Tyre recommendations please?

portchieboy

I have a Fiat Stilo, taking 195/65/15 H tyres, and need replacements, 2 at least.

Now I do 15,000+ miles a year, most of that to/from work on a dual carriageway, so say 70mph. I am not a hard driver, get the car serviced regularly and keep pressures about right, but the tyres do not seem to last beyond 20k or so.

I know if I ask in the shops, what type of tyre is best, they are going to base the answer on stock levels or mark up. I cannot seem to find any independant advice on the web, so does anybody recommend any particular brand, and type/model of tyre, both to last longer, and have good fuel efficiencies?

Willing to pay for decent stuff, so long as I know it will last.

Thanks.

claireyfairy_2

I have just bought a new tyre and was told by a guy who seemed pretty trustworthy that Michelin are better wearing that bridgestone or firestone. That seems to be pretty consistent info as I'd been told michelin before elsewhere. Damn expensive for a rubbery hole!!!

portchieboy

Don't talk to me about Rubbery Holes!

maniac886

Michelin's are pretty decent, you may be able to get some from Costco if you are a member. I now have Avon ZZ3s which are just awesome, they are fantastic in both the rain and dry weather.

jeannieblue

I would've thought that the tyres that were on it when new, were the best ones for it....

What do Fiat recommend?

BigSpender2_2

Just replaced my Bridgestones (er30) did 30,000 miles. Now gone for Pirelli

I prefer to stick to brands. Have you looked at Autoexpress etc for reviews?

goldspanners

federal 535 super steels, great value,great amount of miles for the price, i got 20k out of my last set and cost 200 quid fitted,i just bought another set,220 this time,great handling in wet and dry.
remember though it has to be the 535 super steels,dont go for any other federal as they dont handle just as well.

keith1950

Hi Portchieboy, whatever tyre you settle on have a look at Blackcircles.com. They are usually about the cheapest and usually give a good choice of "independant" fitting centres.The last set I bought were priced at £560 for 4 Michelin Synchrone (reinforced) at Kwikfit, but got them from Blackcircles for £340 fitted , miles cheaper than anyone else. They seem to have a choice of 75-80 types for the size you specified.

portchieboy

Hey Keith....they look very good.
They are doing a special on Toyo Proxes....never heard of them but the reviews are good.
Looks like a deal!

Andy_Hamilton

After doing 150,000 miles in 5 years I have tried loads.
Perelli P6000 - Worked ok but after trying others I will never go back, the car did what it should but never give piece of mind and no real feedback.
Michelin Pilot Premacy - Really good tyre, lasted longer than others but when I got a puncture I was gutted to pull out another £90-100 for one tyre.
Vredestien Sportrac 2 and Sportrac 3 - My current tyres, not the best in the dry (not as much grip as others) but in the rain, snow mud the tyres never have let me down. I have absolute confidence in driving with these and when I need my 3rd set I'll be buying Vredestien again. Around the £60 mark is brilliant and they last at least 30K miles for me.

Autoexpress do a tyre test comparison.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/213186/tyre_guide.html

Road_Hog

portchieboy wrote: »

I have a Fiat Stilo, taking 195/65/15 H tyres, and need replacements, 2 at least.

Willing to pay for decent stuff, so long as I know it will last.

Your first problem is, that hard tyres last longer but don't give as musch grip, soft grippy tyres wear out much more quickly. So you kind of have to make a choice, which is your priority.

Secondly, everyone has an opinion and they're all diffferent, it's a bit like buying a car, you can a good reveiw in one magazine and then see the same car trashed in another review. Also people will have an attachment to a certain brand or their car might drive well on a Dunlop X 205/55/16 but the Dunlop X 195/65/15 might be carp on a Stilo.

To give a good recommendation, someone would have to have driven your car with several sets of tyres in wet & dry, slow & fast, using the same style of driving as you do, to get a good comparison. Obviously this isn't going to happen.

I would suggest you go and peruse the fiat forum, where they have a section for the Stilo, you will either find threads about tyres or can start one yourself. You should be able to get advice from people who have experienced tyre usage exactly the same as you would expect.

http://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/