Given
83%
while driving a
Ford Fiesta mk7
(185/60 R14 H) on
a combination of roads
for 100
average miles
Fitted the Proxes CF2 to my Fiesta 1,2 Mk7 one week ago. Initial impressions are very good, compared to the dreadful Conti EcoContact 2 they replaced (the Contis were NOT fully worn, they had lots of life in them, but couldn't stand the awful, snappy ride). Motivation for replacement was a search for a comfier tire, much more suited to real-life-condition roads.
Although tires are not fully scrubbed in (so I cannot comment on their grip, wet grip, etc.), as far as comfort and steering precision goes, they seem to please already: they have literally TRANSFORMED the car on rougher road surfaces, the feeling is literally almost as if new (different) shock absorbers were fitted - the ride is now pliant, and sharp imperfections are tackled with a much more refined, "oiled smooth" feeling through the seat, as opposed to the choppy, punishing ride the Contis gave (actually I thought my front shocks were defective, it was THAT bad....). It seems that the Proxes CF2 actually "clicks" very well with the stock Fiesta mk7 suspension, and they work in perfect harmony against bumps, potholes and other road imperfections. Extremely pleased.
Also, the secondary ride is FAR plushier, the car acquired that "gliding" (OK, not exactly wafting, it's a Fiesta after all...) feel, so much so, that the car's speed became more tricky to judge (if you not look at the speedometer).
Straight-line tracking is way better too, although perhaps not that much as could be achieved with some decidedly sporty type of tire (Potenzas, P Zeto etc), but it offers an extremely decent compromise (especially for the price (!)) between straight-line steering quality and comfort (both primary and secondary ride (!)).
Cornering is not yet possible to be judged, as the tires are still fairly new and not scrubbed-in, but dry grip seems
to be immense even now.
Steering precision in cornering is also way better than many other tires, although, ultimately it's not that positive in "steering feel" as a full-fledged sport tire would be, on these (awesomely engineered, still impossible to beat) Fiesta Mk7 chassis/steering system. Still, compared to the shabby OEM Contis, the steering feel "grew a size or two" with the Toyos, without any doubt.
I will report back once the tires reach an optimum mileage of 2,000-2,500 miles.
Verdict for now: a mature, "grown up" tire, that totally converts the Fiesta Mk7 from a fun, lively steer and an unbearably choppy ride for a "bearable" daily driver, (on bad roads), into a plush, sedan like ride, with ZERO loss of the steering & rear axle agility that the Mk7 is reknown for & legendary, whilst offering probably one of the very best ride comfort out there, and obtaining a "perfect chemistry" with the OEM shockers on the Fiesta. If you had doubts about the Mk7 being able to offer a plush, comfy ride, than try these and you'd be gobsmacked at the sheer difference of the experience. The Mk7 has so much sportiness & agility in its suspension, that I don't feel that I've lost any of it, in spite of the huge (night and day) difference in ride comfort that I gained. This is especially so with this particular size (185/60-14), as it seems to suit the stock, 1,2 Fiesta perfectly.
Simply put: these tires immediately added a layer of "big car plushiness" in the ride, that was previously inexistent
on the stock Contis.