Tyres - How important are they to you
Discussion
Sn1ckers said:
My main car is a BMW 435i with lots of electronic aids to keep it on the road. I would not put budget tyres on it because of my experience with the vehicle I do most miles in; a Transit Connect 1.8tdci with about 80 Bhp.
To explain, I’ve had the Connect longer than any other vehicle I’ve ever owned (circa 9 years now) and have had a variety of tyres in that time. It has no abs or traction control so relies entirely on the tyres for stopping and getting off the mark. Cheap tyres have on both occasions I’ve used them locked up remarkably easily and spin equally easily when trying to nip out of junctions. Better tyres don’t. I currently have Pirelli’s which are fine. Goodyear’s we’re good.
It’s remarkable how driving such a basic car (van) exposes tyres much more than when used on more sophisticated cars (like pretty much everything available in 2021).
A nine year car with no ABS. Explain.To explain, I’ve had the Connect longer than any other vehicle I’ve ever owned (circa 9 years now) and have had a variety of tyres in that time. It has no abs or traction control so relies entirely on the tyres for stopping and getting off the mark. Cheap tyres have on both occasions I’ve used them locked up remarkably easily and spin equally easily when trying to nip out of junctions. Better tyres don’t. I currently have Pirelli’s which are fine. Goodyear’s we’re good.
It’s remarkable how driving such a basic car (van) exposes tyres much more than when used on more sophisticated cars (like pretty much everything available in 2021).
Having not read the full thread I'll just put a marker down as more important than my family and everyone I've ever met. That said I have the best tyres on sale according to multiple tests. The Corsas for the Quadrifoglio were awful, almost full stop, great in very specific conditions and not appropriate for road use.
underwhelmist said:
Frankthered said:
I bought some Bridgestones and swapped the Stunners onto the back as the Michelins were starting to perish
I thought you were always meant to have your best tyres on the rear, regardless of FWD/RWD/AWD.No budget tyres for me, especially on the bike. Although I haven't been impressed with all premium brands - I've had much better experience with Bridgestone and Continental on the car than Pirelli. Never had Michelin on a car but I've been impressed with them on the bike.
My understanding of the "best tyres on the rear" debate predominantly relates to FWD cars and is a bit more specific than "best" tyres, but is rather about deepest tread depth to ensure that the rear doesn't break traction before the front when encountering standing water. It's mostly related to FWD cars because the front tyres wear out much more quickly than the rears.
With AWD/4WD, the usual recommendation (requirement??) is to replace all four tyres at once, isn't it? So the point seems to be moot.
With RWD, the advice used to be to rotate the tyres, front to rear (as long as they're the same size) because the fronts tend to wear on the shoulders, but the rears will tend to wear more in the centres of the tread, so, in theory at least, you could extend the life of the tyres by doing this. I guess the goal would be to need to replace all four at once.
YMMV.
I am also not a fan of Pirellis, having experienced the less than wonderful P6000s. I would be wary of trying them again, TBH.
I drive a big standard Focus ST-3 2016. It gets driven hard now and again. It’s fwd, with 250 BHP so more than enough power. Recently fitted Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all round. What an amazing difference. In the wet, solid, in the dry so good. Very progressive at the limit, which is very high. Best performance “mod” I’ve done!
JKS1234 said:
1. Do you always buy premium or do you prefer budget ?
2. What is your reasoning for this?
3. do you believe the premium tyres last longer and save more in MPG
1. Midrange or above, not budget. MPS4 on the AMG, AD08R on the RX-7.2. What is your reasoning for this?
3. do you believe the premium tyres last longer and save more in MPG
2. Tyres make a tangible difference to the subjective enjoyment of driving a car. I'm prepared to spend more on a car because I like the way it drives, logically I'm therefore also prepared to spend a relatively small amount more on its tyres for the same reason. Good tyres are actually IMO a cheap way to improve a car, compared to other mods.
3. No.
As an example, I bought a 350Z that came with some 'Accelera' tyres on the back, I think it was. Accelerating on a wet road, the back went sideways with wheelspin and then the TCS kicked in abruptly, felt like a complete power cut. I put MPS4 on, same road, same weather and the TCS intervention was barely perceptible, just felt like a slight loss of power from the engine, car kept straight and accelerated fine. So a very noticeable difference.
I acknowledge that I was also replacing old tyres with new, which is hard to avoid. Given it's hard to be 100% certain, yet the impact of tyres is so significant, I'd rather pay a bit more and get something that's widely recommended, and get on wiht enjoying my cars.
charltjr said:
Tyres are very important, but I don't just blindly buy "premium" brands.
In the size I needed, it turned out that Kumho made the best tyre available and at a good price too, so that's what I got. The "big name" alternatives were all poorer performers when tested.
Always research and try to find a comparative test for your specific size - the best 19" tyre may well not be the best tyre when scaled down to 16", for example.
My car came with 19" Michelin PSS tyres that were pretty hopeless when it was cold, grey and drizzly. In the size I needed, it turned out that Kumho made the best tyre available and at a good price too, so that's what I got. The "big name" alternatives were all poorer performers when tested.
Always research and try to find a comparative test for your specific size - the best 19" tyre may well not be the best tyre when scaled down to 16", for example.
I had a set of 18s refurbed a couple of months ago and new Kumho Ecstas fitted - they just seem to cope so much better with UK weather conditions!
HustleRussell said:
Tye Green said:
no-one seems to have any evidence that expensive brands are any 'better' than cheaper brands (or please publish it if you have!)
