Tyre brands

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:11 pm

The blue break is due tyres before long, so I've started doing some research. I've used Black Circles in the past to save a few quid, and there are plenty of similar companies around - Tyre Shopper seem to have the lowest prices.

The problem I have is that they're simply giving me too much choice! Do me a favour, if you have five minutes - plug 185 60 14 into those sites and have a look at what comes up.

Which brands would you recommend? Which brands would you avoid?

The difference in price between them is not that great, so I hope your collective wisdom will save me from buying crap tyres for the sake of ten or twenty quid. Thanks!

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:23 pm

You will probably get several hundred different answers but at least I'll be first! I use Firestone Firehawks on my estate (195 width) and they are excellent. I'm now on my third set - I get about 30k miles life to about 3mm depth, but I do drive 'enthusiastically' on the fast A roads round here.
Having said that I haven't compared them with Michelins or the like, only the unmatched Chinese ones that were fitted when I bought the car.

Sorry if that hasn't been much help!

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:24 pm

Vredstein Hi-Trac as fitted to my TZD before going off the road, superb in the dry & even better in the wet. Think they cost me just under £30 each, miles better than michelin etc...

Currently running michelin's on the txd, cant wait to get rid, absolutely hopeless in the wet & not that brill in the dry either, they always seem to squeel when going round corners

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:41 pm

If you want quieter, I'd suggect Avons. IME they are good at noise supression on rough back streets. Just don't plan on 30 laps of Brands Hatch in them.

mnde · Post by **mnde** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:57 pm

I'll put in a plug for the Uniroyal Rallye 680 82T, and I think the Doc might agree with me. They're marketed as the "Rain Tyre", they're not too dear, and I've been pretty happy with them so far, although I only have them on the front - I've got Michies on the back.

Next!

Mark.

Post by **docchevron** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:10 pm

Yep, Uniroyal is always my first choice.
Next would be the Firestones (they're actually quite good)
Third would be the Avon's. Whilst Avon's are not all that bad and as Philip said they are quite a quiet tyre they dont last well and grip is less than the firestone and Uniroyal.

Post by **docchevron** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:11 pm

Ooh, one thing about Uniroyal's thogh, they have very soft sidewalls, so if you clip kerbs alot then avoid, since they'll explode.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:54 pm

Out of that selection personally I'd go for the Barum tyres from tyre shopper, based on the fact that I have been *very* impressed by the pair I have on one of my MZ's.

*But* were I able to go for any brand, it would be Vredestein.

mnde · Post by **mnde** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:58 pm

MULLEY wrote:Currently running michelin's on the txd, cant wait to get rid, absolutely hopeless in the wet & not that brill in the dry either, they always seem to squeel when going round corners

Tracking/geometry?

Mark.

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:40 pm

Tracking/geometry?

Perhaps. However, every BX I've owned shod with Michelin 165/70s has been prone to tyre-squeal on sharp cornering - but has never, ever let go. A long time ago I read an annoyed net post from a boy-racer used to Fords: it really bugged him that he couldn't make an old 16RS estate lose grip on a corner - even in a muddy field - in the way he was used to making his escorts do.

running 185s I feel they make a BX feel more like other cars: i.e. heavier on the steering and a lot more bump-thumpy. If the Uniroyals are as flexible as the Doc suggests, then they'd probably be most like Michelins in that respect.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:32 pm

BX DTR Turbo estate running 175 60 14 tyres - currently on Continentals - awful - as were Halfords and Goodyears before.

They're all noisy and feed too many bumps through the suspension making it feel crude.

Had similar problems on the ZX 1.9D (turned 100,000 miles today) Then was persuaded to try Klebers - as Continentals were'nt available and cost 50p more - WOW what a difference - even my wife noticed - smoother, no bump feed through, quieter, better wet grip and so on - and will put them on the BX next time

Kleber are Michelin's budget brand - seem excellent and are lasting well!

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:41 pm

Cant be the geometry as these tyres were originally on my Gti, & guess what?? they squeeled like litty piggy's as well

. I've had the tracking checked & all was fine. They are just rubbish tyres, i think they are XT1's.... In the dry they seem to grip ok, just always squeeling & i'm not even pushing it that hard either (thats by my standards, so perhaps i am by others??). Pressures are ok as well, probably an old tread pattern by modern standards & i think these were one of the 1st eco style tyres??

Anyway, michelin = expensive & can be bettered, easily in my experience.

There's lots of budget tyres like Barum, Klebers etc... that have had some very good reports, i use the following site which also links in with tyre assesment reviews from people who have used them....

http://www.mytyres.co.uk

Ultimately its a minedfield, so many to choose from.

Come to think of it, my Debica winter tyres didnt squeel when i drove quite hard in the dry on them & the Michelin's on my old Clio sport were pretty good.

There must be quite a few things that make them work or not, weight of car, the track of said vehicle, the power output, suspension type etc...thats probably why the same tyre on a different car can be totally rubbish....

So basically, i cant offer you any advice as all 3 of my cars are fitted with different tyres & all the cars have different power outputs & slight weight & possible track differences.... Go for the Vredsteins

Post by **docchevron** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:52 am

MULLEY wrote:they squeeled like litty piggy's as well

Ahhh, a timely Deliverence moment!

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:08 am

The day I find the perfect tyre brand will be a miracle.

Seems to be when I do replace tyres the brand I was using gets changed...

Currently got set Michs on the rear and Goodyear Ducato on the front, Not impressed the ducato seem to get a bit of wheel spin on wet roads pulling on to fast roads. Could be the fact lot of rubber on that junction (not sure).

Trouble for me is only had one set of tyres on this Car other than switching the Bridgestones over that were worn when I got it.

Sorry no help.

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:54 am

Klebers are the Michelin group's mid-range brand - often fitted to BXs and other Citroens in France as replacement tyres (presumably on grounds of price).