Opinions on replacing budget tyres (on a budget car)
Discussion
I feel almost embarrassed to ask, but here we go...!
I've recently bought a 2017 Skoda Fabia, which has comfort-spec 185/60/15 tyres. Those fitted are 2 new Landsail LS388 up front and 1 each of an OEM Nexen and (a presumably puncture replacement) Autogrip at the rear,
All four are legal and have plenty of tread, but the mix of tread and them all being economy tyres makes my teeth itch. I had budgeted to replace them immediately.
However, I am aware that this is mainly a town car doing perhaps 2k miles p/a of local driving and rocks all of 110hp. Am I being wasteful if I replace the tyres and should I just get some use from them instead?
I've recently bought a 2017 Skoda Fabia, which has comfort-spec 185/60/15 tyres. Those fitted are 2 new Landsail LS388 up front and 1 each of an OEM Nexen and (a presumably puncture replacement) Autogrip at the rear,
All four are legal and have plenty of tread, but the mix of tread and them all being economy tyres makes my teeth itch. I had budgeted to replace them immediately.
However, I am aware that this is mainly a town car doing perhaps 2k miles p/a of local driving and rocks all of 110hp. Am I being wasteful if I replace the tyres and should I just get some use from them instead?
First I am surprised it is only 185mm width. We have a 2013 Fabia 1.2Tsi 89hp with 195/55x15” tyres.
Ours had Continental Premium Contacts, but last year we replaced the fronts with Vredestein Quatrac 5 (all seasons), and intend to replace the rears with those. Never had any ice/snow to fully test them, but they are a pretty good tyre for all year round even if you never meet any wintry conditions.
Ours had Continental Premium Contacts, but last year we replaced the fronts with Vredestein Quatrac 5 (all seasons), and intend to replace the rears with those. Never had any ice/snow to fully test them, but they are a pretty good tyre for all year round even if you never meet any wintry conditions.
I don’t think you are being silly at all and would get a decent set of tyres.
I once ummed and ahhed about replacing a set of oldish tyres on a shed I brought. One decided to blow out on the motorway and the fall out was horrendous. The air ambulance was called out. The roof of my car had to be cut off. The Mrs ended up in intensive care.
So apart from the branded / unbranded question, on an old shed, you never know how the existing tyres were treated? If the previous owner/s were lax about tyre pressures, they could be internally weakened and you wouldn’t know until it was too late.
Granted my situation was/is rare (but I bet much more likely than winning a lottery jackpot) and so are life saving emergency stops. But would you really want to be on the wrong side of such bets for the sake of £200?
Also the best tyres should go on the back, should you decide to economise. There are some youtube videos showing how cars can aquaplane on turns, quite suddenly snapping into oversteer if worn tyres are on the back. Also in cases of tyre blowouts, generally, a front blowout is easier to control than a rear blowout.
I once ummed and ahhed about replacing a set of oldish tyres on a shed I brought. One decided to blow out on the motorway and the fall out was horrendous. The air ambulance was called out. The roof of my car had to be cut off. The Mrs ended up in intensive care.
So apart from the branded / unbranded question, on an old shed, you never know how the existing tyres were treated? If the previous owner/s were lax about tyre pressures, they could be internally weakened and you wouldn’t know until it was too late.
Granted my situation was/is rare (but I bet much more likely than winning a lottery jackpot) and so are life saving emergency stops. But would you really want to be on the wrong side of such bets for the sake of £200?
Also the best tyres should go on the back, should you decide to economise. There are some youtube videos showing how cars can aquaplane on turns, quite suddenly snapping into oversteer if worn tyres are on the back. Also in cases of tyre blowouts, generally, a front blowout is easier to control than a rear blowout.
wyson said:
I don’t think you are being silly at all and would get a decent set of tyres.
I once ummed and ahhed about replacing a set of oldish tyres on a shed I brought. One decided to blow out on the motorway and the fall out was horrendous. The air ambulance was called out. The roof of my car had to be cut off. The Mrs ended up in intensive care.
So apart from the branded / unbranded question, on an old shed, you never know how the existing tyres were treated? If the previous owner/s were lax about tyre pressures, they could be internally weakened and you wouldn’t know until it was too late.
Granted my situation was/is rare (but I bet much more likely than winning a lottery jackpot) and so are life saving emergency stops. But would you really want to be on the wrong side of such bets for the sake of £200?
Also the best tyres should go on the back, should you decide to economise. There are some youtube videos showing how cars can aquaplane on turns, quite suddenly snapping into oversteer if worn tyres are on the back. Also in cases of tyre blowouts, generally, a front blowout is easier to control than a rear blowout.
Agree about best tyres on the rear, exactly for reasons stated.I once ummed and ahhed about replacing a set of oldish tyres on a shed I brought. One decided to blow out on the motorway and the fall out was horrendous. The air ambulance was called out. The roof of my car had to be cut off. The Mrs ended up in intensive care.
So apart from the branded / unbranded question, on an old shed, you never know how the existing tyres were treated? If the previous owner/s were lax about tyre pressures, they could be internally weakened and you wouldn’t know until it was too late.