…and I suppose the earth is flat? Everyone should read the ADAC tests on AutoBild for proper testing with numerical values as well as subjective handling feel/tyre behaviour comments to.
The difference between the good and the bad especially in wet braking tests can be staggering even at 50mph... If people considered the 10-25m difference in terms of car lengths it's easier to appreciate how on one set of tyres you would have stopped, where as on s
t tyres you'd have 3-4 car lengths more stopping distance which is very likely the difference between smashing into the back of someone and not.
There can also be a massive difference between “Premium” brands. When I bought my Boxster, it had ‘N’ rated Continental tyres with about 6mm all round. The PSM light was on a lot with moderate driving on anything but a dry road. Mentioned this to the Indy who does my servicing and said I thought the geometry was out - can I have a four wheel alignment please?
Alignment done, nothing major required…. He did suggest replacing the Continentals with PS2s though (this is before the PS4S was available). After a few months, that’s what I did…. Car totally transformed: much more grip on wet roads, dry grip better than before, have rarely seen the PSM light up since.
And don’t start me on the importance of cold weather tyres
Alignment done, nothing major required…. He did suggest replacing the Continentals with PS2s though (this is before the PS4S was available). After a few months, that’s what I did…. Car totally transformed: much more grip on wet roads, dry grip better than before, have rarely seen the PSM light up since.
And don’t start me on the importance of cold weather tyres
Very.
Used to have Contis on my Z4MR and switched to MPSS. Night and day difference and the added grip made it confidence inspiring on a decent B Road.
Unfortunately, it's really a dry condition tyre and the UK sees way more cold wet days then hot dry ones so switched to MP4S on my M2C.
I don't feel I've lost that much dry performance but reckon in the wet / cold it will feel much safer.
My £0.02
Used to have Contis on my Z4MR and switched to MPSS. Night and day difference and the added grip made it confidence inspiring on a decent B Road.
Unfortunately, it's really a dry condition tyre and the UK sees way more cold wet days then hot dry ones so switched to MP4S on my M2C.
I don't feel I've lost that much dry performance but reckon in the wet / cold it will feel much safer.
My £0.02
Cliffe60 said:
EarlOfHazard said:
Got Sumitomos on my Citroen C4, apparently they're Falkens but older models of Falkens.
They seem to get good reviews and seem perfectly fine tbh.
They seem to get good reviews and seem perfectly fine tbh.
“Apparently”. How many times has that been quoted on tyre threads?
Xyzs No Grips are apparently made by Michelin in Shanghai .,so they must be OK.
The next time you walk through a random carpark, glance down and check out the tyres on 10 cars. I'd bet more than half of them are on non "premium" tyres. You see it every day if you make a point of looking. From £30 Ting Tings on small runarounds, to almost bald no brand 20's on school run mums tank.
The hard truth is, as long as it passes an MOT, most people don't care.
So while you sit there all sanctimonious about your exellent tyre choosing ninja skills, you are following, being followed by, and being passed by 70mph potential death traps on a daily basis.
The hard truth is, as long as it passes an MOT, most people don't care.
So while you sit there all sanctimonious about your exellent tyre choosing ninja skills, you are following, being followed by, and being passed by 70mph potential death traps on a daily basis.
0ddball said:
The next time you walk through a random carpark, glance down and check out the tyres on 10 cars. I'd bet more than half of them are on non "premium" tyres. You see it every day if you make a point of looking. From £30 Ting Tings on small runarounds, to almost bald no brand 20's on school run mums tank.
The hard truth is, as long as it passes an MOT, most people don't care.
So while you sit there all sanctimonious about your exellent tyre choosing ninja skills, you are following, being followed by, and being passed by 70mph potential death traps on a daily basis.
You are correct, and touch on nicely what I mentioned earlier, we can only control our own choices, and not of those around us and especially of those who just care about the MOT pass. BUT, choosing the best tyres (where possible and researching) puts you and your loved ones in a more safer position. The hard truth is, as long as it passes an MOT, most people don't care.
So while you sit there all sanctimonious about your exellent tyre choosing ninja skills, you are following, being followed by, and being passed by 70mph potential death traps on a daily basis.
That investment of a good tyre on your vehicle may mean you have not aquaplanned, you have not lost grip on a corner, and you have managed to stop in time and prevent an accident (possibly even saved a life in the process)
JKS1234 said:
0ddball said:
The next time you walk through a random carpark, glance down and check out the tyres on 10 cars. I'd bet more than half of them are on non "premium" tyres. You see it every day if you make a point of looking. From £30 Ting Tings on small runarounds, to almost bald no brand 20's on school run mums tank.
The hard truth is, as long as it passes an MOT, most people don't care.
So while you sit there all sanctimonious about your exellent tyre choosing ninja skills, you are following, being followed by, and being passed by 70mph potential death traps on a daily basis.
You are correct, and touch on nicely what I mentioned earlier, we can only control our own choices, and not of those around us and especially of those who just care about the MOT pass. BUT, choosing the best tyres (where possible and researching) puts you and your loved ones in a more safer position. The hard truth is, as long as it passes an MOT, most people don't care.
So while you sit there all sanctimonious about your exellent tyre choosing ninja skills, you are following, being followed by, and being passed by 70mph potential death traps on a daily basis.
That investment of a good tyre on your vehicle may mean you have not aquaplanned, you have not lost grip on a corner, and you have managed to stop in time and prevent an accident (possibly even saved a life in the process)
RDMcG said:
I buy the OEM tires and so burn through some of them quickly on track days. My assumption is that the manufacturers know what is optimal for the vehicle. I replace all four tires each time.
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