderous wagon. I would thoroughly recommend them for any saloon with sporting pretentions or for the more demanding driver.

Clive

500E - shod with Goodyear F1s
E320CDIT210 - V... Ultracs

 

[Wezzel]

I'm fitting some Vredestein HiTrac's today. I bought them because they came top of the Autoexpress Tyre Test last year.

205x55 16's only came to £46 each plus fitting. Half the cost of the equivalent Michellin.

I'll report back when I've had chance to give them a decent test.

 

[jberks]

Tyretest.com

Its an interesting conundrum. I'll be after a full set by late September at the latest - though that was based on the idea that worn but still legal tyres would be fine over the summer so it maybe sooner if the weather doesn't let up and I start aquaplaning down the motorway.

Anyway, looking at the mytyres site and comparing the results in the tyretest link I am confused.
I currently have bridgestones on the front and contis on the rear and have generally stuck with makes I know and have a nod from MB and avoided these odd eastern brands.

However looking at the test results,
for 245/45/17s
Michelin Pilot PRIMACY at 141.70 each are soundly battered by Hankook VENTUS SPORT K104 co at £71.30. So if I'm reading this right, I could spend £566.80 and be a brand snob or spend £285.20 and get a better tyre. In fact Nankang NS-1 at 61.80 are pretty close to the Hankooks and would only be £247.20
Am I missing something?

 

[Myros]

never mind the hankooks jb

have a look at the Toyos. My mind is made up, as I've a set of Pilots coming the end of their life. Even at Costco prices, they are 4x £85. The Toyos come in at 4x £51.50 at mytyres, and storm home on the tests.
Just google on toyo (your preferred size) tyres, then froogle,and it gives you the mytyres prices.

 

[mortysmerc]

Hi,
I have an SLK230 (W reg) that requires 4 x replacements for the Dunlop 2000E's that were factory fitted. Reading through all the forums about tyre choice, I am now totally confused as to which brand to fit.
My MBZ stealership recommend Conti's or Michelins (definately not more Dunlops (?)), yet I read some members say avoid Conti's even if they are free, and that Michelins do not warranty the extra cost.
Surely there must be an all round brand out there that fits the bill of reasonable wear life, good traction and quiet running. I have delved into Tirerack (US specs ?), Mytyres, etc, and all seem to slightly contradict one another.
Somebody please advise, I am getting tired and confused.

 

[Myros]

actually I gave up on the Toyos

as it was too much faffing around, and have had a set of Barum Bravuris fitted to the C280, at about the same cost, £60 a corner, if you count the fitting charge I would have paid for the Toyos. I've had a set on the SL for a year and they are great. Made by Continental, and out perform them in the tests mentioned on the other Merc site.

 

[jberks]

Hi,
I have an SLK230 (W reg) that requires 4 x replacements for the Dunlop 2000E's that were factory fitted. Reading through all the forums about tyre choice, I am now totally confused as to which brand to fit.
My MBZ stealership recommend Conti's or Michelins (definately not more Dunlops (?)), yet I read some members say avoid Conti's even if they are free, and that Michelins do not warranty the extra cost.
Surely there must be an all round brand out there that fits the bill of reasonable wear life, good traction and quiet running. I have delved into Tirerack (US specs ?), Mytyres, etc, and all seem to slightly contradict one another.
Somebody please advise, I am getting tired and confused.

Basic answer is that there is no answer. One man's poison and all that. Some will ignore a bit more noise for fractionally improved grip, others the grip of anything will be adequate and noise and comfort really matter. Its all opinion at the end of the day. The only conclusion I came up with is that my next set won't be Michelin, Bridgestone, continental or any other 'badge'. The three pointed star is enough of a badge for me. As for what it will be, I'm not certain. I'm slowly putting the figures from the reviews of potential candidates into a spreadsheet and will hopefully come up with an average.

 

[clive williams]

Basic answer is that there is no answer. One man's poison and all that. Some will ignore a bit more noise for fractionally improved grip, others the grip of anything will be adequate and noise and comfort really matter. Its all opinion at the end of the day. The only conclusion I came up with is that my next set won't be Michelin, Bridgestone, continental or any other 'badge'. The three pointed star is enough of a badge for me. As for what it will be, I'm not certain. I'm slowly putting the figures from the reviews of potential candidates into a spreadsheet and will hopefully come up with an average.

Hi All,

I like many of you have read the Auto Express tyre test, where the Vresdestein HiTracs came out tops, but as the HiTracs a rain specific tyre and were not available in the size/speed rating I was lead onto the UlTracs. I was so impressed with them that it prompted me to report back to you all with as honest opinion as I could that necessarily draws on a comparison from my experience of many other makes.

