What tyres?

[jenpot]

I know this topic has been done to death but I'd like some help. I'll need four new tyres soonish but I don't quite know what I need.

I don't understand the numbering, i've had a read about but it's all rubbish to me. I'm on 17" rims, non runflat. Probably want Goodyear eagles since it's already running a couple.

Short (10 mile) daily commute, need a good all rounder since it rains all the bloody time in Glasgow. Plan is to work out what I want now before I need them, then keep an eye out for deals. Anyone help? Specifically, what does all the ***/**/** mean in real tems? Apart from radius, does the rest matter for a normal car?

[Eviltad]

The numbers matter as it all dictates your tyre spec for the wheels.

My MCS has 205/45/17 tyres.

So (from memory) 205mm width, 45% of the width as side wall (this is bit i'm not dead sure on) but its the thickness profile of the tyre and 17 inches is the alloy diameter.

Current tyre de jour is the Falken FK452. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/FK452.htm

Get them and let us know what you think.

[jenpot]

Thank you, I understood every word of that. Yeah, think the tyres I'm currently on have been superceded so I'll take a look.

[JCWStevey]

Uniroyal RainSport 2s are very good in the wet and are pretty good in the dry too. Also a fairly reasonable price and were 2nd in Evo's recent tyre test too.

[jenpot]

Any other suggestions? I'm prepared to pay for a good set since I've while to save up and check for prices, I believe you get what you pay for.

[dandarez]

Camskill do probably the best online tyre prices around and only charge just over 2 quid per tyre delivery. As for Mini, I'm running Dunlop 01 runflats but they are ruddy expensive in W speed rating. Probably go for non runflats next. Continental Sportrac 3 get rave reviews.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m54b0s...

[DrainTheSpuds]

jenpot said:

Any other suggestions?

As I've said in several other threads, I'm a big fan of the Toyo T1R - they suit the MINI really well. I'm on my second set now, although I was tempted to try the Falken 452s in the light of many positive comments on here.

I'd also highly recommend Camskill for both service and price.

[jenpot]

Excellent, I've heard good things about Toyo's so I think that's my mind made up. We use our local e-tyres guy for fitting, goes out of his way to give great service but I'll look around at pricing before I order, no urgent need yet.

[MattsMINI]

Eviltad said:

The numbers matter as it all dictates your tyre spec for the wheels.

My MCS has 205/45/17 tyres.

So (from memory) 205mm width, 45% of the width as side wall (this is bit i'm not dead sure on) but its the thickness profile of the tyre and 17 inches is the alloy diameter.

Current tyre de jour is the Falken FK452. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/FK452.htm

Get them and let us know what you think.

Get these. I've got them and they are cracking. Good value too.

[Eviltad]

DrainTheSpuds said:

jenpot said:

Any other suggestions?

As I've said in several other threads, I'm a big fan of the Toyo T1R - they suit the MINI really well.

I ran them a couple of times and whilst good they didnt last very long. I'm thinking 6000 miles approx. Although my commute has changed significantly other tyres are lasting a lot longer.

[DrainTheSpuds]

Eviltad said:

I ran them a couple of times and whilst good they didnt last very long. I'm thinking 6000 miles approx. Although my commute has changed significantly other tyres are lasting a lot longer.

My first set of T1Rs lasted just under 10,000 miles, which is exactly what I used to get out of a set of the stock Runflats. I'd estimate that around half of that mileage was done on the motorway. When I first had the car and my motorway use was much higher, I managed to get over 14,000 miles before they needed changing - I'd expect similar results with the Toyos.

[jenpot]

Do'h. Just about to order tyres I realised I said in my original post 17 inch wheels, but it's not, its 16. Massive typo!

Can I change tyres from a 195/55 to a 205/55, or will there be problems?

[jenpot]

Really, seriously, someone?

This is a car forum!

[DanGT]

They may fit but if you change the size the speedo will read wrong. It will be wider and taller. I would stay with the same size, if you are having problems finding your size you can go for a higher (never lower) speed raiting, some times this can give more options and be cheeper.

[Tom74]

Try this link as it tells you how far off the readings will be when you change the ttre sizes.
Remember that the sidewall measurement is not an absolute figure but a ratio.

http://www.alloywheels.com/tyrecalc.asp

I went down to 16" wheel from 18" on mine and it was useful to check the sizes.

[mlambere]

I have fitted Avon zzr3 for 250 from national tyres and there have been gr8 in the recent weather. So much better than the pirellis fitted, more grip and do not tramline, highly recommended