Granted my situation was/is rare (but I bet much more likely than winning a lottery jackpot) and so are life saving emergency stops. But would you really want to be on the wrong side of such bets for the sake of £200?
Also the best tyres should go on the back, should you decide to economise. There are some youtube videos showing how cars can aquaplane on turns, quite suddenly snapping into oversteer if worn tyres are on the back. Also in cases of tyre blowouts, generally, a front blowout is easier to control than a rear blowout.
I've nothing against budget tyres as a rule, but Autogrip are astoundingly bad in the wet. I just couldn't live with them when they came on the front of my wife's Mini a while back. Fine in dry but understeered on wettish roundabouts as if it was icy. Had them in the bin within a week.
The cheapest tyres I'll personally use (that's because I think they're a good tyre, albeit a touch soft on the thicker sidewall versions) are the Nexen N'Fera SU1s
However, usually for not a lot more money you can get the Uniroyal RainSport 3s and 5s; both very good tyres IMO and work very well in the UK weather!
After that it's onto the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti & Satin tyres for me and then you're into the premium levels
We've Uniroyal RainSport 5s on my wifes Tin Cup, sorry, Racing Jazz in similar size to your Skoda OP and they're very good tyres
However, usually for not a lot more money you can get the Uniroyal RainSport 3s and 5s; both very good tyres IMO and work very well in the UK weather!
After that it's onto the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti & Satin tyres for me and then you're into the premium levels
We've Uniroyal RainSport 5s on my wifes Tin Cup, sorry, Racing Jazz in similar size to your Skoda OP and they're very good tyres
OP, not silly at all.
My son bought a car recently with 2 x Kormoran tyres (not on the same axle), a triangle and accelera tyre.
Make my teeth itch also, so the 2 Kormoran went on the front (6mm on both) and the rears now have Continental winters (5mm), part worns from a trusted tyre man near me. Sadly the size of the cars tyres, limits choice.
The Accelera and triangle still had 6mm. The Kormoran will be replaced in due course. He hasn't driven it much and the weather has been kind.
Personally, it's a safety thing for me. Put the best you can afford. As Dan says, Uniroyal are very decent and will more than likely, replace the Kormorans.
My son bought a car recently with 2 x Kormoran tyres (not on the same axle), a triangle and accelera tyre.
Make my teeth itch also, so the 2 Kormoran went on the front (6mm on both) and the rears now have Continental winters (5mm), part worns from a trusted tyre man near me. Sadly the size of the cars tyres, limits choice.
The Accelera and triangle still had 6mm. The Kormoran will be replaced in due course. He hasn't driven it much and the weather has been kind.
Personally, it's a safety thing for me. Put the best you can afford. As Dan says, Uniroyal are very decent and will more than likely, replace the Kormorans.
Pica-Pica said:
First I am surprised it is only 185mm width. We have a 2013 Fabia 1.2Tsi 89hp with 195/55x15” tyres.
Ours had Continental Premium Contacts, but last year we replaced the fronts with Vredestein Quatrac 5 (all seasons), and intend to replace the rears with those. Never had any ice/snow to fully test them, but they are a pretty good tyre for all year round even if you never meet any wintry conditions.
A quick search suggests Skoda switched to 185/60/15 after the facelift. My 2013 1.2 came with the larger 195/55/15s - Hankook OEM - which suit the car and are wearing well.Ours had Continental Premium Contacts, but last year we replaced the fronts with Vredestein Quatrac 5 (all seasons), and intend to replace the rears with those. Never had any ice/snow to fully test them, but they are a pretty good tyre for all year round even if you never meet any wintry conditions.
I had to get a set for my ol’ mans 05 Astra.
They are budget tyres... but are actually rebranded CONTINENTALS.
( couple of year old pattern).
My Dad tows a caravan... & the fitter advised me that they were a very good / hard wearing tyre. ( Strong tyre walls or something.).
Problem is... Can’t remember the brand.
They are budget tyres... but are actually rebranded CONTINENTALS.
( couple of year old pattern).
My Dad tows a caravan... & the fitter advised me that they were a very good / hard wearing tyre. ( Strong tyre walls or something.).
Problem is... Can’t remember the brand.
Milkyway said:
I had to get a set for my ol’ mans 05 Astra.
They are budget tyres... but are actually rebranded CONTINENTALS.
I've had several tyre place try to feed me this BS. It may well be using the old Continental moulds (as they are very expensive to make) but the carcass construction and rubber compound are more important to type performance than tread pattern and where cheap tyres inevitably fall down.They are budget tyres... but are actually rebranded CONTINENTALS.
Tony1963 said:
I never believe what a tyre fitter tells me when it comes to tyre brands and which tyres are ‘best’.
Some of the BS I've heard staff tell customers when I've been on a local tyre place borders on disgusting and blatant lies. Although I feel most of it is down to their own ignorance. Plus despite being one of the largest tyre retailers here.....you'd struggle to get the same tyre twice !Usually they will tell you anything just to sell you what they have in stock. Not what you should be buying for quality and safety.
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