The most popular tyre on TyreReviews has finally been replaced!
Launched in February 2011, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is the most reviewed tyre on TyreReviews, and has stood the test of time well. The creatively named replacement, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 promises to move the game on in every area, but in particular is boasting much improved wet and dry braking, lower fuel consumption and vastly better wear characteristics.
The Launch
Sadly Goodyear decided not to launch the tyre to the press with a traditional track event, so we've yet to drive on the new rubber. Instead the Asymmetric 3 was launched via a very informative webinar format, which can be watched in its entirety here. Be warned, while is covers the Asymmetric 3 in great detail, at over 45 minutes long it's only a good watch for the biggest of tyre geeks!
Instead of giving automotive journalists the chance to test the tyre directly, Goodyear have engaged the industry leading test body TUV to test the new tyre against three leading competitors. The competitors chosen were the Michelin Pilot Sport 3, Bridgestone Potenza S001 and Continental Sport Contact 5, and all tests were carried out in 225/45 R17 91Y on a VW Golf. When compared to the average of the three premium competitors, the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 had:
- 2.6 meters shorter braking distance on wet roads, or 9% better performance
- 1.3 meters shorter braking distance on dry roads, or 4% better performance
- 4% better wet handling
- 10.9 % better rolling resistance than the average of leading competitors
- 31% better tread wear performance compared to the three main competitors (DEKRA test)
To achieve these results Goodyear have a number of new technologies in the tyre, including Active Braking, Grip Booster and Reinforced Construction, videos of which can be watched on our Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 YouTube playlist.
The Reviews
While we've not had the opportunity to drive on the new tyre, you have! At the time of writing, TyreReviews already has ten user reviews for the Asymmetric 3, which are all overwhelmingly positive. The new Goodyear has also featured in a magazine group test, finishing a strong second place.
We hope to be able to spend some time on the new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 before the summer is out, but from the initial testing, the new Goodyear looks to be an excellent addition to the strong UHP releases in 2016.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 will be sold in 17 to 20 inches, covering 41 sizes. The tyre will be on the market in certain sizes now, with the majority of sizes on sale by March 2016 and will cost the same as the outgoing Asymmetric 2. Runflat versions will be available later in 2016.
Hello TyreReviews,
I am trying to choose the best possible tyres for my Lexus RX450H 235/55/R20. It seems that there are so few options available for this size of rims. At the moment my rear tyres are Dunlop Sport Maxx and the front ones are Bridgestone H33. Hence, my question: do you think the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 (or possibly Pirelli Verde Scorpion) would be a better choice, instead of Dunlop Sport Maxx or Bridgestone H33? My priority is overall quality of ride, with reasonable/low level of noise. Thanks!
I do yes. The Nokian PowerProof also seems to be available in your size and is usually well regarded in comfort.
Thank you for your swift response. So would you go for Nokian PowerProof or Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3? How about the real noise level for both tyres in my size? Again, many thanks!
I don't know, it's been a long time since I've driven the Asym 3!
So just an update, I have dropped tyre pressure to 2.2 bar (31,9083psi). Ride is a little better on bumps. On the freeway is where this tyre really shines with almost effortless driving thanks to the 100% rolling resistance- rides very smooth.
I am still trying to get that smooth ride feel with acceptable cornering. Please help with comments if I go 17 225 50 will this make a diffrence with ride quality
What is your advice
Thanks for all the help
Hi Brenton,
Thanks for the feedback, and glad you're liking the tyres!
As mentioned at the end of the video, the differences in comfort between the tyres can made as much difference as wheel size.
If you look around tyre reviews there are a few tyres noted to be extremely comfortable in tests, the two that come to mind are the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance and the Uniroyal Rainsport 3, so I'd suggest looking at these come next tyre change.
With the extra comfort you will sacrifice some of the handling of the Eagle F1 tyre, but that sounds like a compromise you're happy with!
Hi there.. so based on the video I have decided to fit the 17 225 45 profile on my a4 rather than go 18 inch which compromises the ride. Initial feedback is that there is a bit more of road feedback on steering and driver footwell as compared to the hankooks...however marked improvement in handling and breaking in dry. It's as if the car breaks in it's own. Rolling resistance is also excellent. The only quib is that small imperfections are still noticeable in the car and the nature of the cars firm suspension doesn't help either. On crests it's kinda floatie. Overall it's a good rounded tyre. I still think comfort wise the nexen nfera su4 was more comfortable with slightly better rolling resistance. Dry grip not as good as the good years as3. If Nexen had better handling it would rival this tyre. Since I got this tyre discounted it was not so bad. Sales person advised going for p7 Pirelli cinturato as it's audi fitment but I refused. I wonder how that would have turned out??? Well I guess will run this tyre a bit more maybe I'll get accustomed to the comfort it gives seeing I've only driven 100km.
