How do you choose new tyres?
How do you choose new tyres?
Author
Discussion

chrisw666

Original Poster:

22,655 posts

228 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
It's no wonder so many people just pick the cheap ones.

I need a new pair of tyres (and soon after will need another pair) and at the minute the only thing I know is that I don't want the cheap ones and don't want another set of Pirelli P6000s as I quite enjoy being able to use the car when the roads are moist without fear of death.

So what would people suggest as tyres (225/47/17) for an S60 which doesn't need to go round corners quickly on a regular basis, because my current option is to just set a limit of £100 a corner and buy whatever my local tyre place can do for that price.

conkerman

3,513 posts

164 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
I bought some Kumhos for quite a bit less than that for my Volvo. They are absolutely fine.



Fattyfat

3,310 posts

225 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
I usually try and go for the 'best' deal on a brand name.

I did venture into budget territory on my Saab, bought 4 Sunitrac tyres on recommendation of the tyre fitter and to be fair they are not bad. Compared to the continentals fitted to my other Saab though, difference is night and day.

I'll be putting new rubber on my Mr2 when it comes out of hibernation at Easter, will have to do a little research and buy accordingly.

jon-

16,534 posts

245 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
Erm... shameless plug but on topic.

www.tyrereviews.co.uk helps me.

Other sources - owners forums can be quite useful as certain cars seem to work well with certain tyres, but as a whole, tyre tests and user reviews.

I don't trust any garages anymore.

MonkeyHanger

9,267 posts

271 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
I just got a pair of Michelin Pilot Sport 3s from my tyres.co.uk . I'm assuming you meant 225/45x17.....

The tyres were £96 each (cheaper than I paid for the same tyres 2 years ago) and a local garage is fitting them tomorrow for £18

They're by far the best tyres I've had on any car and are excellent in anything other than sheet ice or hard packed snow.

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Thursday 23 January 12:37

Qubit

142 posts

152 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2 is usually rated the best around that price. Ive got some in that size on my car and they are OK. Personally Id probably opt for some Falken Euroall AS200 all seasons as they are bit cheaper and seem quite highly rated in wet and winter conditions

V8mate

45,899 posts

218 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
chrisw666 said:
So what would people suggest as tyres (225/47/17) for an S60 which doesn't need to go round corners quickly on a regular basis, because my current option is to just set a limit of £100 a corner and buy whatever my local tyre place can do for that price.
Falken FK452/453 have always been my mid-range tyre of choice.

Good combination of comfy and grippy.

wemorgan

3,583 posts

207 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
search on http://www.camskill.co.uk/, sort by price, then chose based on brand name and ratings.

otolith

68,849 posts

233 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
Just ask the guy at the desk, he will probably have some great tyres, "made in the same factory as ...., mate" and his recommendation will have nothing to do with the margin on them. wink

minghis

1,578 posts

280 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all

Go for mid priced sub premium but more than the unpronounceables from the budget shelf.

So Kumho, Barum, Hankook, Avon & Falken would be a sensible bet. All of these are perfectly acceptable and in many cases are second line brand names of premium priced manufacturers anyway, think Volkswagen and Skoda if you get my drift.

I would be inclined to not overly trust the opinions of your local fitters as they will usually be pushing you towards what they're on some deal with the manufacturer or what's on a sales promotion.


8bit

5,529 posts

184 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas are great value and perform brilliantly, wet and dry. I even got through those two very snowy winters a couple of years ago on them without issue.

creampuff

6,511 posts

172 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
chrisw666 said:
It's no wonder so many people just pick the cheap ones.

So what would people suggest as tyres (225/45/17) for an S60 which doesn't need to go round corners quickly on a regular basis, because my current option is to just set a limit of £100 a corner and buy whatever my local tyre place can do for that price.
Event tyres have Continental Sport Contact 5 for £109 a corner fitted in that size. I have these and am quite happy with them; they appear to be very good in the wet.

Failing that I'd just pick anything of Bridgestone/Michelin etc for your budget like you said wink

SilverPhoenix

82 posts

153 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
There are plenty of decent mid-range tyres available in that size for under £100, even some 'premium' brands!

I'd buy online and get a local garage to fit them.

I always use Vredestein's on my cars now, except for the 4-wheel drives.

CO2000

3,177 posts

238 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
8bit said:
Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas are great value and perform brilliantly, wet and dry. I even got through those two very snowy winters a couple of years ago on them without issue.
Yes these are great
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s16p111355/Vredeste...

markmullen

15,877 posts

263 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
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I put a huge amount of business through my tyre place, up to 20 cars a month, so they know when I ask about tyres for my own they look after me.


ToothbrushMan

1,772 posts

154 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
by reading lots of reviews - one area that gets very little mention is that of tyre noise.

Some tyres start to sound like worn wheel bearings after just a few thousand miles - an annoying and expensive mistake. what do you do? youve barely put any miles on them yet you cant put up with the groaning noise that goes right through the car.....

check on noise levels most tyres have a Db rating but that is when they are new. what that Db rating would be like after 5000 miles is anybodys guess so read up from people who have already made the mistake and buy on recommendation.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

278 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
MonkeyHanger said:
I just got a pair of Michelin Pilot Sport 3s from my tyres.co.uk . I'm assuming you meant 225/45x17.....

The tyres were £96 each (cheaper than I paid for the same tyres 2 years ago) and a local garage is fitting them tomorrow for £18

They're by far the best tyres I've had on any car and are excellent in anything other than sheet ice or hard packed snow.

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Thursday 23 January 12:37
I'd go with Primacy 3 for a Volvo.

PS3 are a fine tyre, fitting a set to my DD next month

Fastra

4,289 posts

238 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
Check the tyre wall stiffness!

I suffered from mixing 'soft' Dunlops and 'hard' Bridgestones, the results are quite startling when you're not expecting it.

frown

minghis

1,578 posts

280 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
ToothbrushMan said:
by reading lots of reviews - one area that gets very little mention is that of tyre noise.

Some tyres start to sound like worn wheel bearings after just a few thousand miles - an annoying and expensive mistake. what do you do? youve barely put any miles on them yet you cant put up with the groaning noise that goes right through the car.....

check on noise levels most tyres have a Db rating but that is when they are new. what that Db rating would be like after 5000 miles is anybodys guess so read up from people who have already made the mistake and buy on recommendation.
I had this with Uniroyal Rainsport 2's on a VX Insignia. Drove me mad. Quite common, apparently. Allegedly some tyres just don't suit certain cars (despite how good the tyre is generally). Stepping is the word they used, and it sounded like a droning noise similar to a failing wheelbearing.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

278 months

Thursday 23rd January 2014
quotequote all
minghis said:
I had this with Uniroyal Rainsport 2's on a VX Insignia. Drove me mad. Quite common, apparently. Allegedly some tyres just don't suit certain cars (despite how good the tyre is generally). Stepping is the word they used, and it sounded like a droning noise similar to a failing wheelbearing.
Yup, mainly due to independent rear suspension settings.