Hi everyone,

I bought a set of part worn Yokohama 175/50x13 539's just over a week ago off LeCook, to replace a set of destroyed Nankangs.
Unfortunately the weather has been mainly wet - I think we have only had 1 proper dry day, which is a shame because these tyres are reputed to be better in the dry than the wet.
My experience so far is that these tyres are likely one of the best choices you can make for your car - admittedly I haven't tried the Maxxis so I can't comment.
The grip level is astonishing, I really haven't found anywhere where I can push them to their limits without getting scared of killing myself if I don't react quickly enough and roll my car!
The ride is slightly harder than the Nankangs, I'm guessing this is due to the 50 profile, but I do stand to be corrected on that.
Despite the slightly negative comments on the net about their wet performance I have found them to be excellent and the car is easily controlled under understeer conditions on my local test track (AKA Tamworth to Alrewas leg of A513) with nothing scary going on.
I suppose the best test they will get will be on the next autotest after xmas, but I am full of confidence they won't let me down.
Please don't buy Nankangs, save up a little extra and get 539's - you won't regret it.

i been saying this for years.. nearly all my centos have run a539 - i used to use conti sport contacts but they stoppped doing them in the size i use - i always ran 185/50r14 rather than 13s but the tyre choice is just as limited as you lot with 13s.

And you are right, they are not at all bad in the wet really but just you wait for a nice dry warm day, its mad how grippy they are - i think they are so good cause they are designed to be small tyres if that makes sense... They don't really come in any large sizes and are clearly designed with small cars on small wheel in mind.

Fitted these today! What a difference already from nanakangs!

seems you had the same nice surprise as I did, the difference is really staggering, and can't wait for summer now.
I've set mine at 30 PSI for starters, but that's a guess - what would be the right pressures for standard sporting suspension or is it a personal thing?
All I've got to get now is a set of Uniroyal Rainmaster 155/70 x 13 and I've got my multi use autotest/trials car, just need to fit a plastic sump guard

around 30-32psi depending on your preference really.. 32 front and 30 rear myself

I had these fitted yesterday:





Not fully had a chance to test them yet but I can brake twice as hard as I could with the Nankangs without locking up and it's very hard to make it understeer on roundabouts, if at all

I tend to run 32psi front and rear, really is personal preference. I should have some abarth spacers soon so things should be even better!

look really good. You'll have great fun overtaking big Mercs and BMW's with them!