Mentor tyres?

jase1

Made in Europe, apparently, by Cooper (would imagine Eastern Europe at the prices they're going for).

Was looking for some winter tyres and saw these:

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&cart_id=69961844.110.2979&sowigan=Wi&Breite=205&Quer=55&Felge=16&Speed=&Load=&kategorie=&Marke=&ranzahl=4&tyre_for=&x_tyre_for=&m_s=3&sort_by=preis&rsmFahrzeugart=ALL&filter_preis_bis=&filter_preis_von=&homologation=&search_tool=standard&Label=F-C-71-2&details=Ordern&typ=D-118869

Seem very reasonable for a tyre made by a recognised manufacturer, so was just curious to know if anyone has had any experiences with them?

Tyres would be going on a Mondeo 2l petrol for general commuting.

Iceweasel

After the 'privatisation' of state assets in Serbia, a Bulgarian company was in control of the Trajal tyre factory.

They sold it to Cooper in 2011 and Cooper of course changed the name asap to Mentor.

According to my father-in-law who knows about all things ex-Jugoslav for the motor trade they made excellent tyres for mopeds and bicycles!

Heavy tyres for buses and trucks too.

I imagine that the American owners have introduced some new technology to a very old-fashioned firm, but their car tyres are a completely unknown quantity as yet.

I can't find any user reviews of them.

jase1

Thanks for that. With this being the case, I am tempted to take a punt -- if, as seems likely, this factory has had a recent investment, I would imagine that the tyres themselves are being sold at a loss currently to try to gain market share. Just where I like to be when looking for a bargain.

tykesi

I think at that price they're definitely worth a go based on the fact that if they turn out to be (snowy) ditchfinders you can get rid and not be too much out of pocket.

Saying that, I've just managed to source a set of four goodyear winter tyres for £70 through an owners forum for my Civic. Might be worth looking in a similar place for your car or even on eBay, they'll be cheaper everywhere at this time fo year?

jase1

These will be the old tyres that I guess these ones are loosely based on:

http://www.tyretest.com/winter-tyres-review/trayal/t_200/index.html

Reviews even of these pre-takeover tyres seem reasonable enough in general. If we allow for the investment/improvement in the new model, I would guess that these will be in the "decent budget" bracket.

Definitely going to give these a go methinks. If they're no good, meh, as mentioned I can probably sell them on for £30 each s/h.

nobbysn*ts

jase1 wrote: »

These will be the old tyres that I guess these ones are loosely based on:

http://www.tyretest.com/winter-tyres-review/trayal/t_200/index.html

Reviews even of these pre-takeover tyres seem reasonable enough in general. If we allow for the investment/improvement in the new model, I would guess that these will be in the "decent budget" bracket.

Definitely going to give these a go methinks. If they're no good, meh, as mentioned I can probably sell them on for £30 each s/h.

The 200 is a different pattern to the 250, so I don't think they're the same. But, they have got 200's for mine though, so I'll be in there as well!

nobbysn*ts

http://www.tyretest.com/winter-tyres-review/mentor/m250/index.html and http://www.tyretest.com/winter-tyres-review/mentor/m200/index.html but not many reviews for the 250.

nobbysn*ts

Ordered, at £36 each, let you know how they are in six months, compared to the Nokian WR I was using (at £51 now).

nobbysn*ts

Well, they've arrived. Chunky deep asymmetrical heavy block pattern, looks like they could be a bargain.

[Deleted User]

Don't know if you have had a chance but are they mounted on rims and balance ok? Remember years ago I got some cheap Colway Mud tyres for a Jeep but were impossible to balance, total crap on road but good off...


Cheers

[Deleted User]

jeepjunkie wrote: »

Don't know if you have had a chance but are they mounted on rims and balance ok? Remember years ago I got some cheap Colway Mud tyres for a Jeep but were impossible to balance, total crap on road but good off...


Cheers

In the end just ordered the Avon Ice Touring which I've had a couple of times before and never disappointed. Cheers