Recommend me some tyres (195/55 R15)...

[Synchromesh]

Can anyone give me some advice as to which tyres I should buy next? I need a pair for my VW Polo (100bhp) which fit on 195 section 15 inch wheels, also around a 55 profile. At the mo I have the dreaded Pirelli P6000 so anything is better but does anyone have any advice?

I'd like them to be fairly long lasting, and have good all weather performance (not winter tyres but just good in the wet in particular). Progressiveness and feel and more important than outright grip in the dry.

Thanks in advance!

[LuS1fer]

For a budget tyre, Kumho Ecstas are pretty good dry and wet but as I found, in the snow - totally useless. I wouldn't go wild on a 100hp car.

[DannyVTS]

"Around 55 profile"

Make sure its the right tyre Definitley 55 profile or not?

http://camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m53b0s288p...

I'd go for the T1R proxes @ £46

Not a common size so not cheap tyres

You sure its not 185 55?

[Synchromesh]

Well at the moment my P6000's are 195/55 hence why I said 55 as I'm sure it wouldn't matter if I put on 195/50's or 195/60's would it?

Also I don't mind splashing out a bit to get some good rubber. IMO it's the only thing between the car and the road so needs to be as good as it can really, hence why I'm asking for help before deciding. I'm happy to pay up to £100 per tyre but would prefer to pay about £75 each really so most suitable tyres are within budget.

[HellDiver]

Hankook Ventus Prime. My folks have them on their Mazda 2, I have them on my Mondeo. For the price they're hard to beat.

[Daaaveee]

DannyVTS said:

"Around 55 profile"

Make sure its the right tyre Definitley 55 profile or not?

http://camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m53b0s288p...

I'd go for the T1R proxes @ £46

Not a common size so not cheap tyres

You sure its not 185 55?

Same here, used T1Rs in this size on my 145 when I had it and was pleased with them for the price.

[rb5230]

195/50/16 is a more common size and better looking. The kumho ku31 is a decent cheapish tyre and the falken 452`s are pretty good too, and i have just bought myself a set of toyo t1r`s but am yet to test them due to the weather.

and this will help you work out what difference it might make to your speedo.
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_size_calculators.htm...

so at 70 mph you will be travelling at 67.71mph which seems good to me. Only other thing to think of is it will have a slight affect on ride quality although i would have thought this will be negligable.

[BeeRoad]

I'm finding these sticky, smooth-riding and wearing well on my Mazda 6 MPS:

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m53b0s...

[Chris71]

LuS1fer said:

For a budget tyre, Kumho Ecstas are pretty good dry and wet but as I found, in the snow - totally useless. I wouldn't go wild on a 100hp car.

Had them on the Focus last year. Not the best feedback and they wore down pretty quickly, but otherwise good in normal conditions. However the snow/slush performance was terrible - I've put some [regular summer/all-round] Contis on now, which feel like snow tyres in comparison!

[pmanson]

rb5230 said:

195/50/16 is a more common size and better looking. The kumho ku31 is a decent cheapish tyre and the falken 452`s are pretty good too, and i have just bought myself a set of toyo t1r`s but am yet to test them due to the weather.

I've just got a set of the Falken 452s on my MG ZT... The Kumho KU31 were the other choice but there didn't seem to be much difference in the reviews.

[nammynake]

Michellin Pilot Exalto 2. Had these on my Puma and they were excellent. Very good all-round tyres and epic in the wet.

[Synchromesh]

It's an absolute minefield this tire business. I've been offered £60 fitter per tyre on Uniroyal Rainsports at my local place which seems very reasonable and they seem to rated very highly. Has anyone tried them?

Are these ratings any good?
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Grid/

[Fizpop]

I have just had Vredestein Quatrac 3's fitted in that size on my Fiesta. I was needing a set of 4 last month so thought I would try 'all season' tyres as my Bridgestone Turanzas were rubbish in the snow. £61 each fitted, balanced, old ones shot of etc, inc VAT from Mytyres and using their local fitter.

Having had them on for a month in some of the worst driving weather I have seen (NE England), I can honestly say that they are the best tyres I have ever had. It's on a Fiesta so high performance isnt an issue, but snow and wet grip is fantastic (even when I have tried to get it stuck, well sort of tried)road noise is improved as is comfort. I dont know about longevity yet but even if it's near comparable to the Bridgestones I will fit them to every car I get.

Really cant praise them enough

[curlie467]

DannyVTS said:

"Around 55 profile"

Make sure its the right tyre Definitley 55 profile or not?

http://camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m53b0s288p...

I'd go for the T1R proxes @ £46

Not a common size so not cheap tyres

You sure its not 185 55?

Its not common but mine has that size too, when i need to replace i will be changing size to 195/50/15 then the world is my oyster!

[Synchromesh]

OK thanks all for the help. I've now made a shortlist;

Michelin Energy Saver £107 fitted <Too expensive
Michelin Pilot Exalto £110 fitted <Too expensive
Uniroyal Rainexpert £60 fitted
Hankook Ventus V12 £53 fitted (195/50)
Dunlop SP Fast Response £82 fitted

Edited by Synchromesh on Wednesday 22 December 17:17

[Jonny671]

Synchromesh said:

OK thanks all for the help. I've now made a shortlist;

Michelin Pilot Exalto £? fitted
Uniroyal Rainexpert £60 fitted
Hankook Ventus V12 £? fitted
Dunlop SP Fast Response £? fitted
Michelin Energy Saver £? fitted

Make sure, 100% that the cost they give you is fitted, including balancing and disposal of the old tyre.. Including VAT too. I called a few tyre places when we did a comparison and not all of them gave me that total, a few were just the tyre then added on the rest when you were there, not good.

[Aizletree]

I always liked the continental premium contact, great wet and dry handling. Not that cheap though. Available in 195/50.

[Synchromesh]

I'm edging towards the Rainexperts based on this: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Uniroyal/RainExp...
compared to this http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Sport-... (which are also quite a bit more expensive)
and these http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/Ventus-V... which don't come in my size

[rb5230]

Synchromesh said:

I'm edging towards the Rainexperts based on this: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Uniroyal/RainExp...
compared to this http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Sport-... (which are also quite a bit more expensive)
and these http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/Ventus-V... which don't come in my size

I think some of the other suggestions in this thread are for a better all round tyre than those you have listed and are also cheaper.

Michelins are the best in the business but are very expensive and probably not really worth it for a 100bhp polo.

[GPR13]

I have maxxis victor ma-z1's on my puma. They are cracking in wet weather, pretty darn good in the dry but distinctly average in the snow. If you can find a pair and the price is right they are worth a go.