After much deliberation, I've decided to post this in discussion as I'll probably get posts on the merits of each tyre. However, feel free to move it mods if it isn't relevant.
I'm sure you remember ages ago I was saying how my car was losing grip and should I change the tyres as one was especially worn. I followed your advice and left it for a while. However, due to a combination of things, namely the front right tyre wearing more than I like, driving past a Police checkpoint more days than not, and this strange problem whereby if you dab or brake normally at high speeds, the wheel will shake violently (don't think it's the discs - it only does it at 80+) I've decided to replace both the fronts sometime this week.
Now the place I normally go to is this little backstreet place who have seen me right in the past but only sell Firestones. However, Mum is a member of Costco who I believe deal only in Michelin and I'm thinking it might be time for a change.
So, which would you get? The tyre size is 195/55/R15 and all factors will be taken into consideration!
Thanks for any help,
Adam
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Each company sells a range of types of tyre ? so which Michelin or Firestone are you thinking of?
I think of Firestone as more of a budget brand ? a top end one, though. Our leasing company always used to try to fit Firestone, although I don?t remember the type. They did this because that tyre had longer life (it was treadwear 400, when most OEM tyres are in the range 180-240). The Firestones had poor wet grip ? but there may be other tyres in their range that are OK.
Michelin is a premium brand and some of their tyres are aimed at higher mileage drivers ? but they have other types that may be more suitable for what you want.
If you want a good all round tyre then Goodyear F1 GSD3 seems to be mentioned quite a lot in various forums.
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Thanks Bill.
I've no idea as to the models or anything so it looks lkke I'll have to do a little more research.
Thanks again,
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Blackcircles have got the Dunlop SP2000E on "special offer" at just under £70 fully fitted. Not sure how they compare.
_______
IanS
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I think there's little doubt that you'd get more miles (many more miles) out of any Michelin. I have Pilot Primacy on my MB and Pilot Exalto on the Golf VR6, two of the latter (205/55R15 86v) purchased in November from Micheldever for £141 including VAT (no fitting or balancing on this occasion). I find them very hard wearing, not noisy, and wholly compatible with my generally gentle style of driving. Whenever I've had a choice, I've always bought Michelin and never regretted it.
Try
www.mytyres.co.uk/
for very keen mail-order prices.
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I found Goodyear a lot quieter than Firestones-grip/wear were similar.
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Do a "car park" survey on tyre balance. I have found that on average, Firestone and Goodyear tyres require far more lead to achieve balance than Michelins. My view is that if a tyre manufacturer cannot mould his tyres accurately, then his production processes are not adequately well controlled.
On this basis, and a few other considerations, I only ever buy tyres from Michelin or Continental - their superior performance in most areas and blow-out resistance when properly treated makes them good value.
659.
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It only does it at 80.Hope it was not in the UK.
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A lot of suggestions here guys. Thanks very much for the help.
Just a question - if I bought some tyres off a website, would I just go to any tyre place and let them fit them for me? Is it as simple as that?
I thought Firestone were pretty good tyres - didn't realise they were value ones.
>>It only does it at 80.Hope it was not in the UK.<<
Yes it was and is. Is there a problem?
Thanks again for everyone's help.
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Another vote for Goodyear F1 GS-D3's here, great grip especially in the wet, very secure through deep surface water no hint of aquaplaning.
I think for your tyre size you can only get the F1 GS-D2 cost about £66 each at mytres.co.uk, I bought my last set there, had them delivered to my regular garage (4 tyres wouldn't fit in my car) who had them fitted no problem at all.
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I got the michelin tyres for my wifes car from costco last year.They fitted them while i waited.They were also £50 cheaper for the four tyres than any of my local tyre places.
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659 and turbo,
That is reassuring - especially about Michelin.
I'll do a bit more research and make a decision tomorrow.
Thanks again,
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Any place will fit and balance them if you pay.
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Why not try Vredstein's, just fitted a pair on the rear of my Mondeo 185/65/14 T rated, @ about £42 a corner, bought them from MyTyre.These tyres came top in a tyre test this summer and are
also well rated by the Germans in their auto test results.
Tread depth looks to be about 2-3mm more than a new Michelin/Goodyear, and so far has significantly improved the feel of the car.
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I've used Costco in the past for Michelin and been very happy. I have a card Adam, so if you fancy an afternoon near Manchester, let me know.
Also, can recommend Dave Sheldon tyres near Tom Garner Peugeot at the end of Deansgate in Manchester. Very helpful and obliging and specialise in 'performance' tyres.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Hi Adam, heres my two-pence worth.
My previous Focus had the same 195/65/15's, it came with Goodyear Eagle NCT's which lasted very well (37,000 on the fronts and 60,000 on the rear) and felt very grippy. the first change of the fronts was for Michelin (can't remember the type) but just didn't feel "right", I could never put my finger on what it was, but ballance, tracking etc. were all spot on. When it needed all four replacing I chose Dunlop Sport SP01's. These were very grippy in both wet and dry.
So my sugestion would be either the Goodyear's or the Dunlops. Even though neither are in the original chioce.
Cheers
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Go to Costco and get a set of Michelin Pilot Primacy. I have bought Michelin's for my Focus from Costco at Derby, and found them very efficient and cheap. They will only fit new tyres to the rear of your car, however much you plead with them.