I have over the last 35+years of motoring in all fields always taken a keen interest in the specification of the machines I driven, which has included the tyres, whether I've paid for them or not.. The Ultracs IMO come close to the top of the pile. I have never taken cost as a prime reason for a tyre choice (even as an impoverished student) as I consider performance and safety as paramount. My experiences with cheap tyres has not been good and therefore I tend to select from the premium makes for my own vehicles although I would not be adverse to trying other makes if they fitted my criteria.

It would be good to have others giving fair subjective honest opinion on similar headings as mine so that comparisons can be made. Most of what I have read hereand other threads are single line recommendations that are unhelpful if you're trying to compare the extensive experiences on tyre alternatives.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Blobcat]

Hi All,
It would be good to have others giving fair subjective honest opinion on similar headings as mine so that comparisons can be made. Most of what I have read hereand other threads are single line recommendations that are unhelpful if you're trying to compare the extensive experiences on tyre alternatives.

You have hit the nail on the head (or tyre on the curb). I have detailed previously my experience with Continetal EcoContact CP's along with grip and mileage.
1st set covered 28K miles
2nd set cost £400 & covered 20K miles
3rd set cost £360 & covered 26K miles
4th set Cost £385 & now on 16.5K miles and still great
I find them very quiet on all but the concrete motorways. I am very happy with the grip and stability. I have had them up to 145mph in Germany and also used brake assist and ABS with them and been very happy with braking response and distance. In short I recommend them, however with 2 caveats - 1. they are not made anymore and 2. I cannot say how they would react/wear on a different vehicle or one not driven by me.

 

[clive williams]

Blobcat,

Spot on!

(maybe something to do with the fact that we are talking about tyre fitment to W210 Estates 2000/2001 - ????????????)

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Blobcat]

(maybe something to do with the fact that we are talking about tyre fitment to W210 Estates 2000/2001 - ????????????)

Mine is actually the saloon, although the first set I had were 'W' rated from the estate. (I had the wheels changed from the 18"AMG's to the standard 16", so I guess they found me some estate wheels) which may explain why I had higher mileage from my first set. Although it could also have been due to me getting used to the car and taking it easy.

 

[Wezzel]

I had my Vredestein HiTrac's fitted on Friday and spent the last 5 days in Cornwall covering approximately 800 miles.

I can say that the tyres seem to handle at least as well as my previous ones (Michelin Pilot Premacy on the back and Pirelli P6000's on the front). They are, however, much much quieter.

I'll report back when I have covered a few more thousand miles.

 

[clive williams]

Mine is actually the saloon.............

Blobcat,

My apologies, there are that many 210 estates about its easy to forget that there are saloons as well especially when you've got an estate as well???!!! The comment still applies to W210s in toto.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[JPM993]

The Ultracs look pretty good! I can get them for £125 each (fitted) for 245/45/17 - Does that seem like a good price.

My local tyreweb said that the Eagel F1's don't come in this fitting, but that he would recommend Pirelli P-Zeros at £139 each.

Thoughts?

 

[Bob Penny]

I fitted Vredestein Ultracs to my BMW M5 (now sold) as a result of coming top in some tests that I read about and found them excellent in all respects. I will certainly consider them for my SL

 

[JPM993]

Excellent, cheers Bob!

 

[type49]

Heard nothing but praise for Vredestein ultracs, I also run an Impreza and these tyres are highly regarded in their forums. I have Goodyear F1s on my Impreza which are impressive. My C-class did have Mich pilot primacys but now has Continental sportcontacts which have much better grip in the wet and also much cheaper. I also had a front wheel drive Audi A6 with pilot primacys on the front and had major traction problems in the rain. I would'nt recommed pilot primacys to anyone.

 

[niva441]

I've just fitted Avon CR 85s for winter, more comments later on their performance. There is a bit more road noise, it's only fractionally more in a straight line, but more noticeable when cornering. £85/wheel.

 

[JPM993]

The Ultracs have been ordered and should be ready for fitting Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll let you guys know how they rate.

I guess that anything will be better than the current Dunlop SP9000's with the amount of thread left on the rears!

 

[JPM993]

OK, so the Ultracs are on!

I've only just covered 50 miles in them, so it is still way too early to give comprehensive feedback, but my initial observations are:

1. They are quieter than the previously Dunlops
2. They must have slightly softer sidewalls, as they definitely work better with the airmatic suspension.
3. The grip in wet conditions (greasy leaves and rain) was superb.
4. The thread design is stunning...better than the Eagle F1's which I've always loved.

9 out of 10!

I've just ordered some Wintracs for the ML!

BTW - Check out their Tyre Pressure website, it shows pressure for each individual car! www.keepthepressureup.com