Anyone know about car tyres?

[brundles]

Well it's time to replace some of the tyres on the car again and given the cost of the damn things I wondered whether anyone had any thoughts on budget type tyres vs branded.

In the past I've tended to go for whatever is the cheapest available but I've read a few things about that being a false economy.

Any thoughts, advice or recommendations appreciated.

Thanks!

[wotsit]

it really depends on your driving ,do you do long motorway journeys or just puddle around town ,also what car

[keithwalton]

Budgets can indeed be a false economy, they either dont last anywhere near as long, or they just dont perform.
I had a pair of low end (not ultra budget) khumo's kh15's on the front of my car.
To start off with they were good with plenty of grip. Then one day they just went hard. (They use soft rubber to start off with so in performance tests they come out good, then they use a much harder rubber to give decent life) most people probably wouldnt of noticed the difference between the change over as it would of been gradual.
However my xantia is notoriously hard on front tyres and i was intending on replacing them in a few months anyway (when i had money for decent tyres)

This all happend about 3500 miles into the life of the tyres, they have since been sent to the rear of my car and replaced with Avon ZV3's at the front.

If you want life out of tyres then go for the 'eco' branded tyres, they will also help with fuel economey.
If you want lasting performance then go for the 'sport' branded tyres.

Personally i prefer avon zv3's, pirrelli p6ks are also good (but hate mud) goodyear eagles are legendary for there smooth road (wet / dry) performance but again fall down on mud and such.

There are plenty of review websites about which will try and quantify tyres, talking to someone who has done alot of miles on different tyres is good

[Angua]

Decent tyres will add to the handling and safety and a keithwalton says the right tyres for how you use the car is the best way. We have the sport version car so have Sport rated tyres and the car sticks to the road like glue

[Nanook]

Take a look here http://www.blackcircles.com/
You choose your tyres, choose weather to have them delivered to your home & fit them yourself or choose to have them delivered to one of their approved fitting outlets in your area for fitting.

[laptopsrd]

Took the words right of my mouth. Used Black Circles a couple of times. fantastic service and good prices.

Top company in my experience

[Osem]

I'd never buy cheap unbranded tyres. There are lots of deals around on the well known and respected types but I always use Costco for mine - the range they stock is small (Michelin and a few others) but the prices are very good in my experience. If you are not a member you can either go with someone who is or join on the day and pay the annual fee (£23?) which if I recall correctly is refundable anytime in the year if you are not satisifed with your membership.

[bob_a_builder]

the annual fee (£23?) which if I recall correctly is refundable anytime in the year if you are not satisifed with your membership.

you are correct

Costco's Double Guarantee

....... We will refund your annual membership fee at any time if you are not fully satisfied.

[brundles]

Thanks for the responses - Black Circles seems to get quite a few thumbs ups looking around the net.

In terms of driving it's a combination of motorway driving and town driving. Nothing particularly biased in either direction.

[Vlad_Dracul]

Presumably all tyres have to be manufactured to confirm with certain EU/BS certification.

My view has always been that if you stick to the speed limit and drive sensibly then you dont need to spend a fortune on top branded tyres. I dont by no mark imported cheapo tyres,i by a couple of steps up from them but i dont buy exepnsive big brands. Having said that,im driving a Golf and the typre sizes are common. If you have low profile typres or big fat wide ones then it will cost you££

[Gareth]

Choice of tyres can save your life... don't scrimp on them. They are what is standing between you and the road when you're doing 90 on the motorway.

[andygrif]

Originally Posted by Osem

I always use Costco for mine - the range they stock is small (Michelin and a few others) but the prices are very good in my experience.

AFAIK Costco only sell Michelin tyres. But they are good value compared to the usual suspects.

Michelins generally last longer than softer tyres too, but are more prone to road noise.

Pirellis tend to be much better on road noise, but don't last as long. They also handle better on my car than the Michelins....but this is very specific to your type of car, load of your car, etc.

I've also heard good things about Yokahamas, a friend of mine has them on his 5 Series and it handles pretty well...and they were very good value.

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Gareth

Choice of tyres can save your life... don't scrimp on them. They are what is standing between you and the road when you're doing 90 on the motorway.

Indeed, the two occasions where I've ended up spinning off the road were due to tyres as I was doing 40mph and 30mph and they weren't sharp bends either! (30mph where Kumho's on the rear of my Xantia in the wet)

[Osem]

Originally Posted by andygrif

AFAIK Costco only sell Michelin tyres. But they are good value compared to the usual suspects.

Michelins generally last longer than softer tyres too, but are more prone to road noise.

Pirellis tend to be much better on road noise, but don't last as long. They also handle better on my car than the Michelins....but this is very specific to your type of car, load of your car, etc.

I've also heard good things about Yokahamas, a friend of mine has them on his 5 Series and it handles pretty well...and they were very good value.

Not sure about that - haven't bought tyres from Costco for a while and Michelin is certainly the main brand but i have bought BF Goodrich there and another brand I can't recall right now. Possibly these are owned by Michelin though.

[keithwalton]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Indeed, the two occasions where I've ended up spinning off the road were due to tyres as I was doing 40mph and 30mph and they weren't sharp bends either! (30mph where Kumho's on the rear of my Xantia in the wet)

Its kinda why i have part worn kumho's on the rear of my xantia just to get the backend abit looser, its not as safe but it just makes it a little more fun and at slower speeds.
I did find when at the front the kumho's were good on dry smooth roads, abit of loose gravel and they werent too happy (had quite a moment of understeer at 50 on a B road) when the roads were just slightly damp / greasey the car just understeered everywhere (even though i had rears approaching legal limit at the time)
full wet though and the kumho's got some grip back.