Car tyres - where is best/cheapest?

andygb

Wig wrote: »

All new tyres including remoulds have to pass the same safety tests. End of.

Years ago, when I used to take less care over things like tyres, my missus and I went to France, and travelled down to the Loire. We passed Le Mans on the way, and we drove along the Mulsanne straight, where I decided to put my old Beemer to the test (528i). So we got it up to around 130 (I will let you guess whether it was KPH or MPH ), and it was fine.
Anyway, several days later, there was a vibration from the front of the car, and after a lot of searching, I found that one of the front tyres had a bulge the size of a tennis ball :eek: on the inside rim, and it was rubbing against the shock absorber.
You see, the car was fitted with Colway remoulds, and they were not really up to the task, but thankfully we were able to get them changed for a full set of Michelins, rather than decorating the forest alongside the Mulsanne.
I have never compromised on tyres or brakes since.

Kurtis_Blue

Wig wrote: »

All new tyres including remoulds have to pass the same safety tests. End of.

Yes, they may well all pass thew same tests (if they are the same rating) but obviously some brands/types far exceed this minimum requirement.

Here is a good comparison test of quality brands shopwing the differing performance, this doesnt even take into consideration the unknown Hokishomoto brands.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/212643/braking.html

Hintza

Wig wrote: »

All new tyres including remoulds have to pass the same safety tests. End of.

Yes they have to pass the same safety tests but some will perform significantly better than others.

Tyres are all about mortality. When you are young free and single you feel immortal and buy the cheapest you can.

When you are older and with a family you want something a bit better.

anewman

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/212643/braking.html

So Kumho are both good and cheap :beer:

Kurtis_Blue

anewman wrote: »

So Kumho are both good and cheap :beer:

Werent too bad were they, p poor on aquaplanning but tyres are allways a compramise design.

Just started studying tyre design for motorsport its a black art that makes my brain ache.

roddydogs

mollycat wrote: »

Sorry, but ive got to jump in here and correct this advice.

I USED to work in a Michelin tyre factory and know how tyres are made.

A budget tyre is made EXACTLY the same way as a premium tyre.

I always buy budget tyres, sometimes second hand tyres too.

Buy a premium tyre if it makes you feel safer, but dont buy one because you think you will skite off the road with budget tyres....you wont!!

But shorley Michelin will only make thier own Tyres, not budget ones, so how do you know that? Michelin Xs on my car from new lasted 39,000 miles and were still legal when I changed them, will "Budgets" last that long?

anewman

Most of the smaller brands are owned by the big brands like Contintental, Michelin etc etc anyway.

Lemonade_Pockets

I'm with the don't skimp crowd. I've read quite a few tests over the years and i even think there was something on 5th gear once. Generally the conclusion is always that the cheapies don't perform as well as the mid/premium brands.

There are always exceptions and a bit of research may enable you to get a good comprimise. However as is always pointed out and i think is sound advice why skimp on the only thing keeping you on the road. My dad once told me what ever you do don't skimp on anything tyres, brakes and suspension related. Everything else you can afford to fail, these you can't. People have different attitudes to risk but i value mine and others safety and the difference between a massive crash and a close call can be marginal.

In terms of the original question i generally check camskill and blackcircle plus maybe a few other internet places to sus out prices. However Jet tyres (essex) always beat any price i find and throw in balancing and tracking. Fitted while you wait normally in about 20mins. Can't ask for more.

If you have a "interesting" car check out the owners forums as there is normally a lot of info about different tyres and how they perform on your specific model.

Kurtis_Blue

anewman wrote: »

Most of the smaller brands are owned by the big brands like Contintental, Michelin etc etc anyway.

And Ferrari is owned by Fiat, performance still varys slightly.


Edit [ before completing the deal through Blackcircles phone the fitting dealer to see if they will better the quote ]

ailuro2

anewman wrote: »

Most of the smaller brands are owned by the big brands like Contintental, Michelin etc etc anyway.

If you look you can find which brands are made by whom, for example....

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/who-owns-what-tyre-brands.htm

but notice there's no big list of foreign sounding names you've never heard of.......

those very cheap tyres are not made by the big brands, like most things, they're cheap for a reason, most likely because they're made on old machinery by the cheapest paid people, do you think they proper training programmes for their operators?
Or are they more likely to work from the 'black and round' rulebook.;)

My final words on it, as everyone is entitled to make their own choices on it..




FAST, GOOD, CHEAP

Pick two of the above, because you'll not get all three in manufacturing.;)



p.s. Mollycat, I sent you a PM.