195/60 R15 88H currently on the alloy rims - 4 new tyres wanted.
Now, do I fit budget or leading brand - what is the best buy for my hard earned monies here?
Purchased budget tyres a few years ago. They had low grip in the wet and squealed when going around roundabouts and corners (at any speed) on dry roads.
I don\'t desire to go down that path again!
I took them off the car and replaced them with a leading brand within a few hundred miles. Yes, that bad.
I was told low grip/squeal was because they had a low rubber but high nylon content - hence cheap!
|
The factory fit on my Dad\'s 51 reg Astra were Dunlop SP\'s. Last year he had the fronts changed by the garage when it went in for a service. They fitted Aurora\'s (the cheapest on offer). Totally ruined the handing of the car and I wish he had listened to me when I said that I could have got him some more Dunlops off the internet at the same price as he paid for the Aurora\'s.
So my recommendation is to fit some Dunlop SP\'s.
|
Checking the various on line order/fit elsewhere sites shows that you can get a recognised brand for less than many 'budget' brands.
Having said that, colleagues and myself have been happy with far eastern brands.
Many are fitted as standard to new cars.
My Hyundai has Kumho Ecsta Supras , to conjure up a name!
|
The Goodyear Excellence is a good all-rounder, check out prices via www.etyres.co.uk - 195/60R15H - £58.60 inc VAT each, fully fitted price.
Also the Continental Premium Contact 2 - 195/60R15H - £67.30 inc VAT each, fully fitted price.
Edited by MikeTorque on 06/03/2008 at 22:29
|
On my 1.8 16V Astra estate I fitted Bridgestone Potenza 195/60R15H 88H.
They were at the time the cheapest non-budget brand I could find (but I´m in Germany).
They´ve been fine, and are wearing much more slowly than the Avons that were previously on the fronts.
|
Barchettaman - thank you for that very useful link and to all for your most informative replies.
|
Currently running on 190 60 H15 88
Could I put a lower and wider profile tyre on to the alloy rim this giving, I think, better tyre grip? If so how far in lower and wider a tyre profile could I safely go?
FIRESTONE - TZ200
195/50R15H
|
Sorry that should be - Currently running on 195 60 R15 H88
Could I go to 200 50 R15 H88?
|
Nope, made a decisioon here! Can I fit these to my car?
FIRESTONE - TZ200
195/50R15H
This high performance Firestone Firehawk TZ200 Fuel Saver is a touring tyre, giving superb comfort and a quiet drive for drivers of powerful new-generation saloons.
Features:
Combines a smooth and quiet drive with dependable wet performance. There is less risk of aquaplaning due to the lens shaped blocks with racing car nose-shaped edges
Wet handling is improved through Silica compound and optimised block contact pressure
EP Compound ensures consistent wet performance
www.etyres.co.uk/car-tyres-uk/detail?productId=3727
|
Firehawk TZ 200
ADAC Motorwelt - Mar 2007
Comparative Strengths - noise
Comparative Weaknesses - wet performance, wear
ADAC Motorwelt - Mar 2006
Comparative Strengths - dry performance, noise
Comparative Weaknesses - wet performance, wear
ADAC Motorwelt - Mar 2005
Comparative Strengths - noise, dry performance
Comparative Weaknesses - rolling resistance, wear
ADAC Motorwelt - Mar 2004
Comparative Strengths - all round performance
Comparative Weaknesses - rolling resistance
Auto Express - Aug 2006
Comparative Strengths - all round performance, dry handling
Comparative Weaknesses - none mentioned
TCS - 2007
Comparative Strengths - dry performance
Comparative Weaknesses - wet performance
Hope this helps.
|
|
Could I put a lower and wider profile tyre
Putting a lower profile tyre on the same size rim will make your speedo over-read.
Plugging the values into www.tyretraders.com/Tyrecalculator :-
Speedo reading Actual speed
20mph 18.73mph
30mph 28.09mph
40mph 37.46mph
50mph 46.82mph
60mph 56.19mph
70mph 65.56mph
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 07/03/2008 at 19:07
|
|
Costco (about £20 pa to join) do Michelins at almost unbeatable prices. I agree with comments about cheap tyres, stay off them unless you have tried before you buy - eg many swear by Scudo Stunners that are now obsolete I think. However I have used some Kleber Dynaxer's that seem very good too at decent price from .... ATS (nice people) no less.
|
|
|
|
|
