Tyre recommendations please

martyp

Hi all,

I have a budget of around £50 per tyre and having done research on different websites it seems there are quite a range available for my tyre size.
The tyres are 175 65R14 82T.
I've seen Pirelli's, Michelin's, Goodyears, Avon etc. all within this price range but really don't know what would be a bargain or not or the best buy...
If anyone can suggest anything at all I'd really appreciate it as there seems to be quite a choice available within that budget?

milegurts

Hi MartyP
I think the last time I was in getting tyres they had brought out a new eu rating system and tyres were rated on things like fuel efficiency, handling braking etc. I dont know how reliable these ratings are but it might be a good start to have a look at what you find important and go from there.
The AA might be a good place to have a look though i am sure there are others if you google eu tyre ratings

martyp

Thanks milegurts, I noticed they rate them on things like noise etc. It gets more confusing when you have Summer tyres as I don't want something I can only have for part of the year.

Ebe_Scrooge

At the risk of opening up the perennial can of worms ........

OK, first off - summer / winter tyres. "Summer" tyres don't really exist. "Winter" tyres do, but they're quite pricey. Yes, they offer better levels of grip in extreme conditions, but do you need that ? I live in Scotland, I drive on "standard" tyres year-round, and I can negotiate roads that some folk in Landrovers seem to struggle with.

For an average, normal car, mid-range standard tyres are fine. If you own a Ferrari then yes, expect to pay through the nose - not that you'll be bothered if you can afford a Ferrari.

The manufacturers you mentioned - "Pirelli's, Michelin's, Goodyears, Avon", are all well-respected makes. But £50 a tyre sounds cheap. What car are you driving ? End of the day, the old chestnut is true - "the tyre is the only contact between you and the road". If you do 2 miles to the shops and back again, once a week, then the cheapest rubber going will be OK. If you're in a hot hatch, pushing it to the limit on every corner, then a hundred per tyre is probably cheap.

For most "ordinary" cars doing "ordinary" trips, get down to your local tyre place and see what they've got on offer in the "midrange" segment.

bigjl

Consider Korean brands like Hankook and Nexen.

Hankook are now OE fitment on several Mercedes aswell as Kia and Hyundai vehicles.

More interestingly for those looking to save some dosh are Nexen, they are now OE fitment on some new Kia's, specifically the Kia Soul EV as I had a mooch around one when sorting out the Service for the Picanto.

The Nexen winter tyres I bought a few months ago are wearing very well, the car is getting hammered a bit lately, up to 100 miles a day, 7 days a week, nearly 3000 miles in last 6 weeks. They are wearing very well, are quiet and have decent ride comfort. Due to fuel costs the Picanto is taking over its duties.

Summer tyres will have to go on within the next month or so really.

Have a look at some prices on Oponeo.

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=1/summer/t=1/car/p=9/nankang,nexen,avon,hankook,toyo,michelin,pirelli,kumho,maxxis/r=1/175-65-r14

Summer tyres definitely exist, as do All Seasons and Winters.

Technology has moved on from the past years, Summer tyres simply don't work aswell I the cold as an All Season or Winter tyre.

They are not unsafe by any means but you will feel the benefits.

The Berlingo felt more secure in the cold and wet than the Picanto with its Hankook Summer tyres, now the weather has started to warm up this advantage is no longer evident.

The Picanto will get Winter tyres next year.

The Berlingo will get Summer tyres within a month or so.

Specifically for the OP I would be tempted by the Nexens at £30 or the Avon ZT5 at £33.

No EU specs on the Avon but the Nexen scored C C with 73db noise.

martyp

Many thanks both, really appreciate all the advice. The car isn't a Ferrari I'm afraid but a Mk2 Clio Diesel which as I believe with many diesels gets through front tyres quite quickly with the engine weight.
I did wonder about Avons, I had Hankooks, Goodyears and Pirellis in the past but normally as the result of a mixed bag of part worns.
I looked on several big websites such as National Tyres and Exhausts and Halfords and there seem to be quite a few tyres available for my tyre size (not sure if it might be a cheaper size?).

mark5

My golf tdi come with Pirellis on, I never thought much of Pirellis but it's on 24000 now and probably going to be returned at 36 months with the original tyres.

I usually get about 10 k out of a front set.

bigjl

The wife had a Clio D I for years (mk3 though)

Hankooks K425 (Kinergy Eco) dealt best with the heavy front tyre wear.

Avons also pretty good, ZV3 if memory serves.

Conti Contacts wore quickly and unevenly on the front.

Dunlop Blue Response were great but due to me not keeping an eye on tyre pressures for a month or two the fronts wore badly on inside and outside.

I would have no hesitation in putting Hankooks or Nexens on a diesel Clio. As they are well priced and more than up to the job. The Dunlop BluResponse were better though, even noticed a very slight fuel economy improvement, shame they wore unevenly, there was well over 4mm in the centre 2/3 but edges were below 1mm.

But heavy front tyre wear is not uncommon on diesel Clios.

force_ten

if you are happy to pay £50.00 a corner then you have lots of choice you can get a Continental Premium Contact 5 - 175/65R14 - 82T from asda tyres fitted for under £51.00 a corner and that is a tyre that is A rated for wet grip

I wish i could get contis for my car at that price

Goodyear 175/65R14 82T Efficient grip Compact B rated wet grip £45.00 a corner

Hankook 175/65R14 82T K425 Kinergy similar price to the goodyear and B rating for wet grip

if you are happy to spend the money then go for one of the premium brand as they are only £10.00 a tyre more than some of the unnamed ditchfinders

martyp

Thanks for all the suggestions, I noticed Hankook K425s are only £41.25 somewhere close to me so might look into those. I'll check all the others as well.

bigjl

force_ten wrote: »

if you are happy to pay £50.00 a corner then you have lots of choice you can get a Continental Premium Contact 5 - 175/65R14 - 82T from asda tyres fitted for under £51.00 a corner and that is a tyre that is A rated for wet grip

I wish i could get contis for my car at that price

Goodyear 175/65R14 82T Efficient grip Compact B rated wet grip £45.00 a corner

Hankook 175/65R14 82T K425 Kinergy similar price to the goodyear and B rating for wet grip

if you are happy to spend the money then go for one of the premium brand as they are only £10.00 a tyre more than some of the unnamed ditchfinders

Which tyres are you claiming are "unnamed ditchfinders" ?