Hi. I purchased an Audi A4 from a pre owned dealership that was fitted with Nexen SU4 Nfera 17 225 45 tyres .Very comfy ride, low rolling resistance and road noise however the car would tend to lean in corners at normal cornering and at higher speed felt like tyre was rolling over the rim- really impressed on comfort though. I wasnt entirely happy with the cornering so I decided to get Hankook Ventus prime with the same profile as I had this fitted to a Peugeot 208 and was happy with the ride it gave after replacing the PS3 on that car cos ride was too hard in the bumps. The Hankooks on the Audi feel somewhat harder than the Nexen also the setup on the Audi is a little on the firm side but better cornering than Nexen. Surprisingly its not as quiet and stopping in dry is longer than the Nexen. Was looking at the reviews of the GY Asym3 and contemplating changing to this premium tyre. What are your thoughts and will I be happy with this for cornering when required as well as comfort. I am looking more for comfort but when the mood strikes need a tyre that can handle a little hard drive as well? Also if i upsize to 18 225 40 will the ride be much harder than with the 17 225 45 currently on car? Also what is the best tyre on the market for excellent ride quality comfort and reasonable handling in 17 inch.
PS: always owned Peugeots so ride was on softer side hence the adjustment to a much firmer ride now and the need for a comfort tyre that will help with this regard
Thanks
We've just uploaded a video that might answer all those questions at once!
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Hi TyreReviews,I'm was choosing between Michelin PS4& Goodyear Eagle F1 AS3
Which one is better to use(defining is fuel efficiency and exterior noise)
And other choice is Goodyear EFGP(better suit me??)
Can you help with this predicament?
Thanks
The only test to feature both the tyres was the 2016 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test, which the Michelin won - http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
Hi TyreReviews, I'm getting new tyres for my stock FN2 Civic Type R possibly in the next week or so (225/45/R18). It's a weekend car with the occasional track day. I really can't decide what tyre to go for!
I'm was choosing between Michelin PSS & Goodyear Eagle F1 AS3, but now the Michelin PS4 is in the mix (Possibly the Continental Sport Contact 6 too).
Is the PS4 better than the PSS/AS3 (My defining factor is dry grip)?
Is it worth the extra money for the PSS over the AS3?
When are the new PSS due for release, are they worth waiting for?
Are Continental releasing the SC6 in R18, is it worth waiting for?
With no direct back to back tests on most of these tyres I believe
a lot of people will be thinking of the above questions & choices.
Can you help with this predicament?
Thanks,
Jamie
PS4 would be our tyre of choice. The CSC6 won't be in the 18" size for a while if at all, the MPSS replacement likely won't be in 18", and the MPSS size range is being shrunk so even if you can find it in your size now, you'll likely struggle in the future.
There's lots of information on the PS4 vs PSS in the comments section of the launch article here: http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
TyreReviews, when are you going to update the user reviews section? I am interested in reading more reviews on these, but it hasn't been updated for weeks.
Hi Simon,
The user reviews section is updated when people leave reviews, sadly no one has recently!
I did a review of the Assymetric 2 about 3 weeks back and it hasn't been published yet.
Hi Simon,
Two possibilities, you're looking at the "top 3" reviews at the top of the page, not the "latest" reviews after the top 3, or for some reason your review didn't submit or wasn't approved.
I did get an email saying that the review was approved and it woukd be on the site within 36 hours I think. I keep an eye on quite a few tyres and nothing seems to have been updated for a while. Maybe your site has an issue with submissions, as I cannot believe that no one has submitted reviews.
The latest review of the Asymmetric 2 is August 19th, just 2 days ago:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
Scroll down past the "Top" reviews onto the "latest".
We'll update the site to make this more clear next week!
The fact that Goodyear decided to test this Asymmetric 3 against the old Michelin Pilot Sport 3 and the old Continental Sport Contact 5 (instead of the direct competitors Pilot Sport 4 and Sport Contact 6) speaks volumes about this tyre. The fact that it came 2nd in that magazine group test to that old Sport Contact 5 both in the wet and dry doesn't help its cause, either.
In Goodyears defense, they were testing the tyre in the most popular fitment size for the Asymmetric 3, 225/45 R17.
The Sport Contact 6 isn't made in 17 or 18", and at the time of the tests (Oct 2015) the Pilot Sport 4 wouldn't have been available.
When you feel you have a winner you want to test yourself against the best; they could (and should) have tested the R19 against the Sport Contact 6. They also knew the Pilot Sport 4 was coming out - testing their tyre a couple of months before their major competitor becomes available looks a bit like chickening out. Again, not the attitude of a winner.
what is the rim protection like on these . the old asymmetric 2 had the best rim protectors ive seen on any tyre. does this continue with the new Asymmetric 3?
We're just waiting for Goodyear to confirm this, though we suspect it will be on a per-tyre basis
I haven't owned Asym2 but I've cropped and increased the brightness of a picture I took before fitting my Asym 3. I took the picture since I noticed factory grinding (it was below the label) on the center block of one of the tyres.
I hope that helps you make a comparison.
I was wondering what does High and Low μ means. Quick search suggested it's "frictional coefficient" so I guess they test on different asphalt types.
Correct, low μ is a low grip surface, for example something you'd find on very worn smooth tarmac. High μ could a good quality fresh road! Low is usually around 0.3μ and high can be anywhere up to 0.9μ