Tyres

[john hannon]

On my last car, BMW 325 coupe, I bought a set of budget tyres last Summer. At first I drove around with a grin on my face, thinking about how much money I had saved.

In the Autumn, when it got a bit wet, I found myself tightning my butt muscles when cornering, the grip wasnt too good.

In the Winter when it was wet and cold these tyres were lethal.

When I sold the car I advised the purchaser to change the tyres ASAP

 

So last week when I needed some front tyres for my C5 I vowed not to buy budget, I value my and possibly the lives of others more, I am not kidding when I say this, they were dangerous.

 

On the advice of the guy in the tyre shop I bought Kumho KU31 at £130 the pair fitted.

 

All I can say is FANTASTIC

 

I took my son down to Southhampton (from Hinkley) yesterday in all that rain. The grip was fantastic.

 

They are also very quiet.

 

I found out from chatting to my son yesterday he has the same brand on his BMW 740, his opinion is the same as mine.

 

They were fitted by BT tyres of Rugby, the balance is perfect. They told me that they could not guarantee the tyre pressure sensors would still be working after fitting the new tyres, they were I am pleased to say.

 

Couple of weeks ago did over 500 mile in one day in the C5, my son and I both agreed we couldnt have done the journey in a more comfortable car.

 

In the last year I have had an XJ8, CL420 and as assortment of BMW's by way of comparison.

 

Regards all and thanks for a great Forum

 

John

[myglaren]

Anyone tried Yokohama tyres? They have a good reputation but I have no personal experience with them.

[Ronin]

Sorry Myglaren, I must have missed this one..... Yokohama yes I've had experiences of them.

Fantastic traction and grip in the dry but greasy in the wet. It's down to a softer compound they use . They also don't last that long either. I got 15,000 out of the front pair on my old Pug 205 gti. I did manage to get 23,000 on the back pair though.

 

I now use Uniroyals only. ever since I had to replace the goodyear's on my old AXGT because of a sidewall bleb on both tyres! over the years I've tried lots of different makes and manufacturers and all I can tell you is the Uniroyals have offered by far the best compromise and awsome in the wet. I use the Rallye 550 pattern on the C5 now.

The next choice if I had to make one would be Michelins but they are hard and noisy they also scrabble for grip a lot.

 

My Alfa is shod with Pirrelli Pzero directionals at the moment but as soon a they wear the Uniroyals will be on.

[Hook]

Worth asking around to see if anyone has a 'Costco' discount warehouse card. I got two Michelins fitted to the C3 two weeks ago, 165/70 R14 just under £85 all in-for two tyres! Mind you, they only do Michelin, but the price takes some beating.

[Randombloke]

On the advice of the guy in the tyre shop I bought Kumho KU31 at £130 the pair fitted.

 

All I can say is FANTASTIC

 

I took my son down to Southhampton (from Hinkley) yesterday in all that rain. The grip was fantastic.

 

They are also very quiet.

 

They are also sold in the UK as Marshal, as far as I know. I've got the KH35 fitted. Best I can get round here is about £80 a tyre, fitted and balanced.

 

Will report back on how they go compared to the Dunlop SP 2000.

 

Marshal Tyres

[72dudes]

Best I can get round here is about £80 a tyre, fitted and balanced.

 

 

Sounds dear, RB. I had a pair of Michelin Energys fitted for £138.96, inc VAT, balance etc. This was at the Citroen dealer who turned out to be cheapest in the region!

[Randombloke]

Sounds dear, RB. I had a pair of Michelin Energys fitted for £138.96, inc VAT, balance etc. This was at the Citroen dealer who turned out to be cheapest in the region!

 

So spill the beans, then?

 

Where were you getting the Energys for this price?

 

Don't forget I have a 2.2 with 215/55 R16 tyres.

[seefive]

Hi

Isn't it strange how a boring topic like tyres can become, well, interesting??

 

Here's my contribution.

 

I run on Goodyear Eagles 195/65 15v which I bought in April 07 for £48 inc VAT per tyre, fitted balanced and new valve. Unit price is regardless of quantity, but I bought 4.

 

I've done 20k miles on them, and there is still a fair amount of rubber above the wear markers, slightly less on the front. Wear is even on all tyres. What struck me about the Goodyears is the balance. I had Dunlops before, fitted at the same place, by the same fitter, and he coudn't get them to run smoothly. The Goodyears balanced spot on with a tiny weight. As for performance, they are fine, although I don't race around "burning rubber". On the odd occasion when I've had to stop quickly, there's been no problem.

 

I use a small retailer called Just Tyres, but their parent is Valuetyres, and you can order from their website, pay and select your nearest fitting centre. The place I go to do a first class job, tightening the bolts with a torque wrench . I can thoroughly recommend the tyres and the retailer.

[72dudes]

So spill the beans, then?

 

Where were you getting the Energys for this price?

 

Don't forget I have a 2.2 with 215/55 R16 tyres.

 

This was at Marshall Citroen, Bury St Edmunds, but admittedly mine are 205/65 x 15, on a 2.2 hatch. However, they did say that they will match or better any local price.

 

Seefive, those Goodyears sound like excellent value.

[Randombloke]

Thanks very much for the information, guys!

 

I will remember the reference to your Citroen dealer, as the tyres you got for the brand and size are very cheap.

 

I've look at Valuetyres, but they are quoting £100 a tyre fitted for the Goodyears, as the size and rating for my car is a fair bit higher. They quote £77.08 fitted for the KH35, so I can't complain.

 

I've checked with Michelin and the Energy is not available for the 215/55 R 16 C5 - only the Pilot or Primacy which are much more expensive.