I don't think anyone would argue with me if I say Michelin tyres are much better than Firestone's, in fact much much better.
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Thanks very much for everyone's help. I'll show this thread to my Dad and see what he says.
E, that is a very kind offer but Mum has a card (at least she did). But thanks very much for the offer.
Thanks again everyone,
Adam
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My choice would be Goodyear either NCT5 or F1 GSD3, got F1s on the Porker & they're great. Eventually put NCT5 on the Alfa & they were a vast improvement on the P6000s & ZZV1 that had been on it.
Jim
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Stop giving me more choices! I'm torn now;-)
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Just an update.
I took the car to Costco on Saturday and had the Michelins fitted. £140 quid for two. But their policy is to put the new tyres on the back and move the backs onto the front.
However, now that the backs are on the front, they're not a million miles away from needing replacement either. So in the next few weeks I'm going to have to look at replacing them.
Thanks again for all the help. It was, as always, very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Adam
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I took the car to Costco on Saturday ..
Which one did you go to? If it was Manchester, what did you think of the service etc?
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I went to the one in Haydock, Bill (Merseyside).
I left the car there and got a lift with Mum and Dad into town. Went back an hour later, picked up the keys, job done.
Put it this way, when I replace the fronts, I'll be going back there again.
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I am glad you are happy with Costco, just listen to me in future!
You will find that they will move your nearly new tyres to the front, and put the new ones on the back.
I notice that the new Michelins are cheaper than at quite a few other places mentioned on this site. Bosch batteries are a good buy as well.
The only problem with Costco is that while waiting, you can spend rather alot in the store. Still it's nice to have plenty of wine in stock.
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'Still it's nice to have plenty of wine in stock.'
oddly thats something I think their prices are terrible for.
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"They will only fit new tyres to the rear of your car, however much you plead with them."
I think that's consistent with the stance of all professional tyre fitters and tyre manufacturers. You'll find it explained at one of the major manufacturer's websites.
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Totally agree about michelin pilot primacy - I got 60000 out of the fronts on my 200bhp golf -replaced the rears due to old age!
Great tyre although £100 a corner for the golf
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Totally agree about michelin pilot primacy - I got 60000 out of the fronts on my 200bhp golf -replaced the rears due to old age!
You couldn't have been driving around many sharp bends, to get that sort of mileage out of front tyres, and front wheel drive, with that sort of power. Lots of motorway miles?
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Adamski,
Goodyear Eagle NCT 5.
But whatever you fit I've no doubt you'll wear them out in next to no time!
--
L\'escargot.
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Totally agree about michelin pilot primacy - I got 60000 out of the fronts on my 200bhp golf -replaced the rears due to old age! Great tyre although £100 a corner for the golf
What MPG did the Golf do?
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My golf mk IV 1.8T averages 38-40mpg commuting & 40-44 on long run but can easily be reduced to 30 if leaden right foot.
I am sure it is a bit less economical than the computer says - my calculations at fill up usually confirm 35-40. I recon for the extra expense and noise the diesel isn't worth the bother for a small car (controversial!). Actually I recon the 1.8T is a superb unit (mine was pre- coilpack problem)- put on A3 A4 A6 passat skoda Audi TT Seat etc. Also highly tunable with a £200 chip. I recon VW actually detuned the 1.8T to sell more R32s. At 245 lbft torque and 40mpg I am a happy golf owner (so far)...
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Writing as the gentle driver (I really am) of a Golf Mk III VR6, I am astonished by the report of 60k out of Michelin Pilot Primacy on the front of a 200 bhp Golf. I am more than pleased at approaching 25k on Michelin Pilot Exalto (Primacy not available for this model's standard wheels, although I have them on another car), and informal comments from HJ suggested that getting more than 20k was good going. The original Goodyears were spent at 18k.
Have you changed it into rear-wheel drive? Which model is it?
I bought some Exaltos recently for £141 the pair at Micheldever.
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Oops, I see that you have told us the model. I saw the first post and responded without reading the rest of the thread. I'm still very surprised, but do not doubt your word.
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Mk IV 1.8T 20V - chipped to 197bhp.
Admittedly mostly motorway miles though.
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Not a record though - I read in the paper (in Honest John) of a reader (? small Jap ? Honda) who got 115 000 out of his tyres. that IS going some!
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From the Honest John motoring column in Saturday's Telegraph:
Tread carefully
Regarding a recent letter about extended tyre life, I have owned my 1993L Citroën ZX turbodiesel estate from new and it still has the original rear tyres and spare after 136,495 miles.
P.H., Manchester
HJ: That beats the 107,000 miles reported by a reader with an old-shape Kia Sportage. You are the pace-setter, but it would be wise to replace those tyres as soon as possible on age grounds.
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P.S. I had that available because I had copied it to a friend with a ZX who thought he was doing well by getting 96k out of a pair of tyres.
What explains it? Citroen-Michelin conspiracy? Many motorway miles . . . which is certainly the case with my friend's motor.
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Always went with michelin until last change.
My local independent trye specialist (excellent relationship built up over 20 years) told me Michelins were not the tyre they were. lots of negative feedback from other customers on wear rates.
recommended Vredestein. Bought them, kept the £30 difference.
And guess what: better grip and better wear.
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I think (but dont know) that the long life of rear tyres on ZXs (and 306s) is probably related to the passive rear wheel steer that they both have minimising scrub on the tyre in fast cornering.
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